Post your flights on the OLC and join the Region 11 Sawyer contest. Read more about it on the PASCO Sawyer Award page.
PASCO Egg Capture Trophy

9/18/2009 Minden

Where is Alby?
7-27-09: Texas -Midlothian Gliderport
Follow Alby's voyage:
albysvoyage.blogspot.com
Email: Webmaster
ALL PILOTS
As you should already know, you need to replace your paper pilots license with a plastic version before March 31, 2010. If you dont, you certificate is no longer valid (at least thats what the FAA person in OK City just told me).
When I tried to do this converson on line, I got an error (#214), and I had to call the FAA to resolve. My understanding is that if you certificate shows 'Glider Aero Tow' you will have this problem if you try to do online. So right now, if you want to register for your plastic certificate online, and your certificate says 'Glider Aero Tow', you will have to call the FAA 866.878.2498, press 1 then press 0, to have them fix, then you can go back onlne and follow the instructions (pay your $2), and you should receive your new cert. sometime later.
If you dont want to do online, and mail in forms instead, you should not have this problem.
If anyone knows more about this issue, please let me (us) know.
Bruce Roberts, PASCO President (send email)
Many of us fly with the Spot Messenger. I have the old version, but for those who have the newer, smaller unit READ THIS.

(taken from the FindMeSpot.com website)
Spot LLC is dedicated to providing the highest quality and best performance products to our customers, therefore, Spot LLC is conducting a product return on the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messengers™ (SPOT 2) purchased since October 1, 2009. During recent testing, we discovered that these SPOT 2 devices may not meet battery and messaging operating specifications.
Important!: If you have a SPOT 2 unit with an ESN number equal to or less than 0-8053925, please complete the simple Product Return Form below to return your SPOT 2 unit for replacement at your earliest convenience.
http://findmespot.com/exchange/
The Exchange Process MUST BE DONE BY MARCH 31, 2010
Replacement units are anticipated to be available in early 2010. More details to follow. When you exchange your eligible unit, you will receive a service extension.* If you already activated your SPOT 2 unit, we will extend the renewal date of your service account for 3-months. If you have not activated your SPOT 2 unit, we will extend the service contract for 1-month upon activation of your replacement SPOT 2 unit. Once exchanged, you will receive your replacement SPOT-2 unit. Please follow this process to receive your return shipping materials (when using supplied materials, postage will be paid by SPOT LLC). These will be sent to you upon completion of the form. Ship only your SPOT-2 unit and take out batteries prior to shipping. Important notes

This does not affect SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) nor is it an upgrade program to transition from SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) to the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT-2).
http://findmespot.com/exchange/
SQUAWK CODE 0440
We have learned that 0440 is in the block of squawk codes assigned to Joshua Center and they are having problems with gliders from Minden, Tuckee and Air Sailing flying south and arriving in "their" airspace using a squawk code they have already assigned. [more ...]
NCSA Safety Seminar