The Forgotten Giant Arrows that Guide you Across America

 

In "don't be a tourist" "Nostalgia" on November 15, 2013 at 6:58 pm

If you’re ever really lost on a road trip across America, and I’m talking really lost (let’s say the battery on your smartphone just died along with that compass application you downloaded for situations just like this), perhaps you might be lucky enough to find yourself next to one of the giant 70 foot concrete arrows that point your way across the country, left behind by a forgotten age of US mail delivery.

Photo by Clay Fraser

Certainly a peculiar site to come across in the middle of nowhere, 50 foot, possibly 70 foot long, with weeds crawling through its concrete cracks, abandoned long ago by whoever put it there. This arrow may point your way out of the desert but it’s also pointing to the past.

Photo via Core77

Long before the days of radio (and those convenient little smartphone applications), the US Postal service began a cross-country air mail service using army war surplus planes from World War I, many piloted by former army flyers. To get the planes and everybody’s mail safely across the country by air, the postman was going to need a little help.

In 1924, the federal government funded enormous concrete arrows to be built every 10 miles or so along established airmail routes to help the pilots trace their way across America in bad weather conditions and particularly at night, which was a more efficient time to fly.

Painted in bright yellow, they were each built alongside a 50 foot tall tower with a rotating gas-powered light and a little rest house for the folks that maintained the generators and lights. These airway beacons are said to have been visible from a distance of 10 miles high.

The Air Mail route from New York to San Francisco with beacon locations.

A model of one of the arrows and beacons at the IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Socity) Nationals contest in Loveland, CO, which you a pretty good idea of the layout. Photo via here.

By World War II, radio was king and the airway beacons were obsolete. Taking anything they could get, the government took down the towers and recycled them as scrap metal for the war effort.

It’s unknown exactly how many airway lighthouses remain (project anyone?) but one preservation program called Passport in Time has protected three beacon sites from falling into complete disrepair, saving the generator huts and a neighbouring 1930s cabin that served as a residence for the fire lookout.

There is also this fully restored restored tower and its generator shack in New Mexico.
While no one bothered to remove the concrete arrows, many have probably been caught up by development but an outline could still be visible from the air if they were just covered over by a grass lawn. Or maybe you might just come across some concrete remains that seem very out of place in the middle of a field…

Image by Henry Brean for Las Vegas Review

Here’s a link to one of the giant arrows on Google maps as well as a website listing the original locations of Eastern and Western beacons, siting which ones have been found/ destroyed/ preserved etc.
Anyone feel like getting lost on purpose to go on a treasure hunt for these giant arrows to the past?!
Sources: A very welcome tip from a reader! as well as Core77, this forum, The History Mystery Exaxaminer.

Whiteplains Ladies Lunch Club

 

The Ladies of Whiteplains at lunch last week. Photo by Barbara Burchfield.

FAAST Blast Notice Number: NOTC5047

 FAAST Blast — Week of Nov 10 – Nov 23, 2013 

Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update 
FAA Issues New Pilot Training Rule            As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance safety and put the best qualified and trained pilots in the flight decks of U.S. airplanes, the FAA today issued a final rule that will significantly advance the way commercial air carrier pilots are trained.  
The final rule stems in part from the tragic crash of Colgan Air 3407 in February 2009, and addresses a Congressional mandate in the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010 to ensure enhanced pilot training. The new rule is one of several rulemakings required by the Act, including the requirements to prevent pilot fatigue that were finalized in December 2011, and the increased qualification requirements for first officers who fly U.S. passenger and cargo planes that were issued  in July 2013.
The final rule's requirements touch on several areas, including ground and flight training to prevent and recover from stalls and upsets; tracking remedial training for pilots with performance deficiencies; training to improve pilot monitoring; expanded crosswind training, including training for wind gusts; and enhanced runway safety procedures. The rule is available online at http://go.usa.gov/WKdH.
FAA Releases Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap
Forecasts estimate an expected 7,500 small unmanned aircraft in the national airspace in the next five years. For now, almost all of the unmanned aircraft operations that are approved are for public use and research purposes, and on a case by case basis. A new UAS roadmap document, developed with key stakeholders, will outline what is needed to safely integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace.
 
