Garmin GTN 650 and Federal 3600 Wheel Skis installed in N9418C

The Garmin IFR radio package is installed in N9418C, a 1955 Cessna 180.  I am giving instrument flight training to Jacob Williams and Eugene DesJarais.  The Garmin GTN 650 gives us the opportunity to file IFR on training flights and shoot approaches to all the small airports in the Susitna Valley.  We do real time approaches with a glide-slope to Palmer (PAAQ), Big Lake (PAGQ, Wasilla (PAWS), Willow (PAUO), and Talkeetna (PATK).  The WAAS capability of the GTN 650  provides a vertical navigation on RNAV approaches to all of these airports.  We have the cross-fill option selected on the GTN 650.  This sends the flight plan information over to Garmin's newest gadget, the Aera 795 that is mounted on the pilots control yoke.

Last night Jacob and I flew IFR from Soldotna (PASX) to Anchorage (PANC) in a snowstorm.  We  shot the ILS approach to runway 7 left at Ted Stevens International Airport.  We cancelled IFR when we broke out of the clouds on final approach.  We asked the tower if we could continue on the up-wind for 7 left and turn the up-wind into a left down-wind to land on the ice on the West waterway at the Lake Hood seaplane base. (PALH).  The tower controller cleared us to proceed as requested.  With this flight I introduced my son to hard IFR flying.  I addition, we experienced the situational awareness that the our new Garmin package provides when flying in IMC conditions.

McKenna Paving paved our lot

Garmin 650, Garmin 795, and 3600 Wheel Skis on Cessna 180, N9418C

ACME Cub Training ordered a Garmin avionics package that includes a Garmin 650 touch screen GPS and a Garmin 795 yoke mounted GPS. Northern Lights Avionics will install the radios in October.  N9418C is our instrument trainer, tail-wheel trainer, and qualifies as a complex aircraft.
In addition to the radio upgrades, we outfitted iN9418C with Federal 3600 Wheel-Skis. It is now available as a complex aircraft for the training needed for a commercial rating or a FAR 61.31 (e) endorsement.  It also has a 230 HP engine making it available to give pilots a FAR 61.31 (f) high-performance endorsement.  It is a conventional gear aircraft making N9418C available to give pilot a tailwheel endorsement, FAR 61.31 (i).

1955 Cessna 180 N9418C

ACME Cub Training added a Cessna 180 to the fleet.  We own hydraulic wheel-skis making this aircraft a complex aircraft.  We give complex endorsements, high-performance endorsements, tail-wheel endorsements, flight training to qualify for a Commercial pilot certificate.

Steven Williams will travel to your location to give check rides for Sport Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot,  Instrument, and Seaplane ratings.

Tower telephone numbers

We experienced an electrical problem while giving flight instruction.  It was a great opportunity to teach the student how to comply with 91.129 (d) Communications failure and enter the pattern with no radio. It was also a great time to see the light gun signals as outlined in AIM 4-3-13.  Entering the pattern without an operating radio and waiting for the proper light gun signal was uneventful.  I had previously entered the phone  number of Anchorage Tower (PANC)  in my phone.  I called the tower as I was entering their airspace and explained our situation.  We received a landing clearance on my cell phone.

The phone numbers that I have in my cell phone:

Anchorage Tower PANC (907) 271-6549
Merrill Tower PAMR          (907) 271-3121
Bethel Tower PABE         (907) 543-3661
Fairbanks Tower PAFA   (907) 474-0452
Kenai Tower PAEN          (907) 283-7245
Kodiak Tower PADQ        (907) 487-4382

"Night flying prohibited" 61.110 (b) (2)

Pilots that receive flight training for a Private pilot rating in Alaska can forgo the 3 hours of night training required in 61.109 (a) (2).  However, a limitation is placed on the certificate: "Night flying prohibited".   "This limitation is only valid for a 12-calender-month period.  At the end of that period, the certificate will become invalid for use until the person complies with appropriate night training requirements".

Check your certificate, if you have a limitation "Night flying prohibited" listed, your certificate is invalid 12-months from the day you took your Private Pilot check ride.  You need to get the required flight training and a DPE can remove the limitation.  This will make your certificate valid.  Contact ACME Cub Training and get the required night flight training and receive a new certificate with the limitation "Night flying prohibited" removed.

Designated Pilot Examiner on-staff at ACME Cub Training

Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

ACME Cub Training now has a Designated Pilot Examiner on-staff.  The FAA selected Steven Williams as a Designated Pilot Examiner.  Steven has accomplished the training and check rides required by the FAA to be an Examiner.

Steven Williams is authorized to give FAA practical flight tests for pilots applying for Sport, Private, Commercial, and Instrument certificates.  Steve will give check rides to pilots in both Land and Seaplanes.

Formation Flying (Jacob Williams and Wrangle Jensen). Photographer: Eugene DesJarlais

Great day of ski flying.  The temperature was -40 at Beluga Lake on January 16.

Ski Flying with Eugene DesJarlais, Jacob Williams, and Wrangel Jensen