Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Chuck Fischer 50 years flight safety

Transcription

1 AUXAIR District 7 Operations and Flight Safety Newsletter APRIL 2018 Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Chuck Fischer 50 years flight safety Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Robert A. Fabich, Sr. Official Publication U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District Aviation

2 AUXAIR D7 Operations and Flight Safety Newsletter - April Whale of a Time Did You Know? Beginning of the End 4 DFSO Message 4 ADSO-AV-M Message 5 Crossing The Bar Gregory Bacon 50 Years Flight Safety 19 WRLA Reins 20 Industry Achievement An Honorable Flying History Spotlighting Chuck Fischer Pages Plan To Go Around Seventh District Auxiliary Aviation District Commodore - Judith Hudson District Chief of Staff - Gary Barth Chief, Response Directorate - Jonathan Nicholls District Staff Officer Aviation - Tom Powers District Flight Safety Officer - Peter Hecht Standardization Officer - Wilson Riggan Program Manager - COMO David Elliot Publications Officer - Robert A. Fabich, Sr. Training Officer - Lee Bertman Technology Officer - Mark Cannon Personnel Officer - Ben Ostrovsky Property Officer - Robert Hastie Medical Officer - Robert Miller, MD Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator - Borinquen - Carlos Matos Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator - Clearwater - Kevin Wilcox Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator - Miami - Thomas Powers Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator - Savannah - Kenneth Plesser Savannah Workshop Clearwater Workshop Miami Workshop Interactive newsletter - Click on a page number in this Table of Contents to go directly to that page. Click on the page number on the bottom of each page to return to this Table of Contents page.

3 AUXAIR D7 Operations and Flight Safety Newsletter - April 2018 On the Cover Auxiliary Aircraft Commander Chuck Fischer The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61. This award is named after the Wright Brothers, the first US pilots, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as Master Pilots. AUXAIR D7 Operations and Flight Safety Newsletter past issues. Click on a cover photo to read. Editor - Robert A. Fabich, Sr. AuxBob@ Robich.com From our friends... READING, PA - Coast Guard Auxiliarist Tawney Gutierrez enjoying the District (5NR) Air Program display at their Spring DTRAIN s Hall of Duty. The Hall of Duty is a dedicated area at recent DTRAINs that showcase the various Auxiliary missions within the district. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Joseph Giannattasio.

4 Program Manager David Elliot DFSO Peter Hecht District 7 Aviators, I have just returned from the annual aviation workshop at CGAS Savannah. I have been hoping to attend the workshops at each air station this year. It is my goal to meet a good number of our aviators and hear from them how we can improve our training and what issues need some fine tuning. The workshop at Savannah was a great one with which to start this year. There is clearly a tight link between the active duty and Auxiliary members of this virtual squadron. The Auxiliarists were joined in the sessions by members of the active duty staff, as well as being invited to a great social get-together and small feast Friday evening. The qualification and standards officer, Wilson Riggan, and I presented a scenario-based training exercise, designed to encourage teamwork among flight crews and to actively illustrate a number of issues that have to be considered as missions change. Our member training, in the workshops and through the year, should work to build better teams as well as providing tools for specific issues. We will be bringing this same scenario-based training element to each workshop and, hopefully, help to achieve these goals and lead to a better safety culture among our members. I hope to meet you at one of the workshops, and I hope to hear from you about the type of training that can best address your questions and needs. David Elliot Bravo Zulu to all of the D7 AUXAIR personnel for making this another safely completed quarter of flying. We all have contributed to the success of our program. Keep up the good work. Miami is the only Air Station in D7 that requires a second pilot at the controls: however, every one of our patrols has a second pilot aboard. He is the one who has to take over in the event that the PIC becomes incapacitated. That person could be you. Would you know what to do in order to safely land the aircraft? Perhaps the checklist format below might be helpful. Please review it and whenever you get into an aircraft think about whether or not you understand your environment well enough to take over if necessary. If not, correct the situation before you launch. PREFLIGHT DISCUSSION BY THE PIC How can the PIC be positioned to remain clear of the controls- seat operation, seat belt operation, use of other crew members Autopilot operations- how to set and how to shut off How to tune the radio to or other frequencies-a quick review of the radios, audio panel and push to talk switch Landing gear operations if a retract Flap operations Fuel management- especially low wings Location and familiarization of checklists How to identify NEAREST on the GPS How can the rest of the crew be of assistance (CRM) Review simplest scenario for landing- power, speed, flaps, gear- GUMPS DISCUSSION ABOUT ACTIONS DURING THE EMERGENCY Remain calm- fly the airplane Aviate, Navigate, Communicate (declare an emergency, ask for help to safely fly the aircraft and ask to have medical assistance available upon landing) Insure the disabled PIC is clear of the controls Set transponder to 7700 Fuel management Review simplest scenario for landing- power, speed, flaps, gear- GUMPS Over the past few years I know of four incidents where Auxiliary pilots became incapacitated during or shortly after flights. Two were in the aircraft (one fatal) and two were shortly after landing (one fatal). It is rare but can happen. Also consider that we are now coming into the summer season. That means heat and thunderstorms. Hydration is critical. Always carry and drink water on your flights. Don t worry about pit stops, you will sweat it out. Another unique factor in the summer is the rapidly changing weather. Keep yourself updated by using Flight Service, Foreflight. HIWAS and any other weather services. BTW windy.com is a terrific weather site. It forecast temperature, precipitation, convective activity, lots of other good stuff. Check it out. Peter Hecht 4

