NEWSLETTER FOR OUR MEMBERS

By: Gary Vacin, Publicity Director

March 1, 2009 

                                               

The next monthly meeting of SLAC

Monday, MARCH 16, 2009


Mirror ROOM AT THE SUN LAKES COUNTRY CLUB
mirror room - PHASE I

New Members:

The Past Monthly Meeting – February 16, 2009

 

Dr. Hector Garcia, a designated FAA medical examiner from Tucson was featured speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club meeting February 16.  Dr. Garcia, who also has an office in Douglas, Ariz., gave a general overview of the medical certification process and explained how the FAA Medical Center in Oklahoma City has become more responsive to pilots’ medical issues. 

 

Medical technology has changed tremendously in the last 20 years, he said, and some medical conditions that would have grounded pilots for life, such as heart problems and diabetes, can now be treated to the point that some pilots can regain their medical certificates and return to flying within a few months.

 

Dr. Garcia outlined the procedure for becoming a designated FAA medical examiner, and pointed out that medical examiners are selected based on the number of pilots in a geographical area. Less than three percent of all applicants for FAA medical certificates are denied, he said.  The biggest reason for certificate denial is that applicants don’t submit the necessary paperwork required by the FAA.  

 

Dr. Garcia, who has been a designated FAA medical examiner for 18 years and a pilot for more than 35 years, owns a Piper Comanche aircraft. 

Elton Dyal, Programs Director presents a gift to Dr. Hector Garcia. 
President Bob Walch supervises the presentation

ACTIVITIES
 
Please look these over, mark your calendars and inform Earl Culyer if you have not yet
signed up and you intend to participate in any of these activities 
Telephone 480-895-5525  Email EarlSLAC@wbhsi.net

 

Since many members can only participate on Saturdays, we have made most of the proposed activities on a Saturday

Fly-Ins:

 

The second Saturday of each month a breakfast fly-in is arranged by the Scottsdale Breakfast Club.  Several of our SLAC pilots have attended these functions in the past.  For details visit their website: www.ScottsdaleBreakfastClub.org  If any SLAC pilots wish to be added to the mailing list, contact Warren McIlvoy at: Warren McIlvoy  --- 2009 Events Schedule

Generally the third Saturday of each month 
Special SLAC fly-ins to select locations.

 

March 21st
Saturday

Payson, Arizona
Payson Municipal Airport website

  64 NM

April 18th

Saturday

Ryan Field

Ryan Airport
    Todd’s Place – Restaurant for lunch or breakfast

  75 NM


Field Trips

Generally the fourth Saturday of each month -
Field trips to points of interest to all members and pilots.

 

March 28, 2009
Saturday 1:00 pm

Field trip to the Cessna maintenance facility at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa.  They require a security check and limit the tour to 20 participants.

They will need the name and phone numbers at least a week prior to the visitation.

Meet at Cottonwood Flagpole at 11:45 am

22 driving miles

May 17, 2009

Sunday

Field trip to the Sun Lakes Model Airplane Club’s new facility near Coolidge

Sun Lakes Model Airplane Club website

35 driving miles

Tentative Field-trip
in the Fall of  2009

Rotorway Helicopter Plant – Chandler AZ
Rotorway website

11 driving miles

 

Other Activities

 

April 17, 2009
Friday 4:00 P.M.

Due to popular demand, there will be a Cowboy Cookout at Sisk Park in Palo Verde on Friday, April 17, 2009. Earl has a friend who will cook Ribs and Earl will make a big pot of chili and bake corn bread. What more do we need other then camaraderie?   $5.00 For Ribs, Chili, Corn Bread and Decaf Coffee.  Earl has the tickets for sale.

 

Utensils, paper plates, napkins and cups will be supplied by SLAC

Directions to Sisk Park:  On East Drive off of Flame Tree Drive in Palo Verde

 

Publicity

 

For information on SLAC Publicity, contact Gary Vacin, Publicity Director
480-802-2225; or email Gvacin@hotmailcom


Fly-in February 17th

Six SLAC members and guests participated in a successful fly-in to Lake Havasu on February 17.  Roger Bartel flew his Beechcraft Bonanza, accompanied by Dick Simmons, Earl Cuyler and Wade Mosley.  Bob Arnold flew his Kitfox, with guest Steve Stumpff as a passenger. 

The group encountered great weather both ways, and their stay featured a super breakfast  the Makai Café at the London Bridge.  Desert Skies FBO provided a courtesy fan at no cost for transportation to and from the airport.  The next SLAC fly-in will be to Payson for breakfast and a visit to the Mazatal Casino March 17.  Members interested in participating are encouraged to call Earl Cuyler at 480-895-5525

 

Programs

Programs are arranged by Elton Dyal, Program Director.

If you have any questions concerning the programs,
please contact Elton at:
Telephone 480-895-1160 or email N9588Q@cox.net

·        Monday March 16th

Mark Patterson, a World War II historian and owner/operator of Pathfinder Tour in Chandler, will be the featured speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club meeting Monday, March 16 at the Sun Lakes Country Club Mirror Room.  The meeting will begin with coffee and fellowship at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

 

Patterson will cover various aspects of World War II history, with emphasis on D-Day airborne operations and the Normandy invasion.  He will bring a number of World War II artifacts and memorabilia, including a German MP-44 sub-machine gun, an authentic German Knight’s Cross with oak leaf swords and diamonds-- the highest award available to German pilots, and an unnamed U. S. World War II Congressional Medal of Honor.   He has studied history for more than 30 yeas, traveling extensively through Western Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

·        Monday October 19th

No speaker lined up yet

·        Monday November 16th

 Jessica Cox will talk to our group.  Jessica was born without arms yet flies her own plane.  Come and see what dedication and perseverance can do.  Jessica Cox

Now in its 13th year, the Sun Lakes Aero Club is open to anyone interested in any aspect of aviation.  Additional information is available at the club’s website, www.sunlakesaeroclub.org or by contacting Bob Walch, president, 480-895-8869 or Al Galvi, vice-president, 480-802-0104.

 

BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE
SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH, October thru May

 

The next SLAC Board meeting is on Tuesday February 10 at the SLAC Country Club in Phase 1 at 9:30 a.m. in the Card Room in the Recreation Center.  You are cordially invited to attend these meetings.

 

For information on the Sun Lakes Aero Club go to the website: http://www.sunlakesaeroclub.org/

Vern Nelson, Webmaster

vernslac@wbhsi.net

480-895-0572
Cell: 480-710-4124