march 2019 bloomsburg municipal airport

March 2019 Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

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

Bloomsburg Flying Club Memberships available!

www.flybloomsburg.com Contact: [email protected]

Bring a friend who is interested in joining the

club!

Next Meetings: Sunday 17 March – 6:30 PM – N13 Conference Room

Sunday 28 April – 6:30 PM - N13 Conference Room

Flight Instructors:

▪ Phil Polstra – CFII (Parlor City Flying Club Member / Bloomsburg Flying Club) [email protected] (Independent) 563-552-7670

▪ Rob Staib – CFII (Independent) [email protected] 570-850-5274

▪ Hans Lawrence – CFII / MEI / RI (Independent) [email protected] 570-898-8868

▪ Eric Cipcic, CFI (Independent)

▪ Kody Eyer, CFI (Independent) [email protected] 570-854-5325

N13 Fuel Prices: Currently $4.75/ Gallon, subject to change.

Hangar News N13: All hangars are full. – If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, contact

[email protected]. A Note of Thanks! – Our 2002 Highlander Courtesy Car has new tires thanks to the generous contribution from Bloom Flyers. Thank you!!!

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.flybloomsburg.com/






Bloomsburg Municipal Airport

NEWSLETTER March 2019

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Accomplishment: Congratulations, Phil Polstra, CFII

2019 Flight Instructor of the Year

for the

FAA Harrisburg District

Above, Phil, in front row far left, with one of his many ground school classes.

So, you want to be a flight instructor!

Flight instructing requires more than just showing a student pilot what levers to pull and which

buttons to push. It’s far more than teaching someone the principles of lift, drag, thrust and

weight. A truly good flight instructor knows how to overcome a student’s frustration with

inspiration and discouragement with motivation. Instructing someone on how to fly is not just a

matter of “do what I say,” it often requires creative methods of conveying an idea and

demonstrating impressionable examples. Most importantly, a good flight instructor instills in all



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student pilots the awareness that acquiring a pilot certificate is not the ultimate goal; it is a

license to keep learning.

On Friday, March 29, 2019 at 6:00 pm, at the Bloomsburg Airport, a local flight instructor will be

recognized for his dedication and commitment in teaching these skills and much more. Phil

Polstra is receiving the 2019 Flight Instructor of the Year Award for the FAA Harrisburg District.

Presenting the award is John Sibole, Jr., FAASTeam Manager from the FSDO office in Harrisburg.

After acquiring his private pilot’s certificate in 1991, Phil continued learning, too, by obtaining his

instrument, commercial, CFI and CF II certificates all in 2001, as well as his ground instructor

rating, both AGI and IGI. “Before my wife, Tamara, and I had any children and while I had the

money and time, I convinced her it was a good time to get my ratings,” Phil remarked. “I may

not have as good an opportunity again. So, I banged them out pretty fast.” With more than

3,000 hours of total flight time logged, over 2,000 hours of it is in flight instructing. And, having

recently achieved a Private Pilot Helicopter rating, Phil plans to pursue his Instrument and

Commercial ratings and CFI for helicopters this year as well. If that’s not enough, Phil also has a

complex and high-performance endorsement, a USA Remote Pilot certificate, a

Mechanic/Repairman Certificate for Airframe, Powerplant and Inspection Authorization.

Broadening his aviation resume in avionics, Phil also holds an FCC GROL Radar endorsement and,

in skydiving, a USPA (United States Parachute Associations) Skydiver A license (1999), USPA B

license (2017), USPA Coach Rating (2018) and anticipates getting a USPA C license this year.

Phil stated, “I really enjoy instructing. It gives me the opportunity to fly more.” Phil went on to

say, “I look at it as a part-time job providing addition income right now, and later, a source of

retirement income, too.”

As the Safety Officer for the Parlor City Flying Club, AKA, Bloomsburg Flying Club, at the

Bloomsburg Airport, Phil performs all plane checkout flights, demonstrates aircraft operations to

perspective club members, gives safety talks at the monthly club meetings and provides free

instruction for members needing flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks or members who

just want to fly with a CFI that are not current or need to sharpen their skills. “Years ago,

working at McDonalds as a team leader to my present job at Bloomsburg University, there has

always been a teaching aspect to my work,” stated Phil, then adding, “Flight instructing is just

another extension of teaching.”

In addition, to providing instructions for Parlor City Flying Club members, Phil is also available to

instruct other airplane owners. He has also provided numerous 18-hour Private Pilot and

Instrument Pilot ground schools at the Bloomsburg Airport. All of which have been free of

charge.

At the Poconos Skydivers Club, Phil checks out new pilots in the drop zone aircraft, provides high

performance endorsements for pilots needing them and instructs pilots on jump pilot



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operations. He is also an active pilot there, logging hundreds of hours each year, performing

drop zone flights.

