America the beautiful
Colorado’s purple mountain majesty will be the backdrop for our fourth AOPA fly-in of 2015 on September 26 at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS). With gorgeous scenery, a healthy dose of aviation in the area, and our usual great lineup of activities and displays, this fly-in will open up the spacious skies for everyone.
Event Schedule
A variety of events and activities will be available for AOPA members, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts. Airport camping is also available.
Friday
6:30 to 9:30 P.M.—Barnstormers Party and barbecue.
Saturday
7:30 to 10:30 A.M.—Rusty Pilots breakfast and seminar
8:30 to 10 A.M.—Pancake breakfast with Rod Machado
9 A.M. to 4 P.M.—Exhibits and aircraft display open
9:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M.—Seminars
11 a.m.-2 P.M.—Lunch
2:45-3:30 P.M.—Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President Mark Baker
3:30 P.M.—Free ice cream social sponsored by Sporty’s Pilot Shop
4 P.M.—Fly-in concludes
And more! Join these presenters and others for dynamic and entertaining education on topics such as safety, maintenance, fun flying, flying skills, forming flying clubs, and much more.
Hangar talks
AOPA President Mark Baker will host a Pilot Town Hall, providing updates on the association’s many efforts to keep flying affordable, safe, and fun.
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN COLORADO SPRINGS
1 Pikes Peak, “America’s Mountain.” Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery as you wind your way to the 14,115-foot-msl summit.
2 Garden of the Gods Park. View 300-foot sandstone rock formations in this natural landmark.
3 The National Museum of World War II Aviation. Science, technology, engineering, and math are seen through the lens of World War II.
4 Mountain flying. Fly at Leadville-Lake County Airport, North America’s highest airport.
5 U.S. Air Force Academy. The iconic Cadet Chapel and scenic overlooks are among the attractions open to the public.
6 The Airplane Restaurant. A Boeing KC–97 serves as the centerpiece for this aviation-themed restaurant.
7 Peterson Air & Space Museum. The airport’s original Art Deco-style terminal is named for Army Air Corps pilot 1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson.
8 Olympic Training Center. See the national headquarters for USA Swimming and USA Shooting teams.
9 Royal Gorge Bridge. At an elevation of 6,700 feet and a height of 956 feet above the Arkansas River, this is America’s highest suspension bridge.
10 Broadmoor Hotel. Visit this five-star resort that continues 1870 traditions.
From dying art to living history
WestPac restoration shop brings back WWII aircraft
Gnarled propellers line a shelf of WestPac Restorations’ prop shop, their tips bent to near 90 degrees. Years ago, restorers wouldn’t bother with propellers like these because there were still enough surplus World War II-era airplanes around that they could find spare parts, says WestPac President Bill Klaers. Now, with parts supplies drying up, you’ve got to know how to overhaul a prop.
“There’s only three or four shops in the country that can straighten a prop that bad,” said Klaers, who is also president and CEO of the neighboring National Museum of World War II Aviation and co-chairman of its board of directors, pointing to a mangled piece of metal set to be straightened.
Workers at WestPac practice a dying art. The restoration facility takes the flying machines of World War II down to the spars and rebuilds them, using as many original parts as possible and manufacturing the rest at its full-service metal forming shop and maintenance facility. The warbirds taking shape on the hangar floor are restored in painstaking detail—down to the inspection stamps and part numbers inside. Klaer pointed out a signature of “Piddlin Bill Porter” inside a P–38 Lightning, a mark that soon will be hidden as workers finish construction and ready the airplane for flight testing. “Some of it you’ll never, ever see,” he said.
The museum houses several of WestPac’s former projects, immaculate machines that bring World War II to life for tour groups and students. Museum leaders don’t view the exhibits as static artifacts; the facility is set up to bring history to life. Klaer said that when he needs to perform an engine test or maintenance on one, he’ll wait for a tour or class to come through so that visitors can see the airplane in action. Through the school programs, students learn valued science, technology, engineering, and math skills against the backdrop of an important time in the nation’s history. Grade-school children bring in salvage materials and by the end of the program make an airplane out of the garbage—and fly it, according to Klaers.
A volunteer program provides an avenue for young people to take classes in sheet metal, propellers, or other maintenance topics. Everything in the museum is done by volunteers, Klaer explained, from the docent tours to the construction of glass cases. Those volunteers who show a special interest may start learning more advanced maintenance, a way to pass on some of the fading skills of restoration.
“It’s not a science, it’s an art,” Klaer said.
FLY-IN TIPS
• Density altitude is a consideration for anyone flying into COS. Remember to lean the mixture, and be prepared to use more runway on landing and takeoff.
• Be conscious of terrain. Flying over the Front Range to the west of Colorado Springs is not recommended without mountain flying training.