5 Crossing the Bar Gregory A. Bacon, AUXAIR Operations Officer Lt. Colonel Gregory A. Bacon, a long-time resident of Sarasota, passed away Thursday, De cember 14, Born Feb ruary 1948 in Cambridge, MD, Greg moved to Siesta Key with his parents and brother in He grew up sailing with his family and continued spending time on boats throughout his life, including going on multiple cruises over the last several years to various internation al destinations. Greg was an avid music lover, leading the Riverview Marching Band in high school (Class of 66), majoring in music education at Florida State University, and enjoying big-band fa vorites up until he passed away. Professionally, Greg spent the majority of his ca reer with the Sarasota Coun ty Fire, Department advancing to County Fire Marshal, then joined Sarasota County Emergency Management Services in 1998, and retired from Sarasota County Emergen cy Management Services in He then joined the Manatee County Emergen cy Services in 2008, retiring in Many who knew Greg thought of him as the ultimate military man. He joined the Army, then joined the Army National Guard, spending time in Kuwait in the early 2000s, and retired in the rank of Lt. Colonel in In his final years, Greg spent his time working with the US Coast Guard, in the role of Auxilia ry Aviation Coordinator at Air Station Clearwater. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Jan 2015 and was a member of Flotilla 84, Sarasota. He qualified as a Telecommunication Operator, became an AUXAIR Observer in 2016 and appointed Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator for Air Station Clearwater on July 1, He leaves behind his children, Tina Krebs (Cary, NC), and David Bacon (Charlotte, NC), his brother, Edward F. Bacon, and his long-time partner, Jeanne Williams. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He will be missed. Services were held on Friday, January 19th at 12:30 p.m. at Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home with grave side services following at 2:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Na tional Cemetery In lieu of flowers, donations were sent to South eastern Guide Dogs to help support this wonderful orga nization that supports veter ans. AUXAIR members assigned to Air Station Clearwater pose for a group photo during the Annual Auxiliary Aviation Workshop held April 21, Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Jon Nicholls. 5

6 HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME! by Mark Cannon Auxiliary Aviation Commander, Savannah Peter Hecht and Paul Lordi, Auxiliary Aviation pilot and crew along with CDR Eric Jensen, USCG spot two Right Whales off of Miami during a Maritime Observation and Fisheries patrol October 18, Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Paul Lordi. Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Permit O ne of the eleven statutory missions of the Coast Guard is Living Marine Resources (LMR) to ensure America enjoys a rich, diverse and sustainable ocean environment which is vital to the country s economy and health. This includes ensuring the country s protected marine species are provided the protection necessary to help their populations recover to healthy, sustainable levels. Auxiliary Aviation is often asked to assist in this mission, particularly when active resources are stretched thin performing higher priority missions such as Search and Rescue. An important part of LMR is protecting the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/ whales/north-atlantic-rightwhale.html. The Right Whale population is estimated to be just over 400 with 100 or fewer females. At the current rate of mortality, it is feared that those 100 females will be killed off over the next 20 years, ensuring the extinction of the species, if they are not protected. Auxiliary pilots Mark Cannon and Tommy Augustsson, participated in NOAA / USCG survey efforts this past season, conducting aerial surveillance missions in the area between Sebastian Inlet and St Augustine out to 20 nm with a focus primarily in the waters between Cape Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet. In past years this area would be populated with many female Right Whales and their offspring, as they come south from Canadian waters to the warmer waters off Georgia and Florida to give birth. Sadly, during this past 2018 season which ended in March, the Aux Air crew found no confirmed Right Whales. We did briefly sight a single whale, however we were not able to photograph or confirm the species as it dove beneath the waves. The fact that we found no whales is important information for NOAA and other researchers who are working hard to define their habitats and ensure they are protected. While the whales come south for warmer waters to give birth, the water temps off Florida in the winter months are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and so requires that Auxiliary flight crew wear the Aviator Dry Coveralls (ADC) for thermal protection in a survival situation. If you have never worn these, they are very bulky and can be very hot. The advantage of the Grumman Tiger air facility use during the mission, is the canopy configuration that can be partially opened in flight, providing significant fresh air cooling for the crew. Tommy and Mark really appreciated this feature while flying the extended over-water whale search pattern. (Continued on page 7) 6

