CAP Cadets and Senior members of the Civil Air Patrol 391st Composite squadron were treated to an
industry “First” as Bell Helicopter unveiled its’ new  525 “Relentless” while they attended the annual Heli-Expo-2012 Trade show in  Dallas courtesy of Annette Duplinsky of Helicopter Association International.

According to the Bell Helicopter President John Garrison, the design was arrived at after talking to many past, present and future customers about their needs and wants in a new helicopter.  The “Relentless” will have
larger more comfortable seats and easier entry and exit of the aircraft.  The new copter will have the latest in cockpit
technology and digital flight controls which should make it easier to fly, especially in inclement weather.  When the helicopter is put into production it will be designed by engineers at the Bell Plant in Hurst and fully assembled in Amarillo, Texas. 

CAP members also saw many other examples of  the latest innovations in helicopter flight and navigation technology  both available now and under development.  For example, cadets were introduced to Night Flight Concepts new optical system for night vision goggles that will guard against Laser beams and their harmful effects.  More and more pilots are finding themselves exposed to these harmful rays at low altitudes and during approaches.

By attending these types of events cadets are exposed to the many career opportunities available to individuals in the field of aviation.  As always our thanks to Senior Members Lts. Mark Holub, Ron Kratz and Winston Cutshall for arranging another interesting and exciting look into the aerospace industry


                   
                                                                                -30-

                                                              
For more information contact:    1st Lt. Robert R. Bruton
                                                    Public Affairs Officer
                                                    391st Dallas Composite Squadron
                                                    Civil Air Patrol
                                                    (817) 685 9658

Thanks to the outreach of 2nd Lt Mark Holub, Senior Member, and Capt. Seth Grenke, Deputy Commander Cadet Programs for  the Civil Air Patrol’s 391st Composite Squadron , Cadets and Seniors were treated to an extensive tour of  Flight Safety-Dallas.  The company, located just  East of DFW Airport has over 24 pilot training simulators under one roof and the only  EC135P2+  Eurocopter flight simulator in the World. 

After a tour of the building, the squadron was introduced to the Flight Attendants safety course and the Pratt & Whitney  jet engine maintenance course.   The Flight Attendant course prepares crews for  in flight emergencies such as  cabin fires or water landings or other  unplanned  event.  The engine maintenance course is so thorough that
engine manufacturer  Pratt & Whitney sends its’ newly hired mechanics to Flight Safety for  training. 

Then, the moment we were all waiting for!  Seniors and Cadets were invited to try their flying skills with the twin engine Eurocopter  EC135P2+ flight simulator.  From take off  to landing, in good weather and  bad,  the “copter” was yours to fly.   It was simply a fantastic experience!

Normally it takes about 18 months to build and completely develop and certify a conventional aircraft simulator.  Flight Safety spent over two years developing  the computer programs  necessary to create all of  the flight and weather scenarios needed to obtain a FAA level 3 certification.  This means that the EC135 Eurocopter  training is thorough enough to enable a student to complete the simulator  course and with no actual flight time in the helicopter, step into the cockpit and safely fly “the real thing”.

Our thanks to Daniel Maclellan, Flight Safety Dallas Center Manager,  Assistant Center Manager Paul Kutcha,  Flight instructor John Healy and P&W Engine instructor Wayne Russell for by far, the Squadron’s most interesting and thought provoking  “Fun Day”.
                                                                           -30-

For more information contact:    1st Lt. Robert R. Bruton
                                                    Public Affairs Officer
                                                    391st Composite Squadron
                                                    Civil Air Patrol Dallas
                                                    (817) 685 9658

Wow, was not enough to describe the latest guided tour of the Civil Air Patrol’s 391st Composite Squadron.
Monday November 28th the Dallas Squadron was treated to a tour of the Associated Air Center and its’ three
Love  Field hangers, arranged by SM Juan Garcia, who is employed by Associated Air and conducted by  Executive Vice President of  Sales Patricio Altuna and George Florio. Associated Air Center specializes in producing the highest quality of interior design for large aircraft such as the Boeing 737, 757, 767 and 747.

