Traron Squadron

After several discussions/miscommunications/phone calls/lack of responses, we have modified the below plan. HQ will take the available gas (Bob rounded it up to 1,000 gallons) and it will equally divided between all T-6 participants in AirSho. There will still be photo missions, but we'll see who shows up to decide who is available/flies. Again, if you work your own deal with the photographer, the Part 91 waiver will be in effect. Sorry for the confusion and the angst. Just like always, at the end, you'll turn in your chit and get a check at cost of the fuel you don't use.

Many folks have contributed to the success and safety of TRARON over the years, we hope to help them all.

~~The bad news: and this comes from HQ, not me.~~

~~Everyone who flies in the show will get 1.5 hours of fuel for Saturday and Sunday, there will be no gas for arriving as there has been in the past.~~

I have been requested to find 8 highly qualified formation pilots to be available for photo duty on Saturday and Sunday, these individuals will receive gas for flying the photos (it seems the C-53 has been told to stay home for fuel burn and we will substituting). The possibility exists that some flights will happen before Saturday but gas money is only available through coordination with Bob Stenevik (i.e. if you don't talk to him [Bob], you're on your own between you and the photographer*).

If the photographer (not the CAF) wants to buy the gas, your cleared hot and Bob has worked out a waiver for Part 91 (Formation with a Paying Passenger) so it's cool with the FSDO.

TRARON duties are supposed to come first, but we've already downgraded the clinic that was to happen next weekend to practice because of lack of participation, I'm sure gas prices have more than a little to do with that.

On another gas price note: this is bound to affect practice. I know it has already affected how much I fly my airplane. We still need to do this, I flew as part of a 4-ship just this week for a High School graduation overflight and was not happy with my performance. And the last time I flew formation was Sun N Fun.

I would urge to you continue practicing, however I understand the economics of twenty-seven gallons per hour. In that light, please understand your limitations and do not fly yourself into a corner you can't handle. Even the teams (T'Birds and Angels) start slow and wide until they get proficient.

From the last update, the Formation Working Group/Ops Board is still working; I have had no news to add to the last couple of iterations. Morris Ray and Mike Ginter are working on the TRARON Training Manual now required by FAST Protocols (V.20) and we are trying to coordinate with NATA so all T-6s fly pretty much the same.

It’s still the T-34 Manual and the Darton Tapes.

Mark Novak has been approved to replace Doug Matthews as Sec/Treas. Thanks Doug for all the help. Jeanine too.

We still need stuff for the website.

The table for the O’Club. Bill tells me our logo is up in "TRARON Corner" in the O'Club. And, since we got the money back from the guys in the PI (those of you that have been there should understand what a miracle that was), we found another place -- stateside this time. It will be the same size as the other table and look fairly similar. Same price and done by July or August, so you'll see it at AirSho. And it's made in the USA, Bessemer, Michigan to be exact.

Also from the last couple of updates as a reminder (NOTE ONE CHANGE BELOW:

There will be no more exchange or recognition of other signatory’s card ~~without a check ride and~~ unless compliance with the TRARON requirements ~~being~~ [has been] demonstrated.

Wingmen will be checked in the #4 position. While this varies through FAST, is has always been a way of doing things, but somebody had an issue because it wasn’t written that way – now it is.

Check rides will occur only at clinics to ensure the FORMAL ground school portion is met. Eventually, in my copious free time, I’ll come up with a certificate of completion or something so we can change this back, but for right now…

Since it was brought up at the FAST Board meeting (I thought it went without saying); the recommending Lead and the Check Pilot have to be two different people. The Check Pilot will fly in the aircraft with the ‘checkee’. And only certain Lead’s can recommend, they know who they are.

AGAIN, WE NEED MORE CLINICS! All it takes is a 4-ship!

Don't forget the NATA Clinic in DBQ, lots of our guys will be there.

TRARON will help with any local clinic you guys want to hold, we will get you instructors/check pilots. All it takes is a 4-ship and an airport willing to work with you. Ideally, you should plan on a ground school Friday evening and as much flying as you can get in on Saturday and Sunday.

Anybody interested in more should contact me at skippert6@comcast.net and please put "FAST" in the subject line before I spam you out. Some folks are having a problem with comcast, as an alternative, try skippert6@yahoo.com

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE