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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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BJ Teichman, Airport Coordinator - TOB Dave Ruckle, Pilot
[email protected] [email protected]
IF you know of someone who would like to receive our monthly
newsletter, please have them email me at
[email protected]. I will be happy to include
them.
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Accomplishment: Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award
A Well-Deserved Award
(L) Award Recipient David H. Allen / (Rt) John Sibole, FAASTeam
Program Mgr.
The Charles E. Taylor Master Mechanic Award is an honor
presented by the
United States Federal Aviation Administration in honor of
Charles Taylor, the first
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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aviation mechanic in powered flight. The award recognizes the
lifetime
accomplishments of senior aviation mechanics. Taylor served as
the Wright
brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building
the engine for
their first successful aircraft. According to the official FAA
website, only 2,408
individuals have been recognized with this very prestigious
award since its
inception. One of those recipients is David H. Allen who was
presented with this
honor on Thursday, October 12, 2017, during a luncheon at
Columbia Aircraft
Services (CAS). Dave is a life-long employee at Columbia
Aircraft and has been
with CAS for more than 50 of the company’s 75-year history.
Recipients of this honor must be US citizens and have at least
50 years in aviation
maintenance as a mechanic, repairman, avionics, manager,
inspector, or
instructor as long as he/she kept his/her credentials. Also, to
be eligible, for a
minimum of 30 years, the applicant must have been an
FAA-certified mechanic or
repairman. The remaining 20 years may be accepted if that
individual served as a
mechanic in the military or worked in the aviation maintenance
or manufacturing
industry.
On May 18, 1966, at the age of 18, Dave started his career at
Columbia manning
the engine test cell under the watchful eye of then owner Fred
Vietig. In those
days, Columbia’s “bread & butter” was military contracts to
rebuild helicopter
engines and IGSO 480 engines for Beech U-8s, turning out on
average eight per
week or 1,100 each three -year contract period. Columbia’s
payroll included
between 25 and 30 employees throughout those very busy years;
names like Carl
Kingston, Dave Lawton, Ben Wittiger, Scott Smith and Shirley
Brobst, future CAS
owners, and Bill Bartsler, also a future owner as well as Dave
Allen’s mentor.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
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Dave credits his aviation mechanical skills mostly to “on the
job training.”
Following his hitch in the test cell, Dave moved to the machine
shop where he
spent the next three years polishing, honing, and machining the
engine parts in
preparation to putting it back together. Then, in the early
1980’s Dave began
rebuilding engines, the job he is so well known and respected
for to this day.
The military contracts are over, but Columbia Aircraft Services
still crank out an
average of 80 to 100 engines per year with a workforce that’s
only one quarter of
what it was at its peak. When asked how many engines he’s put
together, Dave
grinned and simply stated as though he couldn’t believe it
himself, “couple of
thousand.” If you do the math, that’s almost one per week for 50
years. It
doesn’t take long to figure out which engine manufacturer Dave
likes best and if
you ever have the pleasure of talking to him about the subject,
he’s sure to tell
you.
Dave may seem like an easy-going guy even when putting an engine
together, but
he takes the responsibility of his job very seriously. “The
liability is tremendous,”
he stated. “You’ve got to make sure everything is done right.”
Then with a
chuckle he will tell you, “But the guarantee ends when you get
over the fence.”
The most challenging, but his most preferred duties are putting
the case, crank,
pistons, and cylinders together. On the other hand, his least
favorite job is
“dressing the engine”. That means after painting it, connecting
the hoses and
wires. “No one likes that job,” he added.
In addition to earning the respect of everyone who knows Dave
and the quality
work he performs, he has also acquired his Power Plant and
Magnaflux-Zyglo
Certificates. Present at the award luncheon were his wife
Barbara and daughter,
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
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Vicki Thomas along with his co-workers and numerous aviation
friends.
Presenting the award were John Sibole, FAA-FAASTTeam Program
Manager and
Gary Martin, FAA Field Inspector.
In addition to the certificate signed by the FAA Administrator,
Dave received a
label pin and a beautiful walnut plague commemorating The
Charles Taylor
Master Mechanic Award. Barbara was also awarded a stick pin
similar to the label
pin Dave received. Finally, Dave’s name, city and state of
residence and month
and year of recognition of the award will be displayed in the
Federal Aviation
Building in Washington, D.C.
Dave wears his age well. Most folks find it hard to believe when
he tells them
he’s 70 years young. When asked what his plans are for the
future, he quickly
replies, “Work! My doctor told me not to sit around.” “Besides,”
he added, “I
like to build engines. The boys in the shop don’t want me to
retire. Karl wants me
to wait on him. And, Kelly said I can stay as long as I want.”
That sure sounds like
job security. Although nobody has done it yet, I wonder what
they’ll call an award
for 100 years of service. Just maybe…. The David H. Allen
Award.
Submitted by: Dave Ruckle
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
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From (L) to (Rt) Above, Vicki, Dave’s daughter, wife Barbara,
and Gary Martin.
Above, Barbara, Dave receiving Pin, John Sibole, Gary Martin
Left, Barbara and Dave.
Below, Karl (L), co-worker Columbia Aircraft and Dave pause just
inside the hangar door prior to the ceremony.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
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Above from (L) to (Rt) Stephen, Joe, co-workers, and Kelly,
owner of Columbia Aircraft Services enjoy the presentation.