The tour began with obtaining visitor badges and safety glasses that we were required to wear and then it was on to our first stop, the design and engineering section.  This section creates the final design of furniture and fittings
to the customers exact taste and wants.  A significant level of effort is put forth to capture every detail of the clients’ needs and desires based on criteria such as previously owned aircraft or status in the world community.  The more the company knows about a client, the greater likelihood of achieving complete client satisfaction.  The company then produces a detailed plan of construction that can be anywhere from  60 to 300 pages, before any fabrication work begins. 

Most interior materials are deceiving in their appearance.  Solid wood and marble are actually super thin veneers of
the actual wood and stone.  These veneers are reinforced with a corrugated backing that give the product its’ specified  strength.  An example of the exacting standards of production is that the interior construction has a tolerance of 1/8th an inch and can take 12 to 14 months to complete.  The company uses a mock up of the plane to be refurbished in order to accommodate as many of the clients wished as possible

After construction is complete aircraft certification is subject to the aircraft’s country of origin.  As a part of the planning process, Associated makes note of which country’s aviation authority rules will need to be accommodated.

You’ve heard, I am sure, of the urban myth of the aircraft owner who demanded that his bed be horizontal at all times during flight.  Associated Air showed us the bed under construction.  The bed could be automatically adjusted to accommodate that request to a maximum of 5 degrees “up angle” of attack. 

Associated Air not only does interior furnishing but can offer a client such services as aircraft inspection, maintenance and equipment upgrades.  One example is modifications for additional fuel capacity.   Since these aircraft will be carrying fewer passengers the luggage compartments can be modified to carry extra fuel.   These extra fuel tanks can improve the aircraft’s available flight duration from 6  to 7 hours to as much as 12-14 hours. 

The key to success for every project is elegance and quality at any cost. 

Having exposed the cadets to another career option within the world of aviation and experienced the results of Associated Air Center’s professional craftsmen, the tour concluded under the wing of the Dallas Mavericks new Boeing 757.
                                                                           -30-

For more information contact:    1st Lt. Robert R. Bruton
                                                    Public Affairs Officer
                                                    391st Composite Squadron
                                                    Civil Air Patrol Dallas 
                                                    (817) 685 9658

If  you missed the weekly meeting of the Civil Air Patrols 391st  Composite Squadron on Monday 14 November, you missed a great meeting.  After the usual announcements by Lt Col Bobby Sides who was subbing for Squadron Commander Captain Ian Jaeger, Captain Al Garrett introduced Bill Signs.  Mr Signs presented a very interesting account of his reenactment of Charles A. Lindbergh’s record-breaking flight across the Atlantic Ocean, enroute to Paris, France.  Lindbergh’s actual flight time across the Atlantic, was some 33.5hours.  Bill Signs time was considerably less, just 23 hours.  Both flights began in San Diego California, the place where Mr. Lindbergh first picked up the Ryan Monoplane he named “The Spirit of Saint Louis”.  Next stop Saint Louis, Missouri. 

Roosevelt Field in Long Island (now closed) was the site of the original record setting flight by Lindbergh, in May of 1927.  The site is now a shopping center.  Bill Signs took off from Republic Field, Long Island, New York.  Signs carried six ham sandwiches and a bottle of water, the same as Lindbergh.  Weather conditions, and the time of day of  “ lift off” were the same as Lindbergh’s.  On arrival  in Paris, Lindberg circled the Eiffel tower twice before  landing at Le Bourget airport.  With the help of two air traffic controllers whom he had met earlier, Mr. Signs accomplished the same maneuver, circling twice around the famed land mark before landing at LeBourget.

Unlike Mr. Lindbergh, Bill Signs chose to fly his plane back to America.  Lindbergh had the “Spirit of St. Louis” placed in a special crate and loaded aboard a U. S. bound destroyer.   Today, the crate still exists; it is part of a visitor center at a small airport in upstate Maine.  Signs’s route back to the U.S. followed the same route used by the U.S. Army Air Corp to deliver planes to Europe during World War II.  The route led from England to Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and the U.S.  Several years earlier, Signs had participated in the“70th Anniversary of the Flight from Barrow, Alaska to Spitsbergen, Norway.  Spitsbergen is the largest of the islands of the Archipelago  islands located off  the coast of Norway just below the Arctic Circle.  

