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

Wheel-Ski Flight Training at Lake Hood

ACME Cub Training outfitted our Super Cub with Airglass LW2500 wheel-skis this week.  We now offer our students both ski training and tail wheel training.  We keep our cub pre-heated and available for training.

Ski flying, late freeze-up

Lake Hood froze solid during the third week of November.  We experienced a very mild fall.  Freeze up came about a month late.   Snow pack in the Anchorage area remains very light.  We are still able to operate and give off-airport training with 31" Bushwheels.  Our off-airport syllabus includes techniques to avoid the "Moose Stall".   This coarse is mandatory for all pilots that hope to venture out and find their own runways.

ACME Cub Training will install wheel skis after the Thanksgiving weekend and start the ski training season.