Pell City Composite Squadron 118Alabama Wing Civil Air Patrol

Flight Log

Volume 2, No. 1 Inside this issue: Commanders Corner Calendar CAP Trivia PAOs Corner Safety Page W.E.S.S.
Logo Contest

January 2011

Commanders Corner
From the Commander:
Happy New Year: We have now finished the Christmas Season and started the New Year of 2011. Most of us have started this brave New Year with several New Years Resolutions. Some of us will have a hard time keeping them. We may or may not be successful. Time will tell. What is important is that we have made a resolution to try to become better. Did any of your resolutions involve the Civil Air Patrol? There are many areas in the CAP that we could make resolutions: We could resolve to be at more meetings. We could resolve to be more active in our Squadron. We could resolve to be more active at the Wing level. We could resolve to help recruit new members to our Squadron. We could resolve to help mentor new members.

2 3 3 4
5 5

Mission Staff

Cadets Corner 7 Standards and 8 Evaluations Did you Know Christmas Party Promotions and Cadet
9 10

We could resolve to get another Emergency Service Qualification. We could resolve to get another FAA Certificate or Rating.

11

We could resolve to get ready to be a member of the Iron Man Team. The list goes on, and on, and on. I hope that everyone has a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I hope that you are all able to keep your New Years Resolutions. I hope that some of your New Years Resolutions involve the Civil Air Patrol.

Jim Gosnell Commander AL-118

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSJanuary 2011

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1
Happy New Year

6 7 CADET PT
Happy Birthday Stephen Lopez

10

11

12

13

14
WESS 14-16 Maxwell AFB

15
WESS 14-16 Maxwell AFB

Happy Birthday Jim Gosnell

16
WESS 14-16 Maxwell AFB

17
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday

18

19

20

21

22

23
Happy Birthday Ron Harlan

24

25

26
Happy Birthday Steve Johnson

27

28
Newsletter Deadline for Februarys Newsletter

29

30

31

From Our Safety Officer

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CAP TRIVIA
Last Months WinnerNathan

Bedford (Cadet Member)

Last Months Question: What legislation is pending in both houses of congress which involves Civil Air Patrol?
CAP is looking for members who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Aug. 15, 1945, who were at least 18 years old during part of that service. The search was prompted by legislation pending in both houses of Congress that, if passed, would award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the CAP for the service of its members during World War II.

Answer:

This months question: Identify Building 714 and give 5 facts about it.
The first cadet and senior member to send in their answer along with where they found the answer (do not use Wikipedia), will win a special prize chosen by the editor. Email your answer to: BShurbutt@yahoo.com

PAOs Corner . . .
Its hard to believe that it has been six months since I joined Civil Air Patrol. I found out today that I now have a ranking other than Senior Member and am inspired to get busy working on my next promotion! The New Year of 2011 is going to be filled with many wonderful opportunities as well as challenges. I encourage each of you to strive to aim high in your goals to become all that your potential holds. We only get one shot at this life. Its not a dress rehearsal. In your endeavor to reach your goals, dont forget to help your fellow Civil Air Patrol Members reach theirs. Were all in this together. As a Civil Air Patrol member, you are an ambassador of what our organization stands for: Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect. Remember that when you post on social network groups, emails, or find yourself out in public. People are listening to what we say, as well as how we behave. Lets be a model of excellence. If you ever need a copy of any of my photos, please let me know. I can email files to you or have them printed. The average cost of having a 4x6 photo printed is $ .11 per copy. Remember that you can access my photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethshurbutt/ If you cant find the photos you are specifically looking for, please contact me. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: LTooney@cableone.net or BShurbutt@yahoo.com 2nd Lt. Beth Shurbutt Here is a listing of the deadline dates for upcoming newsletters:
January 28 (Februarys Newsletter) February 25 (Marchs Newsletter)

From Our Safety Officer

Safety: Cold Weather Operations

Page 4

Last month, I wrote about airframe icing and how important it is to avoid it altogether if possible and how to get out of it if encountered. Given the temperatures during the middle of last month, the subject wasnt a moment too soon. However, as Paul Harvey would say, now here is the rest of the story. There are many positive aspects of flying in cold weather; the airplane will seem to jump off the runway and the climb rates will be fantastic compared to last summer. Many of you have heard people talk about how starting and revving a cold engine will shorten its life and force an early overhaul. So what?, you may say. It probably wont affect my immediate flight. Well, in fact, there are documented cases of mishaps that occurred after the pilot did such a foolish thing and then took off and shortly suffered engine failure during takeoff or climb-out. For these reasons and more, 118 has started using a portable heater that will be left in a position to blow warm air through the cowl flaps and onto the engine. This arrangement, fashioned for us by our own Steve Lopez, has been very effective in maintaining a nice oil temperature while the aircraft is stored in the hanger. It can raise the oil temperature 35 to 40 degrees F over ambient and that can be a lifesaver. Please continue to use this heater and blanket over the cowl as long as cold weather hangs around. If you have to fly an aircraft that has been parked outside in cold weather, is it is best to have it preheated prior to attempting a start. If preheating is not available and the temperature is not too low, the following procedures will help: With all switches OFF, you can pull the prop through several turns by hand to get the oil distributed around the crankcase. When priming the engine, wait a few moments before cranking, avgas is not as volatile as car gas and it needs a minute or so to evaporate in the intake manifold. After starting, keep the engine running at a low rpm until you start to see some movement in the oil temperature gauge. Do not even attempt to taxi, let alone takeoff until the oil is warm.

