St Louis Flying Club Newsletter - 21 September 2001

From The President - By Mike Piccirilli

Dear Members,

I just (9/21 PM) checked the AOPA website and see that although VFR instructional flights (flights with an instructor) are now allowed under class B airspace, normal VFR flight is still prohibited. There is no clue to when this ban will be lifted but I don't think it will last too much longer. We can thank the AOPA and EAA for all their efforts in working to get us flying again.

Once the ban is lifted (wishful thinking?), make sure you get a thorough briefing with NOTAMS to ensure you don't accidently blunder into some restricted airspace. The events over the past week, and their repercusions, have certainly made us appreciate the freedoms we had. I hope we can experience those freedoms again, soon!

Happy Landings!
Pic

Air Intercept Procedures

With the constantly changing air space restrictions and hightened tensions, it is probably a good idea to become familiar with the air intercept procedures. If you happen to be intercepted by a Military or law enforcement aircraft, follow these steps:

  1. Follow the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft. (See the chart below for potential instructions.)
  2. Notify ATC, if possible.
  3. Communicate with the intercepting aircraft and/or ATC on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, giving the identity and position of your aircraft and the nature of the flight.
  4. If equipped with a transponder, squawk 7700, unless otherwise instructed by ATC. If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by visual or radio signals, request clarification while continuing to comply with the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.

Intercepting aircraft signal Meaning Your response Meaning
Rocks wings. After acknowledgement initiates a slow level turn, normally to the left, onto the desired heading. You have been intercepted. Follow me. Rocks wings and follows. I understand and will comply.
(At night, the pilot will also flash the navigational lights at irregular intervals.)   (At night, the pilot will also flash the navigational lights at irregular intervals.)  
       
Performs an abrupt breakaway maneuver consisting of a climbing 90 degree turn, or more, without crossing the intercepted aircraft's flight path. You may proceed. Rocks wings. I understand and will comply.
       
Circles airport, lowers landing gear, and overflies runway in the direction of landing. Land at this airport. Lowers landing gear, follows the intercepting aircraft and lands if the runway is considered safe. I understand and will comply.
(At night, the pilot will also put the landing lights on.)   (At night, the pilot will also put the landing lights on.)  
       
If the intercepted aircraft is requested to go to an alternate airport, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear and uses the intercept procedures (listed above). Understood, follow me. Raises landing gear while flying over runway between 1,000' and 2,000', and continues to circle the airport. This airport is inadequate.
To release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft will perform the breakaway maneuver listed above. Understood, you may proceed. (At night, the pilot of the intercepted aircraft will also flash landing lights while passing over the runway.)  
       
Performs the breakaway maneuver listed above. Understood. The pilot switches on and off all available lights at irregular intervals. Cannot comply.
       
Performs the breakaway maneuver listed above. Understood. The pilot switches on and off all available lights at irregular intervals. In distress.

Treasurer's Report - by Marlin Sipe

The Treasury is doing great this year! We currently have over $1800 in the Adjusted Treasury, at a time when we would normally want to have about $375 saved up for Annual.

   Maintenance - by John Heilmann

No maintenance issues to report. Randy has scheduled some time for maintenance (or flying) on September 28th. Hopefully, he will be flying by then.

FAA Private and Instrument Test Questions

See how much you remember from your FAA Private Pilot and Instrument Rating Written Test by taking a quick 10 question test. Submit your answers and you will receive the correct answers and your score. (Don't worry, only you see the test results and your score.) This is a quick and easy way to keep familiar with the FARs. Use the links below and try to get a 100%:

The links above take you to Kip's FAA written Test Preparation Site. This site can be found directly at: http://w3.one.net/~kip/faatest.html

PAST NEWSLETTERS - Newsletter Archive


Copyright © 1999, St Louis Flying Club, All rights reserved. Last updated 21 September 2001.
...