2018 accomplishments: well done! - bloomsburg ......memberships are available [email protected]...

Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2018

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BJ Teichman, Airport Coordinator - TOB Dave Ruckle, Pilot [email protected] [email protected]

IF you know of someone who would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please have them email me at [email protected]. I will be happy to include them.

____________________________________________________

Happy New Year Everyone. We had so much fun in 2017 we can’t wait to begin making

memories in 2018. Again, for new readers, if you wish to review any of the newsletters from

2017 please follow these instructions. Go to the Town of Bloomsburg website, select the

“community” tab, then “select” airport. All previous issues of the Newsletter are located on that

website and identified by month.

2018 Accomplishments: WELL DONE!

• January Bloomsburg Flying Club member soloed on 10 January!!

Right: John Donahue, holds his solo T-shirt. Below CFII Phil Polstra cuts the t-shirt.

mailto:[email protected]





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Recently Completed Events: Electronics in the Cockpit

16 December, 2017

Above, Corporate Pilot, Bob Frederick gives presentation on Electronics in the cockpit.

Below: Seminar attendees.

John Sibole, FAASTeam Program Mgr. was our co-facilitator. Thank you for these photos.

The Chili Cook-off was held the same day. Approximately 50 meals served. Four pots of chili were in contention for this year’s honor. All of the chili in the running were distinctly different

and extremely yummy! And the winner is:………………………….



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Vanessa Ruckle, wife of pilot, Dave Ruckle!

Vanessa will keep the flying Ace

Snoopy until next year’s chili

cook-off!

2nd. Place – Brenda

3rd Place – George

4th Place - BJ – I guess I will stick to making chocolate chip cookies!

Thank you to all the participants who provided the food and to Denny Stahl who grilled all the hot dogs!

Thank you to the community and councilmembers who attended! We hope you enjoyed your time with us.

Speaking of the Ruckle’s please enjoy Dave’s most recent feature article.

The link to enjoy viewing this amazing type of flight is at the end of the article.

Dare to Compare!

Life is full of contrasts. Take, for example, how different the weather is in the month of

January when comparing Pennsylvania to Florida, or the skill level of my golf game and

that of Jordan Spieth. Better yet, just consider how different it is flying in, say, a Boeing

747 compared to a paraglider!

Oh, what’s a paraglider you ask? Well, keep reading and learn not only what it is, but

meet a local man who has mastered the skills of flying one.

Powered paragliding is a form of ultra light aviation. Similar to an airplane, a paraglider

consists of two basic components: the wing and a propeller attached to a motor. But,

that pretty much is where the similarity ends. Also known as paramotoring or PPG, the



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pilot wears the motor/propeller on their back to provide the thrust for taking off and

forward motion and maneuvers in the air with a parachute-like object called the wing.

The wing is made of fabric, while the motor portion includes, not just a prop, but also the

frame, seat, and harness the pilot sits in while flying. Because there is a minimal

amount of equipment and is easily transportable, the paraglider can be launched from

virtually anywhere.

Participants in powered paragliding can be found all over the world. But one, in

particular, can be found right here in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. His name is John

Lewallen, a 36-year old aviator who has been catching the attention of a lot of folks

around here.

“It is my passion,” says John, “I love doing it! Since the late 1990’s when I lived in

Indiana and watched paragliders flying over cornfields,” John stated, “It was always on

my mind.” Then during a trip to Florida in 2006, while watching paragliders flying over

the beaches, John thought to himself, “I’m going to do this.” With a job opportunity at

the nuclear power plant bringing him here, John also found an opportunity to make his

dream come true.

Since paraglider instruction is not readily available everywhere, John began in

Philadelphia and also received training in Texas. “There aren’t many instructors

around,” John noted. “To find a good, experience one you may have to travel to Florida,

Texas or the west coast.” “But,” he added, “The popularity of the sport is spreading

fast.”

Powered paragliding has very few regulations and requires no license. In contrast to

most general aviation aircraft that fly at speeds of 100 mph +, paragliders typically

cruise along at speeds of near zero up to 50 mph. On the other hand, however,

paragliders are not handicapped when it comes to altitudes. From “foot-dragging” to a

record setting 24,000+ feet, paragliders are commonly flown under 500 feet AGL (above

ground level). John’s highest flight took him to 14,000 feet. “At that altitude,” John

remarked, “most engines loose power due to the fuel-to-air mixture.”