7 (Continued from page 6) Missions were accomplished in 2.5 hour sorties X 2 for an average of 5 hours per mission with extra water on board for hydration! The Canadian and US Governments are working together to revise regulations that aim to protect the Right Whales from ship collisions and fishing gear entanglements. Hopefully next year s birthing season (Dec 2018 to Mar 2019) will find a healthy and productive Right Whale population. Auxiliary Aviation stands ready to support survey efforts in a cost effective accomplishment of the Coast Guard Living Marine Resources mission. Anyone interested in participating next season can contact Mark Cannon flymlb@yahoo.com for more information on the missions and training required to become a certified Right Whale spotter. 'Beginning of the end?' No new babies for endangered whales By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) The winter calving season for critically endangered right whales is ending without a single newborn being spotted off the southeast U.S. coast, a reproductive drought unseen for three decades that experts say brings the rare species a perilous step closer to extinction. "It's a pivotal moment for right whales," said Barb Zoodsma, who oversees the right whale recovery program in the U.S. Southeast for the National Marine Fisheries Service. "If we don't get serious and figure this out, it very well could be the beginning of the end." Researchers have been looking since December for newborn right whales off the coasts of Georgia and Florida, where pregnant whales typically migrate each winter to give birth in warmer Atlantic waters. Trained spotters in airplanes who spend the season scouting the coastal waters for mother-and-calf pairs found nothing this season. They wrap up work when the month ends Friday. Zoodsma said she doesn't expect any last-minute calf sightings. If she's right, it will be the first year whale spotters have recorded zero births since survey flights began in The timing could hardly be worse. Scientists estimate only about 450 North Atlantic right whales remain, and the species suffered terribly in A total of 17 right whales washed up dead in the U.S. and Canada last year, far outpacing five births. With no rebound in births this past winter, the overall population could shrink further in One right whale was found dead off the coast of Virginia in January. "It is truly alarming," said Philip Hamilton, a scientist at the New England Aquarium in Boston who has studied right whales for three decades. "Following a year of such high mortality, it's clear the population can't sustain that trajectory." Right whales have averaged about 17 births per year during the past three decades. Since 2012, all but two seasons have yielded below-average calf counts. Scientists will be looking for newborn stragglers as the whales return to their feeding grounds off the northeastern U.S. this spring. That happened last year, when two previously unseen babies were spotted in Cape Cod Bay. Right whale researcher Charles "Stormy" Mayo of the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts, said he was hopeful some calves were born this season off the Carolinas or Virginia, where scientists weren't really looking. It's also possible right whales could rally with a baby boom next year. Females typically take three years or longer between pregnancies, so births can fluctuate year-to-year. The previous rock-bottom year for births just one calf spotted in 2000 was followed by 31 newborns in 2001, the second-best calving season on record. "I still think next year or the year after, we could see dozens of right whales calving down here," said Clay George, a wildlife biologist who oversees right whale surveys for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. With future births uncertain, researchers say more needs to be done to prevent human causes of many right whale deaths. Necropsies performed on the 17 dead whales last year found at least four were struck by ships and at least two died from entanglement in fishing gear. Hamilton said speed restrictions on ships in waters where right whales are most frequently found might be expanded throughout the eastern seaboard to further protect the giant mammals as they roam. Meanwhile, some commercial fishermen are testing gear with ropes that have built-in weak points designed to break rather than ensnare a large whale. Others are working on ropeless lobster pots that use inflatable bags to bring the traps to the surface. "It all has to happen quickly," Hamilton said. "We can't handle waiting 10 or 20 years." Some conservationists are trying to force immediate change. The groups Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in January saying the federal government has failed to protect right whales as required by the Endangered Species Act and called for new regulations on the fishing industry. Scientists suspect entanglements are partly to blame for fewer right whale births as well. Even in cases that aren't fatal, researchers say, the stress on ensnared females likely makes pregnancies more difficult. Research has shown most females right whales are now dying by age 30, less than half their expected life span. And the adult females that had babies last year, identified by unique markings on their heads, were giving birth for the first time in seven or eight years more than double the typical span between pregnancies. "Right now, the sky is falling," Zoodsma said. "I do think we can turn this around. But it's sort of like, what's our willpower to do so? This is a time for all hands on deck." Reprinted from FoxNews.com March 26,

8 Article Header 50 years Incident/Accident Free Flight Safety Charles Chuck Fischer, Jr., Auxiliary Aircraft Commander Piper Cub N77513 that Chuck learned to fly in, with his Dad as Flight Instructor, in Fischer family photos. Charles Fischer Sr s PBM on stopover enroute to USCG Base Sangley Point, Philippines, Operations during and Flight Korean Safety War. Newsletter April In 1965, Lois and Charles Fischer, Sr. at their small farm in Cuero, Texas with 1200 grass strip and hangar.

9 An Honorable Flying History by Robert A. Fabich, Sr. ADSO-AVP Charles Chuck A. Fischer Jr. is a native Texan, born in 1948 and raised in the small town of Cuero in southcentral Texas. He is the oldest of six children in a close knit family. Chuck was exposed to aviation early, as his dad, Charles Fischer Sr., flew the Martin Mariner PBM for the US Navy in WWII during , and the PBM and Grumman Albatross for the US Coast Guard in the Korean War during Charles Sr. followed that up with twenty-four more years in aviation, with several years as a corporate pilot and the balance in aerial application, accumulating over 11,000 hours before retiring in Chuck began his flight training in a Piper J3 Cub, with his dad as flight instructor, in January 1965 and soloed in March of the same year. He received his FAA Pilot License # in September 1966 in a Cessna 150. He earned a B.S. degree from Texas A&M University in 1970, and a M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin in As an Environmental Biologist with a consulting firm in Alberta, he spent hundreds of hours as an observer on aerial surveys in many different aircraft (Dornier DO-28, Cessna 337, Bell 206, DC3, etc.) from British Columbia to Ontario to the high Arctic. In 1977, after retiring from consulting, Chuck and three colleagues from the consulting firm went into private business, owning a dozen Home Hardware Building Center stores located in western Canada. (Continued Operations page 10) and Flight Safety Newsletter April

10 50 YEARS (Continued from page 9) Resolute Bay, Nunavut, with airport on right. Field base for Polar Gas high Arctic environmental research. One of 12 Building Supply stores owned by C.A. Fischer Lumber Co. Ltd. in Alberta and British Columbia. Oil and Gas company started by Chuck, his partners and his brother in Oklahoma City in Fischer family photos. In 1988, Chuck, his brother Mark, and his three partners established an oil and gas exploration and production business in Oklahoma City. During the time from 1966 to 1988 he maintained flight currency mostly through renting single engine Cessnas, Pipers and Beechcraft at nearby flight schools, for pleasure and business as time and funds permitted. During regular visits to south Texas, he also put in numerous hours in his dad s Citabria 7ECA and Piper Pawnees. While in Canada, Chuck obtained a Canadian Pilot s License and served as a Director on the Board of the Edmonton Flying Club for several years. The Canadian license was necessary to fly as a resident PIC on Canadian-registered aircraft. He also obtained dual citizenship with Canada and the U.S. because of his now strong ties to both countries. By 1989 it became apparent that, with all of his business interests scattered in and between two countries, it was time to purchase a corporate aircraft. The decision was made and Chuck, with 960 hours of SEL time in his log book, picked up his MEL/Instrument rating in a Piper Seneca and purchased a 1967 Beechcraft Baron C55, importing it from the U.S. and re-registering it C-FFYB. Over the next 18 years, Chuck logged 4100 hours in the Baron, flying in western Canada, the central and southern U.S., and in the Caribbean, where in 1996, he and his partners purchased a building supply store in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He lived there until 2000 when he and his family moved to Oklahoma City where he assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of the oil and gas company. The Baron was a tremendous workhorse; it served well up north and at the Oklahoma company after converting it back to U.S. registration N55YB. In 2007, Chuck traded N55YB in for Cessna 414A Chancellor N222FG. (Continued on page 11) 10

