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Dedicated to Aviation, Safety, Friendship, Community Involvement, and Education since 1984
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DEDICATED TO AVIATION, SAFETY, FRIENDSHIP, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND EDUCATION SINCE 1984
propwash
February 2025
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Presidents Message Update from the Managers Desk As The Prop Turns AAA's New Redbird FMX Flight Simulator 2025 Aviation Career Day
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Connection and Perseverance at Career Day Our very well-attended KAUN Career Day event saw two consistent themes. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Captain Bryce Mitchell brought up the concept of CRM or Crew Resource Management, and simply called it teamwork. “If you can’t get along with people in real life, how are you going to work together in the cockpit?” I’d put that skill in the connection category. Again and again, our speakers emphasized helping each other and working together. In fact, our highest priority of safety demands that we communicate, take feedback, and solve problems as a team, whether at the crew level or industry level. In addition to featured speakers, more than 20 local and regional aviators spent a minute or so outlining their myriad career paths. Persistence came up again and again. We heard many stories of grinding it out in low-paying jobs to build hours–which led to their next job. All paths required sacrifice and overcoming career roadblocks, sometimes with creative solutions. So when you hear “No,” the next steps are to reach out to your connections, and persevere. Chris President
Chris Haven, AAA President
this month's speaker
General membership meeting menu
Main Dish: M-Z Side or Salad or Potatoes: A-F Dessert: G-L
DeWayne Browning US Army Pilot in VN
Monthly Membership Meeting 02/05/2025 6:00 PM (PST)13666 New Airport Rd, Auburn, CA 95602
upcoming events:
An update from the managers desk of kaun
Uneventful Start and New Airfield Initiatives January has provided a fairly uneventful start to the new year, with ongoing efforts focused on airfield maintenance and repair. We’ve been making solid progress in our planning and have secured a demonstration of a new airport sweeping device called a FOD BOSS made by Aerosweep, which is scheduled to take place in the next few weeks. If you would like to read more about this device all the information can be found here; If it performs as expected, this device should significantly reduce the FOD (Foreign Object Debris) on the field compared to our current sweeping method. Keep an eye out for an update and pictures in the next Propwash! Friday Night, January 24: The Great Dog Escape of 2025 Some of you may already know that on the evening of Friday, January 24, a rescue dog accidentally escaped onto the airfield. The dog had been transported by one of our regular pilots who often helps with animal rescues. Unfortunately, the animal slipped away from its handlers around 3:30 PM and began running back and forth across the airfield, creating a serious hazard to air traffic. The dog crossed the runway multiple times and interfered with landing aircraft, forcing pilots to take evasive action. This incident serves as an important reminder to review our minimum standards for animals on the airfield. Many people use the airfield to walk their dogs or transport animals, but it is crucial to remember that the minimum standards require all animals to be on a leash or properly secured at all times.“Minimum Operating Standards Auburn Municipal Airport SECTION II. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS B. Animals Dogs and other animals brought upon the airport premises shall be restrained in such a manner that they are under control at all times.”Violating these standards can result in penalties, which can be found in the Minimum Operating Standards Auburn Municipal Airport XVII. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES. Fortunately, the escaped rescue dog did not cause any damage to aircraft or the airfield. After several hours of attempts to capture the dog, it eventually ran into the tree line on the north side of the field. I want to express my gratitude to the many pilots affected by this event. The student pilots were especially affected, as they had to perform multiple go-arounds while the dog crossed the runway making a landing unsafe and not advised. My hat is truly off to the new solo pilots, who handled the situation with exceptional professionalism. They skillfully executed multiple go-arounds and circled the field for several minutes until it was safe to land, there CFI’s should be proud and please keep up the great training!! This event serves as a valuable reminder that one small mishap can disrupt airport operations and create significant challenges on the airfield. Let’s all remain vigilant and continue to prioritize safety at all times. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions. The door is always open! Tyghe Richardson Airport Manager Auburn Airport City of Auburn, CA (530) 888-8174