Mr. Signs displayed antique flight equipment and artifacts he had accumulated in his years of flying throughout the world and to the North and South  Poles.  Mr. Signs was also kind enough to bring the 1974 Cessna 210L,  In which he crossed  he Atlantic, to the Portico of  Dallas Business Jet for our inspection.  At the end of the meeting, some Cadet and  Senior  members were given souvenir  baseball caps commemorating  the “Friendship Flight 98” and the 70th Anniversary of the Barrow to Spitsberg flight of  Mr. Carl Ben Eiselson .  At the conclusion of the program,  2nd Lt Winston Cutshall presented Mr. Signs with a certificate of appreciation from the Squadron.  Our thanks to Senior Member Captain Al Garrett for arranging for the appearance of the guest speaker.


For more information  contact:     Robert R. Bruton 1st Lt
                                                     Public Affairs Officer
                                                     391st Composite Squadron
                                                     Civil Air Patrol
                                                     Dallas, Texas    
                                                                   

CAP Senior Members and Cadets got an up close look at the future Monday September 26th during their weekly meeting at Business Jet Center, Dallas Love Field.

Engineers Ivan Rodriguez and David Markiewicz who work for Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies displayed some of the latest optical technologies used by U.S. Armed Forces.  After a brief slide show highlighting the research and development life cycle, squadron members were invited to explore “hands-on” some of the products developed by ELCAN Optical Technologies.

Demonstrations of current technology included infrared scopes that could detect the presence of latent hand and foot prints by detecting a temperature differential of  as little as a fraction of a degree.  This was demonstrated to the audience by having a member touch a wall and then view the heat hand-print where the hand had touched the wall. Squadron members also explored target identifiers fitted to rifles, along with various metal and composite materials used in the manufacture of these and other “wonder weapons”.

Both Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Markiewicz emphasized the industry need and opportunities for engineers of all types and underscored a continuing need for mechanical, electrical and optical engineers by defense contractors such as Raytheon.

At the conclusion of the evenings presentation both men were presented with certificates of appreciation by Squadron Commander, Captain Ian Jaeger, who said “We are grateful for the support of Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies and to Ivan and David for demonstrating the real world application of concepts foundational to Civil Air Patrol’s cadet leadership and aerospace education programs.”

The CIVIL AIR PATROL is the auxiliary of the United States Air Force with three primary missions aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.  CAP handles over 90%  of inland search and rescue missions, saving approximately 75 lives each year.  CAP members are usually the first on the scene sending digital satellite images of damage around the world within seconds after arrival.  CAP provides disaster relief and emergency services following natural and man made disasters, including such events as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Texas and Oklahoma wildfires, tornadoes in the South and flooding in the Central U.S.  CAP members also fly counterdrug reconnaissance and teach Cadet and Aerospace Programs.

For more information contact :  1st Lt Robert R. Bruton
                                                     Public Affairs Officer
                                                     391st Composite Squadron
                                                     Dallas, TX
                                                     @817 685 9658 or
                                                     bobbruton@sbcglobal.net

Aerospace education took a “hands on” approach at the weekly meeting of the 391st Composite Squadron Dallas Civil Air Patrol in the conference room of Dallas Love Field’s Business Jet Center.  Both Cadets and Senior Members took part in a” hands on” building of wind tunnels to demonstrate the effects of wind on different shapes and airfoils.  Aerospace Education Officer 2nd Lt Winston Cutshall prepared the exercise which used readily available scrap cardboard, tape, utility knives, marking pens and metal yard sticks.  After a safety briefing on the proper use of cutting tools by CS/Sgt Schlenker, Senior Members and Cadets formed two competitive teams that used cardboard, tape and utility knives to construct two conical, vertical wind tunnels with viewing windows.  Wind effects were created by using common electric box fans. Members then inserted various shapes and airfoils into the vertical tunnels to view the wind’s effect and measure the force exerted on the test objects.  The competition as to who would complete construction first was a spirited race later won by the cadets.  Building the tunnels was not as easy as one might think. Thanks to printed instructions provided by Lt. Cutshall and the Civil Air Patrol’s Aerospace Excellence program, design and layout of the tunnels was greatly simplified, and became rather easy but time consuming to construct. This is just one exercise enjoyed by CAP Cadets in their on going quest for fun and knowledge about aerospace in the 21st century.  If you would like to participate in future activities and become a Cadet or Senior Member of the Civil Air Patrol an auxiliary of the United States Air Force please come visit a meeting and learn about the simple process of joining! 