Once you are flying, keep the cowl flaps closed to maintain an acceptable oil temperature. If you are making a change in altitude that requires a long glide (such as approaching an airport), keep enough power output to prevent the engine from cooling rapidly. Use flaps if necessary to keep from pulling power back too much. It is somewhat rare in our area for temperatures to be so low as to require special cold weather engine baffling but consult your operating manual and see if that is a requirement. When I used to fly during our Wisconsin winters; it was not unusual at all to see these installed during the cold months. And dont forget to take along your own personal cold weather protection in the event you may have to make an emergency landing.

Stay warm and stay SAFE! Ron Harlan, Safety Officer 118

REMINDER: Read the newsletter and receive a Safety Briefing Credit. Please email Ron Harlan at reh1685@aol.com

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W.E.S.S. W.E.S.S.January 14-16, 2011 (Meeting at Maxwell, AFB, OTS)

For directions go to: http://www.alabamaftx.com/documents/ots%20directions.pdf. Gear Requirements: http://www.alabamaftx.com/documents/gear.pdf. Important Information for all attending: 1. 2. 3. Dress appropriately. Were not bivouacking but there are a number of outdoor activities. On Saturday, January 15, we will be eating at the Riverfront Inn on base which does not accept any kind of electronic payment. You need to bring at least $5.00 in CASH. All Basic Students will need to bring their $15.00 First Aid Fee.

CORE VALUES OF CIVIL AIR PATROL

Integrity Volunteer Service Excellence Respect

BASIC (GTM3)
First Aid, Blood Borne Pathogens, Basic Communications User Training (BCUT)

Advanced (GTM1)
Civil Air Patrol www.gocivilairpatrol.com

Practical and Field Maps

Leader (GTL)
Practical and Field Maps

CAP members' Theme, Logo Ideas Sought for National Conference, 70th Anniversary
Alabama Wing www.alwg.cap.gov

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Civil Air Patrol is looking for members help and creativity! We invite you to submit your idea for a theme and/or a logo for the 2011 National Conference, scheduled for Aug. 17-20 in Louisville, Ky., as well as for the 70th anniversary of CAPs founding. The challenge is to tie your National Conference theme/logo to CAPs 70th anniversary, which will also be celebrated in 2011. Please e-mail your entry to paa@capnhq.gov no later than February 1, 2011. Please type theme/logo in the subject line of the e-mail and include your full name, rank, CAPID, full mailing address and e-mail address in your entry.

Look for us on the Web: www.pellcitycap.org

This contest is open to all CAP members. Members with winning entries will receive a free registration to the 2011 National Conference. The 2011 theme and logo will be announced on CAP Volunteer Now by April 15. Happy New Year and good luck!

ALWG Mission Staff Information

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Mission Staff Assistant

Over the past few months I've been learning what happens at Mission Base during a mission. Last month, I told you what I did as I trained to become MSA qualified. Since then, I have received training to become a qualified Mission Radio Operator, MRO. This took a bit getting used to. You have to listen carefully, keep accurate records and keep up with the time you last heard from all your crews. Listed below are some of the skills needed to become a qualified MRO.
1. Perform Radio Operating Procedures 2. Employ appropriate radio frequencies and repeaters 3. Know Message Handling Procedures 4. Choose a good communications site 5. Take steps to regain communications 6. Conduct scheduled checks 7. Send a position report 8. Report a clue or Find 9. Know Communications Safety Procedures 10. Demonstrate the ability to keep a log

