November 23, 2020 : Sporty's Academy

Biweekly Bulletin – November 23, 2020

CLERMONT COUNTY AIRPORT RECEIVES EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT SUPPORT

Trevor Ranly leads Boy Scout team updating Sporty’s Grove facilities

Clermont County Airport’s recreation area, also known as Sporty’s Grove, received a facelift thanks to an Eagle Scout project. One of the requirements to achieve the Eagle Scout rank is to plan, develop and give leadership to others in completing a service project that will benefit the community. Sporty’s Grove was the focus of a recent Eagle Scout project recently completed by Trevor Ranly and his fellow Boy Scouts.

Trevor’s project focused on three features of Sporty’s Grove:

Picnic Shelter – removed and replaced rotting wood on both ends of the shelter. The team painted siding, posts, and shelter supports.

Cornhole Court – removed old timbers from Bocce Ball Court. Poured two concrete pads at the appropriate distance for cornhole boards.

Sand Volleyball Court – installed new wooden posts. The team painted the new posts and replaced the net to its appropriate height.

The Eagle Scout rank of the Boy Scouts of American represents a milestone of accomplishment recognized around the world. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. Congratulations Trevor and team and thank you!

GOOD FUEL MANAGEMENT STARTS WITH TAXI

Leaning during ground operations and practice area work is encouraged and good for the engine

Good fuel management procedures not only help control costs, but are also good for the engine, good for the environment and will ensure you’re achieving accurate fuel burn as described in the POH. Leaning should not be reserved for high altitude, cross-country flying, leaning should be accomplished whenever appropriate including for all ground operations, enroute to the practice area and even during maneuvers. To lean for ground operations, set the power to 1200 RPM and lean for maximum RPM and then return the power to a normal idle or taxi setting. Consult your aircraft POH for additional guidance on en-route leaning procedures.

Lower power settings will also help achieve more economical fuel burn. When not flying cross-country, it’s requested that engine speed be reduced to 2200 RPM as a maximum and consider even lower. While speed is typically not a high priority for local flights, the speed impact is negligible when considering the short distances covered.

FOREFLIGHT RELEASES VERSION 12.1

Adds forecast cloud layer and internet traffic

ForeFlight’s 11th major release of 2020 continues the trend from previous updates: sophisticated new weather features for Pro Plus and Performance Plus subscribers, but some helpful tweaks for Basic subscribers too. Here’s a look at the latest additions.

Cloud Forecast

The most noticeable (and most useful) new feature is the graphical cloud forecast, which essentially shows a simulated satellite picture on the Maps page at three-hour increments, up to to 24 hours in the future. Is it going to be overcast at 7am tomorrow in Cincinnati? This layer gives you a good at-a-glance indication. Since it’s a global layer, pilots from Australia to Austria can view it, but it does require a Pro Plus subscription or higher.

Read more at Sporty’s iPad Pilot News.

NIGHT FLYING REFRESHER

From Sporty’s Student Pilot News

by Eric Radtke

The return to standard time, cooler temperatures, and shorter days may have you dreading the winter flying season, and already longing for spring. As a glass-half-full type, now is a great opportunity to enjoy the many pleasures of night flying at a more civilized hour. Calmer air, spectacular views and less traffic are just a few of advantages we encounter at night. So instead of an excuse, let’s use the early sunset as a reason to get caught up on some helpful night flying tips and reminders.

Unless you’re flying freight for a living, night flying typically comprises a very small percentage of our total flying. And naturally, because it’s not something we do on a regular basis, we lack proficiency and confidence. And because so many aspects of flying at night are different from our routine daytime flying, it’s not something we should just dive in to each fall without a plan. Everything from equipment and preparation, to cockpit organization and physiology require additional consideration when it comes to night flying.

The rules

To review the rules governing night flying, in order to be current to carry a passenger, you must have completed at least three takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days in the same class of airplane (i.e. single engine).

FAA MEDICALS AND BASIC MED AT SPORTY’S

Scheduling now for 2021

FAA Aviation Medical Examiner, Dr. John Held, offers aviation medical exams and basic med evaluations at Sporty’s Clermont County Airport on select Saturdays. The cost of the exam is $120. An EKG (if required) is subject to an additional $35 fee.

DATE	TIME
Saturday, January 9	9am – 1pm
Saturday, February 6	9am – 1pm
Saturday, March 13	9am – 1pm

To schedule, please call Sporty’s at 513.735.9100 ext. 0.

For pilots pursuing Basic Med, the required online training is available through two approved sources – AOPA and Mayo Clinic.

VIDEO TIP: HOW TO DETERMINE THE WIND DIRECTION FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING

When departing or approaching an airport, it’s important that you choose a runway that allows you to takeoff or land into the wind. This week’s tip looks at some common wind direction indicators found on the ground at many airports, along with how to use the radio to tune into automated weather reporting systems.