11 LIFE CHANGES LOOKING AHEAD (Continued from page 10) In 2007, a time with another life change after the purchase of a beachfront resort in the US Virgin Islands, Chuck moved with Joyce to St. Croix. That meant greater capability was now required with an aircraft that could cruise 1000 nm in the low to mid flight levels in excess of 200 knots. And along with the step-up came other significant benefits including weather radar, Stormscope, flight into known icing, pressurization, and air conditioning. Over the next 10 years up to mid 2017, Chuck flew the 414A over 3600 hours within the U.S.V.I. and the Caribbean, and to and from the U.S. mainland attending to business and personal interests in the U.S. and Canada. Of these 3600 hours, 1300 hours were in support of the U.S. Coast Guard through the volunteer Auxiliary Aviation (AUXAIR) program in District 7 (SC, GA, FL, PR, VI), primarily in the waters surrounding the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The 414A became a registered AUXAIR facility for USCG Air Station Borinquen (BQN), and Chuck an AUXAIR Aircraft Commander for the period He was also an AUX- AIR Instructor Pilot/Flight Examiner during , the AUXAIR Coordinator (AAC) for BQN during , and the ADSO-AVS (Asst. Dist. Staff Officer for Aviation Standards, Sr. Flight Examiner) for In addition to the hours flown in the 414A, Chuck flew a further 600 hours in a Beechcraft Duchess and another 100 hours in other AUXAIR facilities. During his tenure as AAC (and before that as the Assistant AAC), the annual AUXAIR mission hours flown at BQN increased over three-fold from 262 hours in 2009 to 976 hours in Chuck was instrumental in the development of AUXAIR BQN safety initiatives including: Environmental Pre- (Continued on page 12) Charles Sr. with sons Dan, Chuck and Mark and one of his three Piper Pawnee aircraft. Chuck at Otter Lake in northern Saskatchewan in 172RG, with his Mom and Dad, Chuck and first wife Dianne, with his Dad s Citabria, at Kentucky Dam State Park, Mazatlan, Mexico, in 182RG, Fischer family photos. 11

12 50 years (Continued from page 11) an aircraft that could cruise 1000 nm in the low to mid flight levels in excess of 200 knots to mid 2017, Chuck flew the 414A over 3600 hours within the USVI and the Caribbean. Of these 3600 hours, 1300 hours were in support of the U.S. Coast Guard Cessna 414A Chancellor N222FG, Knoxville, Tennessee, August Fischer family photos. 12 Chuck with Joyce and sister Mary at the Bohlke hanger in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Chuck with grandkids Ashley and Trevor, and granddog Misha in the Cessna 414A Chancellor.

13 This 1967 Beechcraft Baron C55 was traded for a 1982 Cessna 414A Chancellor. Pictured, Joyce Fischer and children Doug, Jen, Sarah, and Erin, Chuck with son Doug and granddaughter Charlie, and granddog Pepper, on flight to Edmonton AB. Chuck taking a break from struggling to fit a litter into his aircraft. The litter was transported to BQN. 13

14 50 years (Continued from page 13) Achievements, Awards and Operations Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Robert A. Fabich, Sr. requisites for Ordered Missions (adopted as Standard Operating Procedure by BQN in 2014), Unit Quarterly Meetings with BQN and USCG Sector San Juan, and an Aid to Completion of the Risk Assessment Matrix. He also led the development of Job Aids (for interpretation of Auxiliary policy manuals) such as a Facility Inspection Worksheet (adopted by the District 7 Director of Auxiliary in 2013), Personnel Requirements for Ordered Missions, and Qualification Requirements for AUXAIR Crew Designations. In March 2014, he was awarded the Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal for his achievements and leadership while overseeing 10 Auxiliary aircraft and 45 members who collectively logged over 2500 flight hours with 50 Search and Rescue Missions (SAR) that saved or assisted 10 lives from 2010 through He was also recognized for forging partnerships with federal agencies and flying 361 operational hours in 2012, the highest number of AUXAIR hours in District 7 and second only to one active duty aviator. He subsequently went on to fly 430 hours in 2014, again the highest number of operational hours in District 7 that year. His other formal recognitions include six Operations Service Awards, two Meritorious Team Commendations, six Medals of Operational Merit, (highest number ever earned by one person in the Auxiliary) nine Sustained Auxiliary Service Awards, two Certificates of Appreciation, a Commendation Medal, a Commodore s Certificate of Excellence, a Membership Service Award, two Purvis-Fuller Awards of Excellence, and a USCG Commandant s Shipmate of the Year Award. There were many operational highlights during Chuck s AUXAIR career. From , he flew over 40 Search (Continued on page 15) 14