WESS Dates

January 1416 February 18-20 March 25-27 April 29 - May 1

A Mission Radio Operator is required to maintain communications with all mission assets (aircraft, ground teams, flight line and forward bases). This allows for sending new instructions, reporting mission information and as a safety measure for keeping track of people in the field. You should be able to demonstrate the following skills: a. Demonstrate the proper method to contact another station. b. Demonstrate knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Do you know the alphabet?? c. Demonstrate knowledge of CAP Prowords. d. Demonstrate knowledge of international urgency signals. e. Demonstrate the ability to maintain a communications status board. f. Demonstrate a familiarity with standard equipment and local communications operations. g. Demonstrate the proper use of standard radio equipment. (Set volume and squelch levels appropriate and demonstrate proper use of microphone) A Mission Radio Operator is required to transmit, receive and distribute both formal and informal mission related messages. Messages must be processed and delivered in an accurate and timely manner. You should be able to demonstrate the following skills: a. Demonstrate how to send formal and informal messages b. Explain the significance of the message precedence c. Demonstrate how to fill out incoming message forms d. Demonstrate filling in a mission radio log e. Receive and route a formal message I knew the phonetic alphabet but I had to really brush up on CAP prowords. I have years of experience in my biker days of using a CB but that language is "forbidden" here. I couldn't say 10-4 good buddy to one single aircraft!! It was hard at first to understand incoming messages but everyone was so gracious as I learned. Soon I was aware of who hadn't checked in on time and I made sure to contact them. I can see some of our cadets become MRO's in the future. Check this training out sometime. 1Lt Jeannie Scott

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Cadets Corner . . .

Cadets Corner
By Capt. Cindy Bennett

Happy New Year! I truly hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is looking forward to the New Year. I am not one to make new years resolutions but I am ready to start the year off with great hope. I want this year to be better than last year in whatever way I can. We recently replaced one bedroom floor in our house. That is more than we did in previous years. As I look around at home and life there seems to be so much to do and so little time! It is almost like the question, How do you eat an elephant? The answer is one bite at a time. So as you look at school activities, work, church, family and CAP just take a deep breath and start finding those small bites that you can work with and soon you will see that the elephant is getting smaller. December is over but the memories remain. Who ever thought we would see a white Christmas in Alabama? The hope was always there but had not materialized until this year. Wasnt it great? I love snow . . . for about two days, then it is time for it to leave. I appreciate all the hard work, time and effort that our cadets and senior members have put into CAP this past year. I can see the difference it has made in our squadron and it has been just getting better and better. I would also like to say thanks to the parents, without your support we would not have such a great group. We did not have a lot of special activities in December, but there were some good meetings. The Christmas party with the senior members was fun. Our special speaker, Col. Bruce Bright was really interesting and informative. He really motivated the cadets. We also have a cadet that is participating in Alaskas Emergency Service Snow Extravaganza. C/ CMSgt. Jerrod Finley should be home shortly and we want to know all the details. His adventure started before he left when his flight was cancelled because snow was predicted. You know the south, when snow is forecast, you run to the store to stock up on bread and milk. I wonder what people do with that. The WESS cycle will return January 14-16, 2011, so everyone needs to start making sure you have everything you need for a cold weekend. There will be more discussion about WESS at the meetings. We also said goodbye to two of our cadets this month, Dax and Clay Mc Daniel have moved to Huntsville where they will be joining the Redstone squadron. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing them at future CAP activities in our wing. Congratulations to the following cadets that promoted in the month of December:
www.pellcitycap.org www.capnhq.gov www.gocivilairpatrol.com www.cadetstuff.org www.alabamaftx.com www.areyouanironman.com

The Cadet Oath

I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and that I will attend meetings regularly, participate actively in unit activities, obey my officers, wear my uniform properly, and advance my education and training rapidly to prepare myself to be of service to my community, state, and nation.

Helpful web sites:

Cadet Tiffany Chandler passed her Wright Bros test and promoted to C/SSgt., Cadet Allaina Howard promoted to C/MSgt., Cadet Michael Norwood promoted to C/MSgt., and Cadet Alena Scott promoted to C/Amn. Great job everyone! And now on to the . . . .

??????Capt. Bennetts Trivia Question?????

What are the grooming standards for your gender? Where are these standards found? Be the first to EMAIL your reply to: cbennett50@bellsouth.net and receive a prize!

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Standards / Evaluations Corner . . .

Happy New Year

It is that time of year when we reflect on the past 12 months and begin making plans and setting goals for the year we are just beginning. We have all heard about making New Years resolutions as one year ends and the next one starts. I have written many times that we, as pilots, should set ourselves goals to stay more proficient and current (P&C). If you do not fly for a living it can be difficult to find the time and funds to remain P&C. This squadrons members work very hard with various projects throughout the year to assist our members with the cost of their flying. We still offer our squadron members and some from the wing who assist in our fund raising projects a nice fuel discount. This helps take a lot of the sting out of the cost of flying CAP aircraft. It is most beneficial to the squadron that all pilots take the time to stay P&C. It helps us keep our aircraft because if we do not fly the aircraft the wing will find someone/another squadron who will utilize the equipment. It also helps the squadron stay mission ready. We want to be on the top of the list of who gets called when the wing is looking for a squadron to task for a mission. I have also mentioned in the past about continuing your flying education by earning another rating. CAP regulations allow the use of CAP aircraft to earn an advanced rating such an instrument or commercial rating. CAP wants you to continue to improve your flying skills by becoming an advanced rated pilot. So, when you are thinking about what your New Years resolution(s) will be this year, dont forget to include flying. If you are a CAP member who does not fly then set yourself a goal in professional development. Consider this: how long have you been at your current rank? Find out what is required to obtain the next level of rank and start working in that direction. I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year. I also hope 2011 will be a great year for everyone. Be Safe and War Eagle Go Tigers!!!! Maj. Chris Iddins