Recently, Phil spoke at a DEFCON Security Conference, talking about airline security at one of the

largest such conferences on the subject in the world. In his presentation, he put to rest several

of the myths that surfaced following the disappearance of Malaysia Airline Flight 370. With over

3,000 people in attendance at the conference, the presentation was also streamed live and was

recorded. Over 10,000 people have seen Phil’s talk on this topic.

As an Assistant Professor at the University of Dubuque, 2006 – 2010, in Dubuque, Iowa, Phil

taught classes in aviation. From 2001 through 2014, he was Chief Flight Instructor and Owner of

Phil’s Flying Enterprises, Inc., while living in Kennesaw, Georgia and Dubuque, Iowa. Here he

developed the curriculum for all ratings offered and oversaw all the school’s flight instructors.

In addition, Phil also built and maintained a Zenith CH601HDS and earned his repairman

certificate.

Needless to say, with so much involvement in aviation, Phil also holds memberships in the

following organizations: The Experiment Aircraft Association, National Association of Flight

Instructors, and the United States Parachute Association.

Today, Dr. Philip A. Polstra, Sr., is a full- time tenured professor of Digital Forensics at

Bloomsburg University and has established the Polstra Family Enterprises Inc., where he is

Owner, Pilot, and Flight Instructor of the organization. It is here, too, where Phil spends time

away from aviation with his children, Kathryn, age 13 and Phil Jr., 10, making You Tube shows in

woodworking and electronics.

When asked what he had in mind in the future, Phil quickly replied, “More flight instructing, and,

perhaps a flight school like I had in Georgia and Iowa” He went on to say, “I see a need for a

helicopter club and instruction, too. The closest one to Bloomsburg is in Smoketown and that’s a

two hour drive away.”

Asked to explain why he instructs, Phil paused a moment and replied, “Seeing people experience

aviation for the first time is exciting for me too. Being a part of getting someone to solo and

achieve a pilot’s license is rewarding.” “Besides,” he said, “I found the best way to learn

something new is to teach someone else.”

Congratulations Phil upon receiving this very special award. No doubt there are many, many

past, current and future pilots that would like to say congratulations, too. Perhaps more than

that, they would like to say, thank you for all you’ve done to help them make their dreams come

true. Submitted by Dave Ruckle



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Recently Completed Event: Sekisui hosts managers meeting at N13

On behalf of the Town of Bloomsburg, and myself as Airport Coordinator, we would like to thank

Sekisui for your ongoing support! We look forward to hosting you in the future.

Remember when….

In the summer of 1946, when I had just turned fourteen, I had my first airplane ride at the

Bloomsburg Airport. The pilot was my cousin, Raymond Miller, who had recently returned home

from serving with the United States Army Air Corp. The plane was a Piper Cub. The canvas sides

flapped, and the control cables were exposed. But my cousin put me at ease by demonstrating

that one can fly a plane using no hands!

As we became airborne, I could see my cousin, Tom Johnson, standing with our bicycles next to a

hangar. Tom and I, along with a slew of other kids, were regular visitors to the airport. When

Harry Magee owned the facility, my dad, Ralph M. Miller, an employee of Magee Carpet Co.,

worked part-time in the airport café. The kids liked the way dad made sandwiches: he would cut

them diagonally rather than straight across.

The P-51 Mustang was my favorite fighter plane. So, I was thrilled to see one “in person” when it landed at the Bloomsburg Airport. That was probably near – or just after- the end of WWII. One of our neighbors on the 500 block of W. Third Street was an instructor with the Navy V-12 program. He was a Chief Petty Officer, who always took time to talk with us kids; his wife was an



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attractive lady who served us lemonade, but it was “Champ” their Irish setter, a kid-friendly dog that we kids just loved. Gastonia, NC, my wife’s home town, is where we now live, and have since 1958. As a soldier and then a police officer, I have flown in various types of aircraft, but the most exciting and memorable ride was the one in that Piper Cub, with my cousin (my hero) at the controls. Three years ago, we had the pleasure of visiting the airport with my son, his wife and their children. Our granddaughter was three at the time; our grandson was seven. When they saw the flood water marker, they were amazed at the height of the flood waters. Ralph Miller

On December 27, 2008, I received and printed this email from Ralph Miller. I’ve never met Mr.

Miller, either before or since, but was thankful that he took the time to write and share his

memories of the Bloomsburg airport with me. Like so many things over the years, I put it away

and forgot about it. Recently, while cleaning out a closet, I came across a box of old newspapers,

magazines and file folders full of articles and clippings I put away for another day. You

know…important stuff. Well, you guessed it; there was Mr. Miller’s letter. Not a lot of the items

in that box will be rediscovered in another 10 years, but this letter will, and I hope if it’s not me,

someone else with a passion for the Bloomsburg airport finds it. Meanwhile, I don’t think Mr.

Miller will mind me sharing his memories with you…readers of this newsletter and friends of the

Bloomsburg Airport, too.

Enjoy!

Submitted by Dave

Ruckle

On Left:

Piper Cub, much like

the one to which

Ralph was referring

in his 2008 email.



