An exciting new powered parachute publication specifically designed and written for current and prospective ppc pilots hits the “stands” today.  Subscribe today The Powered Parachuter

Mike Lersbak, Sport Pilot Academy creator, has designed, and published the new “journal” style publication. Mike launched the publication with several goals in mind, including:

• Provide a publication that is all about powered parachute flying and not mixed with or competing with other forms of aviation.
• Use the journal to enhance education, training and ongoing proficiency in powered parachutes.
• Make the publication fun!
• Provide the journal in a traditional printed subscription form as well as a less expensive and downloadable format.

While the Powered Parachuter will no doubt have a national and even international appeal you will find that it has a distinctive “Western Flavor”.  You will not find a ppc publication anywhre with this much information specifically relevant to the sport that you are involved in, or considering becoming involved in.

Mike is providing opportunities for our N.W. businesses to support this effort through “article style” and traditional advertising.  Contact Mike directly at mikel@sportpilotu.com for a copy of the Powered Parachute Media Guide.

We encourage everyone to support the sport and the publication by getting your subscrption today.  You won’t be sorry! Subscribe to the Powered Parachuter.

SIX CHUTER NEWS OCTOBER 2009

• ELSA Airworthiness Certificate Expiration Date
• The Six Chuter Transition Continues-New Six Chuter Representatives Join the Team
• 2010 Preview
• Product News
• OK Who Do We Contact?-Information on the Organization and How to Contact Us
• Stay In The Loop-Stay In Contact

ALERT:  CHECK THE AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES ON YOUR ELSA.  IF YOU HAVE ONE THAT ALLOWED FOR TRAINING IN THE ELSA YOU WILL LIKELY SHOW AN EXPIRATION DATE OF JANUARY 2010 ON THAT CERTIFICATE.  IF YOU LET THAT EXPIRE THERE IS NO PROCEDURE FOR REISSUING AFTER THE DEADLINE.  Here’s a link to an FAA letter emphasizing that if you had training op limits and don’t get a new airworthiness Certificate and op limits before they expire in January.
http://www.aerosports.org/forms/how-to-n-number-an-aircraft/faa-says-change-or-else

A note from Six Chuter Associate Clyde Poser: By the end of next week I should have my new DAR authorization and I will be able to re-issue A/W certificates and ops limits removing the training limitation. You can mail the required documents to me and I will mail them back. I will be charging $20 for this service for my time and the return postage, since I will be sending it back registered for less possibility of loss. Or you can come to my house to get it done for $10. This is much easier than going to the FAA office with its hassle of security.  Of course the FAA is free.

The documents required will be:
1. 8130-6 just like the one you did the first time.
2. letter addressed to Spokane FSDO requesting re-issue to remove the training limitation.
3. Your aircraft logbook so I can certify the change.
4. Your old airworthiness certificate and operating limitations

RULE AVIATION http://www.ruleaviation.com/ Clyde Poser Phone:  253-447-4398 Tech support: tech@rainierultralightengines.com

TRANSITION CONTINUES

This has been a very busy year indeed for Six Chuter Inc. In previous bulletins written over the past year we talked with you about the general strategy for Six Chuter Inc.  This included contracting sale of assembly, distribution and sales to two new entities, Six Chuter West LLC and Six Chuter East LLC.  This left Six Chuter Inc. with responsibility for manufacturing and selling “kits” and parts to both East and West.  We can report that this part of the transition went quite smoothly and certainly expanded Six Chuter’s capacity for production and distribution.

The next part of the transition has taken place throughout 2009.  This has involved movement of the parts center to Pangborn Airport in East Wenatchee, Washington.  This move has taken more time and involved more work than we anticipated.  The result, however, is an expanded stocking of parts for new models and older model Six Chuters.  The parts center is now responsible for subassembly of Six Chuter kits that are then moved to one of several authorized assembly centers including Six Chuter East and our network of Flight Centers.

