Wings, Wheels and Water

SUN ‘n FUN Evaluates Safety Protocol before Annual Fly-In

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SUN ‘n FUN Evaluates Safety Protocol before Annual Fly-In
(March 9, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Thursday morning brought Lakeland’s finest to the SUN n FUN Expo Campus for their annual Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan meeting ahead of the 43rdannual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held April 4-9, 2017.
Representatives from all of Polk County’s emergency response teams attended the meeting, which included an hour long mock drill. Jeff Wharton of the Lakeland Fire Department and Rick Savage, representing Life Net 5, led the course and drill. All SUN ‘n FUN staff members were required to attend the meeting and drill, and the 30-plus participants followed a carefully prepared procedure that has been developed in case of emergency during the fly-in.
The drill included a site-wide power outage and simultaneously a patron who was involved in a hit and run. The drill included Life Net 5 landing a helicopter on the campus to retrieve an injured spectator, Lakeland Fire Department fire trucks, and Lakeland Police Officers responding to the emergency in real time.
SUN ‘n FUN has always been dedicated to the safety of every person who enters of their campus and strives to improve safety regulations every year. John “Lites” Leenhouts, President and CEO of SUN ‘n FUN, knows how important safety protocols are and makes sure his staff is prepared for any emergency on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.
“Safety doesn’t happen by accident,” Leenhouts stated. “It’s the result of trained professionals acting with good judgement and procedures that govern good operations in the air and on the ground. Professionals don’t make mistakes.”
The staff working during the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo utilizes many different techniques to reach the public in the event of an emergency. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for text message alerts, which will alert them to an emergency on the campus. They can also utilize social media to see updates on events in the area. New to the event this year, the campus will have jumbotrons on the airfield to prepare fans for weather alerts and emergency situations. The event will also include a siren on the campus for the first time. The siren will blare when there is a severe weather alert, warning people to move to an inside location on the campus.
Jeff Wharton believes drills are a great way to prepare for an emergency.
“Safety is the main goal for SUN ‘n FUN” Wharton said. “We want everyone to have a good time, but be aware of their surroundings. There are things during the fly-in that are not normal to an everyday theme park like airplanes, golf carts, four wheelers, etc.”
The SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo is prepared for an action-packed show, which will include performances by the US Navy Blue Angels and the world’s largest gathering of P-51 Mustangs in close to a decade. Air show and workshop schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found on the SUN ‘n FUN website at flysnf.org. As always, safety will be a top priority.
For more information on SUN ‘n FUN safety, please contact our office at 863-644-2431.
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SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities, and used to support on-going scholarship funding
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Visit us online for a year full of events 
& mark your calendar for the 43rd Annual
SUN ’n FUN International Fly-In & Expo

April 4-9 | 2017

Is oil analysis a good idea

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This is a good question for not only aircraft owners but ,boat and performance car owners. too.

Question. Is oil analysis a good idea or just a waste of money?
Answer. 
I think it depends on the engine.  Most mechanics would probably agree that a high time engine would benefit from oil analysis.  If you are trying to extend the time between overhauls (TBO),  oil analysis is a must.  Flying your aircraft past TBO can save you a few bucks in the near future but can (but not always) increase the actual cost of the overhaul in the long term.  It could be one of those “pay me now or pay me more later”!  Extended use might damage parts instead of just wearing them down.  

But oil analysis and regular oil changes can help the owner monitor some of the internal conditions of the engine.  Which also means if you start a new engine on the oil analysis program from the very start you can continually monitor the engines wear throughout the years of operation. 

Typically, the average oil change would be sufficient for most owners to check the oil for any contaminants.  The mechanic or owner  who does the oil change should cut the filter, or inspect the oil screen and look for any type of contamination.  If you are looking at an aircraft to buy, and you have the time, an oil analysis would probably offer you finer (no pun intended) details than just the filter or screen test.  In fact, if you find something in the screen or filter it will probably indicate wear or damage that may be significant and might be a indicator that you should do oil analysis.

So in the end, no I do not think it is a waste of money.

Proficiency training Simulator or aircraft?

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The following question from a customer asked about doing regular training.  Its important to note that sometimes insurance companies require training in a specific class or category of aircraft.  For example; if you fly a pressurized or cabin class aircraft, you will probably be required to get “factory approved”  initial ground and flight training along with recurrent training after that. Most companies require recurrent every year but there are a few that will go for two or three years between the training. A lot depends on the type of aircraft you are flying.   
That said —- 
Q. Proficiency.  I’m thinking of going to a school such as RTC, Flight Safety etc.  Most of these companies do simulator training.  Am I better off going out with an instructor, doing the FAA Wings kind of thing, or going to a school?  Training in the airplane will give me some dual, my Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) and my flight review?  Which is a better way to go?

A. That’s a tough one.  From an insurance standpoint, many of the underwriters require training from a factory approved school that specializes in your specific aircraft.  That training is often in a simulator and counts as your IPC, flight review and dual.  That is if it’s from an approved school or training institution. 

I’m a big believer in the FAA Wings programs and flight simulators to keep a pilot proficient.  If the weather is really bad or your checkbook is a little empty, flying with a Flight Simulator program on your home computer can be a great help.  While it might not be logging “real” hours, it can sure help keep your mind in the flying mood.  The Flight Sim program can overlay weather, set up approaches and do almost everything a pilot need s to do to feel comfortable in their aircraft.  Flying to a new destination?  Set up the Flight Sim program to fly into the area, make a few approaches and you’ll feel like you been there before when you get there for the first time.

Whenever possible take advantage of flying the real thing and practice.   Sure I like simulators and software, but I think the real proficiency comes from flying the aircraft.  That’s why we buy an aircraft to begin with.  Hook up with a qualified instructor that you like and go out and have fun and learn at the same time.