Dec. 24, 05 -   Santa's work shop is pretty busy this year. Here's a sneak preview of another aircraft headed back to the line-up here at Ossipee Valley Aviation. Can you recognize it? It appears that Glen and Paul have been watching the "Extreme Makeover" TV show and have caught the fever. If you haven't figured it out yet, then I'll give you a few clues: new paint, new engine, new interior, new panel... and it will still have the S.T.O.L. kit on it when we're done! That's right, it's 93G! We're all pretty excited about the great new line-up of aircraft for 2006. If you've been wondering what happened to 93G you now have a preview of coming attractions. Be sure to check out the "aircraft picture" page for all the latest changes for our 2006 line-up!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! ~ Dec. 22, 05 - It's that time of the year again and Santa brought us a nice present. A shiny new Cessna 150. Don't forget, we also have gift certificates available at the front desk. As a matter of fact, there's one of Santa's helpers at the counter checking his list and making it right. He's probably checking the schedule also to make sure the aircraft are all set and ready to go first thing in the morning. (How about the blinking lights and the Christmas Tree...)

SAY HELLO TO OUR NEW CESSNA 150! ~ Dec. 21, 05 - It's finally here! Our brand new fully restored 1977 Cessna 150 has been certified and is now officially part of our fantastic fleet of aircraft. This 150 for all practical purposes, is a new aircraft. Here are some preview pictures to give you an idea what you're in for. The Cessna 150 is probably the most popular training aircraft on the planet and we have one here for your flying pleasure. Glen tells me that there's a few items he'd like to add to this beauty but for now we wanted to share the excitement and get this airplane in the line-up for everyone to admire. If you checkout the "cost and rental"  page you'll see the reasonable rate of $76/hr. But for a limited time only, you might be able to rent it at $70/hr! To see if you qualify, give us a call at the office and we'll make arrangements for your first flight in the nicest Cessna 150 you ever saw. Keep checking our "Aircraft Picture" page for more information as it becomes available.

Aviation Safety Seminar for January 2006~ Dec. 19,  05 Did you get your 2006 calendar yet? If you did, then here's a couple of dates to mark on your new appointment list! Doing a search on the Safety Seminar site reveals a few seminars right in our own backyard.  After the CFI Workshop in Nashua on January 5,  there's one schedule at Sanford Air on Wednesday, Jan . 18th at 6:00 pm titled, "Survival." The other one is at "Port City Air" on Jan. 25th at 6:00 pm titled,  "Airspace and Aviation Security". Click on the blue icon in this article to see the search output file, or click on the Aviation Safety Seminar icon in the right column (home page) to visit the Portland FAA site.

AOPA wins major victory in supporting GA airports ~ Dec. 19, 05 - Some pretty hot articles at the AOPA site this month on how AOPA officials are "fighting" to protect GA airports from illegal regulations imposed by local and state politicians in Florida, New York, Kentucky, Minnesota, Washington.... (is there a message here?). Since 911 many GA airports have come under attack from politicians against closings and illegal regulations. Check out the pdf snapshot of the AOPA site and their GA Security site for more details.

HOW ABOUT A FLYING GIFT CERTIFICATE? ~ Dec. 13,  05 Trying to think of that special gift that's guaranteed to get a surprise? How about a gift certificate from Ossipee Valley Aviation. We have them at the counter waiting for you to come and get one, or maybe two!
Let's face it,  this is the most unique gift anyone will ever receive. An airplane ride or flying lesson is something that many people dream of, but never seem to find the time. Enjoy the excitement of giving that special person the thrill of flying with one of our instructors with an OVA Gift Certificate. Just call us at 1-603-332-0005. 
What a great idea! Get your Ossipee Valley Aviation Gift Certificates today.... 

Congratulations On Your First Solo Flight! ~ Dec. 13,  05 - Congratulations to Caroline Mann on making her first solo flight in our beautiful Cessna 172 IFR aircraft N3543G. Check out the business area where Caroline has been putting all her studies into practice. The instrument panel in this aircraft is similar to what you'll find in a corporate biz jet. How about the GPS moving map display! Think your pretty good at multi-tasking? Ask Caroline about managing the flight controls, navigational radios, communicating with ATC all while maintaining a watchful eye on her position and other aircraft. Click here for a closer look at that instrument panet! Good luck to Caroline as she continues her studies towards her private pilot certificate!

