RNOFlyer Volume 2- Issue2 July 2015

A publication for the General Aviation Community of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Page 1

In This Issue: RTAA GA Website Pg 1RTAG Report Pgs 1, 3Upcoming Events Pg 1Upcoming Meetings Pg 2Airfield Security Update Pg 2The Spirit of Kai Tak Pg 2FAA Inspection Pg 3UAS Aircraft Pg 3UAS Disruptions Pg 3Ops Stats Pg 3Young Eagles Pg 4CAP Summer Encampment Pg 4Air Traffic News Pg 4

RTAA Website Revamps General Aviation Section to Provide More Enriched Content

RTAG ReportBob Meurer, PresidentReno Tahoe Aviation Group

With the appointments of three new trustees, Lisa Gianoli, Jenifer Rose, and Jessica Sferrazza, to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, general aviation received an excellent opportunity to showcase our contributions to the two Reno area airports and to our communities. The Reno Tahoe Aviation Group and The Reno Stead Airport Association sponsored a joint meeting on July 8, 2015 introducing our new airport trustees to our general aviation community.

We reached out to our aviation groups for help in informing the new trustees about GA in the Reno-Tahoe area. The response was way above our expectations. All the representatives gave excellent presentations about their organizations and their involvement in General Aviation. After the meeting, many senior pilots commented that they learned about new organizations, and planned to join some of the groups.

general aviation news, and travel website links forthe Reno-Tahoe region.

This newly enhanced GA portion of the RTAA site marries a nicely balanced blend of content for both local and out-of-area pilots. It was created in support of the Airport Authority’s Strategic Priority of optimiz-ing general aviation operations and services at both Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead Airports.

Please feel free to contact Brian Kulpin, Vice Pres-ident of Marketing and Public Affairs at bkulpin@renoairport.com with any comments, questions or suggestions for the new general aviation portion of the Airport’s website.

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority is excited to announce the launch of newly enhanced content for the General Aviation portion of the RTAA website. This new feature can be found at www.renoairportGA.com and includes helpful pilot information such as flightplanning links,runway/taxiwaystatistics, new pages for bothAtlantic Aviationand Reno TahoeAviation Group,

Upcoming EventsJul 27 - Jan 2016Twy C Closed / Construction

Aug 2 RTAG Fly-out to Auburn (AUN), in lieu of monthly meeting

Aug 3-9 Barracuda Championship, PGA Tour golf tournament

Aug 19-21 Thunderbirds on the NANG ramp

Aug 22-23 Minden Airshow featuring the Thunderbirds

Aug 31 – Sept 7 Burning Man, Charter ops

Sept 16-20 National Championship Air Races, GA parking

Sept 29-Oct 2 Honor Flight Veterans

Our new trustees seemed very pleased with the pre-senters’ information. This gives us a good foundation to build future rapport with the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.

We would like to thank the following groups and presenters for their participation and help:

RTAG August Fly-out: Karen Inda

Civil Air Patrol: Ted Rick (Senior Member) Collin Justis (Cadet)

The 99’s: Jeanne Pierce

Flying Doctors: Joe Durousseau

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Pilots N Paws: Sandy Munns

Reno Aviation Museum and Shades of Blue: Douglas Ritter

Angel Flight: Tom Porta

Continued on Page 3

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Page 2

The RNO Flyer is printed and produced by:

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority2001 E Plumb Ln. Reno, NV 89502775.328.6400www.renoairport.com

Follow us on

Board of Trustees:

Andy Wirth, ChairmanRick Murdock, Vice ChairmanNat Carasali, SecretaryJerry Hall, TreasurerWilliam “Bill” EckLisa GianoliAdam R. MayberryJenifer RoseJessica Sferrazza

The Spirit of Kai TakKen Moen, Airport EconomicDevelopment Specialist

If you don’t believe in dragons, you have never been to E29 at GA East.

That’s where you will find a red TS-601P Aerostar with an image of a golden dragon on the nose and the words “The Spirit of Kai Tak” in white lettering. While driving the T-Hangar row one afternoon, I saw the doors open and a man tinkering with his prized possession. I stopped the vehicle and went to introduce myself to Bryce Herndon, retired American Airlines pilot. We chatted for a few minutes and I shared our common interest in aviation, and told him I am a retired Air Traf-fic Controller. I turned our conversation to his beautiful bird and asked him about the “The Spirit of Kai Tak”.