John owns four engines (three different manufacturers) and four different wings. This

allows him to mix and match the various components to the type of flying he is going to

do; low & slow, fast or cross country. John owns a pair of Ninja Flat-top, 21



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horsepower. American made engines; an exceptionally lightweight, 130 cc French

engine called Air Conception and a Fresh Breeze that’s manufactured in Germany.

Like automobiles, wings are designed to achieve different results. The Dudeck is a

bigger and slower wing primarily made for the beginner paraglider pilot with a top cruise

speed around 24 mph. The flat-top designs like the Dominator and Gin Sprintevo are

popular with the experienced pilots, while a much newer model, the Macpar Blaze GT,

is one of the fastest wings available and is favored in cross country flying. It can be

trimmed to airspeeds in excess of 40 mph.

Since 2010, when John first got into powered paragliding, most of his flights have been

somewhat local considering two hours or a tank full of gas, might only amount to a 60

mile round trip. “I look forward to making longer cross-country trips,” said John, “like to

Massey, Maryland for an annual paraglider fly-in that is held there.” “But,” he quickly

added, “Considering the time and distance, such a trip may take more than one day just

getting there. Long cross country flights requires a lot of planning and preparation.”

As an extreme example, John used the Icarus Trophy Race, an annual 1, 000 mile,

one-way paraglider cross country race that is designed to be the toughest air race and

greatest aerial adventure on the planet. Depending upon ones flying ability, stamina

and weather conditions, the Icarus Trophy Race can take up to five days to complete,

requiring pilots to carry everything they need for the trip with them. Imagine spending

days strapped to a paraglider, then spending nights camping on the ground in some of

the roughest terrain the western U.S. has to offer. In the Race division the winner is

quite simply determined by whoever gets to the finish line first with their paraglider,

either flying it or carrying it!!! The 2017 race was from Polson, Montana to Monument

Valley, Utah.

The total weight of a paramotor outfit can range from 50 to 90 pounds. The wing is

controlled by weight shifting or braking toggles while the engine, which starts with a pull

cord like a lawnmower, and is controlled with a hand-held throttle. John’s paraglider is

also equipped with a reserve parachute. For added safety, John has designed a noise

canceling headset to monitor airport frequencies so he is aware of aircraft traffic in the

vicinity of where he is flying. The headset is also equipped with a blue tooth adapter so

he can make calls out on his cell phone.



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“Situational awareness is just as important flying a paraglider as it is in any aircraft,”

John stresses. “Don’t fly over anything you don’t want to land on.” And, like all pilots,

John regularly practices maneuvers like power off landings and various take off

techniques, like kitting. Where flying in high winds or turbulence is not recommended, a

slight breeze helps deploy the wing overhead so the pilot immediately gets the lift

needed to take off. When conditions don’t allow the use of kitting, the pilot may have to

make a brief run to get the wing deployed for take off. Since flying a paraglider requires

a lot of physical effort, practice is also good for strength conditioning and helps develop

muscle memory. Although it’s not required by regulation, paragliders should be

checked regularly for defects. John emphasized, “I like to have my wings inspected and

cords strength tested at least once a year.”

In the USA, the sport is represented primarily by the US Powered Paragliding

Association (USPPA). Instructors in paragliding are organized in the Professional

Association of Powered Paragliding Instructors. “I want to finish the training I need to

get an instructor rating,” John remarked. “I would like to teach people how to fly and

enjoy paragliders, too.”

John is passionate about paragliding. His enthusiasm is obvious in the effortless way

he maneuvers his paraglider in the sky, whether its inches off the ground or

motionlessly hanging in the air like a falcon surveying the ground beneath him. John

delights in sharing what he knows and promoting paragliding.

Yes, flying is flying until you compare the different ways it is achieved.

So, if you have questions and want to learn more about this truly unique type of flying,

contact John at 570-520-5135 or email him at [email protected].

Submitted by Dave Ruckle

PLEASE Click on the Link Below to enjoy the footage of John’s flight captured by Dave Ruckle.

https://youtu.be/cr3eRzOTgHs


https://youtu.be/cr3eRzOTgHs



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On the Horizon / Save the Date:

Bloom Flyers – N13

Save the date: 3, March 2018 Poker Run / Breakfast with a TWIST

The TWIST is, you will have until the first Saturday in March to collect one ticket from

each airport listed below. Tickets will be in the airport office. Participating passengers

also need tickets to be eligible to play.

