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Brainerd
Airport Newsletter
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| Summer 2010 |
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Remaining Aloft
Feedback from the first
issue of Short Final was extremely positive so
here we go again. The EMPTY box for Short Final
editorial contribution is on the counter at
Airmotive. Information can also be emailed to
Winger@brainerd.net. Your story ideas, comments,
classified ads and recipes are always welcome.
Please contribute early and often to help make
this publication better from issue to issue.
Thank you for your positive feedback, here's
hoping you continue to enjoy Short Final.
From the Airport
Commission....
The Airport Manager, staff
and Airport Commission continue to be very busy
with much activity taking place on the grounds
of our beautiful Brainerd Lakes Regi
onal Airport. Thanks so
much to our very efficient maintenance crew for
keeping the grounds so beautifully groomed, and
more importantly, safe for our tenants and
visitors.
Plans are coming along
nicely for the second annual Airport Open House
scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2010 from
1-4:00 P.M. Plans include a T-6 static display
and flyby from the Commemorative Air Force as
well as a static display and flybys featuring
aircraft from Camp Ripley, We wish to thank the
Snodeos snowmobile club, Short Ellio
tt and Hendrickson, Inc.
and Architechtural Alliance for funding the
Commemorative Air Force participation this year.
Many thanks to Steve Arhart for securing fuel
for the participating CAF aircraft through his
vendors. Airmotive Enterprises, Inc. will also
be selling rides in their Cessna 172 Skyhawks
and helicopter rides are being planned with
Brainerd Helicopter Service. Delicious
refreshments will be provided for all!
The Commission is happy to
report that the Minnesota State Patrol will be a
presence at our airport beginning July 1, 2010.
They will be renting one of the new large
hangars for their helicopter and fixed wing
aircraft. The Minnesota DNR will also be moving
their helicopters and Cessna 185 to one of the
new large hangars as well. These hangars are
being upgraded to include heat and office space
for those two tenants. The Commission is pleased
to have state law enforcement agencies making
their home offices at our airport.
The Commission is also
continuing in preliminary planning fo
r the Airport Terminal
Remodeling and Expansion project. The current
terminal is thirty years old, not in compliance
with ADA, and needs upgrading due to TSA
requirements. The Commission is currently
awaiting final FAA funding decisions.
Along with major building
plans, runway extensions, courting new tenants,
and planning for open houses, the Commission is
also going forward with implementing employee
performance reviews for the six airport
employees. Formularies recommended by the Crow
Wing County Human Resources Department will be
used.
As always, please feel free
to contact either the Airport Manager, Steve
Sievek, or one of your friendly Airport
Commissioners with any questions, concerns, or
suggestions. The Commission meets the first
Tuesday of each month at 9:30 and the public is
welcome to attend!
Beth Pfingsten, Chair
Airport Commission
Interesting
Visitors
The evening of May 26
brought a Compass Airlines Embraer 175 to
Brainerd. Capable of carrying 88 passengers this
twin engine airliner was enroute from LaGuardia
in New York to Minneapolis when it diverted for
fuel due to thunderstorms in the Twin Cities.
After about an hour an a half on the ground and
with a new fuel load they departed on runway 23
for Minneapolis.
Even more interesting was a
visit from a U. S. Military Metroliner on May
24th and 25th. While extremely tight lipped
about their mission, the aircraft had a rotating
turret camera under the belly and the first
third of the fuselage was packed with electronic
gear. The crew simply reported that their
mission was working for Homeland Security and
since they were armed no further information was
solicited.
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Upcoming Events.
June 26/27 St. Cloud
Airshow
July 3-5 American
Barnstormers Tour
Alexandria Minnesota
July 6 Airport Commission
9:30 a.m.
July 17/18 Duluth Airshow
July 26-Aug 1 Airventure
Oshkosh
July 27 BARC Meeting 6:30
p.m.
August 3 Airport Commission
9:30 a.m.
August 24 BARC Meeting 6:30
p.m.
September 7 Airport
Commission 9:30 a.m.
September 18 Brainerd
Airport Open House 1-4 p.m.
September 28 BARC Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Runway 16/34
Extension Update
The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) recently approved the
justification for a 600-foot extension of Runway
16/34. The runway extension project was bid in
spring 2010 and the contract was awarded to
Tri-City Paving of Little Falls, MN. It is
anticipated that construction of the runway
extension will begin in late summer 2010.
The runway extension will
enable commercial airlines to operate larger
aircraft, including the Canadair Regional Jet
(CRJ) 200 flown by Delta Air Lines. While a
CRJ200 requires a 7,700-foot long runway to
takeoff at maximum takeoff weight at BRD on the
mean maximum temperature day in July, a
7,100-foot runway allows a CRJ200 to takeoff
with a takeoff weight of 51,500 lbs (88.9%
useful load). A 7,100-foot long runway
allows the airport to expand the runway within
the existing airport property thus eliminating
impacts to the Mississippi River and Highway
210.
