CASCADE FLYERS

THE EVEKTOR SPORTSTAR PLUS - LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT

 

Two CF members went flying on a recent nice day in the Evektor SportStar Light Sport Aircraft. Wow - what a ride! The SportStar really succeeds in making general aviation modern, accessible, fun and somewhat affordable.

 

The airplane flown was a 2007 model Evektor SportStar Plus, made by Evektor Aerotechnik in the Czech Republic. It was the first Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) to be certified by the FAA. The MTOW is 1,320 pounds and it's powered by a 100hp Rotax engine.

The three bladed wood composite propeller is driven by a gearbox that lets the engine turn at 5,800 RPMs while maintaining a much slower propeller speed of 2,600 RPMs. Conventional flight controls are driven by a stick, one for each pilot and one throttle control on the panel. The split type flaps are controlled manually by a lever between the seats and this aircraft was equipped with the optional electric trim.

If you are interested in learning more about this fun airplane send a message through the email list-serve. Flying around in a bubble-canopy is fantastic! Thank you RH for the photos, facts and fun!

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY TOURS

 

Our member David L has spent enormous time and effort organizing ATC facility tours of ARTCC, TRACON and the Tower. Thank you David!!! The organization and sign-ups occurred on our email list-serve.

Great job and well worth the time.

AUSTRALIA'S 737-700 WEDGETAIL AT BFI

During a pre-flight the other day at Boeing Field a new RAAF 737-Wedgetail AEW & C came screaming in for a landing on RWY 13R. Ironically I met someone who works for the program in Seattle and he sent some of these declassified photos. 

 

WHY WE FLY - PART ONE - SIEKU, WASHINGTON

Photo by Chip G.

A gorgeous Seattle weekend, several Cascade Flyers went flying to the coast of Washington State. 

 

Photo by Anthony V.

Milo took a DA-40 airplane from Galvin Flying. The photos clearly show "why we fly".

   

Photo by E.O.

The first day they went to the northern part of the Olympics, over Crescent Lake.

Then landed at the small airport of Seiku, Washington on the Northwest Coast and the Straight of Juan de Fuca. 

 

A spectacular day and stunning scenery. This is one reason, "why we fly".

SEAPORT AIRLINES TO/FROM PORTLAND AND SEATTLE

Don't forget about SeaPort Airlines when flying to/from Portland and Seattle. I'm flying them today - fast, easy, good value - a common theme.

HOW TO RETRIEVE AN OBJECT FROM A CESSNA 172 FUEL TANK

SUCCESS!   That is what Cascade Flyers pilot Craig S. exclaimed when he randomly activated the flexible retrieving tool into the fuel tank to retrieve the fuel quantity dip stick that one of his passengers accidentally dropped in there a few months ago. If this happens to you Craig says an auto supply store carried the flexible tool.

SEATAC VFR TRANSITIONS

At the Northwest Aviation Conference we spoke to a Seattle Tower controller who described for us in easy to remember pilot terms the new VFR transition names on the Seattle VFR Terminal chart: Seahawk and Mariner. 

The two transitions fly over the north numbers and over the south numbers. The first step is to determine the traffic flow - where is Seatac traffic landing from, is it north flow or south flow.

For your VFR transition you will want to fly over the numbers where the traffic is LANDING. That will determine which TRANSITION to use.

The controller said it's easy to remember which transition is which - they are named in the order of the stadiums from north to south - Seahawk and Mariner! Doesn't this make sense?

When you get close, listen up to Seattle tower, get close to your entry point at the required altitude, then make the radio call with your location, altitude and type of transition you want. The tower, she said, must confirm your altimeter setting and your altitude after you get a squawk code even if you gave your altitude to them already. 

She said the tower has no problem with VFR transitions but to just be a little patient if they are super busy. 

2010 NORTHWEST AVIATION CONFERENCE

It's time for the Northwest Aviation Conference! We will be coordinating on Email to carpool to the event.

BURGER-RAMA FUN AT THE DELUXE

We had a great time at the Deluxe Bar and Grill for the ever popular Burger-rama. Many very long-term members attended and many brand new pilots and future pilots were there too! It was so great to meet everyone. The place as usual was crowded and frenetic but most of us dealt with it OK. We were finally seated at about 7.20pm and I'd say the service was overall pretty good despite the many comments on Yelp.
Next time I think we will have a "happy hour" in the pool room, then go for burgers later when the massive crowds thin out. Lot's of plans for future flying were talked about and that is always a good thing. Also we will be creating a Facebook page about our little group as well. Thank you to everyone who came from near and far (from Lake City-Renton-Easton area) and braved the hellish Capitol Hill parking situation to attend. Great to see everyone!

NEW BOOK ABOUT EARLY SEATTLE AVIATION HISTORY

This new book is out. The new Release from the Seattle Times: "Seattle's Commercial Aviation, 1908-1941" by Ed Davies and Steve Ellis, foreword by Bill Boeing Jr. (Arcadia, $21.99). A photo-essay survey of commercial aviation's early days in Seattle, including the founding of The Boeing Co. in 1916. Davies and Ellis discuss the book, 2 p.m. Dec. 26, Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S., Seattle; free (206-764-5720 or www.museumofflight.org).