Student Pilot Evening Classes! ~ Dec. 7,  05 - Student Pilot evening classes are in full swing at Ossipee Valley Aviation. Mike McMahon and his students are shown here during an evening class. Here, the students get a chance to interact with fellow student pilots. 

There's nothing like sharing your experiences with friends and pilots to get some real world accounts of what they did on their cross country, or how you handled that extra windy day that was unexpected. Our evening classes will prepare you for your journey towards your private pilots license. You'll learn the answers to all aspects and requirements from getting ready for your solo flight to making your cross country and preparing for the flight test. For more information about evening classes call the office at 332-0005. To see more pics about evening classes click on "Pilot Training", "OVA Training Class".

Congratulations On Your First Solo Flight! ~ Dec, 1st  05 - Congratulations to Brian Kenney on his first solo flight in... a PA-28-180, it must be our Piper Cherokee 180 N6450J. Maybe Kevin is just testing us. But even if he isn't, you can learn how to fly in your own airplane if you choose. But you won't get the different choices you'll get like you will from out fleet of high wing and low wing aircraft. Speaking of which, my secret sources tell me that another aircraft is almost ready to be put on line. Sounds like I need to charge up my camera battery and sneak over to the hangar and get some pictures of this beauty so you can get the whole story right here on the OVA web site. In the meantime, good luck to Brian as he works towards his private pilot certificate. Then he can visit our Aircraft Picture Page and get checked out in some of our other aircraft.

Fuel Prices Have Gone Down! ~ Dec, 1st  05 - Have you seen the latest fuel prices lately? Well, check em out... The latest posting at the office as of today is up on the "Cost & Rental" page. According to an aviation fuel survey report I found on the net, the current avgas prices in New England range from $3.26 to $6.26, with the national average around $3.81/gal. At $3.75  I'd say we're not doing to bad, relatively speaking. So, come on down and do some flying. Our planes are fueled and ready to go.

WINTER IS BACK! ~ Nov 25, 05 - Black Friday? Were you waiting in line at 6:00 am to get into a store today? Me neither! After all the turkey I ate yesterday (and today) going shopping was not high on my list of things to do. While others are putting away their boats and motorcycles for the winter, private pilots are just getting ready for another phase of their flying experience. As all pilots know, it's actually the best time of the year to go flying when the air is cold and dry and near sea level. After flying last summer at 4000 ft. airports at 90 degrees, 93G feels like a rocket ship as it leaps off the runway in a few hundred feet. Speaking of 93G, Glen and Paul tell me that 93G is getting a new engine. And... the first snow has arrived. Here's a few pics of the tie down area with a white blanket to start the season...

AND THE WINNER IS? ~ Nov 21, 05 - Well did you get a chance to attend the "1st Annual 'Turkey Bombing' Contest?" It sounds like everyone had a ball... or should I say pumpkin! I didn't get a chance to talk to all the contestants, but the "eye ball" and "seat-of-the-pants" methods were the primary tools for the bombardiers. For more details you can read the article from the Foster's Daily Democrat by clicking on the this picture from their turkey bomb contest article. Although no one actually hit the target I hear there were some pretty close calls. Here's a hint! Next year, before the contest begins, come back to this article (it will be archived), and click on this link to our Turkey Bombing event. On that page I've added a simple formula for calculating the exact time and distance for releasing your pumpking or flour bomb. Try it out and see what happens!

Air Safety Seminar Schedule for December ~Nov 21, 05 - Here's the latest Safety Seminar schedule for December from Jim Dubois. Did you know that the Safety Program has been around since 1970? The program introduced the concept of a joint program sponsored by the FAA and the aviation community to reduce the general aviation accidents through educational and cooperative efforts. Usually, once a month you'll get the latest schedule right her at the OVA site. It is also available in PDF format so that it's easy to load and easy to print, or you can right click on the seminar icon and download the file on your computer.

How Many Ways Can I Go Flying? ~Nov 17, 05 - Here's some more pics from Mike. When the Foster's said he was fulfilling his dream in flying they weren't fooling around. And here's proof! I think Mike's been spending some time over to NewEngland Skydive and I think that one of the pictures is actually Mike which looks like his feet are hanging off the leading edge of the wing... huh? How'd he do that?

Aircraft in the Wings ~Nov 12, 05 - Now, what would be a nice aircraft to add to the line-up that could offer something that our other aircraft can't? Well my camera lens has been tracking a project around the hangar that's been progressing along and it may not be to far in the not to distant future we just might be seeing another OVA logo sitting on the ramp waiting for a student pilot to take it for a ride. Even if you're not a student pilot, it's still a lot of fun, and at a reasonable price. Here's a couple of pics of our "work in progress" project.