Herndon purchased the 601P Super 700CR in July 2006 from the owner who lived in Bournemouth, England. However, this aircraft had a special heritage; having won the London to Sydney Air Race in 2001.

On October 2000, Aerostar Aircraft was approached by a British team, sponsored by Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong. “The Spirit of Kai Tak” was flown by a crew of four; Chief Pilot Mike Miller, co-pilots James D’Arcy, John D’Arcy and Mark Graham. The team was drawn to Aerostar because of the mechanically sound and reliable high-speed aircraft, capable of high powered climb out and high power cruise ability for extended periods of time. They wanted a turbo-charged aircraft, pressurized, capable of carrying a crew of four without excessive penalty in cruise speed or rate of climb.

The factory restored and upgraded a 1980 601P Aero-star to a Super 700CR by outfitting the aircraft with two supercharged and intercooled 350 HP counter rotating engines, and overhauled the hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical systems and threw in all the latest options and upgrades. The restoration began in November of 2000 and was rolled out for test flights on March 3, 2001.

The team took it out and put it through a host of maneuvers over 25 hours. The flight team tested the aircraft’s climb out capabilities fully loaded with fuel and crew at 1800 ft. /min in race-like conditions at 150 knots indicated air speed. The crew ran it hard to a speed of 285 knots cruise.

The design and performance lived up to its reputation. The spirit of Kai Tak exceeded all expectations finishing first with an average ground speed of 279 knots, beating out thirty other aircraft. The grueling race was a test of both speed and endurance. The course covered 12,040 nautical miles and crossed some of the most remote parts of the world. The race began on March 11, 2001, in Biggin Hill, England, a WWII fighter base just outside of London. The racers traveled over Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand and the Northern Outback of Australia landing in Sydney on April 7, 2001.

The London-Sydney Race consisted of 16 officially timed legs, averaging 494 nautical miles in length. “The Spirit of Kai Tak” was the fastest on each and every leg.

Bryce Herndon loves to fly his bird…fast in the Spirit of Kai Tak. The name of the aircraft is taken from the Hong Kong International Airport where runway 13/31 extended thousands of feet into Victoria Harbor. Hong Kong based sponsor Cathay Pacific, chose the name for the now closed (July 1998) and world famous Kai Tak Airport.

Upcoming MeetingsAug 11 @ 5:15 pmReno-Stead Airport AssociationReno-Stead Airport Manager’sOffice4895 Texas Ave.Reno NV 89506

Aug 13 @ 9:00 am Board of Trustees, Reno-Tahoe Airport AuthorityRTAA Board Room2001 E. Plumb Ln.Reno NV 89502

Aug 17 @ 4:30 pmRTIA User’s CommitteeRTIA Firehouse1805 Riley Ave.Reno NV 89502

Sept 2 @ 5:00 pmRTAG MeetingOld CAP Headquarters601 S. Rock Blvd.Reno NV 89502

Sept 8 @ 5:15 pmReno-Stead Airport AssociationReno-Stead Airport Manager’sOffice4895 Texas Ave.Reno NV 89506

Sept 10 @ 9:00 amBoard of Trustees, Reno-Tahoe Airport AuthorityRTAA Board Room

Airfield Security UpdateAs part of TSA’s ongoing efforts to secure our aviation infrastructure, GA Tenants may encounter TSA Transporta-tion Security Officers on the GA ramp and around hangars.

Due to some recent policy updates TSA is increasing their presence in areas outside of the commercial terminal. They are conducting perimeter inspections which may in-clude approaching people in our GA areas. To make sure we are all meeting our security responsibilities, tenants are reminded that they must have their RTAA AOA ID available to show any authority upon request. There

is no requirement to display the AOA ID but it should be readily available. A particular area of interest is the vehicle access gates and tenants should never let unknown individuals enter the AOA behind them through a gate and should stand by to ensure the gate closes fully behind them.

Finally, please remember that while a badge-holder may escort others onto the AOA, they must be in “positive control” of their guests at all times while they are on the AOA. We realize that these procedures can sometimes be a hassle, but keeping up with these rules not only helps dissuade terrorists, but also makes average criminals less likely to mess around with our airport.

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Page 3

RTAG Report (Continued from Page 1)

Cinemark Signage Runway 34 L report: Marilee Breternitz

RTAA Engineering Dept “Taxiway Charlie” Report: Dave Lazo

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association: Bob Larkin

Thank you to our new trustees, Lisa Gi-anoli, Jenifer Rose, and Jessica Sferrazza, for attending our meet and greet. We are all looking forward to a bright future for General Aviation at our airports.