15 (Continued from page 14) and Rescue Missions, including one in 2009 where Chuck and his crew located a boat north of Anegada Island in the British Virgin Islands which had been drifting without power for four days with one fisherman aboard. Nightfall was approaching and showers were in the area, but they were still able to orbit the disabled vessel for two hours and vector in another surface asset to tow the boat to safety. Over the same nine-year period, Chuck flew over 130 Logistics and Transport Missions for USCG officers including LANTAREA, District 7, Sector and Air Station Commanders, and for enlisted personnel on operational missions. In 2010, Chuck and second pilot Doug Armstrong, accompanied by two senior officers and a maintenance tech from BQN, piloted the first AUXAIR facility, N222FG, into Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. Since then, multiple AUXAIR missions have been conducted into Guantanamo Bay, the USCG base at Great Inagua, Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and many other islands in the Antilles chain. First GITMO Flight Wings for Chuck Fischer displayed in USCG Headquarters, Guantanamo Bay. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Doug Armstrong. Over the years , Chuck flew more than 300 Maritime Observation Missions, and in the process, intercepted multiple yolas and other small vessels resulting in 120 illegal immigrants detained, and 3000 kg of contraband confiscated by USCG Cutters or other law enforcement agencies. He also flew multiple missions for Marine Environmental Protection, Pollution Response, Contingency Planning, etc. In September 2017, just after Chuck and Joyce sold the resort on St. Croix, Category 5 Hurricane Maria hit the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico hard and much damage was done. In an effort to help, Chuck and his good friend Gary loaded up the 414A with generators, power cords, fans, chain saws, and much else, for a relief flight down to St. Croix. Upon passing Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, they had to cancel IFR and proceed VFR as all the ATC radars and (Continued on page 16) (Left to right) Chuck Fischer, Auxiliary Aircraft Commander, CAPT Bouboulis, Commanding Officer, Doug Armstrong, Auxiliary Aircraft Commander and CDR Denby, Operations Officer at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in USCG Staff photo. 15

16 50 years (Continued from page 15) St. Croix to Texas and Alberta and communication links had been knocked out. They called it the Wild West as all the traffic, including large jetliners, had to separate themselves by TCAS and by communicating mostly on the air-to-air frequency of five fingers Chuck and Joyce purchased a second home in Victoria TX, in addition to the one they own in Edmonton. Together, between western Canada and the southern States, Joyce and Chuck have 7 children and 11 grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 48 yrs. So, for the foreseeable future, they are expecting to remain snowbirds, with much of the summers spent in Alberta and the winters in Texas. As of March 2018, Chuck has accumulated a total of 9700 hours flight time in 53 years of accident/incident free flying. With some luck, the good health that Chuck and Joyce are enjoying now will carry on for a long time to come. That means many more hours of flying N222FG on long cross-country journeys up north and back. And to add to the excitement, Chuck and Joyce just purchased a Cessna 182P with plans to put it on amphibious floats later this year. And, who knows, Chuck may even be able to match or exceed the total flight hours his dad achieved in his career. That his dad and mom taught him well is obvious with Chuck s instilled work ethic, sense of pride in a job well done, and habit to always put safety first. And even though his dad passed in 2016, he is still watchful. Like father, like son! Two page photo: Newly acquired 1973 Cessna 182, March Fischer family photo. Relief supplies delivered to St. Croix after Hurricane Maria by N222FG. Fischer family photo. 16

17 50 years Congratulations Chuck Fischer from all of us in the 7th District Auxiliary Aviation Program FAA Representative Mike Cavanaugh presents Charles Chuck Fischer, Jr. with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at a ceremony held in Victoria, Texas March 19, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fischer, Sr. Fischer family photo. 17

18 Article Header Charles Chuck Fischer, Jr. Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty 18

19 Fischer takes WRLA Reins Reprinted from the 4 YARDSTICK VOLUME 7, NUMBER C.A. Fischer Lumber Co. Ltd. has supported the WRLA from the company s beginning in It is therefore no surprise that the company president, Chuck Fischer, was elected at the 103rd Annual Convention held in Regina to the same position at the WRLA. It is the company s position that there is a strong need for an organization such as the WRLA to promote the interests of retail building supply dealers in Western Canada, says Chuck who was elected to the WRLA Board of Directors in 1989 and became second vice-president in I am honoured to serve as president and promise to do my very best. Chuck believes in teamwork and he wants to ensure that all members have an opportunity to express their views; he solicits your input, participation and support. Chuck is president of C.A. Fischer Lumber Co. Ltd which is based in Westlock, Alberta, about 80 km north of Edmonton. Along with his three partners, he started Fischer Lumber in 1978 by purchasing a small lumberyard at Pickardville, 70 km north of Edmonton. Since that time, Fischer Lumber has grown to include eight retail building supply centres and two home manufacturing plants in Alberta and British Columbia. They have plans to continue their expansion in the upcoming years. Chuck believes very strongly that the success of their company is solidly rooted in the employees of the company. Indeed, the belief is so strong that the company introduced a stock ownership plan in 1993 which allows and encourages employees to purchase shares in Fischer Lumber and become partners in the business. Chuck is originally from Texas where he was born in He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.Sc. in biology in He subsequently received a scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin to pursue a Masters Degree. Research towards his degree brought him to Alberta in 1973 to attend the university s field station at Rochester, Alberta, 110 km north of Edmonton. After completion of his M.Sc., Chuck accepted a position as a biologist with an environmental firm in Edmonton. He remained in this position until 1978 when he made the move to his own retail building supply business. All three of the original partners in Fischer Lumber were also employed by this same environmental firm. Chuck currently resides in St. Albert and is happily married to Joyce. Together they have a blended family of of seven children, three boys and four girls, ranging in age from 9 to 25. He is your typical workaholic with most of his working hours focused around business in some form or another. He has a passion for flying and pilots the company s aircraft regularly on trips to their various businesses. Chuck also serves on the Edmonton Flying Club s Board of Directors. His favourite hobbies are mostly centered around water sports, including swimming, scuba diving and canoeing. The WRLA gavel is passed from Wade Schott (left) to Chuck Fischer who is the new association president. Photo by Yardstick publications. 19