Tyghe Richardson, Airport Manager
AAA's New Redbird FMX Flight Simulator
Don Wolfe
Auburn Aviation Association received a 2024-year end donation of a full motion Redbird FMX flight simulator. This generous gift was made possible by Christian and Michelle Madsen. Local pilots will soon train in normal and emergency aircraft operations under instrument and visual flight conditions, all in the safety of our flight simulator. This training device will be the single most important improvement to flight safety at our airport in decades. The flight deck of the FMX is based on the Cessna 182 with G-1000 avionics. “Control loading” in the flight controls along with movement in pitch, roll and yaw gives the pilot the full sensation of flight. Simulated flight time in the Redbird FMX is “FAA legal” for instrument flight currency and towards gaining an FAA rating. This will result in a huge reduction in flight training expenses for pilots. As an example, one can log up to 50 hours of time in the FMX towards the Commercial Pilot License. (see table below). A Redbird technician will be coming to KAUN in early February to relocate the simulator to its new home at the Mach 5 Aviation training facility at 2409 Rickenbacker Way. The simulator will be accessed via an external door located on the west wall of the hangar with a keypad lock and could be available for extended hours of use. Our initial plan is for AAA to rent the simulator at a fixed hourly rate to participating flight schools. Those schools will then make the simulator available to their clients at the same retail rate at every school. In other words, you can rent the simulator for the same rate from any participating flight school at KAUN. Lease agreements are yet to be completed. Pilots will soon become proficient in flying under VFR and IFR conditions in the like new Redbird simulator. Gaining experience in the art of flight training in our simulator will be a tremendous help for pilots that progress on to larger aircraft or the airlines. FYI: Most of the flight training for larger aircraft is accomplished in a full motion flight simulator. Thank you to Christian and Michelle Madsen for providing the Redbird FMX flight simulator to the aviation community at Auburn airport. Auburn Aviation Association will put the device to the beneficial use of flight schools and pilots alike.
2025 Aviation Career Day
David Sanborn
Have you ever wondered how to turn your dreams into reality? For over 200 people who attended the 2025 Auburn Aviation Association Career Day, they may be one step closer to doing just that. It all started just a few years ago as a small gathering of a few aviation professionals sharing knowledge with newcomers to the industry. That gathering has turned into a large-scale event featuring over 200 attendees, mentors and speakers excited to share industry knowledge and stories. The goal of the Aviation Career Day is to educate, inspire and empower aspiring aviation professionals, and give them the tools and framework to become a successful part of the wonderful world of aviation. The format of Career Day focuses on pairing industry newcomers with working or retired pilots, mechanics, controllers, instructors and other aviation professionals. The up-and-coming individuals get one on one time with the mentors to ask questions, get advice and learn from people who have been in their shoes and have been able to navigate the sometimes complex world of the aviation industry. Additionally, speakers presented on topics from training and education, airline careers, unique jobs and career paths in the industry, and aviation safety. There were also vendors and mentors staffing tables in a career-fair style that allowed attendees to learn even more about the industry during breaks and between speakers. Speakers, mentors and exhibitors were made up of representatives from Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Guard, Air National Guard, California Highway Patrol Pilots, Metro Fire Sacramento, CALFIRE, Placer County Sheriff Pilots, and Alaska Bush flying. Faculty from the Sacramento City College A&P program and William Jessup University aviation programs were also present. Attendees from past Career Day events have achieved jobs at Regional and Major Airlines, Corporate Flight Departments and CFI Flight Instructor positions at airports throughout the country.