Reno Tahoe Aviation GroupBob Meurer, President

Reno Stead Aviation AssociationTom Hall, President

Emergency Management Agency may operate near Incline Village, Verdi, Black Rock Desert, Stead Airport and at the Washoe County Emergency Management facility located on Spectrum Boulevard. Trimble has an aerial surveying contract along the new southeast connector construction project east of RNO. These flights will be flown 400’ AGL and below. One of the primary provisions of the FAA COA is that these flights be reflected in a Notice to Airmen for each flight. Additionally, there may be UAV’s flying in support of wildland fires under other federal authorizations.

Since it’s not mandatory for all UAS activity to be re-ported to ATC, please be alert at all times and report any observed UAS activity to ATC so we can monitor and report those operations to other affected aircraft.

For more information check: www.faa.gov/uas.

UAS Aircraft in the RNO VicinityKarl Scribner, Manager, Reno-Tahoe International Airport Air Traffic Control TowerAround the US there is a steady increase in the amount of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs). UASs come in all shapes and sizes and their application runs the gamut from military to commercial to hobbyists.

While commercial and government UAS operations require Certificates of Authorization (COA) and are coordinated extensively with the FAA, hobby/recreational UAS operations are typically operated much like remote controlled aircraft using Academy of Model Aeronautic standards.

Currently, there are two FAA authorizations in the immediate vicinity of RNO/RTS. The Washoe County

UAS Use Disrupts Wildfire ResponseMike Scott, VP of Operations and Public Safety, Reno-Tahoe Airport AuthorityFor the fourth time in the past month, air tanker response to wildfires in California was grounded or turned around because there was an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS, also known as “drones”) flying in the area. In one instance, the fire grew be-cause a UAS kept air support from making its run. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has several requirements for UAS, including not flying them near manned aircraft, beyond the sight of the navigator, or within restricted airspace. In the case with wildfires, there is a very real possibility of midair collisions between a UAS and an air tanker or helicopter that could cause injury or death to pilots or firefighters on the ground.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are common at wildfire scenes to allow air support to safely drop

water and retardant without interference from other aircraft. No aircraft is allowed to fly within a TFR without permission from fire managers.

You can help. We fly in a wildfire-prone area. Know the TFR’s, and if you observe a fire, report to air traffic/flight following. Also, as a pilot you may be asked by friends about flying new UAV’s. Please refer them to FAA policies. The FAA’s UAS website details current regulations and policies, provides resources for law enforcement, and answers ques-tions about what UAS operations are legal. Don’t be ‘that guy’; check NOTAMS!

Every summer the FAA Airport Certification group in Los Angeles sends an inspector to review our airfield safety, maintenance, aircraft rescue & fire fighting, and operations procedures, training, and activities. After a 3 day inspection we receive a report about any things we have to improve for compliance with all the regulations governing our commercial airport operating certificate.

This year the inspection is planned for the first week in August. You may have been seeing a lot of airfield maintenance activity as we make sure all the paint is freshened up, the signs and lights are

all correct, and everything in the runway safety areas is up to standard. Additionally, our fire team have been practicing their responses and testing their equipment, along with checking everyone who pumps aviation fuel for training and truck safety. We hope all this work has been transparent to you as you fly in and out of the airport.

Last year we had NO shortcomings, but the better news is that when the inspector is done, you know that our airfield is squared away and all our efforts day-in-and-day-out paid off with an excellent facility for you and your aircraft.

Annual FAA Inspection Coming in August

So far in 2015, we have inspected the airfield 365 times and identified 55 issues to address or repair.

There have been 117,674 cab, bus, shuttle, and limo trips from our ground transportation lot Janu-ary-June 2015.

RTAA police have carried out 125 special or joint activities with local and federal law enforcement part-ners in the first 6 months of 2015.

OpsSTATS

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Page 4

Air Traffic News You Can UseKarl Scribner, Manager, Reno-Tahoe International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower

Unauthorized Laser Illumination of Aircraft and UAS Encounters

Advances in technology can help and hinder avia-tion. iPads, smartphones, moving maps, TCAS and the abundance of information readily available in the cockpit can greatly enhance safety by improving a pilots situational awareness. On the other hand, lasers and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), if not used properly, can present hazards to users of the National Airspace System.