Goal: Collect all four tickets, to be eligible for a poker hand at N13. If you would like to play more than one poker hand, pick up extra tickets at each participating airport. Fly to these designated airports: (collect one ticket from each airport)

Towanda N27 - Blue

Wyoming Valley KWBW Green

Selinsgrove KSEG Magenta

Smoketown S37 – Orange

While you are out enjoying winter time flying, enjoy a bite to eat at some airports referenced above and remember to collect your ticket from that airport.

To complete your hand the fifth ticket will be at N13. You will receive it on the day of

the breakfast (March 3rd). You must be present at N13 to participate. When: Saturday 3 March, 2018. (Rain or Shine / Sleet or Snow) Breakfast 8:00 AM until noon. (Fly In / Drive In)-The game is on!

▪ 12:00 Noon on 3 March is the final cut-off time to arrive to play. ▪ Prizes will be awarded contingent on number of participants. ▪ 12:30 prizes will be awarded.

Cost: = $20.00 per Poker Hand, breakfast included at N13 on Mar 3rd. Contact: Denny Stahl with any questions. 570-336-7639



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Bloomsburg Flying Club Please contact: Adam Staffin: 570-578-7549

Memberships are available [email protected]

Bloomsburg Flying Club recently acquires 3 new members.

Please welcome the following:

Sam A. – Private Pilot with single & multi-engine ratings, as well as Commercial and IFR.

John D. – Student Pilot who recently soloed and is featured in this newsletter.

Glenn F. -Who will be begin his training soon.

Bloomsburg Municipal Airport / N 13 -

Free Private Pilot Ground School: (First come first serve) – space is limited.

• 6 Week Course

• Begins: 1 February - 2018

• 6:00 – 9:00 PM

• Airport Terminal Building Conference Room

To make a reservation for this course, please email me at:

[email protected]

A NOTE FROM THE CFII INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Phil Polstra:

Private Pilot Handbook is Required:

Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook 2nd edition from 2008. They can buy the book

directly from Rod Machado using my affiliate link http://rodmachado.com/?aff=151

Optional Materials:

FAR/AIM (optional) - it is all online but some prefer to have a paper book

New York Sectional chart (optional) - if they are doing flight training they will likely

need one of these or an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

Plotter(optional) - if they are doing flight training they will likely need this as well

E6B flight computer(optional) - paper or electronic, there are also apps available for

smart phones


http://rodmachado.com/?aff=151



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I would recommend any rotating plotter (though we will cover both). The cheapest one

on Amazon should be fine. I found this one https://www.amazon.com/ASA-ASA-CP-

R-Rotating-Plotter/dp/B003VS6U0M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490102046&sr=8-

2&keywords=aviation+plotter.

For an E6B it is up to the student as far as what they prefer. If they get a cheap paper

one like this https://www.amazon.com/ASA-E6B-Paper-Flight-

Computer/dp/B003ZFOYQI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1490102156&sr=8-

4&keywords=e6b+flight+computer it should be fine. If they want to commit to an

electronic one I like Sporty's http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/learn-to-fly/plotters-

computers.html which is also $15 cheaper than alternatives. For most I would

recommend the cheap paper one and they can drop the $60 for the electronic one if

they actually pursue the flight training later.

Hangar News: All hangars are full. –

If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please contact me. [email protected]

A NOTE of THANKS:

• John Sibole, FAASTeam Program Mgr. and Dave Jones – Engineer, Delta Consultants who recently made two trips to N13 for presentations for our Council Members.

• Thank you to our Council Members past, and present who attended the Chili cook-off and the informational sessions featuring the 2017 year in review.

• The pilots who are helping to plan this year’s events.

• Our volunteers who help with our special events.

• Our Public Works department for all that they do for the airport.

• Our Police Department for keeping us safe.

• Mark, Dayna, and Laurie from Purvis Brothers, for keeping us in 100LL.

• Finally, thank you to our veterans and active service men and women here and abroad.

o We are forever indebted to your service to our country.

https://www.amazon.com/ASA-ASA-CP-R-Rotating-Plotter/dp/B003VS6U0M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490102046&sr=8-2&keywords=aviation+plotter



https://www.amazon.com/ASA-E6B-Paper-Flight-Computer/dp/B003ZFOYQI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1490102156&sr=8-4&keywords=e6b+flight+computer



http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/learn-to-fly/plotters-computers.html

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/learn-to-fly/plotters-computers.html


2018 accomplishments: well done! - bloomsburg ......memberships are available [email protected]...

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