Private Pilot Ground School ~Oct 26, 05 - Private Pilot Ground School. Starting in November, usually around 6:00pm – 9:00pm in the evening. Wednesday or Thursdays (depending on preference). Sign up sheet located at the front desk. Here's a chance for you to join with fellow student pilots and learn about some unique personal experiences that other pilots have had that can be of benefit to the whole class. One of the most important tips you learn could be from conversations with fellow pilots before the class begins over a cup of coffee. Still undecided? Give us a call and find out more about the benefits of group therapy, oops, I mean a group class.

First Annual Turkey Bombing Contest ~Oct 26, 05 - What will Mike think of next? This November you can try your luck at our first annual Turkey bombing contest. Here an idea of how it might work: 3 bombing runs, take off in our aircraft and try your luck at bombing our target. Person closest to the target at the end of the day wins a prize. Click on the icon for more information, or call the office at 332-0005

Air Safety Seminars for November ~Nov 4, 05 - Here's a schedule for November sent in by Jim Dubois. The nearest seminar this month looks like to be in Manchester. Title  "Loss of Control" , November 29, 2005, starting at 6:00 pm. What causes a pilot to lose control? What causes an airplane to spin? Learn how to recognize and avoid situations which can lead to loss of aircraft control.  Location of the Event will be at Wiggins Airways, 1 Garside Way Manchester, NH 03103 Click on the icon for more stuff... if you really feel ambitious, you can go to the Massachusetts seminar in Beverly that's titled "Flying the Hudson River Corridor." Here's the seminar description: "Have you ever wanted to fly down the Hudson River at 1,000 feet, passing along side Manhattan, but were uncertain of how to do it? Why not bring a friend and plan your next cross country down the Hudson." I thought flying a 150 over the desert in New Mexico within a few miles of the White Sands missile test range was exciting but flying 1000 feet about the Hudson might get the adrenaline pumping a little... hmmm... anybody got a 150 I can borrow?

Halloween Spirit ~Oct 31, 05 - We've got the halloween spirit and we have the decorations to prove it and, we're open when it's dark out. If you've been thinking about getting caught up on some night flying, well you're in luck! At this time of the year, you can take a little ride over to Pease or Sanford or Littlebrook and be home in time for supper and watch the 6:00pm news. Check out the traffic on rte 236 in Eliot! It's the 5:30pm commute, or should I say jam-up. According to the radio, the back-up was due to construction. That's a solid line about 5 miles long looking east all the way to I95.

Turkey Bomb News ~Oct 31, 05 - Well, I hear there's more momemtum for the turkey bomb contest. I manage to get a picture of one of the special orange objects. It's the "3rd official" turkey bomb, so if you wanted the first one, it's not going to happen. You may not be in time for bomb #3 but you can check it out right here!

More Ground School Information! ~Oct 31, 05 -  Here's more information on the next Private Pilot Ground School. A sign-up sheet is now located on the counter. Click on the Ground School green icon to check it out. On the sign-up sheet you will also see the cost which, from what I've heard, includes the $80 fee for the test. But, as always, be sure to call the office for the latest.

Fuel Prices Dropping? ~Oct 31, 05 Actually they are! Check it out...click here

Congratulations On Your First Solo Flight! ~Oct 28, 05 - Congratulations to Phil Chace on making his first solo flight. Phil has made his first solo flight in one of our low wing aircraft, the Cherokee 180. This aircraft is all set and ready to go when Phil gets his private pilot certificate. There's plenty of room to take three of your friends and family up in the sky to share that personal skill and experience. Did you know that when Phil gets his private pilot license he'll be able to fly and rent aircraft from any airport. Visiting relatives in Arizona and wan't to see more of the landscape? No problem, just go down to the local airport, get a check ride, and away you go! For more information click on our "Pilot Training" page. Looking for editorials and stories about flying experiences? Click on our "News and Information" page to see pictures and stories about students and pilots.

Flying in the AM ~Oct 23, 05 - Here's another great pic sent in by Mike. So, when you get up early in the morning, what would you rather do? Go to work, or go flying? I've seen that early morning orange sky before, but it's usually from my car going down Spaulding Turnpike. I must say, that the orange morning sky looks a lot better as a backdrop for the Taylorcraft instead of a tractor trailer truck. Do you have a special moment captured on file (or digital)? If you do, send it in and share it the visitor's of Ossipee Valley Aviation.