Mike Duncan, Sunshine Flyers
Alex Dunbar and his Grumman Tiger, CFI Checkride
As the prop turns
Kristen "KiKi" Kopp, CFI Checkride
Don Wolfe interviewing Fox 40
Audrey Emerson PPL, with dad (left) and DPE Mark Montague (right)
This past month the CHP got a Christmas present. While it wasn’t wrapped up with a bow, it is still nice. The airplane is a Cessna Caravan in CHP livery and can be seen parked at their mid-field parking area. Compared to the Gipp G-8 plane they are flying now, the useful load is greater, there is room for two to three more passengers, it is faster, and it carries more electronics for chasing bad guys. The only thing it does not have is a kitchen and bathroom. If you see the plane on the ramp, don’t be bashful if one of the pilots is there, ask for a tour of the airplane. Girls day at the airport. A few days ago I was looking over the flight schedule in the office. It was pointed out to me that of the twelve flights that day, eleven of them had a woman in the plane as a student or instructor. Five of the flights had both instructor and student was females. When I started to learn to fly the number of women in aviation was measured in the low single digit percentages. Today, times are changing rapidly. If you know of any women who want a career in aviation, Auburn Aviation offers some great opportunities for them. For anyone wanting to learn to fly, male or female, now is time to learn. The accomplishments for this month are led by the ladies. Audrey Emerson and Grace Paynter achieved their milestones this past month. Audrey Emerson earned her Private Pilot Certificate with Mark Montague as her pilot examiner. Grace Paynter was able to fly her first solo. Also on track to get her private pilots license on the 28th of January is Madison Sundermier. Dwight Stalker, their proud instructor for all of these ladies. Dwight has also been busy soloing his other students: Adrian Sperber and Philip Vyvoda both soloed. Adrian soloed a Cessna 172 and Philip soloed the Sport Star. Chris Hale was able to solo William Dougherty in a C-172. More about that flight later. Kristen “Kiki” Kopp earned her CFI with James Duvall as the examiner. Carson Mahanke was her instructor for her training. Over the last year Kristen has going through the acceptance process as a C-130 pilot out of Moffett in the Bay area. Kiki is also one of the mentors for AAA. Currently she is waiting for bureaucracy of the Air force to catch with her. Alex Dunbar also passed his CFI rating with James Duvall as the pilot examiner. Christine Koenigsecker and Kelly Richards teamed up to get him through his training. Congratulations to all on a job well done. William Dougharty’s first solo, mentioned above, was interesting. On his first trip around the pattern, while turning on final he was told to go around by the airport manager. He did a beautiful go around, but why? Not knowing what else to do he followed the request. Now what? William continued in the pattern as he was taught and tried to figure out what is next. Not hearing any further instructions on the radio, he decided to set up for another landing again, still not knowing what the problem was. Downwind he sets up his landing again, just like his instructor taught him. Still no idea what is going on or who is taking to him, but he does see several vehicles on the runway. Turning base all is well, no further instructions. Turning final he sets his flaps, speed under control, glide path looking good. Once again on final he is told to go around. Power up, flaps coming up slowly while gaining climb speed. Another perfect go around. What is going on? Well lets try this again. By this time his instructor called the airport manager, who seemed to be controlling the situation, and told him that the student was on his first solo and asked if the problem could be expedited, or at least tell the student what the problem might be. By this time, William is downwind again, setting up another landing. While turn base the airport manager informs him the runway is clear and land at his discretion. Flaps out, on airspeed and glide path. He lands with no problem and all is well. William later learned that there was an animal on the runway and the cars were trying to chase it off which is why he was told to go around. The part of this story that I want to stress is that William kept his cool and flew the airplane. In any kind of an emergency whether real or perceived the pilot must keep flying the airplane first. Great work William on a job well done. You have learned a good lesson about your priorities when flying an airplane. Don Wolfe’s Career Day was another great success. The Dwelle’s hangar was full of people. In addition to the presentations there were numerous booths for people to inquire about learning to fly as well as other careers in aviation (Air Traffic Controllers, dispatchers, mechanics, airport managers, etc). I am sure that will have a better report on the days events. That is about all for now, so Good Night Miss Daisy. The Prop Turner Mike Duncan
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GENERAL MEMBERS
OFFICERS President - Chris Haven - president@auburnaviationassociation.org Vice President - Dan Flom - vp@auburnaviationassociation.org Secretary - Doug Fee - secretary@auburnaviationassociation.org Treasurer - David Dwelle - treasurer@auburnaviationassociation.org BOARD MEMBERS Past President - Doug McDougal - pastpres@auburnaviationassociation.org Scholarship Director - Don Wolfe - flyfund@auburnaviationassociation.org Assistant Scholarship - James Jacobson - skyfund1539@gmail.com Membership Director - Daniel Colburn - membership@auburnaviationassociation.org Publicity Director - David Sanborn - publicity@auburnaviationassociation.org Propwash Editor - Mike Duncan - duncan7kcab@sbcglobal.net 5AC Chair - Ken Dwelle - 5ac@auburnaviationassociation.org Board Member at Large - Joanie Mooneyham - joaniemoon05@gmail.com Donations Coordinator - Nancy Benjamin - don_benj@pacbell.net Special thanks to Brooklyn Brown for laying out the newsletter and David Sanborn for managing distribution of the newsletter.
2025 AAA Board