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This Month in Aviation History

March 1, 1933……United States Air Commerce Regulations are amended to increase the flying

time required for a pilot’s license from 10 hours to 50 hours.

March 2, 1969……After a lengthy succession of taxi and runway tests, the first prototype

“Concorde 001” makes its first flight, with Andre Turcat at the controls. The flight lasts 29

minutes.

March 4, 1909……President William Howard Taft approves Congressional Gold Medal for the

Wright brothers.

March 5, 1912……Bob Fowler flies from Los Angeles, California to Jacksonville, Florida. The

west to east coast-to-coast journey has taken four months to complete.

March 6, 1935……U.S. Secretary of Commerce signs a

special Air Traffic Regulation that prohibits air flights over

parts of Washington, D.C.

March 8, 1910……Elise Deroche, the colorful self-styled

Baroness Raymonde de Laroche, becomes the first woman

in the world to receive a pilot’s license in Paris.

On right and below, Elise Deroche



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March 13, 1945…..U.S. interest in flight is so popular that courses in aviation are being taught

at this point in 14,000 of America’s 25,686 high schools.

March 21, 1916…..The French government authorizes the formation of the Escadrille

Americaine (later Lafayette Escadrille) made up American volunteer pilots.

March 22, 1966…..20 high schools are selected to start the new Junior ROTC program.

March 24, 1939…..American

woman air record-breaker

Jacqueline Cochran achieves a

woman’s altitude record of 30,052

ft. 5 inches over Palm Spring,

California in a Beech Model 17.

March 27-28, 1929..Martin Jensen sets world solo duration record of 35 hours 33 minutes 20

seconds, flying over Roosevelt Field, Long Island New York in a Bellanca with a Wright engine.

March 27, 1927…..Young American airmail pilot Charles A. Lindbergh registers his entry in

the Raymond Orteig challenge for the first man to cross the Atlantic Ocean solo. The challenge,

and a $25,000 prize, was issued in 1920, but no one has so far been successful in making the

flight.



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2019 – COMING EVENTS:

Gray background indicates completed events.

PLEASE SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES! – Join us for aviation education, safety, and fun!

Month Event Special Event Time Presenter/

Sponsor

29 Mar FAA Safety Seminar Spatial Disorientation Phil’s Class 6:00 PM John Sibole

18 April FAA Safety Seminar CFI / DPE

The Flight Review and Promoting Proficiency 6:30 PM

H. Paul Shuch

30 April FAA Safety Seminar UAS- Drones Rules/Regulations /Safety

7:00 – 9:00 PM

H. Paul Shuch

18-May Quiet Birds Private Event All day QB’s

1 June FAA Safety Seminar The Pilot / Mechanic Relationship 11:00

John Sibole

9 June Dream Machine Car Show 8:00 – 3:00 Dream

Machine

3 Aug Air Defense in the Cold War John Sibole’s personal account as a Fighter Pilot 11:00 John Sibole

6 - Aug National Night Out Bloomsburg Police Dept. 6:00 PM Bloom PD

14 Sept Community Day for All Scouts Earn Merit Badges / Community Welcome 8:00 – 3:00

Boy Scouts / Bloom Flyer

5 Oct

Bloom Flyers Annual Event Serving Breakfast & Lunch

Michael Bush – 10:30 Crossing Boarders:

North & South Flitting Around the Caribbean 8:00 – 2:00

Bloom Flyers

26 Oct FAA Safety Seminar Night Flying 6:00 PM John Sibole

Intentionally Left Blank

Intentionally Left Blank

More events are likely to be added as the year progresses. However, this is what is on deck as of 8 March 2019

Community

Welcome

National Night Out – Sponsored by

Bloom Police Dept.

FAA Safety

Seminars

Community

Welcome



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On the Horizon / Save the Date(s):

Title: Spatial Disorientation;

178 Seconds To Live!

Date: Friday, March 2019

Time: 17:15 Eastern Daylight Time

Presenter: John Sibole, FAASTeam Program Manager

Please use the following link to register:

https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=90889&c

aller=/SPANS/events/EventList.aspx

Brief Description:

A research program at the University of Illinois found that 100% of pilots who had no

instrument training lost control of the aircraft after entering simulated IMC—in an

average of 178 seconds.! In this seminar we will discuss the causes of spatial

disorientation and observe its effects using the Barany Chair, a device for simulating

disorientation (safely, on the ground).

There will be a reception at 5:15 PM with light snacks. At 6:00, the FAASTeam will

present the 2019 Flight Instructor of the Year Award to Mr. Phil Polstra. Our WINGS-

credit safety seminar will begin at 6:15.

The FAASTeam wishes to thank the Bloomsburg Municipal Airport for hosting this

event.

https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=90889&caller=/SPANS/events/EventList.aspx

https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=90889&caller=/SPANS/events/EventList.aspx

march 2019 bloomsburg municipal airport

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