It is unknown when Mesaba
Airlines (or potentially another airline) may
begin serving BRD with a CRJ200 or similar airc
raft.
The initiation of this
service depends on the current and future market
and the future fleet choices of Mesaba Airlines.
It is assumed that Mesaba Airlines will begin
using BRD as an alternate destination in the
immediate future when the runway is extended.
The future use of BRD as a CRJ200 alternate will
likely result in some immediate CRJ200
operations. The total operations depend on
weather and other conditions at airports such as
Duluth International Airport (DLH) and
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
that may result in aircraft using alternate
airports such as BRD.
It Happened in
Aviation
July 2, 1937... Amelia
Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan are lost over
the South Pacific near Howland Island in a
Lockheed Electra. This was to be her last
long-distance attempt.
July 20, 1969... Neil
Armstrong lands the lunar module Eagle on the
surface of the moon. His immortal first words
are, "that's one small step for man, one giant
leap for mankind."
August 2, 1909... The first
flying machine purchased and put into service by
a government is the Wright Flyer. The US Army
accepts its first airplane and pays the Wrights
$25,000, plus a $5,000 bonus, because the
machine exceeded the speed requirement of 40
mph.
August 3, 1921...
Lieutenant John A. Macready of the U.S. Army Air
Corps finds a new use for airplanes when he
sprays a patch of ground infested with
caterpillars. This practice becomes known as
crop du
sting.
August 15, 1958... Congress
approves a bill creating the Federal Aviation
Agency (FAA).
September 13,
1935...Millionaire film producer and amateur air
racer Howard Hughes shatters the world land
plane speed record in his home built Hughes
Racer airplane.
VFR (Very Frivolous
Ramblings)
Question #1. During World
War II, which one of these oldie but goodie
comedians was machining parts for Douglas for
the DC-3 in his garage?
A. Bud Abbott or Lou
Costello
B. Stan Laurel or Oliver
Hardy
C. One of the Marx Brothers
D. One of the Three Stooges
Question #2. As pilots we
know that V speeds are speeds that define
certain performance and limiting characteristics
of an aircraft.
What is the origin of the
"V"?
Question #3. Who was the
first US president to get a pilot's license?
A. JFK
B. Ronald Regan
C. John Travolta
D. Dwight Eisenhower
Question #4. The missing
man formation is usually flown over a funeral or
memorial event in honor of a fallen soldier. It
is customary for the wingman to pull up and pull
away, or simply be missing. What does it mean
when it's not the wingman, but the formation
leader that pulls up and away or is missing?
(answers on page four)
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DARFF Training at KBRD
From a distance it may have looked like a crash
on the west side of the airport, black smoke
rising steadily skyward. Fortunately the black
smoke over the field on May 10 was not a crash
but a training exercise for our resident ARFF
(Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting) staff.
Thanks to a new portable training aircraft
certified by the FAA, this was the first time
that this live fire training was held on site at
our own airport. Previously held at the Superior
College facility in Duluth, this mobile training
equipment not only saves dollars but allows all
5 of our trained fire fighters to train together
on their own equipment. As a result the 8 hour
session was deemed by all to be a much higher
quality training exercise.
This instruction, required by the FAA, is an
annual event and planned expansion of this on
site training is expected to improve it even
more in future years. The training included
simulated engine fires, hot brake/wheel fires,
APU fires and spilled fuel fires. Our people
practiced approaching and extinguishing all of
these common types of aircraft fires.
Our trained ARFF staff is made up of Dan
Thesing, Tim Holtz, Jim Wulf, Mike Arnold and
Steve Sievek. In addition to firefighting, they
also are all trained EMT's.
The odds are great that you will never have an
accident at the Brainerd Airport but it is
reassuring to know that our trained firefighters
and EMT's are on guard to assist you.
Wildlife Abounds
All of us enjoy the Northern Minnesota natural
lifestyle, but the wildlife we all appreciate
around us can turn deadly when within the
airport fence.
This spring and early summer there have been
multiple instances of wildlife getting inside
the fence at our airport. Coyotes, wolves and of
course deer have been spotted on the grounds and
around the runways and taxi ways. In addition
there have been some issues with waterfowl on
the runways.
Our maintenance staff works diligently to
eliminate this wildlife to keep the airport safe
but they can use your help.
If you see any wildlife that is on the airport
grounds, please be sure to call unicom and
report it. Please don't assume that someone else
will see and report it. Our maintenance folks
monitor unicom and they will go out immediately
to try and take care of the problem. Safety is
everyone's job so please help in this effort.
