Thursday, August 23, 2012

Whiteplains Runway Lights Notes:

(Whiteplains Pilots)
Dennis, et al.

Sorry that I missed the meeting.  I had it on my calendar but, to be honest, I simply forgot...

The last couple of months have been tough for the lighting system  A lightning strike took out four components simultaneously: it severed a ground wire, fried the microprocessor in the radio receiver, fractured a switch, and burned out the coil on a relay in the day/night controller.  Repairing any system with four independent failures is tough, but eventually, we found them all.

The problem with the west loop of lights is even worse.  There is an underground short circuit somewhere (probably at an underground splice).  When the ground gets wet enough, the circuit breaker pops and half of the lights go out.  When the ground dries out some, all works as normal.  The return of the lights a couple of weeks ago was not due to any action on my part... the ground dried out.  I had Steve Fuller try to help me, but all was working when Steve came out, and thus we couldn't troubleshoot.  Next time we have a failure of this kind, I'll try to get Steve sooner.

I sincerely appreciate the offer of money, but this isn't something that can be bought.  We have to find and fix every underground splice until we've got them all.  Of course, there is no way to know when the last one has been found.  Wholesale replacement of wiring isn't at all cost-effective, in my view.

On the subject of lights... last year, we fabricated large heavy rubber mats around each runway light base to keep the vegetation away from the light fixtures.  Unfortunately, centipede grass likes to creep, and has foiled the plan to a degree.  While the rubber mats allow the tractor to be driven right up to the fixtures, there is still a need to weed-whack or otherwise clean up around the fixtures... all the way to the perimeter of the rubber mat  I hope that the mowing team will consider this in making landscaping assignments.

While I have everyone's attention.. please be sure to tell me right away if the tractor (or anything else) hits a runway light.  More importantly, tell me if the tractor impacts one of the legs of a VASI box.  I can re-aim the VASI syatem pretty easily, but not if I am unaware that they have been disturbed.  A mis-aimed VASI could be fatal at night.

Ken


On Aug 21, 2012, at 10:17 AM, DPerry6671@aol.com wrote:

BOD of Whiteplains
 
At the Pilots meeting last night we reviewed the runway lighting issues. Unfortunately Ken Plesser was not there to make comment.
 
Two issues were brought up and a motion was (by myself) presented but not followed up on. 
 
First I must say, it was said at last night Whiteplains pilots meeting that this has no negative direction at Ken's volunteer work on the lighting system! He has done and does a great job in keeping the old infrastructure working with what he has to work with!
 
When the lighting  system is down or acting up for one week or two weeks that is not so bad in my opinion. But when it goes into week three, four and so on the pilots  start to ask why does it take so long to repair our lights?  Also our liability for an accident increases to a point of real concern.
 
With that said, a motion was brought up last night by myself and others agreed, but was not followed up with,
 
1.If we can not fix the lights turn them off until they are.....Half the lights working at night is not acceptable.
 
2. This was not a motion at last nights meeting, but was discussed, that the BOD of Whiteplains take acction and fund the repairs of the runway lights.  
 
In closing, It is not fair to ask Ken to do all of this by himself and it is also not acceptable for the pilots of Whiteplains to go such a long time with runway light problems. So I am asking the BOD to resolve this problem.
 
Thank You
 
Dennis Perry
Whiteplains Pilot

Saturday, August 11, 2012

SCBC Location Change


The September 30th Breakfast Club has moved from Laurens to Greenville Downtown. The runway at Laurens is being re-surfaced and they were not sure if they would be finished in time or not. Note that we will also be at Greenville again on December 9th. Talk to Greer Approach, talk to Downtown Tower and taxi right up to the Runway Cafe! See you there.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KGMU

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Whiteplains Pilots Meeting



Just a reminder to mark your calendars to attend the Whiteplains Pilot's Association meeting on Monday, August 20th at 6:30 pm.  The meeting will be held in Jim Wheat's hangar.

Whiteplains Plantation Announcement


Due to the weather conditions the work on the runway has been postponed.  If weather doesn't permit the work to start tomorrow, Wednesday, August 8th, we will likely have to put it off until next week.

Some of the runway markings on the approach end of 9 need to be repainted to conform to standard markings.  The easiest way for this to be done is to seal coat over the existing markings and repaint the following day.  To do it correctly we need to close that end of the runway on August 7 & 8.  We anticipate the work being done early in the day allowing us to reopen the runway in the afternoons.

Please be aware there may be equipment and people on the runway tomorrow, Wednesday, August 8th.

In addition, there are two areas at the Phase II entrance that were patched and will be seal coated on Tuesday morning.  The entrance will be unavailable for a few hours in the morning.

Due to the weather conditions the work on the runway has been postponed.  If weather doesn't permit the work to start tomorrow, Wednesday, August 8th, we will likely have to put it off until next week.

Some of the runway markings on the approach end of 9 need to be repainted to conform to standard markings.  The easiest way for this to be done is to seal coat over the existing markings and repaint the following day.  To do it correctly we need to close that end of the runway on August 7 & 8.  We anticipate the work being done early in the day allowing us to reopen the runway in the afternoons.

Please be aware there may be equipment and people on the runway tomorrow, Wednesday, August 8th.

In addition, there are two areas at the Phase II entrance that were patched and will be seal coated on Tuesday morning.  The entrance will be unavailable for a few hours in the morning.

Friday, August 03, 2012

SC Breakfast Club to visit RUQ


On Sunday, Aug. 5, the world’s oldest continually active flying club will make its only annual trip out of South Carolina to the Rowan County Airport (RUQ) in Salisbury, NC.
“EAA Chapter 1083 has been honored to have hosted this prestigious group of aviators for the past 12 years,” noted Jack Neubacher.

The South Carolina Breakfast Club, led by President Gerald Ballard, has been visiting airports around South Carolina and a few surrounding states every other Sunday since 1938, missing only events during World War II when fuel was not available. This is a club that has no dues — you join by attending your first meeting, officials said, adding “the only rule is to fly safe.”
Aircraft will start arriving at about 8 a.m. and breakfast will be served from 8:30 until everyone goes home. The “official meeting,” which includes awards and sharing past and future stories, gets underway about 10 a.m. and by 11 a.m. all but the most dedicated hangar fliers will be on their way down the taxiway for takeoff.

In the past, depending on weather, we have more than 100 airplanes, plus a large contingent of drive-in visitors,  joining us for this annual breakfast event, Neubacher noted.

For more information: Flyscbc.com, EAA1083.com

Above information from: General Aviation News

Next month - Triple Tree Fly-IN


Next month is Tripp-Tree fly-in time.  This year it is from September 5-9th.  Click for more information.  Triple Tree Fly-IN SC00

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Vintage Aircraft Web Site


Click on this link to see a cool web site for old aircraft.  Vintage Aircraft

Thanks to Bill Como for sharing this.

Whiteplains Plantation Announcement


We are always looking to improve safety while maintaining reasonable access to all areas of our neighborhood.

In the interest of safety we want to remind everyone that runway incursions must be keep to a minimum.  If and when you must use the runway to access your property, please do so with extreme caution.  Keeping vehicle traffic off the runway, except when absolutely necessary will help tremendously to promote aircraft safety.  Please use the taxiway to go from one end of the runway to the other. Driving on the runway should be a matter of necessity not a matter of convenience, and aircraft always have the right-of-way. 

Vehicle parking on the residential roadways and on the taxiway should be avoided.  If you must park within 20 feet of the center of the taxiway or on the residential roadways, please limit your time to five minutes.  By limiting your parking time vehicle and aircraft movements will not be impeded.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.  If you have any thoughts, ideas or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Photo Mission in B17


                                                     Click here.



A short video what it was like, being in the B17 with 17 Zero's after you.