• Bring chocks. Tiedowns are not provided for fly-in parking, most of which will be on hard surfaces.
• Review the airspace and remain clear of Denver Class B airspace when transitioning from the north. Some busy area airports and military operations, including the nearby Air Force Academy, have agreed to suspend activities during the fly-in.
• Submit fuel orders upon arrival. Marshalers will direct you to parking. If you need fuel, submit your requests once you’ve parked to allow plenty of time for fueling before you depart.
Rocky Mountain high
The view of Colorado’s fertile countryside and open skies from the top of Pikes Peak inspired the “purple mountain majesties” of America the Beautiful. Looking up from nearby Colorado Springs Municipal Airport today, the 14,114-foot summit stands as an invitation to explore.
A short drive from Colorado Springs, this snowcapped fourteener may be summited by cog railway, automobile, or hiking trail. Pilots, however, may survey the peak of “America’s mountain” from the air while honing their flying skills in a challenging mountain environment. However attendees at AOPA’s Colorado Springs Fly-In decide to explore area attractions, the airport serves as a gateway to outdoor activities, entertainment, educational experiences, and fun.
Pilots may choose to extend their stay with an experience in mountain flying that offers breathtaking views of some of the area’s most famous attractions—along with valuable lessons in density altitude, weather, and flight planning. Peak Aviation Center owner and President Pat Carlile said his flight school can tailor its instruction to offer either a full course or a shorter orientation to the mountain flying experience.
Even at the base of the mountains, flying in the Pikes Peak region requires special density altitude awareness. The slow climb from Colorado Springs’ field elevation of 6,187 feet may necessitate circling to gain altitude before reaching the first mountain pass, but that’s no great inconvenience when it’s over the distinctive red rock formations of Garden of the Gods. Pilots may refine their skills at mountain airports such as Aspen or Telluride and earn bragging rights (plus the requisite certificate) for landing at Leadville-Lake County Airport, the highest airport in the country. Don’t let the 9,934-foot field elevation rattle you; as Peak Aviation Center Assistant Chief Flight Instructor Jim Van Namee says, “It’s just a runway.”
Van Namee, a retired U.S. Navy F–4 pilot, is among many active and former military members who call Colorado Springs home. Peterson Air Force Base, home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, lies at the north side of the airport; Air Force Academy cadets enter the pattern in Cirrus SR20 trainers; and airworthy World War II-era aircraft bring history to life at the National Museum of World War II Aviation. Pilots can tour the museum during their visit.
Attendees at the Colorado Springs Fly-In can come early for the Barnstormers Party Friday evening, a special event sponsored by Jeppesen featuring the Recreational Aviation Foundation’s potato bake, a barbecue, and a Wild West show by David Bradley and the Flying W Wranglers. Then check out new products and technologies, refresh your knowledge at informative seminars, dine on food from local gourmet food trucks, and hang out with fellow pilots during the AOPA Fly-In.
City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS)
Location: 6 miles southeast of the city
Pattern altitude: Light aircraft 7,000 msl; heavy aircraft 7,500 msl
Runways: 13/31 8,270 feet by 150 feet; 17L/35R 13,501 feet by 150 feet; 17R/35L 11,022 feet by 150 feet
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Contact www.aopa.org/fly-ins/volunteer
Mark Baker, AOPA President and CEO
AOPA’s fifth president, Mark is an accomplished general aviation pilot with more than 7,500 hours, multiple ratings, and an owner of numerous airplanes over the years.
Rod Machado, AOPA’s National CFI Spokesman
An aviation author, humorist, AOPA columnist, and certificated flight instructor, Rod is on a one-man mission to keep the fun in learning. He has logged nearly 10,000 hours of instruction, one student at a time.
Larry Brown, USAF (Ret.)
A former fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Larry began his career flying F–15s and was a flight examiner, instructor, mission commander, and maintenance test pilot. Later he flew T–38s as a flight examiner and instructor. His final assignment was as an instructor in the T–52.
Mike Busch, CEO Savvy Aircraft Maintenance Management, Inc.
One of the best-known A&P/IAs in general aviation, Mike writes his monthly Savvy Aviator column on maintenance-related subjects. He has been a pilot and aircraft owner for 45 years with 7,500-plus hours logged, and is a CFIA/I/ME.
George Perry, AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior VP
A former U.S. Navy F–18 squadron commander with more than 850 carrier landings and 5,000-plus flight hours, George began flying at age 16. He holds ATP, CFII, and MEI certificates, and was a senior aviation safety leader in the Navy.
Adm. William “Bill” Gortney, USN, NORAD
Adm. Gortney serves as the sixth commander of the United States Northern Command and the twenty-third commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He previously served as commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; director of the Joint Staff; and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet.
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