20 2000 Industry Achievement Award C.A. FISCHER LUMBER Co. LTD. Reprinted from the 18 YARDSTICK MARCH 2001 The name Chuck Fischer is very well known in building supply circles in western Canada. Chuck and his partners own eight retail outlets in the region, four in Alberta and four in BC. As well, he was an integral part of the WRLA serving on the Board of Directors for 11 years, four of those as President. Chuck s foray into the industry began in the spring of 1978 when he and his partners formed a retail fencing business and leased office space in an Edmonton trucking firm s terminal. In Sep tember of the same year, a retail outlet became available in the tiny community of Pickard ville, north of Edmonton. Chuck and his partners purchased the operation and Chuck was the sole employee of the opera tion that included about 100 sq. ft. of retail selling space and a half acre lumberyard. In the spring of 79, the fencing operation in Edmonton was closed down and one of Chuck s partners in that venture joined him in the rural retail operation. The store was doing well and, in 1981, Chuck purchased a second store - Agri- Fab Lumber in Linden, AB. That seems to have been the water shed moment. The operation continued to grow and expand under Chuck s watchful eye until it blossomed into the eight-store Canadian operation pre viously mentioned. However, Chuck s business interests don t stop there. In 1995, Chuck and his partners were geared for further expansion and made this fact known to his accountant at Deloitte & Touche. On an international flight, a Deloitte Touche partner conversed with an individual who was a partner in a shipping firm that delivered goods to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. He happened to know the owner of a building supply retail store in the islands who was looking to sell the operation. The information traveled throughout a number of Deloitte Touche offices until finally it fell on the ears of Chuck s accountant who, in turn, informed Chuck. By March of 1996, Chuck was the owner of a building supply store in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It has been a lot of fun and, at the same time, a huge challenge, notes Chuck. Although it s a member of the British Commonwealth, like Canada, it s a vastly different culture - that includes lifestyle and business practices. There has been a lot to learn. In 1988, Chuck decided to try another industry as well and he and his partners, along with one of his brothers, started a company in Oklahoma that is involved in oil and gas. That industry has done quite well recently and Chuck has devoted a lot of time in the last couple of years to assisting the business in its growth. At last report, he says it is doing extremely well. Chuck has been a member of the WRLA since he had his first store. He was elected to the Board in 1989 and to the position of Vice President in From there, Chuck served four years as President of the Association, in 94, 95, 96 and 97. This was a time of his life that he wouldn t trade for anything. He recalls, Those were exciting times in the WRLA. The two individuals who preceded me as President, Michael Westrum and Wade Schott, spearheaded the idea of a buying show. This, of course, became Prairie Showcase and much of our time was spent tossing ideas around, refining those ideas, making plans, revising plans... it really was fasci nating. Chuck noted that the Board and the staff of the WRLA were notable for their hard work. Just using Prairie Showcase as an example, he states. It took a lot of effort by a lot of people to make it what it is today - one of the best shows in Can ada s building supply industry. I very much enjoyed my time on the Board and the Executive of the WRLA, continues Chuck. The travel and the interaction with our Association mem bers and with our sister associations in Canada were wonderful. I was very fortunate to have had the support of my wife Joyce, and of my partners who handled the business while I was involved in WRLA affairs. I couldn t have done it without them. When he isn t working in Alberta, BC, Oklahoma or the Caribbean, Chuck and Joyce (who works in the business with Chuck) enjoy traveling. Last year, they went to Australia to visit their daughter who was there as an exchange student. Chuck and Joyce have a number of children to visit including daughters Anita (27), Jennifer (23), Sarah (19) and Erin (16); and sons Robert (31), David (29), and Doug (16). Chuck also loves piloting the company plane, a Beechcraft Baron. When he finds the time, he also loves to golf. Unfortunately, the games have been fewer and fewer lately because of busi ness demands - and Chuck wouldn t have it any other way. Chuck Fischer WRLA Industry Achievement Award winner for 2000! 20

21 CAPT Marshall Branch, Commanding Officer, Air Station Savannah Did you know - $.02 facts When considering the cost of an Auxiliary aircraft against the cost of an active duty asset, AUXAIR Savannah saved the Coast Guard nearly 2.5 million dollar while flying 88 sorties for a total of 331 hours during That's two cents on the dollar. Bob Hastie, Auxiliary Aviation Pilot individually saved the Coast Guard over one million dollars a year, for more than 12 years. Port Assessment conducted by AUXAIR after disasters are a high need priority and can save the economy between one and ten million dollars a day. Plan to Go-around, If you Land, it s a Bonus! by David Lincoln, ADFSO Savannah This safety article was inspired by events I ve read about during the last year and an event I witnessed as part of a relief crew while landing at Los Angeles. I think the Coast Guard Auxiliary crews could gain with some of the ideas discussed here. Thinking ahead of your aircraft. When was the last time you flew a go-around? I don't know about you, but for me, it was during a training event. We just don't go-around too often, so this skill is subject to deterioration. In the airline environment, it's very easy to over-speed the flaps during a go-around. For the Auxiliary pilots, some common issues on a go-around could be failure to retract the flaps which would increase the trim forces quite a bit. Another error on Auxiliary aircraft would be failure to retract the speed brakes or landing gear if equipped. I've seen this once when I was giving a Flight Review in a Mooney years ago. The plane will climb, just not as well. Why do we perform a goaround at an airport? There are many reasons. The approach is unstable (descent rate, airspeed). Air Traffic Control calls for a go-around. You realize you won t touchdown in the touchdown zone (long landing). Animals on the runway. Debris on the runway or another aircraft on the runway. The runway is not in sight during an instrument approach. Aircraft mechanical failure. Windshear or rapidly changing weather conditions. The key to flying a successful go-around is to KNOW YOUR PROCEDURES COLD. It s recommended that you brief a go-around as part of your approach and landing brief. What are you going to do? In my plane, it s: 1) Slowly advance to full power as you increase pitch to a climb attitude. 2) Flaps to approach. 3) Verify a positive rate-ofclimb (on the altimeter), then bring the landing gear up if retractable gear. 4) Call the go-around on Unicom frequency or Tower frequency. If you have an altitude select function, you should have set it to your go-around altitude while on final approach by 1000 feet above ground level. What altitude will you climb to in the event of a go-around? Personally, I d climb to pattern altitude for a VFR go-around, or if it s an actual missed approach while executing a published instrument approach, I d fly to the missed approach altitude as published. Any questions, just ask the tower controller. Remember, if you go-around due to windshear or some other atmospheric condition, give the tower a Pilot Report (PIREP). This helps the pilots on approach behind you. To sum this up: Review your go-around procedures before EVERY landing. Plan to go-around. If you land, it s a bonus! 21

