Destinations
Telemark Resort, just outside Cable, Wisconsin, is a beautiful summer destination where you can immerse yourself into nature and physical activities. The best part is that you can fly into Cable Union Airport and practically park at Telemark's front door.

Telemark Resort claims to have 101 things to do (they even have them listed on their website www.telemarkresort.com. Known internationally as the mountain biking Mecca, you can rent a bike and ride hundreds of miles of trails. You can ride the paved roads through the Chequaegon National Forest and check out wildlife or visit the swimming beach. Enjoy the 24-hole disc golf course (rental equipment available). Explore the nationally protected Namekagon River or Garden Lake by canoe or kayak or catch the big one in your rented fishing boat. An 18-hole championship course will keep golfers happy for hours and families can make memories on the rustic miniature golf course. Just like to head out on foot? There are 900 acres of protected forest land to explore. Volleyball, basketball, badminton, horseshoes, tennis and swimming are great activities as well.

Get outside and enjoy the warm summer sun while you can. Telemark Resort has everything to keep you outside breathing in fresh forest air.

Young Entrepreneur Turns to Aviation
Travis Meils was in his first year of college, working towards a music major, when he went flying for fun. He was immediately addicted and decided to get his Private Pilot Certificate. It didn't take long for him to realize flying is what he wants to do as a career.

When you talk with Travis you become aware of maturity. At age 16, he already had his own company mowing lawns. It started with two lawns and by word of mouth news of his solid reputation got around. Eventually he had 30 accounts, some of them quite large. After five years he sold his business and is currently a flight student. Someday he dreams of perhaps being a corporate pilot or possibly owning an air-taxi service in Europe. He's considering International Economics as a major.

Travis bought a 1/8 share in a C-150, but only three of the owners fly the airplane. He flies it the most, sometimes taking along his dad, Jim Meils. Mostly he uses it for building time towards his Commercial Certificate. "It only costs $35 an hour to fly!" he says with a grin. "What feels really good is when I get to the hanger, open the door, and there it is just waiting for me. It's encouraging to me that I have my own airplane."

Mentor Provides Inspiration to New Pilot
There was never a time when Seymour Walker, Jr. didn't love airplanes. While doing chores as a boy in Kingston, Jamaica he'd hear an airplane above and would rush outside to watch it fly overhead. He knew his mom would get mad, but he just couldn't help himself. As he grew into a very tall young man, he was blessed with 6'9" of talent and drive, which has served him well. A basketball player on the Jamaican National Team, he was chosen by college scouts to come to the U.S. on a full scholarship. While playing basketball he earned two associate degrees and a bachelor's degree and kept his name on the Dean's and Honors lists.

One summer before going home to Jamaica, Seymour wanted to stop in New York for a few days. Due to airline delays he ended up on a shuttle bus and gave up his seat for Captain Gary Robinson. The pilot made a remark about Seymour's height and the two began a friendship that has impacted the young man more than any other. Captain Robinson has become a father figure and mentor, guiding Seymour in everything from aviation to how to approach life. Once he earns his Commercial and Multi-engine Add-on, Captain Robinson plans to help the younger pilot make his way into his aviation career.

Seymour is the father of two children and is married to Tamishia Walker, who's expecting another little Walker shortly.

Did You Know…
In November, 1935, on his third attempt, Lincoln Ellsworth and Canadian pilot Herbert Hollick-Kenyon succeeded in completing the first trans-Antarctic flight. They flew Ellsworth's Northrop Gamma Model 2B, named the Polar Star, across the continent and became the first men to visit western Antarctica. The airplane flew over 2400 miles and made a number of landings before it was forced down by fuel starvation 25 miles short of their destination. The men spent six days walking the remaining 25 miles. The Polar Star was later recovered and now rests peacefully at the Smithsonian.

Photo source: www.airminded.net

Laugh Out Loud

An airline pilot hammered his ship into the runway really hard on a certain flight. The airline had a policy, which required the pilot to stand at the door while the passengers exited, give a smile, and a "Thanks for flying XYZ airline." He said that in light of the bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would make a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for this little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no Ma'am," said the pilot, "what is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we shot down?"

Source: www.aviation-humor.com

Springtime Tips for Pre-flight
By Rick Freidinger, Director of Maintenance

It's nesting season for our feathered friends with whom we share not only the sky, but in many instances, our aircraft. I'm not sure why, but birds are attracted to aircraft when looking for a place to build their nest. It may be all the little nooks and crannies that seem like the ideal hiding spot to raise their young. During this time of year, take a little extra time performing your preflight. Look for the telltale sign of bird droppings on your paint to indicate that your plane may be the new home for one of our feathered friends. Even if you see no external signs of a bird, look carefully for nest around all your control surface hinge areas or even the smallest access to the inside of a wing or the empennage where a bird could build a nest that could interfere with your control cables or push rods. Also pay special attention to your engine compartment. Birds are drawn to the back corners down between the cylinders or around the oil cooler. If you see just one twig or stick poking up anywhere in your engine compartment take a closer look. A nest in your engine could cause anything from a fire inside your cowling to an engine failure. Your engine needs all the cooling air it can get to keep both your oil and cylinders from overheating, either of which could lead to engine damage or possible a engine failure. A little extra time spent on your preflight will assure you of safe and pleasant flight.

Ask the Pilot Professor
By Dr. Michael Bliss

Q: I've been hearing about how good PC based simulators are, but I wonder how practical they can be for use in a flight training program.

A: General aviation has undergone a revolution over the last several years with the availability of computer based flight training devices. Modern computers and flight simulator software have come of age and now enable pilots to have a truly effective and practical means of getting or staying current. For example: Microsoft Flight Simulator and an inexpensive set of flight controls will allow students to practice and gain proficiency towards either a Private license or Instrument rating.

They also are valuable tools for maintaining proficiency after the rating has been obtained. Many pilots have realized that after they have completed training for an Instrument rating that they do not fly instruments often enough to stay current, let alone maintain proficiency. These PC based sims are perfect for that use.

Another benefit for instrument rated pilots is to allow them to practice approaches to planned destinations before getting into the airplane – a real confidence booster.

Some have criticized these sims because they don't fly like a real airplane. My response is that they don't need to. Flying instruments is mostly a mental exercise, staying ahead of the airplane, knowing what to do and when to do it, maintaining a good scan and reinforcing correct procedures; something these sims do very well.

Some say that they can be helpful for use in an instrument program but don't have any utility in a Private program. Not so. They are well suited to introduce cockpit orientation, basic air work, VOR navigation, as well as many other maneuvers.

Some say that they can be helpful for use in an instrument program but don't have any utility in a Private program. Not so. They are well suited to introduce cockpit orientation, basic air work, VOR navigation, as well as many other maneuvers.

Regarding the issue of logging flight time, you don't need to be able to log flight time for the experience to be valuable. Much can be learned and practiced during solo flights, especially if used in conjunction with the American Flyers Courseware. This courseware provides an "in cockpit" instructor who guides you through everything you need to do. To learn more about this courseware go to Channel 26 on AmericanFlyers.net.

If you couldn't tell, I'm a big fan.

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