The roadmap, found here http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/, addresses the policies, regulations, technologies, and procedures needed to integrate unmanned aircraft on a routine basis. To accomplish this, there must be a change in the way business is done. Operational goals, as well as safety issues must be considered when planning to expand the use of unmanned aircraft. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta had this to say about the FAA’s role in UAS integration, “As the provider of air traffic services, we must ensure the safety and efficiency of the entire airspace, including all aircraft, people and property – both manned and unmanned – in the air and on the ground.”

Newest Edition of FAA Safety Briefing Coming Soon!             Due to the government shutdown in October, the November/December issue of FAA Safety Briefing has been delayed.  The edition is expected to be released on or about November 22, 2013. We regret the inconvenience of delayed delivery.
 
Produced by the FAA Safety Briefing editors, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
Address questions or comments to: SafetyBriefing@faa.gov.
Follow us on Twitter @FAASafetyBrief or www.twitter.com/FAASafetyBrief

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FAA Safety Team | Safer Skies Through Education

 

"Aviation Trivia!"
Topic: Aviation Trivia Game
On Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Location:
Greenville Jet Center
100 Tower Drive
Jet Center Conference Room
Greenville, SC 29607


Select Number:
SO1352567

Description:
Join Airwolf at the Greenville Downtown Airport for a fun-filled morning of Aviation Trivia! Jarrett Bell will host this game and it will be every-man-for-himself! Questions will range from student pilot level to CFI knowledge level. Don't miss this opportunity to learn something new, or show off your skills in this friendly competition, I mean game(!), of Aviation Trivia. Refreshments provided by Airwolf Aviation, GJC, and the SCASC.

To view further details and registration information for this seminar, click here.
The sponsor for this seminar is: SC FAASTeam

The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is committed to providing equal access to this meeting/event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please communicate your request as soon as possible with the person in the 'Contact Information' area of the meeting/event notice. Note that two weeks is usually required to arrange services.

The following credit(s) are available for the WINGS/AMT Programs:

Basic Knowledge 3 - 1 Credit

Click here to view the WINGS help page

Do-Little Field BBQ Fly-In November8-9, 2013

Friday-Saturday, November 8 - 9, 2013

Do-Little Field is again hosting its traditional BBQ Fly-In beginning this coming Friday with BBQ at 6:00 p.m., music and campfire. Camping is invited. Saturday festivities will include lunch served around Noon.

Friday-Saturday, November 8 - 9, 2013

Corvair College at Barnwell Airport - The new kit plane, the Panther, will be on display at the Corvair College. No admission to see it. The Panther is now available as plans and kit with several engine options. For more information, click here to visit the Panther website.

Saturday, November 9, 2013 - 9:00 a.m. til Noon 

Young Eagles Rally at KCUB. Ron Shelton has predicted around 30 kids to show up. Please come out and volunteer for ground crew or fly some young eagles.

Saturday, November 9, 2013 - 5:30 p.m.

Doolittle Raiders' Final Toast Live Cast at Hangar Y-1, KCUB -

 Sixty seven years ago the Doolittle Raiders got together for their 1st anniversary of their famous raid on Tokyo.  They agreed that they would get together every year thereafter until there were only 2 left and that those 2 men would open the bottle of 1896 Hennessy Very Special Cognac and drink a toast to their fellow Raiders who had all gone west.  There are now 4 and they have decided that they will change the Colonel's charge slightly since they are worried that there might not be 2 left who can get together next year.  This ceremony has always been billed as a private affair, which it will be.  But with modern technology they are going to share this memorable moment with a grateful nation.  The toast will be streamed live from the US Air Force's Dayton Museum.  It is fitting that since the Raiders began their historic flight from Columbia that we should vicariously join them under the wing of SCHAF's B-25 at CUB and also toast those men whose courage altered the course of events that were unfolding in the Pacific and paved the way for the hard fought victory.  Please join the Raiders (via live feed) at Hangar Y-1 at 1800 (6:00pm) under the wing of the B-25 to toast those brave men who ensured that we have the freedom to enjoy & celebrate liberty in the greatest country in the world. Link: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 6:30 p.m. 

Birthday Supper at the SAC. Please come join hosts Phyllis and Xen Motsinger as they lead the celebration of November's birthdays. Please bring your spouse and a dish. The more, the merrier!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Pancake Fly-In at KCUB - 9:00 a.m. at the SAC

Annual Business/Election Meeting - 10:00 a.m. at the SAC. If you would like to nominate someone for 2014, please attend. Officers will be elected for 2014.

