POTTSTOWN AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS · 2020-01-20 · President: Erik Forde Vice President: Mike McNamera Secretary: John Green Treasurer: Gene Poppel Directors: Barry Kerchner,

President: Erik Forde Vice President: Mike McNamera Secretary: John Green Treasurer: Gene Poppel Directors: Barry Kerchner, Thomas Kozel, Andy Landis, Laura Poppel, Tim Drager (President Ex-Officio)

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POTTSTOWN AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS Originated February 26, 1948 – Incorporated January 15,1960

www.paop.org, Facebook: PAOP, Inc. a/k/a "The Flyers Roost"

3310 West Ridge Pike, Pottstown, PA 19464

January 2020 News, enticing articles, and more…

Dear Members,

The forecast did not look good for the last fly-out on Sunday, December 29, to Millville. After

consulting with Gene, I left it for him to make the call and the decision was to move the fly-out to

Saturday the 28th. It was low visibility with fog and mist early, but it soon burned off and we were off

with just a 30 minute delay. On preflight Mike McNamera had water in his fuel tanks, so that grounded

his bird, and he hitched a ride in the 182. After takeoff Allen Jones took the controls and had us at

Millville in 42 minutes. We met up with Gene, Laura, and Dylan Debrakeleer. Breakfast was terrific as

usual. We were back home before 1 PM.

It seems most things of value take more effort than planned on, and so it has been with the

Cub. Saturday with 60 degree weather in January four of us afflicted souls met at Mike Ondra's farm

and opened the hanger to work on the Cub. We put new landing gear struts and shock cords on,

tightened up tail wheel, drained the fuel system, filled the brake reservoir, and attached the seat

canvas. Then we pushed it outside to see if she was ready for a ferry flight to get an annual

inspection. Mike was at the controls and called out for 6 props Mags off. Then Mags on, Andy pulled

a 1/4 turn and off she went strong and smooth. Yessssss! We need to get some fuel in the tanks and

a nice day to get it to the shop at Vansant airport. It is coming together, finally.

This month's fly out, January 26, is to Fredrick Maryland KFDK, home of AOPA. Come join us,

Contact Gene or myself if your plane is available, or you would like a seat. See page 2 for more

information.

I hope you can make it to the dinner meeting at Copperfield’s this month, January 30. There

will be last minute nominations and a vote for PAOP officers. Come meet the new slate of officers.

We are always open for your positive suggestions and fresh ideas.

Happy New Year!

Erik Forde


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2020 PAOP Events

1-26-2020 1-30-2020

Flyout to Frederick, MD (KFDK) ANNUAL MEETING and Election of Officers

Brunch Copperfield’s

A Wintry Ride to the Mountains to the West

It’s time to fly to the foothills of Maryland’s Catoctin mountains to

enjoy starkness of winter or sun glistening on the snow. Scenic

Frederick, MD is our next flyout destination, on January 26.

It’s uncertain who is honored by the naming of Frederick, MD, but

one of the candidates is Frederick “the Great” of Prussia, for

whom King of Prussia is also named (actually after the King of

Prussia Tavern, named after the king). No matter, this charming

colonial-era town, a center of shopping and antiquing and also

part of Civil War history, will be our January 26 flyout destination.

Today, it’s also the home of AOPA and AVEMCO Insurance,

both on the airport ramp. We’ll travel a quick 97 nm to Frederick

Municipal Airport (KFDK) for brunch at the Airways Inn on the

field.

Take care with your navigation and check NOTAMS carefully for

any possible expansion of the Camp David Prohibited Area (P-

40). Also, Frederick is well within a 60 nm circle centered on the

DCA VORTAC, which means that the pilot in command must

have completed the online course about operation in the

Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area. We may be threading

a needle between P-40 and the SFRA. The course is available

through the AOPA web site or www.faa.gov.

We’ll gather at Penn Airways at 0900 for 0930 takeoff. Bring a

friend or bring a student pilot (or bring a friend who is a student

pilot). Contact Gene Poppel 484-431-9660 or

[email protected] if you want a ride or have an available

seat in your plane.