Did You Know Corner . . .

DID YOU KNOW?

Page 9

Did you know that even if you complete all of the practical training to qualify for a badge or rating, you may not be eligible to wear it? For instance, you can attend all six weekends of the Wing Emergency Services School (WESS) and complete all of the tasks and still not qualify for the ground team badge. The reason for this is that some people get a little lazy when it comes to completing the online training. If you dont complete the ES and FEMA courses you will not show up in E-Services as qualified. The same can be said about people who want to go flying. If you show up at the airport and you havent viewed the Aircraft Ground Handling video online, you cant even go out to the plane. That includes aircrew members as well. This video must also be reviewed annually. If you havent seen it yet or it has been over a year, you are listed in E-Services as not qualified to fly. You can find the video at https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.MultiMedia.Web/ Video.aspx . It would be ashamed to miss an opportunity to fly just because you havent seen the video. Oh yes, did I mention the test? Dont worry, it is just 10 easy questions. I dont know all of the requirements for every specialty or ES rating but If you take the time to look through EServices and the CAP web pages, you will find the regulations and pamphlets needed to stay current and be able to proudly display your ratings. So now you know. Eddie Shurbutt, 1LT

The new E-edition of the January-March 2011 issue of the Civil Air Patrol Volunteer is now available at: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/cap_volunteer

Computer Software and Hardware

Consistent Computer Bargains

CAP members and units now have the opportunity to purchase computer hardware and software at discount prices. Members can view the CCBN website at http://www.ccbnonprofits.com for a list of products available but must contact Tom Haven at 800.342.4222 ext 112 to make a purchase. This arrangement allows for purchases not only for unit computers but also for member's personal computers.

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Pell Citys Christmas Party

This years CAP Christmas Party was a little different than ones of the past, but it will be one that will be remembered for years to come. Seventy-seven CAP members, family members, friends, and guests met December 9, at the Pell City Recreation Center. Our special speaker, Lt. Col. Bruce Bright, USMC (Ret.) spent 4 years as a Marine Infantryman and 24 years as a Marine F/A-18 Pilot. He now is director of Business Development for a Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm in Birmingham, Alabama, and is founder of Bright Consulting Group. Col. Bright inspired all of us to be the best we could be and make each moment count. We appreciate his generosity and willingness to give of his time in coming to speak to our group. We were also honored to have his wife and 2 of their 3 children join us. In addition to Lt. Col. Bright, we were honored by having our Wing Commander, Col. Lisa Robinson and Vice Commander, Lt. Col. Jack Lynn in attendance. A big THANK YOU goes to our squadron commander, Major Jim Gosnell and his wife , 2nd Lt. Rebecca Gosnell for all the hard work they (along with others) did in making sure the meat and meal were provided, setting up tables and decorations, and making sure everything was put back in place once the party was over. We really have a great group of senior members and cadets!

Pell City Squadron 118 Civil Air Patrols 2010 Christmas Party

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Cadet Promotions and Information . . .

Promotions: Senior Member Promotions: 2nd Lt. Thomas Deal and 2dLt Beth Shurbutt Cadet Promotions:

C/SSgt Tiffany Chandler

C/MSgt Allaina Howard

C/TSgt Allison Howard

Dax McDaniel

MSgt Michael Norwood

C/Amn Alena Scott

Newest Cadet: C/Amn Alena Scott officially joined in Dec 2010 Cadet Phase Report: 8 Cadets in Phase 1, 10 Cadets in Phase 2, 3 Cadets in Phase 3, 1 Cadet in Phase 4

Alabama/Mississippi Summer Encampment

THIS SUMMER in ALABAMA
13 Active Cadets should consider ALMS Encampment this summer. Encampment is a requirement before beginning Phase 3. If you are in Phase 2 and have not gone, you should begin preparing for this now. It will be in Alabama this year!

Cyber Patriot Semi-Finals:

Saturday, January 8, 2011 We have 3 operating systems to secure. If we are one of the top 12 teams, we will go to the Finals in DC!