Executive Committee Meeting - 11:00 a.m. at the SAC

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't foreget Veterans day, November 11th - Free meals for Veterans

2013 Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts

Veterans Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks!
Two notes before jumping in:

• Proof of Military Service. Most companies require some form of military ID. These include: a Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Drivers License with Veterans Designation, Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
• Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.

2013 Free Veterans Day Meals

Please credit this resource: We are frequently updating this list with new deals and offers for the military community. If you use items in this list, please direct your visitors to this page so they can find the most up to date information: http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/ Thanks!

Applebee’s – free meal, Monday, Nov. 11, 2013: Last year, Applebee’s served over one million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. There will be 7 entrées to choose from, beverage and gratuity not included. Military ID or proof of service required. More.
Bar Louie, Free meal on Nov. 10th and 11th, 2013. From open to close Sunday, November 10th and Monday, November 11th every Bar Louie location across the country will offer veterans and military personnel a free meal up to a $12 value. Available at all locations, military ID or proof of service is required (source). Find a location near you.
BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, (Awaiting update – this is last year’s offer). Complimentary lunch entree or a one topping mini pizza for dinner. Offer valid to all active duty military and veterans, with proof of service. More info.
California Pizza Kitchen, Nov. 11, 2013. Free meal and non-alcoholic beverage for veterans and active military with valid ID or proof of service. Dine-in only. Find a location near you.
Champps Americana, Nov. 11, 2013. Participating Champps locations are offering veterans and active duty servicemembers a free hamburger (7 to choose from) and waffle fries from open to close on Monday, November 11, 2013. Dine in only, valid at participating locations (call ahead to verify local participation). More info, Find a location near you.
Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2013. Free meal for active and former military members with ID or other valid proof of service. Find a location near you.
Cheeseburger in Paradise, Monday, Nov. 11 2013. Free All-American Burger with fries with purchase of beverage and military ID or proof of service. Available to active military or veterans. Beverages and gratuity not included, dine-in only. Find a location near you.
Chili’s – free meal, Monday, Nov. 11 2013. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 7 meals during the dinner hour, or any lunch combo during lunch. Offer only available at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

FAA Safety Team | Safer Skies Through Education

FAA Safety Briefing October 2013 Department Profiles Notice Number: NOTC5016 The September/October 2013 issue of FAA Safety Briefing, available at (www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/), focuses on aviation citizenship. Articles highlight the shared values, customs, and culture we share as citizens of the general aviation community. The issue’s Jumpseat department (p.1) explains the importance of being a good aviation ambassador, Checklist (p. 30) covers the Airman Testing Standards and Training Work Group’s progress on the “aviation citizenship test” (i.e., the knowledge test standards), and Postflight (p. 32) highlights an important example of professionalism and airmanship every aviation citizen should aspire to emulate. Our Vertically Speaking department (p. 28) covers the new Moral Courage Safety Award, while Nuts, Bolts, and Electrons (p. 26) focuses on the importance of being a good citizen in aviation maintenance. Finally, this issue’s FAA Faces department (p. 33) profiles Lou Volchansky, assistant manager with FAA’s Aircraft Certification Service. Volchansky helps communicates the impact of the FAA’s airspace modernization effort on general aviation and contributed to the latest edition of the NextGen Implementation Program, outlining how operators can take advantage of NextGen capabilities. The link to the online edition is: http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter - @FAASafetyBrief **Please Note** - Due to the government shutdown in October, the November/December issue of FAA Safety Briefing has been delayed. A notice will go out when it is available for download. Thank you for your patience. This notice is being sent to you because you selected "FAA Newsletters" in your preferences on FAASafety.gov. If you wish to adjust your selections, log into https://www.faasafety.gov/Users/pub/preferences.aspx where you can update your preferences.

Invite a fellow pilot to the next WINGS Safety Seminar in your area.

75th this Sunday 11-02-2013

 

You don't want to miss this one.

John Schumacher visit from Fairfax, Va.

Reported by:  Steve Sanderson

 

 

It was our pleasure to host John Schumacher, from Fairfax, Va. at Whiteplains this past Friday and Saturday. Many thanks to Steve Crimm, Mike Moore, Ed Fisher, Clem Spencer and Jack Fastnaught for helping me show John what a great neighborhood we live in.

GPS Testing see below notice from the FAA

 

 

This one you don't want to miss.

Good News for Mooney Aircraft Owners

Hello Mooney Followers,

It is time for all of you to take a deep breath and listen to what I
have to say about Mooney International, now that I am allowed to speak.

We have been working for months with Dr. Jerry Chen, President of
Soaring America on a deal to provide funding to restart production of
Mooney aircraft in Kerrville, TX. This last Friday, all of the necessary
hurdles being jumped, Mooney Aviation Company became Mooney
International Corporation, with a funding injection by Soaring America.
Soaring America is a U.S owned company, with its home office located in
the Los Angeles, Ca area.

If you were to meet Jerry, you would find a very intelligent, likable
guy. I mean this guy is a full Professor of Aeronautics at UCLA, and he
saw the potential in resurrecting one of the most advanced aircraft
designs in the world, and growing on that for future Aerospace products.
When Jerry first approached us, one of the first visions he presented to
us was to maintain a high quality aircraft brand, made in the USA by
American workers, sold worldwide including up and coming Emerging
markets worldwide. Restarting Production of the Ovation and the Acclaim
Type S is an expensive proposition, and Soaring America has the kind if
financial backing to get this place up and running again. You, as Mooney
owners can expect a serious improvement in parts flow and customer care
in the coming months. An example would be the Elevator skins, which have
not been available for years, are now shipping from the factory in
Kerrville to needy customers everywhere. Why? Because Jerry spent
$16,000 to replace the rubber press plate on our Large Hydro Press that
had deteriorated beyond use several years ago. We are currently
receiving bids to refurbish the factory, and are looking to hire upwards
of 100 people in the coming year. This will allow us to start Production
of new aircraft in early 2014, delivering later in the year.

Last week, an unfortunate, and inaccurate Press Release found its way
onto some of the internet aviation websites. That subsequently lit up
the chatlines with all manner of speculation and comment, including one
commenter that was ready to sell his F Model because "he wasn't going to
put any Chinese Junk" on his airplane. Really??

Allow me to present some FACTS to you, that you may not be aware of:



- Mooney International Corporation is a U.S. Corporation. Want proof?
Friday I transferred the Type Certificate 2A3 to Mooney International
Corp. under the authority of FAA Order 8110.4C Paragraph 3-2(f)(2) which
states: "Certificate Transfer to a Domestic Holder. When a TC holder
transfers a TC within the U.S., the FAA must reissue the TC immediately.
The TC holder submits the original TC to the ACO after completing the
transfer endorsement on the reverse side of the TC. This changes the TC
holder, and the effective date is the date of the TC holder's
signature...

 - I personally do not care if another country makes "junk", or not. I
am Chief Engineer for Mooney International, and Mooney International
makes aircraft and its parts, in Kerrville, Texas that conform to our
Type Design. The people that are, and will be employed here are
Americans that live in the Kerrville area. Always has been, always will
be.
- Is the source of this financing originating in other countries?
Probably. Let me remind you of another fact: Mooney, for more than the
last decade, has been financed by (GASP!) European investors. So if the
source of the financing that funds a U.S Company, building a U.S.
product in the U.S built by U.S. workers bothers you, then maybe you
should check out one of our competitors. Oh, wait! Most of them are
owned by foreign companies! But not Mooney International. Oh, and by the
way, Dr. Chen's lineage is not Chinese, rather Taiwanese.


In closing, I hope I have been able to put these rumors to rest. If I
were you, I would look for news releases that come from here. What is
happening here in Kerrville is GREAT NEWS, and should be greeted as
such.



Bill Eldred

Director of Engineering

Mooney International Corp.

1/3 Scale B-17

This is not a remote controlled “model” airplane but is designed and built for a pilot to fly it, but has not been flown yet!!! 

The project was started back in 1999 and is just now nearing completion. The airframe is all scratch built (of course) and made out of aluminum. The main gear retracts just like the real B-17, and has proven to be the most complicated part of the project. The engines are the Hirth 3002 4-cylinder 2-stroke that usually have a reduction unit and make about 80 hp. Jack chose this engine because of its size... it was small enough to fit inside a properly scaled nacelle. However, to make it fit properly, the reduction unit is removed which will bring the power down around 60 hp each, with the engines spinning the 46.4" diameter props at about 3,300 rpm. 