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The Editor’s Beacon

It seems to me that owning an aircraft is a good way to really take control of your aviation interests. Apparently,

I’m not the only one who feels this way. I have recently become aware that Tim Drager, our most recent

President ex-officio, is way ahead of me on this one. My friendship with Tim only goes back a few years but in

that time I have learned that this guy is motivated, sincere, honest and always willing to do whatever he can

(which is a lot) to promote the aviation interests of anyone who asks.

The following is a brief highlight

designed to enlighten and intrigue.

The facts are here-say and

speculative, but Tim is always very

approachable and forthcoming with

any further facts, clarifications, or

references you may need.

This to the left is Tim in 1967 (I’m

guessing the only youth that knows

the purpose of that top shirt button)

experimenting with solid fuel rockets. The picture to the

right is from 1978 and is reported to be a radio-controlled

glider, but that looks like a motor to me. Below is from

1985 when Tim achieved his PPL. Looks like a Cessna 150

or 152


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Here is Tim with his young family in his

“new to him” 1967 Cherokee 140. The

picture is from 1986.

Below is a file picture of a 1957 Cessna

182A like the one Tim purchased in

1990.

Below is Tim’s 1968 Cherokee Six-260 in which he

achieved his instrument rating after purchasing in

1994

In 2001 Tim purchased

this 1964 Mooney M20C

in which he achieved his

Commercial Certificate.

This experience must

have been inspirational

as a few years later in

2004 Tim interviewed

with NASA to become an

Astronaut. I must know

more about that some

time!


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In 2008 Tim bought a 1967 Cessna

T210G-285. Tim flew for a company

called Lighthawk, where he flew a

National Geographic team to film the

Washington DC watershed area,

Congressional aides, lawyers,

scientists, photographers and

journalists to study our environment in terms of compliance to laws, impact of fracking, large pipe and electric

line rights-of-way, CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations),

waterkeeper, invasive species and CBF (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)

impact studies.

To the left is a hydrogen balloon experiment Tim conducted in 2010 to an

altitude of 80,000 feet. Hmmm, this needs an explanation!

Below is a 1985 Fisher Koala wooden ultralight tail-Drager (yes, I am

calling it a tail-“Drager” because Tim restored and flew this one after

purchasing it in 2013. I’m not sure I would have “the right stuff” to fly one

of these although it was featured in the EAA’s sport pilot magazine.

2015 is the year Tim

purchased his current

aircraft, a 1967 Cessna

172H.

I hope you feel a need to ask Tim a few questions after this briefing on his experiences in aviation.

I know I do!


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2020 Alton Bay NH

It's been a few years since I landed their solo in N4306B, but I am still as excited about it as I was then. Call 603-875-3498 for the report from Paul, the Ice Master. As of

January 19th, a fresh storm added 6 inches of snow. The ice on the 18th of January was about 7.5 to 8 inches - that's

thin and crusty. It's not safe enough yet. He checks the ice often and changes his voice message every three days or so. Many PAOP members have done it in the past years as well

in planes ranging from experimental up to and including Beechcraft Bonanza's. Like all flying adventures, it takes knowledge, information and confidence in your ability to do

short or soft field landings and keeping your feet off the brakes. It also helps to talk to those who have done it before.

I've never met a pilot who didn't want to share his or her experience with you.

I recommend the trip for the experience, and the fine

food served at the restaurant lakeside, as well as the corner store. My one personal advice is buying a cheap pair of ice

things to slip over your shoes or sneakers because if you land on a day when the surface is slick - you'll be glad you did. Often the surface is packed snow on top of ice, and

then you won't need them. Getting the latest conditions is as easy as calling 603-875-3498 and listening to the message.

Stay tuned for my article next month about the status

of and future of KPTW which I am writing after my open interview with Josh Desmond of the Airport.

As I always say: "It's a great Day to Fly".

Mike Sehl

Documents

POTTSTOWN AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS · 2020-01-20 · President: Erik Forde Vice President: Mike McNamera Secretary: John Green Treasurer: Gene Poppel Directors: Barry Kerchner,