Below, Dave Allen, Charles Taylor Award Recipient in his
element.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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MONTHLY PILOT QUIZ – Submitted by Dave Ruckle
Sadly, it has taken me seven years to finally read the POH
(Pilot’s Operating Handbook) for my 1980 F33A Beechcraft Bonanza
from cover to cover. Yes, shame on me!!!
But, are you now saying to yourself, “Shame on me, too” because
you’ve never read your own aircraft’s POH? If you’re not, then I
will say it. “Shame on you, too!!!”
Whether you have or have not, take this little test to see how
much you remember, if you have read it, or how much you need to
know, if you haven’t read it. Either way, it’s a great idea to
review this very important manual periodically. It just may S.Y.A.
someday!
Oh, the answers to all these questions are found, of course, in
your own aircraft’s POH. Now you’re probably asking yourself, “What
did I do with that book?”
1. If your aircraft’s engine quits in flight, what is its best
glide speed? 2. What does the following Airspeed Limitations mean
and what are they in your aircraft?
a. VNE ___KCAS ___KIAS
b. VNO___KCAS ___KIAS
c. VA ___KCAS ___KIAS
d. VFE ___KCAS ___KIAS
e. VS ___KCAS ___KIAS
3. What is your airplane’s Glide Ratio?
4. What do the following Airspeed Indicator markings mean and
what are your
Aircraft’s KIAS values or ranges for each marking?
a. White Arc b. Green Arc c. Yellow Arc d. Red line
5. What is your aircraft’s: a. Standard Empty Weight? b. Basic
Empty Weight? c. Useful Load? d. Maximum Ramp Weight? e. Maximum
Take Off Weight? f. Maximum Landing Weight? g. Tare Weight?
6. How much fuel in your aircraft is unusable? 7. What is
recovery procedure in your plane in case of an inadvertent spin? 8.
What is the recommended Crosswind Component in your aircraft? 9.
Trick Question!!! What is your aircraft’s Best Rate of Climb (VY)
and Best Angle of Climb (VX)?
10. What is your aircraft’s Maneuver Speed in turbulence?
This is just a small sampling of information that can be found
in your aircraft’s POH. There is so much more. Hopefully this brief
test has prompted you to get your POH out, blow off the dust and
review
what you need to know to fly safely.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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Recently Completed Events: Fall Private Pilot Ground School
Thank you Phil, for teaching your 3rd Ground School, Pro – Bono.
IFR in Feb.? Congratulations to the 3rd Ground School Class – 2
students absent from photo.
Benton Fly In: 21 Oct.
Once again, the flyin has come & gone. The weather was
severe VFR with no wind. WE had 150
aircraft, including 5 helicopters, 2 gyrocopters. There was a
fair amount of ultra-lights, sport
planes, many classics, home-builts (including an Air Cam), 4
radial engine antiques including
1941 Waco, 3 Stearman PT 17s and all were immaculate, and many
other civil aircraft. We had
visitors from every state that surrounds us. Also, we had one
family of aviators that drove to
this area on a vacation tour and put Benton flyin on their to do
list. They were from Alaska. It
was a safe day of flying at Benton with only 1 or 2 lightly
concerning moments. Our car show,
and general parking was full. The amount of meals served was
over 800.
I would like to thank everyone who attended and hope to see you
next year. (year 10 ) For
those who were unable, I hope it works out better for you next
year.
Many hours of happy & safe flying to you.
GP4 Denny
“This fly in was my first to Benton / Very well done –
everything ran very smoothly – that’s a
testament to how hard everyone involved worked. Now – for the
important question – what is the
recipe for that corn dish served ? It was AWESOME !!! “ Regards
Chuck H.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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Benton Fly-In continued:
The food, hospitality, and the desserts brings the pilots and
guests to the annual Benton Fly-In held the 3rd Sat. of October
each year. Menu: Ham, Baked Corn, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Potatoes,
Roles and……………………………………..please look below, the dessert table.
From one end to the other, endless sweets. 40 Fruit Crum Pies,
made by Connie, below
For hours, Lee Anne and Lori cut Blueberry, Sour Cherry, Peach,
Pumpkin, and other desserts.
My sincere apology to volunteers and servers, whose photo I took
but are not represented here. Many of the photos were not in focus,
thus did not make this newsletter. I’ll need to sharpen my
photography skills for next year. Thanks for inviting us, and for
all your hard work! It was truly a day to remember and an
opportunity to make memories with family & friends.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
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Benton Fly-In continued:
For hours Pam her Farwell Family and volunteers served lunch
from 11 AM until a little after 2:00 PM.
The line extended in what seemed to be infinity; way out of the
hangar into the grassy area, unable to be seen in photo below due
to the glorious sunshine which prevailed all day.
Connie, above, has the secret baked corn recipe, she made 12
trays!
After all that food, and fun it is time to sit back, relax, and
enjoy the ride.
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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Brenda, on left:
Relaxed, flying the
friendly skies with Ty.
Columbia Aircraft Services Inc. / (570-784-3070) /
[email protected]
Full power plant and A&P mechanic shop.
Fuel Prices: Currently $4.30/ Gallon, subject to change.
Currently accepting most major credit cards.
Hangar News: All hangars are full. –
If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please contact me.
[email protected]
Bloomsburg Flying Club Please contact: Adam Staffin:
570-578-7549
Memberships are available [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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Bloomsburg Municipal Airport
NEWSLETTER: October 2017
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On the Horizon / Save the Date:
Breakfast at N13, on Sunday, Oct. 29th is
RESCHEDULED
For:
Saturday,
November 18th
8:00 AM until Noon