New Page 2

January, 2008
1st	HAPPY NEW YEAR Closed For Services
19th	FAA Doctor 8:00 - Noon Call for appointment
21sth	Martin Luther King Day
29th	SAFETY SEMINAR 7-10 p.m. "GPS"
69 Days 'til Dalight Savings Time

CHECK CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR FUTURE HAPPENINGS

1973 PIPER PA-28 180

N55273

No Damage
Fresh Annual
Lots of Equipment
$52,900

For More Details

Greetings

How quickly 2007 has passed! We hope you enjoyed your holiday season, and you look forward to 2008. Last year began with marginal weather for flying and Mother Nature reminded us that she is still in charge as we closed out the year. In between we had a lovely late spring and summer, which gave many of you the chance to fly to destinations far and wide.

We welcome many new faces to the Princeton Airport commun-ity; students, renter pilots and airplane owners. We hope you are enjoying calling 39N your base of operations.

To everyone we wish you safe flying into the New Year!

The Management of
Princeton Airport

SANTA FLY IN - 2007

Our 32nd year of Santa was a rousing success with the children in awe of "Flying Santa". As usual everyone gathered in the hangar to listen to our friend Pat McKinley, who entertained the children with holiday songs. Members of PAFT & other volunteers served cookies and cocoa, while others directed cars and people to the appropriate place.

When word was received that Santa was on his way, everyone was rounded up to watch his arrival. The tension was building while the cold breeze was blowing. And suddenly our very own Santa, a.k.a. Ken Nierenberg, surprised everyone who was looking for him to fly in from the north. But a roar and zoom - he came from the south right over everyone's heads. The crowd cheered as he continued to give several low fly-bys, thus increasing the excitement.

Once he landed and greeted all, he made his way back into the hangar and dispensed the gifts.

A special thanks to Janet MacKrancey Weddings & Parties, who decorated the setting for Santa with a lovely winter scene and lots of lights. (They have done a few magnificent events in the hangar, transforming it beyond imagination.)

And to Chris Maslanka, thanks for stepping in at the last minute with a wonderful sound system - high tech!

But as usual the most important facet of this event is the generous contributions so many made to the needy of Mercer County.

Thanks all!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

RETROSPECTIVE - 2007

As the years go by increasingly faster, reviewing past newsletters help remember. We began January with the real New Jersey weather - cold and stormy, which continued for several months.

Through special legislation positive steps were taken for airports to prevent deer incursions - thus Andy Pramer has done a great job to protect aircraft landing and taking off. Thanks.

The subject of User Fees reared its ugly head with much more serious talk than in previous years. The general aviation community fought hard, but must remain vigilant.

The hangars are full with a waiting list, while we continue to try to provide the best services. On the schedule is a Self Service Fuel Facility for low lead, with work beginning last month. It should be completed by the end of January or early February. This will give you an alternative to our truck, and 24 hour service.

CONTINUED

Year End Statistics

It never ceases to amaze us as to "Who Flies?" The stereotype of the wealthy doctors is so far from actuality. We have students age 12 to seniors; male (83%) and females (17%); students, truck drivers, researchers, retirees, businessmen, artists, professionals, etc. And the most recent of you, who were lucky to receive the enrollment package for the holidays!

Our students come from all over New Jersey, Eastern PA, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and from foreign lands. Through the TSA we have students from India, Turkey, England, Scotland, France, Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland.

In 2007 we enrolled 87, just a slight increase over last year: 77 private pilots; 9 instruments students, and 1 flight instructor. Eighteen of you soloed this year with two young ladies soloing on their 16th birthday.

21 students at RVFS took the knowledge tests with an average score of 93.4, which should make the oral part of the flight test easier. Our students score significantly higher than students who use our computer site from other schools.

Completions are about the same as last year with 13 private pilots; 2 commercial pilots; 1 CFI renewal; 1 CFII & MEI. Some of you are very close, however the weather and the holidays prevented you from becoming a statistic in '07. We look forward to a better 2008.

The area which has decline the "Wings" program which has been revised by the FAA for a more meaningful renewal process. We hope many of you will participate in '08.

SAFETY CORNER

When was the last time you practiced a simulated engine out approach and landing? The next time you go out to "bore holes in the sky", make one or two approaches at "zero thrust". Abeam the landing point, reduce the throttle to idle, and fly the approach as if you had lost the engine. Remember you have power if you need it to salvage the approach, but work to get to the runway and land safely.

You never know when you just might need the skills for real.

SAFETY SEMINAR

Tuesday
January 29, 2008
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Chief Pilot Peter Rafle

"GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A GPS"

As GPS is becoming more common in airplanes and many of you have them, why not become more comfortable with these wonderful tools.

Please call 609-921-3100 to sign up!

PINCHHITTERS COURSE?!?

The pinchhitters course is designed for the significant other who flies in the right seat. To make their flights more enjoyable, the course gives them 4 hours of ground instruction and 4 hours in the right seat of the airplane in which they will be a passenger.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

From the Right Seat

January 2008

Now that the New Year has arrived, let's make some aviation resolutions. Here are some examples.
1. Take the Wings courses on the FAA web site and log a wings stage this year.

2. Schedule some instrument refresher time.

3. Add an instrument rating this year.

4. Attend some safety seminars at Princeton Airport this year.

5. Go to Sun N Fun, or Oshkosh this year.

6. Visit some airports you have never been to before.

7. Join the Princeton Flying Tigers

8. Take someone who has never flown is a small plane flying.

9. Buy a noise canceling headset.

10. Consider buying an airplane or becoming a partner in one.

11. Fly more & spread the joy of general aviation!!!

Clear skies and smooth landings,

Peter Rafle, Chief Pilot

News from the
PRINCETON AIRPORT FLYING TIGERS

2007 was a great year for the Flying Tigers with our membership reaching a new high of 57 members. During the year we flew 10 successful fly-ins; held 5 dinner meetings; celebrated the 4th of July with a great picnic; organized a flight to SUN N FUN in Lakeland FL.; visited McGuire AFB; toured the Trenton Tower; and just recently supported Santa's Fly-in at 39N with 15 PAFT volunteers. We thank our members for their support of our club activities and look forward to great flying in 2008. We thank Ernie Schirmer for his leadership as President in 2006 & 2007 and wish Ben Gazdowicz the best as our newly elected President for 2008 & 2009. Happy Holidays and a great New Year!

Our first Dinner meeting for 2008 will be hosted by Ralph Baron and held on January 9^th at Mastori's Restaurant in Bordentown, NJ. Our guest speaker will be Charles Schlag, a Quiet Birdman, who will tell us about his military aviation experiences. So don't miss this opportunity and sign up at our website paft-nj.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ALL GIFT MERCHANDISE

30% OFF

Gifts, Toys, Clothing (Not Leather Jackets), Books, Ties, and More!
Holiday Merchandise - 50% off.
CLEARANCE

Check it out!