This project, coming to life in Dixon Illinois, has to rank as one of the most fascinating home built aircraft projects of all time. It's the kind of idea that weird people like me dream up but rarely does anyone actually follow though. With an estimated 20,000 hours of labor required to build this cute little beast, it's understandable why. With a 34 ft 7 in wingspan, estimated 1,800 pound weight and four 60 hp engines for a total of 240 hp, the Bally Bomber is just pure awesome! Be sure to check out the hundreds of pix from the build process along with additional 

info <http://theballybomber.com/> < http://theballybomber.com/ <http://theballybomber.com/> > 

Expired Aircraft Registration Certificate

By Stephen Pope / Published: Oct 08, 2013 Related Tags:
Tip of the Week Aircraft Registration Certificate

If the registration for your airplane is expiring at the end this month and the government shutdown continues past October 31, you could face a thorny proposition: Should you consider your airplane grounded or keep flying as though nothing has happened? Based on an unscientific survey of pilots on online message boards, most appear to be taking the position that if FAA employees are on furlough there won't be anybody around to perform ramp checks, and so why not continue flying on an expired registration?

Read more at  Click Here!

Garmin Unveils GPS Smart Watch for Pilots

Suddenly "smart watches" are cool — so you knew it was only a matter of time before somebody

introduced a cool and smart pilot watch. Think of Garmin's new D2 watch as a powerful aviation GPS receiver that you wear on your wrist. Stylish and lightweight, the watch incorporates direct-to and nearest navigation functions, as well as a built-in altimeter with adjustable baro setting, altitude alerting capability, and the ability to integrate with the Garmin Pilot app, Garmin's VIRB HD camera and more. Priced at $449, the D2 incorporates a WAAS GPS receiver and a worldwide aviation database, allowing pilots to press and hold dedicated buttons for accessing direct-to, nearest functions, as well as to create fly-over waypoints of their current locations. Read more at

Click here!

Greenville Downtown Airport

Run for a good cause

Hey! As you may know, I am training to run a marathon in San Francisco and I am doing great. This week is the big 20 miles!! Yes 20! I am doing this to help raise needed funds to fund research and to provide medical needs to caner patients. I am doing this because my own grandfather died of Leukemia and that is why I am doing this. Why each Saturday I get up and run. The race is in 4 weeks and have raise $2300 so far. My goal is $2900- Can you please help me? In honor of my 20 miles this weekend, could you consider making a $20 donation?

All donations are tax deductible and it would me a lot to me and the people I am running for and their family. I am also running for two friend's daughters who are current survivors!!! I am also collecting names of heroes my friends want me to run for-I'm going to put them all on my shirt on race day and run in honor of everyone! Thanks for your support!! Check out my website for more updates and picture of my progress at

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sc/nikesf13/marathoner 

Need all donations by October 15th.

God Bless and Thank You!

Linda Demaray 
Real Estate Partners LLC
(803) 348-2677 P
(803) 996-6586 F
Helping to fight Cancer
10% Net Proceds to LLS

A GoPro competitor: Garmin VIRB - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Click on link below for full story.

  

A GoPro competitor: Garmin VIRB - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

The Collings Foundation's F-100F and Colonel George "Bud" Day Celebratio...

Emergency Landing in Chicago

Click here for full report  http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-77503589/

Up Coming Events - October

Free Jukeboxes hits from 1940-1999

Get all the great songs from 1940 -1999 all for free.  Click here: UpChUcKy Jukeboxes

Free Sectionals and Enroute Charts‏

On the FAA web pages, you can download the info for free.

Get it while you can.

Open the files as tif for sectionals and as pdf for enroutes

Enroute

http://aeronav.faa.gov/digital_enroute.asp?eff=08-22-2013&end=10-17-2013

Sectionals

http://aeronav.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=aeronav/applications/VFR/chartlist_sect

A new record???

    Picture by: Steve Sanderson


Another near-record turnout at the K-Club this morning. Mr. T. R. Parrish joined us once again and all neighborhood, political and social issues were discussed, debated AND resolved in one hour!.

Steve Sanderson - Cub Reporter for Whiteplanins Plantation

Triple Tree Fly-In Going on now 9-4 to 9-8