344 Truckee Airport’s Challenges and its FLY SAFE Program for Pilots – with Jeff Menasco + GA News

In this episode, Max talks with Jeff Menasco, the Director of Aviation at Truckee Tahoe Airport, where he delves into the unique challenges and opportunities associated with flying in this picturesque yet complex environment. The airport, located at a field elevation of 5,901 feet, demands pilots to account for high-density altitude conditions, even on standard days. For instance, with a forecast temperature of 76 degrees, the density altitude can push 8,000 feet or higher, affecting aircraft performance significantly. On particularly warm days, density altitudes can soar over 9,000 feet, making aircraft feel like they are flying at much higher altitudes, which can surprise many pilots.

The terrain surrounding Truckee Tahoe Airport adds another layer of complexity. Nestled in a bowl of mountains, the airport poses significant challenges due to its high approach minimums for weather and the orthographic effects on winds. The typical summer afternoons see winds from the southwest at 15 to 20 knots, gusting up to 35 knots on stronger days. These conditions, coupled with the high density altitude and the lack of favorable approach routes due to the terrain, make the airport a demanding environment for pilots.

In the winter, the airport can receive substantial snowfall, with the 2023-24 winter seeing about 15 feet of snow, while the previous winter saw a record 30 feet. This necessitates extensive snow removal efforts to keep the runways, taxiways, and hangar rows operational. Without de-icing facilities, aircraft based at Truckee need to be hangared to avoid operational challenges in such conditions.

Jeff emphasizes that Truckee Tahoe Airport’s unique geographic location and proximity to the Bay Area, which has one of the highest concentrations of wealth globally, make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts from the Bay Area and Southern California. This demographic factor significantly influences the air traffic patterns at Truckee, with about 65% of all traffic coming from the Bay Area.

Examining accident trends, Menasco and the Chief of Safety reviewed incidents from 1996 to the present, identifying 24 significant accidents. Trends emerged, such as piston aircraft experiencing power loss under high-density altitude and gusty wind conditions, often involving lower-time pilots. Additionally, IFR accidents frequently involved visual obscurations and circling maneuvers, with a notable portion occurring during dusk or dark conditions. These trends underscore the importance of thorough pre-flight planning and robust in-flight judgment.

Jeff outlines his theory of flying, categorizing it into planning, judgment, skill, and luck. Planning encompasses all preparatory work done at zero ground speed, such as understanding aircraft manuals and weather data. Judgment involves decision-making in the air, influenced by knowledge and experience. Skill is required in critical moments but should be minimized in favor of judgment. Luck represents situations beyond a pilot’s control, which should be minimized through careful planning and judgment.

Truckee Tahoe Airport’s commitment to safety is reflected in initiatives like the FLY SAFE program, which incentivizes hangar tenants to complete one FAA Wings phase per year for a rental discount. The airport also hosts monthly safety seminars, averaging 28 pilots per session, to foster a culture of safety and shared learning among local aviators. The upcoming Cirrus flight clinic, designed to provide practical mountain flying experience, exemplifies the airport’s proactive approach to pilot education and proficiency.

Finally, Menasco touches on the airport’s efforts to balance aviation activities with community noise sensitivity. Through the Fly Quiet program and online resources, the airport provides guidance on quieter arrival and departure procedures. Specific protocols for shoulder hours (10 PM to 11 PM and 6 AM to 7 AM) are in place to minimize noise disruptions, with recommended routes that also enhance safety by offering better emergency landing options.

Overall, the Truckee Tahoe Airport, while presenting inherent risks due to its high-altitude, mountainous location, remains a rewarding destination for well-prepared pilots. The airport’s strategic focus on safety, education, and community harmony aims to ensure that pilots can enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities of the area while mitigating the associated risks.

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Mentioned on the Show
#322 N960LP TBM 960 Truckee Crash
Video of the Week: CHP Foot chase over rooftops
Helicopter makes emergency landing in Philadelphia after running low on fuel
Virginia flight school closes abruptly, leaving students out thousands of dollars
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132 Getting Pilots To Slow Down to Reduce Risk and Improve Performance + GA News


132 Getting Pilots To Slow Down to Reduce Risk and Improve Performance + GA News

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Summary
132 Max tells stories about pilots who made all kinds of mistakes by rushing. He talks about the many bumps his gotten during preflight. He also discusses poor checklist habits and how skipping one checklist item led to the destruction of a new $900,000. He also talks about how rushing radio communications leads to stepping on other pilot transmissions and inaccurate position reports.

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Mentioned in the Show
Mission Flight
Mission Flight YouTube Video
Flying Magazine: Slow Down Your Flying
How (and why) Lufthansa trains its pilots in Phoenix, Arizona
A Year Of Stewardship – Managing A Flying Club Airplane
Caleb Carr, 25, Cofounded A Company To Help Stabilize Helicopter Baskets
Greenland Air Trophy 2020
Greenland Air Trophy 2020 YouTube Video
Columbia, CA Airport

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130 SR22 Crash into House in Southern California, Winter Coat Drive + GA News


130 SR22 Crash into House in Southern California, Winter Coat Drive + GA News

Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you’re thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus.

