Well this has certainly been a very hot July, but it did not stop us from flying here at the Princeton Airport. Despite the heat we had several students complete major milestones in their trainings as well as new pilots purchase airplanes.
If you do come in the next few days, you will notice our lobby under construction. The Testing Center will be moving downstairs, so we will all get a bit cozier in the lounge. We are also going to have a BBQ this month on Saturday, August 20th between 11 am and 2 pm. Stop by
If you're looking for a partnership in a Piper Arrow, read below for details. The plane is already based here at Princeton. Read on to hear the latest from the Flying Tigers as well as an interesting piece written by ATP Pete Rafle.
Stop by our Summer BBQ at 39N
Saturday, August 20th
11 am-2 pm
New Planes for Sale! Contact Ken or Jack for details.
Attention Pilots: CX-3 Buy Back Program
New Piper Arrow Partnership Available
Hangers for Rent
Contact Ken or Jack to be put on a list and see what is available for your plane
Fuel Updates: A New Self Serve Station is On It's Way!
You can fly in ALL kinds of weather...
thanks to our fully certified Garmin Flight Simulator
Interested in starting or staying current in your instrument rating?
Come check out our fully certified Garmin Flight Simulator!
Princeton Flying School
Milestones During July, 2022
FAA Medical Doctor Michael Nosko will be here
Wednesday, August 10th & 24th, Saturday August 6th & 20th
8:00 am - noon
*No walk ins*
August 2022 Calendar of Events:
Attention to Detail
The report concluded that the pilot of the SIAI-Marchetti SM-1019B had failed to remove the control
lock before takeoff. The aircraft took off and immediately pitched up, climbed to 80 feet before the
aircraft rolled to the left, the nose dropped and then impacted the ground, killing the pilot and
destroying the aircraft.
The pilot had a total of around 6500 hours and around 20 hours in type. There was no pressure to
depart as the flight was to his home just twenty minutes away.
As a flight student, I was taught to pay attention to detail in all phases of flight. As I advanced to more
and more complex airplanes, I found the best way not to miss anything was to, first, thoroughly learn all
I could about that airplane. Second, use checklists to ensure that each procedure was complete. Third,
do not allow distractions to take your attention away from the task at hand. If interrupted, go back to
the beginning of the task (i.e., Before Takeoff Checklist) and start over.
You are probably wondering why the pilot in the described incident did not perform a control check
during his pre-takeoff procedure. Complacency, distraction, “Get home-itis?? We will never know the
answer, but this sad event can be used to ensure that each of us will pay close attention to what we do
in airplanes and arrive safely at our destination.
News from the Princeton Airport's Flying Tigers
Don Denny, President
Next PAFT Meeting Wednesday, September 14th @ 6:30 pm
With the summer heat plus vacations, PAFT activities have been light through July. We have speakers arranged for our September and October Zoom meetings. Remember meetings are the 2nd Wednesday each month from September through May, starting at 6:30 pm.
In September we have Mark Mizrahi of Flysimulators speaking on GA flight simulators. In October we have Paul Deres, Senior Director of AOPA Air Safety Institute who will present an accident analysis for discussion.
In the meantime, sign up with Ben Gazdowicz for our GroupMe chat to stay abreast of our breakfast fly-ins. Email me if you are not already on the PAFT mailing list and would like to be.
The PAFT membership application form can be found at paft-nj.org
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Fly safe,
Don Denny
ddennyjr@gmail.com
PAFT President
Princeton Airport’s Flying Tigers Mini-Fly-Ins
Ben Gazdowicz