Six Chuter West Parts Center Manager Tom Connelly at New Six Chuter Hangar

Six Chuter Inc., Dan Bailey continues to produce the raw airframes and Six Chuter West and East are responsible for the rest of production, distribution, sales and support.

For the most part we don’t expect that a prospective customer or current Six Chuter owner will notice much difference, other than a different set of telephone numbers and contact with some new personalities.  The planned result is creating a network that can continue to support the more than 2000 powered parachutes that we have distributed worldwide while increasing our capacity to meet current market demand for new part 103 single seaters, as well as ELSA Kits and fully assembled SLSAs.  We will spend more time introducing you to the entire new team in January.

SIX CHUTER REPRESENTATIVES JOIN THE TEAM

In The midst of factory transition we have had several new folks join our sales and service representative team.  2009 new members include:

• Ed Connelly, Connelly LSA Services. LLC   3800 Glidden Drive   Sturgeon Bay, Wi. 54235 920 743-9027.   Ed recently spent a couple of weeks at Six Chuter East completing assembly on a new Legend XL Tandem and is currently at Rainbow Aviation in California completing the Repairman Maintenance Course.  We are excited to have a developing full service flight center in the upper mid-western U.S.
• Randy Long Arizona Powerchutes http://www.arizonapowerchutes.com/ has joined us as a representative in Six Chuter West, based out of Scottsdale, Arizona.  Randy has a long background in Commercial Hot Air Balloons and connected with us with the help of our S.W. Flight Center Representatives Wiley-Wales Powered Parachutes, Colorado.  Randy is flying a Six Chuter Legend XL with dual controls, SLSA certified.

• Tim Vedder II, a human dynamo has opened Central Washington Powered Parachutes, http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=296 Wenatchee, WA.  Although just getting involved in January, Tim is now President of Six Chuter West LLC, President of Central Washington Powered Parachutes  and was the reason we managed to hold one of the best Memorial Day rallies ever, at his flight center in Quincy, Washington.  Tim flies N136SC, another Legend XL with full dual controls and SLSA certified.  N136SC was assembled by Rolando Santiago our factory approved SLSA assembler in the Pacific N.W.
• Kenneth Schwartz out of Lincoln California has joined our network with “paradiablo”, www.paradiablo.com Ken flies a Legend that has been modified slightly to handle the Chiron canopy.  Ken has an extensive background in PPGs and we are excited to have him on board representing Six Chuter in Northern California.  Ken.schwartz@att.net 916 335-6049.
• Dave Towery, Bend, Oregon has recently signed on to represent Six Chuter in Central Oregon. davetowery@bendbroadband.com Dave and business partner Mike Lockling have been involved in the sport for years and Dave is now positioning their business to expand support and represent Six Chuter to all of Central Oregon.

If you are interested in learning more about the requirements to become a Six Chuter representative in your area, email Doug Maas at maas0755@comcast.net and ask for a free Business Opportunities Guide.

PREVIEWING 2010

A number of ideas are emerging for 2010 that promise to keep things interesting and very busy.  A few previews include:

• The Legend P103UL and the Legend XL Tandem are both undergoing updates for 2010.  These will include improvements for the 912 installation, and changes to the outrigger system for units with no frontal bars.  See “product updates” below. 
• Six Chuter Legends will be offered in three “stage kits” in 2010.  These kits will allow a home builder to purchase and build their powered parachute over time, thus spreading out the capital outlay required. The kits will include #1 Rolling Airframe, #2 Engine and Fuel System and #3 Canopy, Prop and Instrument.
• Expanded accessories including pylon covers, storage sacks and other practical items to dress up your Six Chuter will be added to options. 
• New gas tank designs are being prototyped.  These will include stronger poly tanks and aluminum and stainless steel optional tanks.  On the Legend XL we are working to provide for higher capacity gas tanks. 
• Engine options are being prototyped and tested over the winter.  This includes the compact radial MZ202 installation on the Legend XL.  So far the production testing looks promising and could lead to a great performing, but lower cost option to the standard Rotax.
• On Line Parts ordering is being expanded in our new store https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp We hope to have all small parts available on line in early 2010, thus making the process of ordering much easier for you.
• 20^th Anniversary Memorial Day Rally is being planned.  This will be the 20^th anniversary of Six Chuter and the Memorial Day N.W. powered parachute rally.  This will be an expanded and special event to celebrate two decades in business.
• Expanded winter training webinars are on the schedule. You can receive notification of upcoming classes by filling out the information request forms on the front page of Sport Pilot Academy http://www.sportpilotu.com/
• Fractional Ownership flight club models and procedures are under development.  This model will allow several individuals to share the costs of owning one or more powered parachutes.  This model will reduce the cost of individual ownership and will allow for owners to train in their own Experimental Light Sport powered parachute.
• The Western Regional PPC competition is on the drawing board.  The last regional competition that we did was in 2004 so the time seems right.  Tentative plans call for an early August meet at our Central Washington flight center in Quincy, WA.