CAP 391st Composite Squadron scored  a “Two-Fer” early Monday morning September 19th.  

Sunday September 18th when the DFW Control Center received several reports of an ELT (emergency locater  transmitter) signal  being received  by passing commercial aircraft near Bonham , Texas, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC)  deployed the 391st Composite Squadron to assist.

Squadron commander, Captain Ian Jaeger, was tasked with assembling a flight aircrew to conduct the search.  Captain Jaeger successfully pulled together a flight aircrew in less than 1 hour, to begin the search; not an easy task when you are asking aircrew members to leave a comfortable Sunday evening for a night of flying in marginal weather.  Yet, Lieutenants Wes Schlenker and Bob Bruton volunteered to serve as Observer and Scanner respectively.

After a long delay waiting for thunderstorms to pass through the area, the mission was finally launched.  Shortly after 11pm CDT, the crew proceeded to the area of Bonham , Texas and began orbiting the area in search of the elusive ELT signal.  After orbiting for sometime, the mission turned south toward Lake Whitney State Park to continue the search.  As the aircraft neared Hillsboro, TX, the Becker directional finding equipment indicated a strong signal in the direction of the Hillsboro municipal airport.  After an orbit of the Hillsboro airport, the crew spotted a wrecked Beechcraft King Air just east of the main runway.  In further discussion with Fort Worth Center, the crew were advised that the plane may have crashed the day before and was probably the source of the ELT signal.

After landing, the air crew met up with Hill County Sheriff Deputy, Mark Norris, who was dispatched to assist with the search of the aircraft.   Proceeding across an extremely muddy and  drought induced gap filled infield encountering gaping open splits  in the earth as  wide as forty inches more than ten inches deep and with only flashlights to guide them,  the crew finally reached the ground looped aircraft.  

At first the transmitter could not be located but using knowledge gained as a jet aircraft mechanic in the U.S.  Air Force 1st Lieutenant Bob Bruton was able to locate the access panel.  After opening the panel, 1st Lieutenant Wes Schlenker was able to locate and silence the ELT.

Then the fun began….trying to remove Central Texas Mud Gumbo from their boots.  After unloading several pounds of mud, the boots still remained too dirty to wear aboard the aircraft for the return flight to Dallas Love Field.  Thanks to Deputy Norris providing paper “evidence bags”, the crew was able to stow their boots in the aircraft luggage compartment and fly barefooted back to Dallas.

But the night wasn’t over!  As the aircrew departed Hillsboro the Becker receiver picked up a NEW signal in the direction of Lancaster municipal airport.  Upon landing at Lancaster the crew taxied up and down the taxiway until they were able to pinpoint the exact location of the ELT.   Unable to gain access to the ELT location, the crew requested a ground search to turn off the errant ELT later that day.  

After departing Lancaster and making a necessary refueling stop at Dallas Executive airport the air portion of the mission finally closed out at 06:15 local time.  

In this case the “MudBirds”, ended a long and satisfying mission that yielded a “TWO-FER” which means all crew members became eligible to receive “Find” ribbons with a propeller device signifying two “Finds”
                                                                                                                         
For more information contact :  1st Lt Robert R. Bruton
                                                     Public Affairs Officer
                                                     391st Composite Squadron
                                                     Dallas, TX
                                                     @817 685 9658 or
                                                     bobbruton@sbcglobal.net