July brings the long, hot days of summer with many opportunities to fly. We are devoting space to fuel and fuel management – something that you cannot neglect with all of your planning.

The final contracts for the fuel farm have been signed. It is now in the design process. This will ensure the safe delivery and storage of aviation fuel.

So before or after the flight, stop by the office where we once again are carrying ice cream. What a great combination – flying & ice cream.

Safe flights.

Important Information from Dick Nierenberg

Everybody assumes that fuel contamination comes from external sources, i.e. water, debris, leaking gas caps, etc. However, there are other sources of contamination which are explained in a very informative article provided by Gammon Technical Products, Inc., a supplier of fueling accessories. Whether you are a airplane owner, student or renter, you should be aware of this information. At Princeton Airport, we take every precaution to assure clean fuel.

Read About Fuel Contamination

SOLAR SUCCESS

Last year at this time there was a large crew from Trinity Solar working in over 100 degree weather on the roofs of the T-hangars. It was a big and costly project. However, these sunny days certainly have reduced our ever increasing electric bills. Here are some of the facts since going online in August, ’11:

CO2 Saved: 182,532KG

Trees: 2321

Car mile saved: 51,068

Barrels of oil: 378

Total production: 127,645 to date.
And we’re helping the environment – not bad.

Princeton Airport Flying Tigers
sponsoring the
Meet ‘N Greet
with coffee & bagels

Saturday, July 7th, 2012 -10:00 – noon

Join pilots, new and long time, as well as students to do some real “hangar flying”. With coffee and bagels, the stories really are interesting. Bring a friend and enjoy.

The Safety Corner

Assistant Chief Pilot Pete A. Rafle

I still read and hear stories about fuel management errors that lead to an aircraft incident.

If you fly a Cessna high wing aircraft then your goal is to not run out of fuel. Leave the fuel selector in both and keep track of the fuel usage during the flight. You do not need to plan for switching tanks. Flight plan to have no less than the required minimum fuel at your destination plus the required reserves if IFR and needing to include an alternate in your flight plan.

It is all of you who fly low wing Pipers, Mooneys, Bonanzas, etc. Who need to know your airplane’s unique in-flight fuel management procedures. Know the capacities of those tip tanks. Remember that even with a fuel gauge labeled ” Tip tank, L, R “, that gauge is only accurate when empty! Nothing, and I mean nothing, will release adrenalin like the sudden cough, sputter, and drop in rpm of an engine that has just sipped the last drop of fuel from a tip tank.

Careful timing on right and left tanks to keep each side balanced is the basic discipline required for low wing airplanes. 30 to 45 minutes on each side is the unusual method used. If you have auxiliary tanks or tip tanks, you usually need to burn down the mains before drawing down those other tanks. Time the draw down so that a small amount still remains in the tips. That way, you will avoid the trauma of the dreaded sputter! Followed by the approach and landing to some farmer’s corn field.

Principles of Flight
by Chief Pilot John Bastan

Atmosphere composition

The atmosphere is composed of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% other gases, such as Argon or helium. As some of these elements are heavier than others, there is a natural tendency of these elements, such as Oxygen, to settle to the surface of the earth, while the lighter elements are lifted up to high altitudes. This explains why most of the Oxygen is contained below 35,000′.

Effects of Air Density
As air becomes less dense, it reduces (1) power because the engine takes in less air, (2) thrust because the propeller is less efficient in thin air, (3) lift because the thin air exerts less force on the airfoils. In fact, density is directly proportional to pressure. The effect of increasing the temperature of a substance is to decrease its density. Thus, the density of air varies inversely as the absolute temperature varies. In the atmosphere, both temperature and pressure decrease with altitude. The higher the temperature, the greater the amount of water vapor the air can hold. Water vapor is lighter than air; consequently, moist air is lighter than dry air. Pressure, temperature, and humidity have a great influence on airplane performance because of their effect upon density.

Newton’s third law applied to a propeller

Newton’s third law states that: Whenever one body exerts a force on another, the second body always exerts on the first, a force that is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. The recoil of a gun as it is fired is a graphic example of Newton’s third law. In an airplane, the propeller spins and forces the air backward. The air pushes the propeller (and the airplane) in the opposite direction-forward.

Attention Tenants of C, D, & Red Hangars

In the coming month we’ll have factory installed upgrades on the electric doors of “C”, “D”, and the red hangars, a total of 34 units. The upgrade will have double chains rather than the single chain which initially were installed. This will make them much safer and more reliable.

Pinchhitters Course

The pinchhiters’ course is designed for the “significant other” who sits in the right seat. He/she is given four hours of ground instruction and 4 hours of air time in the plane in which (s)he will be the passenger. The result is that the passenger will be more comfortable with all those dials and digits on the panel. Communications is also an important component of the course. Between the ground and air time, the passenger will participate and enjoy the flights. Additionally, if something happens to the pilot, the pinchhitter can get the airplane down safely with assistance.

You might recall recently a pilot had a heart attack and his wife, who had a little prior training, was talked down safely. That’s the purpose. Over the years we have had great success with this course – some have actually continued with instruction and became pilots in their own right. So whether you have a fear of flying, or just want to be a better informed passenger, this course is right for you.

Instructor: Assistant Chief Pilot Peter Rafle
Date: Saturdays, July 14 & 21.
Time: !0:00 – noon
Cost for class (not flying): $75.00/person (Speak to front desk.)

Flying lessons will be arranged separately – Pete will explain.

Sign up today!

Good Luck & Welcome

Good luck to Milan Javaneic, who with his wife and daughter, have moved to Hershey, PA, where his wife has a new job, and so does Milan.

Welcome to Aircraft & Powerplant mechanic, Robert Davis, Jr., who has joined our maintenance staff. Welcome aboard.

SUMMER TOURS

During the months of July and August we offer free airport tours to the public. Whether those visiting are pre-schoolers or seniors, all will get a chance to enjoy the airport environment. This is also a positive way for the public to understand why we need airports.

Date: Every Tuesday (weather permitting)

Time: 10:30 am

Cost: Free

So spread the word – every parent looks for things to do with children (of all ages). We welcome them to Princeton Airport.

SAFETY SEMINAR

Tuesday, July 17, 2012
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Topic: GPS Approaches

Instructor: CFII Bryan O’Donnell

News from the
Princeton Airport Flying Tigers

The June 10th fly-in to Cape May was attended by 12 members & 3 guests in 7 planes. All had a great time.

July is a very busy month for the Tigers. Once again, we’ll host the Meet ‘n Greet at 39N on July 7 in the lounge from 10-noon. The July 15th our fly-in is scheduled for Newport, RI. Join us – it’s a great place to visit. Our club picnic will be held on July 22 for our members. If you’re not a member, this is a great time to join and meet other pilots.

Please visit the PAFT web page to sign up these & other events.

For more information about PAFT

News from Civil Air Patrol

Major Paul, Commander – NER NJ 109 – 908 336-0380 – John.Paul@NJWG.CAP.GOV

We have three Missions. Emergency Services – Cadet Programs – Aerospace Education.

For those interested in joining the Somerset Squadron at the Princeton Airport or learning more visit us in the conference room this Tuesday the 3rd July from 5pm to 7pm. Our regularly scheduled meetings each Tuesday from 7pm until 9pm.

We have Aircrew training for Mission Pilots, Mission Observers and Mission Scanners.

The NJ Wing has three AF Aux 172s and two 182 glass cockpits assigned for Emergency Services and Disaster Relief Missions.

Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day this 4th of July.

For information about the Civil Air Patrol

Forward email

Navigation