To stay posted on these and other exciting news from Six Chuter, go to www.sixchuterwest.com and fill out the “news request” form on the front page.

PRODUCT NEWS

• The Legend XL has recently been upgraded with a full dual control option.  This installation includes dual throttle, dual ground steering and dual canopy steering.  Also included is an instructor “magneto kill” switch that allows a rear seat instructor to shut down the engine. This aircraft has quickly gained popularity among the CFI crowd with four SLSA’s with dual controls delivered already this year. 
• The Legend XL has added an upper C.G. brace.  The XL is one of the few new tandem PPCs on the market today without overhead frontal bars.  This more open air flying is popular with many pilots. The additional upper brace adds strength to the outrigger system. XLs with frontal bars now have a “side brace” that also improves the look and increases the strength of the system.  Either modification is available to current Legend Owners by calling Rolando Santiago, Parts and Tech Support, 360 904-8766

New Upper Outrigger Brace Tubes

New Frontal Bars with Side Bracing

OK, SO WHO DO WE CONTACT?

You don’t need to understand all the reasoning and strategy for the Six Chuter transition.  So let’s keep it simple.  If you need ANYTHING from Six Chuter (parts, pricing, new order, technical support) West of longitude 98 call ROLANDO SANTIAGO 360 904-8766.  Anything East of 98 Degrees call JOE FENSTERMACHER (610) 273-0220  Business Opportunities and Dealer support, Doug Maas maas0755@comcast.net

STAY IN THE LOOP

You will find no other manufacturer who supports our prospective and current customers to the extent that Six Chuter Inc. does.  First…WE ANSWER THE PHONE! Next we manage extensive communication networks to insure that you get constant support.  Not just rhetoric, but the right kind of support to keep you flying….”safe and for a lifetime”.

Six Chuter Inc. Website: www.sixchuter.com

Six Chuter West Website: www.sixchuterwest.com

Six Chuter East Website: www.quakerstatepoweredparachutes.com

Six Chuter Owners: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sixchuterowners/

Six Chuter Representatives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SIXCHUTERDEALERS/

Western Powered Parachute Association LLC (Training): www.westernppa.org

Six Chuter Business Opportunities: Doug Maas maas0755@comcast.net

Sport Pilot Academy (Training Affiliate): www.sportpilotacademy.com  

Six Chuter Full Service Flight Centers:

“Thanks Doug for your help. As we go thru the years (ten going on 11) you and the 6-C team have ALWAYS been there for us and me especially. Any wonders why I chose Six Chuter. This is the reason, and I dare anyone to match the support, quality and integrity of everyone who is a team player and member of the Six Chuter group. I thank you all but especially you Doug. Thanks. Michael Kayhoe”

The Experimental Exhibition Alternative

“An Alternative to Flying Illegally”

There may have been some aircraft owners that missed the deadline of January 31, 2008 to receive an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft registration.  And now you are thinking you have (1) a spare parts supply for your friends, (2) an illegal aircraft if you choose to fly it, or (c) something you maybe can sell to someone in Mexico or Canada.  Not so fast, think again.