22 2018 Annual Aviation Workshop Savannah The Savannah AUXAIR Workshop was a spectacular success. There were 59 attendees: 22 pilots, 21 crew, 7 identified trainees, and 9 visitors and guests, including DCAPT-N Pat McMenamin. In both executive session and in the general session, the Air Station Commanding Officer, CAPT Marshall Branch, was effusive in his praise for the activities of AUXAIR Savannah. He took particular note of the value proposition, insofar as an AUXAIR platform costs a mere two cents on the dollar, relative to an active duty platform, for those missions that are within AUXAIR capability. In addition to the mandatory Workshop lectures and National Staff brief, D7 AUXAIR Standards Officer, Wilson Riggan, and D7 AUXAIR Training Officer, David Elliot, conducted a scenario-based training exercise. It was not only challenging for experienced crews (lots of traps built into the scenario), but it highlighted to the trainees just how extraordinarily complicated it is to fly AUXAIR missions and how cockpit coordination is critical. Nine aircraft flew to the Workshop; seven to Hunter AAF and the other two to Savannah-Hilton Head International. This is the largest turnout of the Savannah AUXAIR fleet in recent memory. Julie Albert, representing the Florida Marine Resources Council, gave a fascinating presentation on efforts to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale, along with a request to photograph these endangered mammals when we encounter them on offshore patrols. LCDR John David Inman, USN, Training Officer at Patrol Squadron 30, briefed on the CRM and SAR procedures used by the Navy in their P-3 Orion and P-8 Poseidon aircraft. The similarities and differences between the USCG and the USN were both instructive and enlightening. The Chief s Mess conducted a raffle for three locally-produced items of memorabilia: a clock made from an MH-65 rotor link and two laser-etched wood plaques. The raffle generated $900 that will be used by the Chief Petty Officers for the welfare of the Air Station as a whole. (Continued on Page 23) 22

23 SAVANNAH WORKSHOP (Continued from page 22) The Savannah AUXAIR Honor Roll plaque was unveiled. It recognizes those Savannah-based pilots and crew who have flown 500 or more mission flight hours. Going back to the start of Auxiliary data gathering (about 20 years), eleven persons were identified as having met the criterion. Three were in attendance to be honored: Bob Hastie, Freddie King and David Caswell. The plaque will be placed in the hangar for all hands to see. Late last year, the Air Station CO approved a unique embroidered flight suit name tag design and granted the Auxiliary permission to wear it. Unbeknowns to most, a new design tag was procured for each AUXAIR member. Now AUXAIR members proudly wear the same name tag design as their active duty colleagues. (Two page photo) AST2 Nathan Newberg, USCG Air Station Savannah secures the inflatable raft while Catherine Nixon Heibel, Auxiliary Aviator climbs inside as part of the 75 yard swim test. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Robert A. Fabich, Sr. 23