Aero Planner (Flight Plan & more...) ~Oct 19, 05 - This is a very comprehensive site about airports and flight planning. Need up to the minute information about an airport? Looks like this site will do the job. EAA thinks so. Here's a blurb from their website..."AeroPlanner.com provides pilots the best planning tools and data available on the Internet. View all NOS sectional charts online, query FAA navigation databases, plot routes based on airports and navaids, and print tripticks and store log information all online. Set up an account with us today, and see how we are bringing electronic charting systems to the Internet." I'll give this site a Wow!

Aerobatic Thrill Rides! - Oct 17, 05 -  Well, what will Mike McMahon think up next? How about giving aerobatic thrill rides in his very own Super Decathlon. That's right! Mike's going to be giving rides on Sunday October 23rd. Taking a little airplane ride around the airport sound boring? No Problemo... Mike has just the thing for you! Find out what the difference is between a Cuban and a Hammerhead is. For more information, click on the "straight and level" icon or call the office at 332-0005.

Rising fuel prices: Will you feel it at the avgas pump? - Oct 17, 05 - This was the title of an article about the cost of avgas I just read. Another article referred to avgas as, "boutique fuel". Compared to auto gas, it's produced in limited quantities. "Avgas is composed of manufactured chemicals like aviation alkylate and toluene, and the production costs associated with these synthetic compounds contribute significantly to the price of the finished product. This makes avgas prices more stable than jet or automotive fuel, which are heavily influenced by the price of oil." There may be some part of the country were this applies but unfortunately not in New England.

Air Safety Seminar Schedule for October ~Oct 15, 05 - As posted last September 13 here's a reminder of the October Schedule. "Thanks to Jim Dubois we have two versions of the October Safety seminar available for you. They're both in Adobe PDF format so printing is no problem. Just click on the small pictures (icons) in this article to see the full printable schedules. Notice also, that when you open the schedules with pdf, anything printed with a www internet address is hyperlinked (click on it!)... only at Ossipee Valley Aviation..." Note: The October Schedule is also in the right column under the Air Safety logo.

New Link called "Pilot Portal" - Oct 15, 05 -  From time to time I get request from other aviation web sites requesting a link to their web site. Here an interesting email I received from the "Pilot Portal" IT Consultant and Pilot. I'll be adding this link to our "link page" shortly. In the meantime, click on the "Pilot Portal USA" icon to visit their site.
Dear Webmaster or Manager of Ossipee Valley Aviation,
I enjoyed viewing your web site at http://ossipeeaviation.com/ and found it to be very informative.  The components of your site are easily navigated and the information is comprehensive. I believe that the visitors to your site would also be interested in the content I am presenting on my site. I would like to know if you would like to do a link reciprocation.  I have recently built a large web site with the title "Pilot Portal USA - Information for the American Aviator". This site has four components consisting of a weather briefing, a listing of all flight schools in the USA which have a web site, an aviation directory (the aviation directory is currently under construction), and an aviation and space news blog.  I have included your flight school in the flight school listing component under the state of New Hampshire and this can be found at the following URL
http://pilotportalusa.atspace.com/flight_schools_northeast_part1.html.
 

Another New Link - Oct 15, 05 -  Here's another new link being added to the "Link Page" 
Description: Aviation portal containing aviation related applications (flight planning, pilot logbook, etc..), we also have the complete FAA US airport database. Globalair.com is one of the largest on-line aircraft for sale web sites on the Internet. Large search engine for locating aviation related companies from parts & accessories to FBO's, Aviation e-store, discussions forum and much more.
 

Have you seen our new Logo? - Oct 2, 05 - I'm sure by now everyone has seen the new logo on 43G. But that's not the only place you'll find the OVA markings... how about on the fuselage of a beautiful aerobatic biplane called the Ultimate flown by Rob Holland. If you came to our air show in August this is what Rob's plane looked like. Click on these icons to see the difference...

Mike Does it Again! ~ Oct 2, 05 - Here's a couple of pics sent in by Mike. His membership in the Collings Foundation seems to be taking him to far and away places... but, he doesn't seem to mind. As a matter of fact, he seems to having a ball! After all, what could be more exciting than flying a Cessna Skyhawk? How about flying WW2 bombers! .... well, I guess I'll go shoot some touch and go's with 11R.... don't forget the cover when you're done.