Weather Dorks, UNITE!!!

Ok, if any of you know me you probably also know that I'm a huge weather dork. I check the METARs, TAFs, and radar several times each day, whether I'm flying or not. This is a great habit for pilots of all experience levels to get into, and you'd be surprised the "feel" you get for the local weather patterns. By reading the forecast (more than weather.com's "partly cloudy" forecast) you know what to expect, and can see how accurately things turn out. It also makes reading the coded METARs and TAFs easier than reading the decoded versions!

I've attached a link to one of my favorite features of the National Weather Service's website, which is a huge mosaic of the national radar picture. Click on the link in the upper left to loop it. Check it out when we are forecast to have a major snow or thunderstorm event. It gives you a better intuition of mesoscale systems. (meso- Greek, "middle")

NWS Radar Mosaic

Barry

Space...

NASA does some really cool things. The clarity of some of these pictures is amazing, nothing like the grainy pictures we're used to seeing. I just ran across this link and though others would enjoy!

Shuttle Endeavour pics

Barry

Who Needs Flying Stuff?

Hey everyone!
I'd like to make an order for ground materials soon (Monday or so...) Please call or email admin@flyairlake.com if there's anything you've been wanting/needing and I'll get it in for you next week. I know you can order through other sources, but we really appreciate your business and would like to be your outlet for flying materials!

So, if you'd like:
-Written exam guides -Oral exam guides
-Textbooks -FAR/AIMs
-Handheld raidos -Headsets
-Flashlights -Kneeboards
-Weather books -Flight Bags

Let me know!

Remember 733GL?

How many of you have flown in N733GL? She's been a trainer in the Twin Cities for many years, has seen several flight schools, and trained dozens (if not hundreds) of pilots. Being a trainer, the avionics package installed in the panel is top-of-the-line. IFR GPS, dual NAV/COMS, even an ADF. But sitting on the ramp for so many years takes its toll. At least until this winter! Check out the new look for Airlake's original aircraft!


Believe it or not, this is the same airplane! We sent Golf Lima up to the paint shop in Park Rapids last fall, and they did a great job. It is the same paint scheme as 734HZ received a little over a year ago, and the color is a little greener-blue. You'd be proud to take your friends and family up in these new-looking birds!

First Private Pilot of '08

Congratulations to Technical Sergeant John Brown, who passed his Private checkride Friday, February 1! John began flying in the summer of 2006, and is now eying a pilot slot in the USAF. He is a great stick-and-rudder pilot who has never had a satisfactory landing (in his eyes) due to his consistent self-critique. Apparently the landings were good enough for Examiner John Roberts! John will be a great candidate for the Air Force.

Now, why he timed his private training to end in January/February is beyond me...

Welcome!

Hello Airlake pilots! On the suggestion of one of our pilots, I've launched Airlake Flight Training into the world of the blog. I'm still working on setting up a newsletter of some kind, but this format is more easily updated.

I've put some useful links on the right side of the screen. Our homepage (on my list of near-future updates), the schedule log-in screen, NWS weather, AOPA, and SkyVector. If you have ideas for others you think fellow pilots would enjoy, please let me know.

Bookmark us up and check back often! The airport may seem pretty slow at times, but there's still plenty going on as we gear up for spring!

Barry Park
Airlake Flight Training
952-985-0475