You may be able to get your former vehicle into the Experimental Exhibition category provided you do a little extra paperwork. The following are some of the restrictions to Exhibition category:

1.    The pilot needs to hold an appropriate certificate.

2.    The aircraft must be inspected each year in accordance with the scope and detail of FAR 43 appendix-D (Annual inspection) The inspection must be carried out by an A&P, possibly you can talk your FSDO into letting you do the condition inspection if you have a Light Sport Repairman/Maintenance certificate .

3.    You may not fly over densely populated areas except for the purpose of takeoff and landing .

4.    You may not operate the aircraft for compensation or hire . (ie, no commercial operations)

5.    The aircraft may only be operated for the purpose of exhibition, maintenance and proficiency .

6.    Exhibition is defined as: attending a school or shopping mall exhibition, fly-in, rally, airshow, aerobatic competition or organized practice session .

7.    For flights other than those listed above, the aircraft may only operate within a specified geographical area, usually a circle of 300 NM based on the airport at which the aircraft is based .    NEW or REVISED Operating Limitations eliminate the 300 NM proficiency area .   In other words, NO RESTRICTIONS WHERE YOU CAN FLY, EXCEPT FOR CLASS B AIRSPACE .

8.    At the beginning of each year, the operator must submit a list of the events he/she intends to attend that year (program letter) .

9.    For any flights not listed in the program letter and which lie outside the 300 NM radius, the FAA must be informed in advance by FAX or post card . (Inform, NOT ask permission) .   THIS DOES NOT APPLY IF YOUR OPERATING LIMITATIONS DO NOT STATE A 300 NM PROFICIENCY AREA .

As you can see from the above there really isn’t much restriction.  Let’s go through the points one by one.

1. An appropriate pilot certificate would of course be your Sport Pilot certificate with proper class endorsement.  No problem there.
2. Everyone has to have an annual.  The slight problem is that yours will have to be signed off by and A&P.  Many A&Ps will work with a customer and allow the customer to do the annual with them supervising and for a fee sign the logbook.  This requires some asking around to find a sympathetic A&P wanting to make some easy cash.  IF you attend the Mantenance repairman course you may be able to convince you rlocal FSDO that you are capable of performing the condition inspection.  Since an LSR/M  can do the condition inspection on a certified SLSA this would be a reasonable request.
3. Most of us don’t want to fly over densely populated areas with a two stroke engine anyway.
4. Can’t do that with ELSA either.
5. Ok, here is where things start to get interesting.  And that is answered by:
6. Exhibition defined.  Looks like you can go to most of the events you go to now and that is correct.  The FAA is fairly lenient in the event definitions.  So most any pre-planned event would qualify.
7. Here is another restriction of sorts.  You can only fly a non-stop, out and back from your home field.  That means you can’t take off and go over to a friends field and land.  When you take off from your home field you must land back there.  And you are allowed 300 nautical miles to do that.  I dare say that should be enough area.
8. (Note: All samples available by visiting RULE Aviation Website http://www.ruleaviation.com/experimental%20exhibition.htm )Another part of that paperwork I was talking about.  I have included an example of a program letter here:  Sample program letter    And a fill able program letter form here: Experimental program letter for you to use if you decide to try for a Exhibition certificate.
9. 300 nautical miles should be enough area to have fun.  And if you want to go out of the are at the last minute just “inform” the FAA and you have met your legal requirements.

Here is a sample of what your operating limitations might look like:  Sample operating limitations

So aside from the extra paperwork that is mostly just telling the FAA in advance where you plan to go have fun,  the Experimental Exhibition category is a way to get your aircraft back flying and do it in a legal way and have a unique certificate.  Feel free to email me with any questions.  Here is the link to the process:  Procedure for Exhibition category

Clyde Poser, DAR

Rule Aviation

The Pacific N.W. Powered Parachute Classifieds have been updated for October 2009.  Go to Aircraft Classifieds to review our latest listings. You can contact us at maas0755@comcast.net for more information on any of the listings, or you can contact the Six Chuter representative nearest you

We continue to carry the largest inventory of new and used Six Chuters anywhere!  And we only list and sell aircraft that we know are legal and when we have a good history of the maintenance and care of each aircraft.

If you do not see exactly what you are seeking, then email me at maas0755@comcast.net and let us know the price range and specifications.  We have many other aircraft available in our extended sales network and are likely to have exactly what you are looking for.

Be sure and look at the “other” category in our classifieds.  These listings include “rolling airframe kits” that can be customized to meet your color preferences, engine and canopy preferences and even certification options.

All of our aircraft can be packaged with communications gear, trailers and discounted training through the Western Powered Parachute Association network of CFIs.

Ivanpah 2010

New Puget Sound Representative

Michael Escriba has joined our Six Chuter West blokart team.  Michael is a powered parachute pilot who recently retired and plans on moving several demonstration units around the area and providing opportunities for demonstrations, sales and training.  Here is a note from Michael after an exciting trip to Ivanpah:

Hey Doug , Just got back from Las Vegas. took my son and couple of friends out to Primm at Ivanpah dry lake they loved it got some great runs in . managed to my first flip over not to bad sliding  to a stop got out stood her up and off I went got some gust up to 30-mph what a rush that was . Pick up some hugh thorns flattened one tire . Got a tube repair kit and fixed it seems to hold. Leaving for Mexico Sunday the 11th be back in Nov ?

 Some Awesome Times in blokarts in the Pacific Northwest

Setting Up to Sail at Twin Firs Turf Farm

Grandpa Doug and Taylor on the Oregon Coast

Racing the Runway at Arlington Airshow

October 2009

This is a regular informational bulletin published by the Western Powered Parachute Association, LLC, devoted to promoting the sport of powered parachuting through education, communications and participation.  If you would like to be removed from the mailing list go directly to the distribution site email maas0755@comcast.net   

“The mission of the Western Powered Parachute Association is to promote the sport of powered parachuting in the Western United States through Education, Participation and Resources.”

 In This Issue:

• ·          What a Season!
• ·          Scanning the Horizon (Calendar)
• ·          Event Calendar
• ·          Training Corner- -How High (low) Can I Fly?
• ·          Resources

 AFFILIATES

Sport Pilot Academy

www.sportpilotacademy.com  

 Six Chuter West

www.sixchuterwest.com

 Published by Western Powered Parachute Association LLC

westernppa@comcast.net Doug Maas 360 771-4047Maas0755@comcast.net Website: http://westernppa.org Newsletter Distribution Group Site: http://sixchuterwest.com   

Sign up to receive this monthly bulletin at www.sixchuterwest.com Just fill out the news request form on the front page. While you are on the Six Chuter West website, explore the many other “articles” in several categories.  These articles are published weekly and are archived in the various categories.

 WHAT A SEASON!

 It seems like forever since the last bulletin that we distributed, but the reality is that in the midst of the flying season we just get caught up in “outside” activity.  Thus the routine has become much less rhetoric during the summer and more time to read and write during the winter.  This season has been extraordinarily busy with more club members, more flying activities and more new students and pilots than ever (at least in Pacific N.W.).  That seems curious given the economic environment, but I have quit trying to figure it out.  Rather I just spend my time trying to respond to it.

 We started the year with the best turn out ever at our season opener, the “Memorial Day Rally”, at an awesome new location in Central Washington. That was partly made possible due to efforts by Tim Vedder, owner of Central Washington Powered Parachutes. http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=296  Tim connected with owners of the Twin Firs Turf Farm in Quincy Washington who invited us on to their farm at no cost to the club.  As always, great flying, great activities and wonderful people.

 Memorial Day set the stage for constant flying all over the Pacific N.W. In the midst of the recreational flying we added over a dozen new sport pilots, two new instructors (Mike Bird and Perry Robertson), and introduced the sport to well over a hundred people!

