N759ZU gets several new goodies!

With so much down time in recent weeks, our mechanic was able to catch up on some of our backlog and upgrades to N759ZU are now complete!
Here is a list of new goodies:
  1. Gross weight increase to 3100 lbs:  This is ~150 lbs more than before!  Note, only land with 3100 lbs during emergencies, and if you can, burn off extra fuel to reduce the load before landing.
  2. Horsepower increase to 252 hp (up from 230 hp):  This is the John Jewell 182-252 STC, which basically modifies the carburetor and allows the beefy O-470-U to run at a higher RPM (i.e., higher redline).  This upgrade is supposed to increase the cruise speed by 5-8 knots at gross weight and increase the climb rate by 400 fpm between 7,000 and 11,000 feet.  It should also make the engine last longer.  Note the 131 knot ground speed at 4,500 ft MSL and only 23″ MP by 2300 rpm.  Push up the rpm a bit higher and go faster!  (Keep doing what you already do to watch EGT and CHT to not run over-rich or too lean, and as always, mind your cowl flaps.)
  3. Rosen visors:  No longer do we have to battle those cheap, puny Cessna stock visors.  We have good visors for those beautiful, sunny morning flights to the east or picturesque evening flights to the west!
  4. 8’s on the mains and larger nose gear:  For those of you who like to fly in the backcountry, now 9ZU has Cessna 206 size gear.  This is large enough to take a slightly rougher strip than we would prefer on the stock gear, yet not large enough to rival that of a sasquatch!
Please stay safe and healthy!  Enjoy!

Governor Orders Stay-at-Home – 21 Days – Impacts to PAC

Members of Ponderosa Aero Club:

I just watched live as the Governor Little ordered everyone in Idaho to “stay-at-home” for 21 days, effective immediately. This applies to all non-essential workers. Despite our belief that a club member being close to a checkride means that we are essential, this is not how the governor sees it. I understand how frustrating this can be for many of you. Please understand that we have been doing as much as we could to keep you flying safely, and we will continue to do this in the future.

All reservations on MyFBO will be canceled with a maintenance block. Please do not dispatch aircraft nor meet at the Club. Staff and CFI’s will need to be at home and not at the Club. Please do not disregard this executive order by the governor.

On the more positive side, we should all be researching the available economic stimulus that was just passed by Congress. My understanding is that unemployment benefits are available and increased for “gig workers,” which I believe would include CFI’s.

Absent physically flying during this period, this can be a great opportunity to brush up on ground materials at home, stream commercial flight instruction videos online, or watch Top Gun (even if it is for the tenth time for some of us). We plan to have our Redbird TD2 flight simulator delivered to the Club as soon as the stay-at-home order is lifted. Prior to today, Emily has been spending time cleaning and polishing airplanes and SP has been at work making sure routine maintenance and upgrades are complete. Ponderosa will come out of this down time ready to fly again!

While much of this news might feel especially alarming, as it certainly affects people’s livelihood, a shutdown of the Club for three weeks is not unlike other temporary shutdowns of the past. We’ve had major challenges to our ability to dispatch during wildfire seasons, temporary flight restrictions, and we will never forget 911. We have had times with very limited or no flying for weeks at a time in the past, just as we are having it now. Together, we will weather this storm.

I will continue to email periodically to keep you apprised of any other major developments. Thank for for being patient and thank you for being a part of Ponderosa Aero Club!

Sincerely,

David Keil

GM, Ponderosa Aero Club

T210 Name Change

The owners of the Club’s nice, new-to-the-club Turbo 210 have spared no expense in getting this airplane ready for their use and that of qualified Club members.  It really looks beautiful, is full of fancy avionics, and includes a built-in oxygen system.  One other more sentimental change is that its tail number is now N886KH.  This airplane was special in so many ways, and it now has even greater value.  If you want to know why this tail number is so special, just ask someone from the Ponderosa staff.

 

 

Is Club aircraft ownership right for you?

Have you ever wanted to own an aircraft and have been worried that you won’t fly it enough?  Are you or a family member looking to build time and want some of the costs of flying to go back in your pocket?  Do you have a plane that doesn’t fly much any more and you just can’t bring yourself to sell it?

Then putting an airplane in Ponderosa Aero Club could be just the right fit.

Please see David (PAC General Manager) if this sounds appealing to you.

 

Annual and Monthly Dues

As you know, the Club’s operations are funded mostly through annual and monthly dues.  To avoid large dues increases in the future, and to keep pace with the costs of club operations (e.g., annual rent increases, replacement of decades-old computers, etc.), Club management plans to raise annual and monthly dues by March 2020.  The last time dues were increased was over one year ago. 

Beginning in March 2020, first year annual dues will increase to $300.  The next four years will remain at $175/year.  Monthly dues will increase to $99/month and the $30 fly-back credit will continue to be applied to monthly dues for month’s in which a member flies (net $69/month).  Associate member dues will increase to $99/year.

If you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call or email David.

Santa’s reindeer…

…are tucked away and waiting to take flight. Eight tucked away in the “stable” and a little one with a red nose to lead the way.

 

 

 

Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) at Ponderosa Aero Club!

Did you know that Sharki is an Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)?  This means that she is qualified to assist in the training and education of members while on the ground.  If you are a club member working on your private pilot license or perhaps an additional rating, Sharki could be a great resource for you and your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) during your training.  Just log onto MyFBO and find her in the schedule.  Select her directly and do not select an aircraft (because she cannot give you ground instruction while flying!).

New (to PAC) Cessna Turbo 210!

We are pleased to have a Turbo 210 coming back to the club.  N732SA has come to us from its former home in Klamath Falls, Oregon.  This beautiful aircraft includes a Garmin 480 GPS, multi-function display, S-TEC 55X autopilot, and enough useful load and speed to take the entire family and baggage to Seattle for a long weekend in about 2 hours of flight time.  It is parked in the T-hangar and venerable 65W is now being parked in the shade hangar.

The club’s same minimum PIC requirements that were in effect for N101CT apply to N732SA.  Basically, the PIC must have an IFR rating, although instrument currency is not required.

Come out and enjoy getting to know this new airplane!

Review the POH for Santa’s Sleigh!

Please be advised that a separate make and model checkout is required for any club member wishing to fly Santa’s Sleigh.  Click the link below to review.

Santa’s Sleigh POH

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