Waynesboro-Eagle’s Nest Beacon

Happy New Year to each of you. A new year usually brings the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions. One of the changes you should consider quickly, if you haven’t already, is to replace your paper certificates with the new plastic ones. Here is a quote from the Dec. 24, 2009 issue of the AVweb Newsletter.

Your paper certificate is going to expire on March 31, unless you replace it with a new plastic certificate. To get the new counterfeit-resistant certificates, you have to fill out a form and mail it to the FAA in Oklahoma City along with $2 for each certificate you want to replace, or you can do it online. Either way, the new certificate won't list your original date of issue, so you might want to keep that old dog-eared piece of paper to prove your longevity. If you apply by mail, it's going to take four to six weeks, and up to 10 days for online processing, so don't put it off till the last minute or you could find yourself grounded. Some non-pilot certificates, such as those for flight engineers and mechanics, are good for another three years but then they will also have to be replaced. Student certificates are not affected.

While you're at it, you can also ask the FAA to issue you a new certificate number that is not your social security number. There is no additional charge to make this change.

If you would like to make the change online, you may do so at the following web address:

www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/expiring_paper_certificates/

Art’s Squawks

So when are the tires on your airplane due for replacement? There are several factors that go into that decision. According to the tire experts, when the grooves are gone the tire is finished, for a couple of reasons. One, of course, is the danger of hydroplaning on a wet runway. The other, lesser known, reason is that you no longer have enough tread thickness to guard against cuts caused by stray stones on the runway surface. You have a lot riding on those tires. Don’t push it.

One way to extend tire tread life, especially on Cessna-style spring steel main gear, is to reverse the tire on the wheel rim when you begin to notice that the tire is wearing down more on the outside edge. Since the spring steel struts on these gear are "unstrung", and therefore are hanging down slightly in flight, the outboard sides of the tires are the first to touch the runway surface on a normal landing.

One excellent website to get free weekly tips for pilots is Pilot Workshops.com. The website address is http://pilotworkshop.com/preflight/signup.htm This week’s tip was on how long exposure to high altitude can take a physical toll on a pilot.
Doug Stewart provided a simple tip to ward off the fatiguing effects of long flights.

Jan. 21, 6:30 PM Pilot/Family dinner, The mailing of this newsletter stated the location was to be at T-Bone Jacks in Waynesboro. However, it appears they have closed their doors.  New place will be determined shortly.