 The season seems to usually begin to wind down during the Brownsville rally.  Winding down isn’t the appropriate word for this year’s Brownsville!  This was likely the largest rally ever for the N.W. Powered Parachute Coalition with over 60 registered pilots and their families.

 And we got another great report and unbelievable photos from Steve Camp’s rally (last one on the ppc coalition schedule for the year)

 Another great weekend of flying. Here are some pictures from the caravan at LaCrosse and of the regular fly-in. One of my GPS at 0 mph. 30 mph winds high but only about 6 mph down low. Jim Payne

 The coalition helped to host the Powered Parachute Caravan this year.  Here is Bill Vietti (Vie’s) post to us after that event:

 Now that things are back to normal – work, honey do’s, etc. – I thought I’d take a few minutes to jot down some thoughts about our experiences and our trip to the northwest.  

Doug Maas was so kind to invite us to join your NW Coalition and begin the process of setting everything up for us.  Another regret is that he did not get to join us anywhere along the way.  Doug, I sure hope you and your bride enjoyed your 40th anniversary as well as hope her back is 100% again now or soon.  

 And here is the best part.  With Steve Camp’s rally in Lacrosse and some pretty good stretches of weather, it looks like we will continue to “recreate” well into the early winter!  With additional instructors and some other neat things on the horizon this could also be a busy winter (maybe less flying, but more educational activity than ever.)

 In the midst of one of the best seasons ever though we were struck with a real tragedy.  Robbie Whitesell, the FAA supervisor for our Pacific Northwest Examiners was killed in a light sport airplane crash in Alaska.  Robbie had just completed his second “tour” with us at the Arlington Air show where he completed seven re-authorizations of examiner status.  He flew with Doug Maas, Jim Groebner, Mike Lersbak, Bill Dotter, Dennis Stanley and two airplane examiners.  He died during a flight with another examiner just a day after Arlington.  Robbie was known to us a thoroughly professional, hard working, and always…always fun to work with.  He always had a smile on his face.  This is not only a difficult one for all of us who knew him, but also a blow to sport pilot.  Robbie was one of only a couple FAA supervisors qualified in and actively supervising the powered parachute side of sport pilot. We’re not sure how this will impact support from AFS 610, but regardless the personal loss here is just very difficult to deal with.

 Now that said, Robbie loved what he was doing.  He loved that he was flying in various category light sport aircraft and expressed his enthusiasm in travelling across the U.S. and working with a variety of us.

 This is a tough season to summarize. Maybe I just won’t try and instead just point to the year ahead.

 Scanning the Horizon

 Just a few things that we are working on or at least thinking about for the year ahead:

1. Another round of winter “webinars”, sponsored by the N.W. Powered Parachute Coalition.  These webinars will be no cost to club members and will offer an opportunity for a monthly training session hosted by our N.W. PPC instructors and WPPA.  If you are particularly interested in a specific topic email me at maas0755@comcast.net
2. Winter webinar specifically for instructors and prospective instructors who want to affiliate with the Western Powered Parachute Association.  We will talk and plan for how we want to operate this coming year and will invite potential new CFIs to join us.
3. More Discover Powered Parachuting courses will be schedule this coming season.  These are full half day sessions to supplement the brief discovery flight experience.  Our first session sponsored by Central Washington Powered Parachutes in Quincy this season brought 12 prospective pilots to us and resulted in several who signed on to advanced training.
4. Six Chuter Inc. celebrates 20 Years in 2010 and will sponsor the “20^th Annual Memorial Day Rally” this year.  Based on current planning we will be back at twin firs turf farm in May 2010.
5. Another Western Regional PPC Competition is being discussed.  WPPA sponsored and hosted the 2004 western Regionals and it seems time for another.  There is a lot to consider, but we are serious about putting it together.
6. Fractional Ownership Clubs are being discussed among a few business partners.  These would be clubs in three locations around the Pacific N.W., that would allow an entrance point for prospective pilots and owners who aren’t quite ready to step up to owning their own ppc.  We are in very early planning for clubs with two ppcs at each location in the Portland-Vancouver, Arlington and Quincy areas.
7. A full season of rallies is of course being planned by the N.W. Powered Parachute Coalition.  Partly based on this year’s success in Madras, the club is considering adding a Central Oregon rally to the already packed schedule.
8. Sport Pilot Academy continues to evolve with more and more resources and training available on line. http://sportpilotu.com/

 Needless to say, many of us will be busy trying to keep the activity rolling and to plan for yet another banner year in 2010.

 The Training Corner How High (low) Can I fly?

 I want to spend a little time this month discussing altitudes for three reasons:

1.  The issue of “minimum altitudes” seems to be one of the most confusing issues for new sport pilot candidates and even for experienced pilots during their flight review.
2. A recent “complaint” was received about low flying over an Oregon State Park.  This spurred a lively discussion about what is legal and what is “right”.
3. And finally, the most serious incident of this year’s ppc season was the result of flying low…and into a power line.

 First let’s just examine what the FARs says.  When we are testing candidates and ask a variety of “how high must you fly” questions many candidates often revert to the answer “500’ “. When prompted “is that your final answer”, I sometimes then get “no it could be 1000’ “.  So in many cases we look this one up.  And the answer is that “it depends” on where you are, e.g. a) “anywhere”, b) congested areas, or c) sparsely populated areas.

§ 91.119   Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

So indeed out in the “hinterlands” of Steve Camp’s Palouse country and of course many other areas that we fly, it is perfectly legal to skim the land at 10’ or even less.  It may not be totally smart, nonetheless legal.  And when we approach persons, vehicles, vessels or structures while flying nap of the earth we are required legally to skirt that object by 500’.

 The congested area rule requires you to pull out a sectional chart and locate obstacles, usually marked with the upside down blue V indicating tower or obstruction and then looking closely to find the “agl” (above ground level) altitude of an obstacle that is within 2000’ horizontal ft of where you intend to fly and then adding 1000’ to that (at minimum!).  So read that carefully and understand that it is not just an automatic 1000’

 Next with regard to “noise sensitive areas”, we often analyze this requirement by looking for designated wilderness areas on the map and assuming it is only there that we are required to maintain a minimum of 2000’ agl.  This one honestly doesn’t seem to come up often. But we received an email complaint recently from a hiker near Smith Rock State Park in Madras.  The complaint was about an allegedly low flying powered parachute creating noise and disturbing hikers.  We had some lively response about our rights to occupy the air, but regardless of those valid points it is important to know what the requirement is.  Here is some guidance from CFI Jim Groebner (aka Grubby):

 I’m thinking ignoring the 2000 AGL thing and arguing about it is a losing proposition.  And its not just national parks – any noise-sensitive area (below).

 All darned good advice in my instruction book.

 And finally, one of our very experienced pilots had the misfortune of running into a power line on approach to, or flying near the Brownsville rally field.  The result was some minor injuries to pilot and passenger and a severely mangled aircraft. We have written rather extensively about low flying or “nap of the earth” as it is sometimes referred to.  And there is no need to try to beat up on what happened.  So just a reminder of some points to consider: (not all applicable in the case of the Brownsville incident)…

 Regardless of whether you can fly nap of the earth legally, consider what you want to do from a safety perspective.

1. Do not fly nap of the earth unless you are thoroughly familiar with that area, and then only after you have made high passes to insure that nothing has changed.
2. Consider “low level” flying which is a consistent altitude that does not require constant climbing and descending.  “Nap of the earth” implies that you are trying to follow earth contours.  The result of that can be excessive sink rates and “controlled flight into terrain”.
3. If you see poles….assume there are wires between them!  Power lines are nearly impossible to see from the air.
4. Don’t fly over anything that you can’t land on safely.
5. Don’t fly low.  Stay high and safe!

 BEGINNING POWERED PARACHUTING

Our first ever “Beginning Powered Parachuting” Class is scheduled for August 15 at Twin Firs Turf Farm, Quincy Washington on August 15^th. The next one is scheduled this week for October 10^th with follow on solo training course on October 24^th.  Sponsored and organized by Tim Vedder of Central Washington Powered Parachutes, this is a unique approach to recruiting new prospective pilots to the sport.  Class participants will spend a morning with our CFI team of Mike Lersbak and Doug Maas and will participate in a discovery flight lesson, a one-hour classroom session introducing powered parachutes and training requirements, and then join us for a barbecue lunch provided by the Boy Scouts of America.  Participants will also receive a course completion certificate and a “low and slow” T Shirt.  This first session was limited to 12 participants and was full within 48 Hrs. of posting information on the class!  If you know of others who would like to experience a similar class, ask them to read about the course at http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=908  or contact Doug Maas at maas0755@comcast.net .  Based on the success of this session we will plan more in the future at this location and others around the Pacific Northwest.

 ACCELERATED FLIGHT TRAINING

Our 4 day student pilot or ultralight pilot course has been our most popular this year.  We have graduated over a dozen thus far and continue to have folks sign up.  This course is made more popular because we are hosting it with the help of Central Washington Powered Parachutes in Quincy, Washington, as well as at our primary accelerated training location at Arlington.  As the training season nears end of summer we will increasingly be “stretched” to accommodate the training load in this class.  If you have folks who are interested in signing up for the course have them contact Doug at maas0755@comcast.net ASAP.

 Road Map to Staying Connected

 WPPA BULLETIN If you want to receive regular information about the sport, events, training and news on the West Coast, you will receive this bulletin.  If you have someone who would like to join this bulletin list steer him or her directly to http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=259.  You will find a page to download the most current training catalogue and a “news” form on the lower right hand side of the page.  Fill that out to automatically receive the monthly news.

 EAA ULTRALIGHT CHAPTER 127 If you want to network directly with other PPC enthusiasts in the Northwest, check out the N.W. Powered Parachute Coalition at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nwpoweredparachutecoalition/

 SIX CHUTER OWNERS If you own a Six Chuter powered parachute join the Six Chuter Owner’s Website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sixchuterowners/ Just go to the site and “request to join”.  This site provides an exclusive site where Six Chuter owners can access resources specific to their powered parachutes, and exchange ideas among other owners.

 If you want to receive free regular information on Six Chuter Inc. powered parachutes you may receive a monthly free E-bulletin from Six Chuter.  If you are not receiving this bulletin already go to this site and sign the “news” form on lower right hand side of the page. http://sixchuterwest.com/  

 PPC SALES If you are in the market for a new or used powered parachute and would like to review monthly classifieds and other information about aircraft and support services check out http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=8 

 PPC ACCESSORIES If you are shopping for powered parachute accessories up to and including canopies, go to https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp  

• MAINTENANCE If you need service on your Rotax engine there are three authorized Rotax service stations in the region:
  • Portland-Vancouver Vancouver Ultralight Services, Rolando Santiago 360 904 8766 http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=294
  • Eastern Washington-Oregon Freedom Aerosports LLC, Steve Camp, sbcamp@wildblue.net 5095493321 www.freedomaerosports.com  
  • Puget Sound- http://www.rainierultralightengines.com/ Clyde Poser Phone: 253-447-4398 Tech support: tech@rainierultralightengines.com Information: info@rainierultralightengines.com
  • Portland-Vancouver Perry Robertson, CFI, Repairman, Troutdale, OR 503 913-8536 perrobertson@comcast.net HTTP://www.p3-sports.com

 SPORT PILOT TRAINING AND TESTING

If you are not receiving the monthly Student-Testing supplement from WPPA and would like to, email Doug Maas at westernppa@comcast.net  this report tracks our students, our testing schedule and instructor assignments. If you would like to receive a copy of “Sport Pilot Maneuvers” you can request a copy from the same email address or download from the “files” section of the club website.  Go to the WPPA website www.westernppa.org to download the current year training catalogue and find other resources