24 Savannah Workshop April 13-14, 2018 (Continued from page 23) MR. Robert T. Hastie AUXILIARY MEDAL OF OPERATIONAL MERIT Mr. Hastie is cited for meritorious service in the performance of duty as an Auxiliary Aircraft Commander for Coast Guard Air Station Savannah from November 2005 to March During this time Mr. Hastie accumulated over 1,500 operational flight hours in support of a wide spectrum of Coast Guard missions. This total represents the largest number of flight hours in the history of the Savannah Auxiliary and a level of sustained commitment that is attained by fewer than 2% of Auxiliary members who enter the aviation program nationwide. Mr. Hastie has consistently made himself and his aircraft available to respond to the needs of Air Station Savannah, frequently at the last minute and at great sacrifice to his own personal schedule. When considering the cost of an Auxiliary aircraft against the cost of an active duty asset, his volunteer service saved the Coast Guard over one million dollars a year, for more than twelve years. In addition, Mr. Hastie has served with distinction in multiple administrative positions including the Assistant Auxiliary Aviation Coordinator for Material for the Savannah Auxiliary and the Assistant District Staff Officer for Training, Standards, and Material for the Seventh Coast Guard District. Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Robert A. Fabich, Sr. Mr. Douglas L. Armstrong AUXILIARY MEDAL OF OPERATIONAL MERIT Mr. Kenneth T. Plesser AUXILIARY MEDAL OF OPERATIONAL MERIT Mr. Mark E. Cannon AUXILIARY LETTER OF COMMENDATION Mr. Armstrong is cited for meritorious service in the performance of duty as an Auxiliary Aircraft Commander and Pilot-in-command of Citation N510KB from 26 August 2017 to 2 October 2017, flying over 50 hours and 10,000 miles in support of three category three hurricane response operations. During Hurricane HARVEY, he played a critical role in supporting 18 MH-65D helicopter relief crews between Air Station Savannah and the disaster staging area when commercial airline service was interrupted and no viable alternatives existed. For Hurricane IRMA, Mr. Armstrong enabled members of a Coast Guard Flood Punt Team to rapidly arrive on scene and engage in first responder effort. Following Hurricane MARIA, he volunteered to transport Air Station Savannah personnel and the Incident Management Advanced Team to designation in Puerto Rico with only a 24 hour notice. Mr. Armstrong spent a full week performing logistic missions that included transporting the US Virgin Islands' congressional representative to meet with the Acting Secretary of DHS, delivering the Deputy Director of the TSA to certify St. Croix's airport for resumption of airline operation, and evacuating Coast Guard dependents to the United States. Mr. Plesser is cited for meritorious service in the performance of duty as. an Auxiliary Aircraft Commander and second-in-command of Citation N510KB from 26 August 2017 to 2 October 2017, flying over 50 hours and 10,000 miles in support of three category three hurricane response operations. During Hurricane HARVEY, he played a critical role in transporting 18 MH-65D helicopter relief crews between Air Station Savannah and the disaster staging area when commercial when airline service was interrupted and no viable alternatives existed. During Hurricane IRMA, Mr. Plesser enabled members of a Coast Guard Flood Punt Team to rapidly arrive on scene and engage in first responder efforts. Following Hurricane MARIA, he volunteered to transport Air Station Savannah personnel and the Incident Management Advance Team to destinations in Puerto Rico with only a 24 hour notice. Mr. Plesser spent a full week performing logistics missions that included transporting the US Virgin I lands' congressional representative to meet with the Acting Secretary of DHS, delivering the Deputy Director of the TSA to certify St. Croix's airport for resumption of airline operations, and evacuating Coast Guard dependents to the United States. I note with pride and am pleased to commend you for your performance of duty while serving as a Coast Guard Auxiliary Aircraft Commander from July 2015 to December During this time period you accumulated over 273 mission flight hours, averaging a remarkable 100 hours per year of operational support to Coast Guard Air Station Savannah. Despite a recent policy change that required highly active Auxiliary pilots, such as yourself, to absorb additional financial costs for mandated preventative maintenance, you continued to selflessly contribute substantial time and resources to accomplish vital flight sorties for the Coast Guard. Your willingness to engage in first light searches, and other critical short notice missions, is particularly noteworthy. You safely and reliably responded to requests from the Coast Guard cutter fleet for aviation support while also assisting Coast Guard District Seven with post-hurricane activities following both Hurricanes MATTHEW and IRMA. Additionally, you enthusiastically recruited new pilots and aircrew, making a significant contribution to increasing the ranks of the Coast Guard Air Auxiliary. Due to your unique geographic location at the southernmost point of Air Station Savannah's AOR, you conducted patrols in areas that are prohibitively far-removed from the Air Station, helping to preserve valuable flight hours and rest for active duty Search and Rescue helicopter crews. 24

25 Clearwater Workshop April 21-22, 2018 (Center) COMO Hudson, Seventh District Auxiliary participates in the table top exercise of an AUXAIR mission during the Annual Auxiliary Aviation Workshop held April 21, Facilitating the exercise are (Left) Tom Powers, DSO-AV and (Right) Peter Hecht, DFSO. CAPT Sandlin, Commanding Officer, Air Station Clearwater, congratulating and thanking AUXAIR Clearwater members for their service and dedication during the 2018 Annual Auxiliary Aviation Workshop. Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Jon Nicholls. Miami Workshop April 21-22, 2018 (Left) LT Greg Snow, Auxiliary Liaison Officer and (Center) CAPT M. E. Platt, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Air Station Miami presented the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation award to Auxiliary Aviators who served on the District Seven Auxiliary Air ESF-10 Hurricane IRMA Recovery Team. (Left to right) Edward Cook, Robert Carew, George Sanchez, Peter Hecth, Thomas Powers and Paul Lordi during the Annual Auxiliary Aviation Workshop held at Air Station Miami April 22, Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Gary Joseph. "For exceptionally meritorious service from September 2017 to January 2018 while serving as members of the District Seven Auxiliary Air: ESF-10 Hurricane Irma Recovery Team. Displaying outstanding technical skills and dedication to the U.S. Coast Guard, team members expertly assembled their talents and resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma which devastated areas of the Florida peninsula. After it was discovered that multiple waterways and channels were blocked and impassable by vessels which sunk or had been badly damaged by the storm's powerful winds and surge, District Seven charged the team with reconnaissance missions to provide operational commanders with accurate information. The team immediately sprang into action and volunteered their response. efforts with seven aircraft facilities, 10 pilots, and 12 aircrew members. Collectively, the team volunteered over 100 labor hours and coordinated 13 air sorties totaling 55 flight hours, which included overflights of nearly all of the navigable waterways between the Dry Tortugas and Key West, and along the coast from Miami to Jacksonville. Demonstrating superior diligence, the team recorded the coordinates and description of numerous damaged vessels which posed a hazard to navigation and ultimately located over 2,000 vessels which had been lost or damaged. 25

26 Official Publication U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District Aviation AUXAIR District 7 Operations and Flight Safety Newsletter Discover the Ultimate Auxiliary Aviation Model For The Nation 26