Jan. 04, 2004 --Have you seen these pics floating around on the net. There must be a zillion copies by now on the net. Save your email space and send your friends to the OVA website... here they are... by the way, it's not a shark, it's a dolfin... and my desk...

New Updates to the OVA website ~  Jan. 03, 2004 -- We have a new look on the home page for 2004. I've checked  as many links as i can, let me know if I've missed any. Also, ADDS weather service has updated their prog charts. Check them out on the Weather Page. 
 

Congratulations! ~  Dec. 29, 03 -- Congratulations to Merissa LaCoursiere on her first solo in 93G. Did you know that 93G has 10 more horsepower than 657? That's why you have to watch the redline on the tach more carefully than 657. Good luck to Merissa on her way to her private pilot certificate. 

Cloud Layer ~  Dec. 29, 03 -- How do you like the cloud layer background in back of the "SKYHAVEN WEATHER" pic on the home page? It's a picture I took a few years ago. What caught my eye was the towering altocumulus and cumulonimbus in the making poking through an altostratus layer... 

PRICE INCREASE ~  Dec. 29, 03 -- Glen tells me that due to an increase in operating expenses like insurance we'll be having some price increases for aircraft rental and a few other items. As soon as the prices become available I'll be posting the new changes on the "cost and rental" page. For more information call the office at 332-0005. 

Fly Smart and Vigilant!  Dec. 27, 03 -- AOPA  advises pilots to, "Think about how your flight looks to security officials on the ground," and to, "Obtain a briefing and check notams before every flight." Does this mean we can't go for a ride around the neighborhood anymore? Well, unfortunately for some pilots this may sound a bit pretentious.  As most of us realize, the training we receive is ongoing and applies to every flight whether its a cross country to New York or shooting some "touch and goes." Another advisory says to not "loiter." If you asked a pilot to circle around a football stadium for a half an hour so you can take pictures I think most pilots should say, "Are you nuts?" In the old days, we used to call this "common sense." Are we flying in the airspace that terrorist use, or are the terrorist flying in the airspace that we use? 
So, what's the bottom line to all the rhetoric? 
In addition to all the training and advice from your CFI and the FAA, we need to be extra careful. The training you receive at OVA covers all you need to know to fly safely and be, "smart & vigilant." You can take a ride around the neighborhood but you need to know the proper procedures and requirements before you leave. Call the office for more information and find out how you can fly with confidence in today's airspace. 

Progress on the Champ~  Dec. 24, 03 -- Jim Dubois tells me he's been so busy he hasn't been able to have more done on the Champ, but it's coming. Here's a sneak peek of the Champ in the hanger that was chuck full of airplanes at the time of this pic. On the enlarged picture the top is covered by the wing of a 150 and the bottom shows the wing of a Mooney in the shop for repair. 

Congratulations to George Hubbard ~  Dec. 23, 03 -- Steve Kolacz does it again with a little help from Christophe Matson. Congratulations to George Hubbard on his first solo in 657. On a subsequent flight George brings a flight crew along. Click on the small plane to see George and his crew ready for take-off. 

Aviation Safety Program ~  Dec. 23, 03 -- Check out the FAA Aviation Safety Program icon in the right hand column and you'll see a hot link to the January 04 schedule. 

Threat Level HIGH ~  Dec. 21, 03 -- The Homeland Security Advisory system has advised the threat level is on "HIGH" alert. What does that mean for general aviation? AOPA says they'll notify subscribers of special e-mail alerts of security notams affecting flight in their area. As always, call the office 603-332-0005 and FSS 800-992-7433 to be sure. 

Where do all the shirts go? ~  Dec. 17, 03 -- Up on the wall of course. Can you see your shirt up there? You've got to solo first, so give us a call for an introductory flight to get you started. 
 
Picture of the Week ~  Dec. 15, 03 -- This is one of my favorite pictures from the Centennial held last August 03. That day you could get a ride in anything from a old biplane, Piper Cherokee, helicopter, Pitts biplane to a Russian jet pilot trainer L-39 jet. 
 

Congratulations! ~  Dec. 14, 03 -- Congratulations to Mark Fecteau on his solo in 93G. You'll find our CFII Steve Kolacz in 93G and sometimes in 657. One pilot told me she did her cross country in 93G, her instrument work in 657 and preperation for her instrument rating in 43G. Good luck to Mark on his way to the private pilot certificate. 

Snow Removal Information ~  Dec. 10, 03 -- Be sure to check out the information about snow removal operations taking place around the airport. If you see snow removal equipment in action on the airport be sure to utilize unicom radio procedures to not only alert pilots in other aircraft but also the snow equipment operators that will be monitoring the unicom frequency. At Skyhaven it's 122.7. 

Congratulations to John Featherman! Sounds like John had quite a journey along the way, but he finally made it! Good luck to John as he continues his journey to his private pilot license.

Congratulations to Jeff Newberg! Between Steve and Pete it looks like Jeff is well on his way to his private! Good luck to Jeff! 

Congratulations to Walter Damon!Our CFI Steve Kolacz has been busy lately doing some serious flying with 657 which happens to be our featured plane of the week. Good luck to Walter on his way to his private ticket! 
 

COLD WEATHER STARTS ~ Dec. 9update, 03 -When the weather is cold, that is 30 degrees F or colder, remember the aircraft need special attention, primarily pre-heat for the engines. However, there are times when you don't have to preheat. For example, if someone flew the plane a short time before your scheduled flight the engine might still be warm enough. Call the office for more details. 
 

PICTURE OF THE WEEK ~  Dec. 4, 03 -- 657 is another one of  our Skyhawks that everybody loves. As one pilot said, "It just feels good flying." Check out the instrument panel on the aircraft picture page and you'll see it's back to basics. Looking for your instrument rating? 657 is a nice plane to do the job. 

FAA SAFETY SEMINARS ~  Nov, 16, 03 -- The december schedule for safety seminars shows a couple of events in our backyard. One at Pease on Dec 3rd titled "SO YOU WANT TO BUY AN AIRPLANE", and the other will be at Sanford Air titled "WINTER FLIGHT OPERATIONS".  Click on "December" in the right column for other locations and topics. 
 

PICTURE OF THE WEEK ~  Nov, 27, 03-- Here it is again! 93G caught in the act, the act of flying that is. When you sit in the cockpit of this aircraft you know you're in a different Skyhawk. It was originally purchased with floats and has some enhancements that give it a little extra boost. It also has long range fuel tanks. Watch the tach when you hit the power, but be careful. You can redline the rpm very easily. 

FAA ESTABLISHES THE "ATO" ~  Nov, 20, 03 -- AOPA says the new COO of the newly established Air Traffic Organization," said, "We're passionate about costs." (That sounds delightful.) The ATO claims to contain "business units" which includes air traffic control and separation and flight service station functions. (What's a business unit?)  How this new change will affect GA is unknown, but AOPA promises to watch the ATO closely and, "that funding for the new organization does not become user-fee-based." 

Spirit of Igor ~  Nov, 20, 03 -- The OVA Antique page has some unique pictures of Dick Jackson's S-39. For some in depth information about Dick's 40,000 hour project, visit the web page.