Traron Squadron

Wow, my first year is over and I must complement Rick on his timing: a complete rewrite of the National Manual and changing all the requirements for the ratings! Whew!

As promised, the new FAST requirements for the different ratings:

Wing Pilot Qualifications:

Private pilot certificate*

350 hours total time (250 hours with a Commercial certificate)

NOTE REDUCTION IN TIME FOR COMMERCIAL TICKET

10 hours formation time within the previous two years (military or civilian)

NOTE MINIMUM TIME REQUIREMENT

Complete a formal ground school conducted by an FAA* recognized formation organization

SO ALL CLINICS SHOULD PLAN TIME FOR GROUND SCHOOL

Current member of an FAA* recognized formation organization

Practical test recommendation by a current Lead Pilot

NOT ALL TRARON LEADs CAN RECOMMEND, THIS IS PAST PRACTICE

Successfully complete practical test

Or non-US, country equivalent

Lead Pilot Qualifications

Private Pilot Certificate

NOTE LACK OF COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENT

NOTE LACK OF CFI, MILITARY/AIRLINE IP RECOMMENDED

500 hours total time (350 hours for current or former CFI*, military or airline IP) NOTE REDUCTION IN TIME FOR COMMERCIAL TICKET

30 hours logged formation time as a credentialed Wing Pilot

NOTE MINIMUM TIME REQUIREMENT LOGGED AS A FAST WINGMAN!

NOTE LACK OF ONE YEAR AS WINGMAN

NOTE LACK OF 75 HOURS OF FORMATION TIME

Demonstrated proficiency in each position of a 4-ship

NOTE NEED TO LOG POSITIONS FLOWN

Complete formal Lead upgrade training program

OUR PRESENT GROUND SCHOOL WILL COUNT WHILE WE WORK ON AN UPGRADE SYLLABUS, BUT A SEPARATE SYLLABUS IS REQUIRED PER NATIONAL FAST

Current member of an FAA* recognized formation organization

Practical test recommendation by a current Lead Pilot

NOT ALL TRARON LEADs CAN RECOMMEND, THIS IS PAST PRACTICE

Successfully complete practical test

*Or non-US, country equivalent

These numbers are minimums and will be discussed at the Mid-Winter Staff Conference to see if TRARON should require more. For instance, in the case of Lead’s flight time requirements, they have been significantly reduced, practically in half. Since Riverside will occur before MWS, we’ll go with Standard for anyone at that clinic.

Again, these are voted on and approved and not for debate. There were approximately 1200 emails exchanged this summer over this and the new Manual, which I’ll get to in a minute. SO, everybody adapt and go with the changes. If any more come out of MWS; I’ll pass it on. My apologies for this period of transition, but we can’t stop until we get it straight.

Also, I have sent, either by email or snail mail, the TRARON Check Pilots a package containing a proposed grade book/training folder. This topic will also be discussed at MWS and I have forwarded some to Jim Munn to use at Riverside. Since there hasn’t been much debate and little discussion except in a positive light, AND since the requirement for logging positions flown and specific numbers of formation hours is in place, especially for Leads; I see no alternative but to institute these folders.

However, since I haven’t spoken with anyone above my paygrade, I’ll wait and make it official after MWS. At that time, there’ll be downloadable files on the website and directions for making your own.

IT WILL BE THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE, CARRY AROUND, AND SUBMIT TO THE IP/CHECK PILOT. HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO HOUND THE IP/CHECK PILOT TO WRITE SOMETHING IN IT!

Now, for the New Manual. I have received a draft copy of Chapter One and am very impressed (of course with 1200 emails I ought to be). I also just got an email from Mike Filucci (National FAST Board President) that he hopes to have all Chapters out for final review by NWOC (the week after MWS). We will meet at NWOC to see how far we are along – and then there’s the distribution problem.

Meanwhile, although the T-34 Manual is out of print, it is still all that’s written down for a Standard – so it will suffice until replaced. I can promise that the new Manual is so much better, in description, graphics and topics covered. I’m looking forward to it.

And one more thing per the new standards. There is a requirement for a separate and formal Lead Upgrade. I’ve talked to Mike and we have as much time as it takes (as long as it don’t take too long) to get one in place. I’ll be talking with some of the Check Pilots and I hope to have it complete by our Odessa Clinic. Based on the new Manual, I think this will work well and know we’ve already started on some of the changes, they just weren’t formalized.

Lastly, winter is here and flying is probably curtailed where you live (I know mine’s in annual right now and it’s raining). Since spring time comes at her own pace, as it thaws where you are, get a group together and practice, get the rust off and be safe.

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

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 skipperh@earthlink.net and please put "FAST" in the subject line before I spam you out.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE