The August/September/October 2008 issue is now on-line!
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California flight schools closer to reprieve on costly reg
Flight schools in California could get a stay from the California Private Postsecondary Act of 2009, a law that has had unintended consequences. Assembly Bill 1140, which would give flight schools 12 months to comply with the postsecondary act, passed the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee by a vote of 6 to 1 on Aug. 9. AOPA Online.
Region 11 - ATC Procedures Update
Pacific Area Soaring Council has recently published updated guidance for soaring pilots for interactions with Reno TRACON, on the PASCO website. This seven page document includes a map to show arrival and departure swaths through the Carson and Palomino Valleys.
All pilots intending to soar in the Minden, Reno, Truckee, AirSailing area should review this document for best practices and simple directions to make yourself known to the heavier concentration of fast, passenger-carrying airplane traffic into Reno and Tahoe airports. Reno TRACON is the ATC facility with the dubious distinction of having the only glider-biz jet midair (2006). All persons survived that event, but the traffic density requires soaring pilots to exercise more vigilance and better protocol during legal use of the airspace.
Samples of radio terminology and etiquette, inclusion of GPS coordinates for ATC intersections and local ATC frequencies make this a compendium of information which shortens flight preparation time for Nevada soaring pilots. Please see the link on the PASCO web page at http://www.pacificsoaring.org/documents/Glider-pilot-procedures-Revised-May-2009.pdf
In addition, cross-country pilots crossing south out of Reno TRACON's area should leave the 0440 transponder glider code of Reno-PASCO's agreement and return to a 1200 VFR transponder code when passing south of an east west line through Mono Lake.
C. Brickner, SSA Govt.Liaison Committee