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Summary
130 Max talks with pilot Eric Gundersen, who created a video that shows some of the factors that led to the crash of a SR22 that was landing at Cable Airport in Upland, CA. The factors identified could apply to any aircraft type and is a cautionary tale for all pilots. And a group of pilots in Mississippi collected and delivered 1000 winter coats for needy children in Wounded Knee, SD.

News Stories

Mentioned in the Show
Email Lynn and Anita Havens about Winter Coat Drive
Statistics About Pine Ridge Reservation
Donation Needs for Pine Ridge Reservation
Erik Gundersen’s video of SR22 crash
Noise Abatement software tracking site
Fingertip Oximeter for measuring inflight oxygen levels

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93 San Jose’s GA Reliever, Reid-Hillview Airport, Threatened by Closure + General Aviation News


93 San Jose’s GA Reliever, Reid-Hillview Airport, Threatened by Closure + GA News

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Summary
93 In addition to discussing GA news, Max talks with Walt Gyger about recent actions by county supervisors that open the door to closing Reid-Hillview Airport. Walt is the founder of CAAPSO, an organization focused on community outreach to build support for the airport. Walt talks about what pilots at any airport can do to help protect their airport from closure.

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Mentioned in the Show
Reid-Hillview Airport
CAAPSO
DART

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72 Jolie Lucas Interview – Live from AirVenture 2018


72 Jolie Lucas Interview – Live from AirVenture 2018

Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you’re thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance.

Max interviews Jolie Lucas about Airport Advocacy, and what pilots can do to help promote their local airports. She also talks about what she and other pilots have done to save Oceano Airport in California from developers who wanted to close the airport. She also talks about the Mooney Ambassadors group she founded, and the movie she helped make about Mooney Aircraft called Boots on the Ground.

Mentioned on the Show
California Pilots Association
Oceano Airport Page
Friends of Oceano Airport
Movie Night – August 25, 2018
Jolie Lucas – AOPA Blog
Got to Get that rating – IFR
Mooney
Mooney GirlsRight Seat Ready companion seminar
Don Maxwell Aviation – Mooney Service Center
Boots on the Ground Movie

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FAA WINGS program, Marvel Comics, Non-towered airport pattern entry, More ADS-B products, Flight Design Sold + GA News


We talk about the benefits of participating in the FAA WINGS program in lieu of doing a Flight Review (formerly called a BFR), which pilots in the U.S. must do every two years. Instead of spending an hour on the ground reviewing Part 91 rules and regulations, the FAA WINGS program lets you can take free online courses instead, which may be a better use of your time, if you choose courses that help keep you safer when you fly.

We had lots of feedback on entering the traffic at non-Towered Airports. Not everyone likes the FAA preferred entry for crossing over the field at 500 feet above pattern altitude and then turning to enter on the 45. But we don’t get to pick which rules to follow and not follow, just because we don’t like them!

Plus an Air Canada flight 759 near miss update. Oddly, that aircraft was not visible on SFO’s surface radar for 12 seconds, and we explain why. Plus listener questions. An instrument pilots asks about how to activate an instrument approach on his Garmin GPS.

Click here for the survey. Tell us what flight planning tools you use when planning a longer flight. Please visit my new Patreon page and help me with my goal of funding the creation of two apps for my show, one for Apple and one for Google Play, so that non-techie pilots can find the show in the app store.

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News Stories

Private Pilot Tips for Non-Towered Airports, Free Cirrus Training, ATC Privatization, and Air Canada Near Miss Update + GA News


We talk about flying at non-Towered Airports, including how to enter on the 45, when on the opposite side of the airport. The preferred method of entry from the opposite side of the pattern is to announce your intentions and cross over midfield at least 500 feet above pattern altitude; here in Northern California, pilot examiners look for pilots on checkrides to cross at 1,000 feet above the traffic pattern altitude. When well clear of the pattern—approximately 2 miles—scan carefully for traffic, descend to pattern altitude, then turn right to enter at 45° to the downwind leg at midfield.

Air Canada flight 759 had a near miss last week, and a retired Air Canada captain told me that their procedures require pilots to back up visual approaches with electronic navigation. But apparently this pilot didn’t follow that procedure, and he nearly landed on top of several airliners on a taxiway. Plus listener questions how to legally exit an airport under a TFR, and an instrument pilots asks about whether to load an instrument approach with vectors or an IAF.

Click here for the survey. Tell us which plane you fly most often. Please visit my new Patreon page and help me with my goal of funding the creation of two apps for my show, one for Apple and one for Google Play, so that non-techie pilots can find the show in the app store.

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News Stories