It’s important for pilots to report any laser or UAS encounters to ATC so we can warn other pilots of the hazard and help law enforcement apprehend the perpetrators. The key information to include in your report is the time, precise location, altitude, and any other descriptors you’re able to record (color of laser, size or color of drone, etc). ATC will then inform the closest law enforcement agency for investigation. Tower and approach controllers will also make broadcasts every 5 minutes for a 20 minute period following any such incident and add an advisory on the ATIS for the next hour to warn other pilots.

“Readback Hearback” of Runway Assignments and Hold Short Instructions

Many air traffic control towers and aircraft operators implement localized “readback/hearback” proce-dures in an effort to minimize or eliminate runway confusion. For example, when taxiing to Runway 16 Left, make sure you readback your callsign and the runway assignment. The same holds true for landing clearances. Routinely, one of the parallel runways is closed for maintenance and ensuring the proper readback will help eliminate the possibility of landing on a closed runway.

Landing on the CORRECT Runway

We’ve had a couple of instances lately when an air-craft has landed on the wrong runway. The landing clearance and readback was correct; however, the pilot landed on Runway 34 Left instead of the Right for which they were cleared. There are a number of issues that might contribute to this: lack of pilot familiarity, uncommon ground reference points, tight base-leg turns inside Rattlesnake Hill, displaced thresholds, etc. Since we’re historically landing on Runway 34 roughly 25% of the time, pilots will nat-urally be less familiar with the nuances of landing to the north. Remain alert and vigilant when operating on all runways, but especially on Runway 34, the terrain and thresholds pose different challenges than the more common south flow (Runway 16).

On Saturday, June 27th, the Young Ea-gles Event was held at the Reno-Stead Airport and was an absolute success. Well over 100 people attended the annual event, with 51 children taking to the air with experienced pilots.

In addition to the experience of flight, the children and their families partic-ipated in various activities and visited with aviation experts. The many high-lights of the morning event included:

• Civil Air Patrol provided a static display for pre-flight and cadets for the pilots

• Challenger Learning Center held a contest to see who could build and maneuver a Rover the furthest distance

• Nevada Army National Guard provided a Chinook static display

• Shades of Blue taught principles of flight by having kids land a plane with its simulator

• Sierra Nevada Corporation provid-ed their Telemedicine Technology Group’s wireless computer-con-trolled Human Anatomical Life (HAL) simulator that generates medical patient vital signs and bodily functions for medical equipment development and personnel training.

• The 99s taught children about flight through their fun fizzy rocket activity

• Washoe County Sheriff allowed children to tour through the Raven helicopter

• Reno Flying Services encouraged children to take up flying by showing off its airplane

• Eight experienced and EAA cer-tified pilots provided the aircraft and flights

A big thanks to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and the Stead Chapter of the EAA for orchestrating a great event.

Young Eagles Soar at RTS

Nevada Wing just completed its fourth Civil Air Patrol Summer Encampment held at Camp Stead Army National Guard Training Center. There were 87 Basic Cadet Students of which 16 were female from Neva-da Wing, California Wing and Idaho Wing. In addition there were 9 male and 3 female Cadet Noncommis-sion Officers and Cadet Officers attending the seven day in residence Advanced Leadership School. There were 7 female and 24 male Cadet Cadre members from the Nevada Wing and the California Wing serving as flight staff, command staff, and support staff. As well, there were 6 female and 20 male Senior Members serving as advisors and instructors throughout the period.

Encampment presents the five key traits of cadet life –the uniform, aerospace themes, opportunities to lead, challenge, and fun in an intensive environment that moves cadets beyond their normal comfort zones for personal growth. Through activities such as rappelling, obstacle courses, firearms training, and the like, encampments encourage safe, calculated risk-taking in a safe environment.

Outstanding support was provided by the Nevada Army National Guard Aviation Unit, the Camp Stead Training Center and the Nevada Air Force National Guard. Military orientation rides were provided to the cadets, cadre and senior staff in the CH-47 Chinook Helicopter, the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter and the C-130 Hercules Aircraft. In addition, the Reno-Stead Airfield and the members of the Reno Air Race Association made facilities available that greatly enhanced the entire Encamp-ment Experience for students and cadre alike.

Civil Air Patrol:Summer EncampmentLt. Col. Jay R. Roberts, Encampment Commander

Photo Credit: Lt. Maryan Tooker, Asst. Public Affairs Officer, Reno Composite Squadron