Great Airshows in Our Area
Airshow fans in the Brainerd Lakes area are
fortunate this year to have two major airshows
within an easy drive. The St. Cloud Airshow
features the United States Navy Blue Angels on
June 26 and 27. Several other national and
regional airshow acts will also perform. Tickets
can be purchased and schedule info is available
at -
www.thegreatminnesotaairshow.com
In addition to the St. Cloud show, Duluth will
play host to the United States Air Force
Thunderbirds on July 17 and 18. Many other
national and regional acts will perform
including a nationally known pyrotechnics team
creating a huge wall of fire that will simulate
a bombing run. Purchase tickets online and view
the schedule at
www.duluthairshow.com.
Both shows promise to be great, don't miss th is
rare opportunity to see both of the major
military jet teams right here in northern
Minnesota.
Cliff Claven Little Known KBRD Fact
Did you know that the well known explorer
Zebulon Pike (of Pikes Peak fame) once camped on
airport property?
In 1805 he was commissioned to determine the
headwaters of the Mississippi River. His
expedition led him upriver in December of 1805
and back down river in March of 1806.
While Pikes' journal does not give us the
precise location, some historians believe that
December 28 or 29 of 1805 he camped at what is
now the French Rapids airport property, and
passed back down through the area again in the
morning of March 1, 1806.
After a brutal winter of trekking and camping,
he incorrectly identified the origin of the
Mississippi River as Cass Lake.
GA Security for Everyone
If you want more federal government intervention
in the operation of your airport then read no
further.
While we rarely think about it at KBRD, security
from terrorism and from theft is everybody's
business at our airport.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA) has partnered with the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) to develop a
nationwide Airport Watch Program. The Airport
Watch Program has a toll free number 24/7 for
you to report any suspicious activity -
866-GA-SECURE (866-427-3287). Learn more about
what to watch out for at
www.aopa.org/airportwatch
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American Barnstormers Tour
July 3-5 will bring 20 vintage aircraft to the
Alexandria Airport. If anyone is interested in
car/plane pooling on any those days, please see
Mike Petersen at Airmotive. For more information
go to
www.americanbarnstormerstour.com
Test Your Knowledge
What situation is most conducive to the
formation of radiation fog?
A) The movement of cold air over much warmer
water.
B) Warm, moist air over low, flatland areas on
clear, calm nights.
C) Moist, tropical air moving over cold,
offshore water.
Correct answer in next column.
High Flying Humor
After a lengthy delay at the gate while waiting
to depart, the Captain finally came on the PA
system and announced: "I'm sorry for the delay,
but the machine that smashes your baggage and
removes the handles is broken, so the ground
crew is having to do it all by hand today!"
Tower: "Delta Zulu Romeo, turn right now and
report your heading."
Pilot: "Wilco. 341, 342, 343, 344, 345..."
Student Pilot: "I'm lost; I'm over a lake and
heading toward the big E."
Controller: "Make several 90 degree turns so I
can identify you on radar."
(short pause)...
Controller: "Okay then. That lake is the
Atlantic Ocean. Suggest you turn to
the big W immediately ..."
Wisdom of Experience
-A good simulator check ride is like successful
surgery on a cadaver.
-An airplane may disappoint a good pilot, but it
won't surprise him
-Hovering is for pilots who love to fly but have
no place to go.
-The Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it
can just barely kill you.
-Standard checklist philosophy requires that
pilots read to each other the actions they
perform every flight, and recite from memory
those they need every three years.
VFR Answers (from page two)
Question #1.
C Groucho Marx founded Marman Products which
eventually had more than 500 employees. He was
funny guy until 1933. In 1941 he became an
inventor. He developed the Marman clamp which
attached atomic bombs to aircraft for use in the
war.
Question #2. The "V" stands for velocity.
Question #3. D. Dwight Eisenhower got his
pilot's license in 1939.
Question #4. When the formation leader pulls up
and away or is missing, it salutes a fallen
military leader.
Classified Ads
Classified ads are free to individuals that have
items to sell. Please place your classified ad
requests in the On Final box at the Airmotive
Counter.
Test Your Knowledge Answer
Correct Answer: B) Warm, moist air over low,
flatland areas on clear, calm nights.
Sierra Whiskey Marinade
A favorite of our Maintenance staff, great for
steak, pork and poultry. Wait 8 hours after
eating before flying!
1/2 cup Whiskey (your favorite brand)
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon each salt and pepper
Place brown sugar in bowl and mix in whiskey,
add olive oil to mixture. Add remaining
ingredients.
Pour mixture onto meat in airtight container and
shake. Shake repeatedly while marinating 3 hours
to overnight. Grill to desired doneness.
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