The third class in our Ground Seminar Series will be Advanced G1000 – VFR Operations on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00am to 12:30pm. Sean Brodeur and John Cronin will be teaching. $50

This seminar is a great follow-up to the previous Garmin 1000 seminar. It will go even deeper into the advanced functions available on the G1000 system.

Topics will include:

• Loading and storing flight plans (waypoints, airways, inverting)
• Creating user waypoints and tracking offsets
• Setting fuel and range ring
• Establishing individual preset favorites
• Advanced PFD operations
• Advanced MFD operations
• Joystick functions
• Optimizing topo, terrain, weather, obstacle settings
• Understanding the Comm panel
• Integrated autopilot and KAP 140 use

Complete Ground Seminar Series Schedule

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We’re seeing Red Tails (PG-13) at Woburn Showcase Cinema this Friday night, January 20th at 7:00pm.

Be sure to arrive a little early or purchase your tickets ahead of time!
Families are welcome!

King Schools has released a series of Checkride Preparation DVDs. Private Pilot and Instrument students will find them a helpful, interactive resource.

We want to make sure the outcome of your checkride reflects all the hard work you’ve put in so far. We thinking watching the videos on your home computer will give you extra confidence and insight into the checkride experience.

Normally $119, we’re offering a few DVDs for only $59.

This is a limited-time offer. Quantities are also limited.

Have you taken a cool photo while out flying? Share it with us on our Facebook page!

The second class in our Ground Seminar Series will be G1000 (C-172 NAVIII) Introduction and Overview on Saturday, January 28 from 10:00am to 12:30pm. $50

This is a great seminar for clients who are ready to move beyond the traditional round dial avionics into something more advanced. The Garmin 1000 offers more Situational Awareness. Also, Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) experience can make a substantial difference for pilots who want to make aviation a career.

Topics will include:

• Systems differences
• Primary Flight Display (PFD)
• Multi-Function Display (MFD)
• Communications panel
• Reversionary mode
• Standby instruments
• Main functions available

Complete Ground Seminar Series Schedule

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A recent MassDOT study shows that Massachusetts airports generate $11.9 billion in economic activity annually. About 124,000 jobs depend on the airport industry.

“As major economic catalysts, Massachusetts’ airports are responsible for generating billions of dollars in economic benefit…Aviation contributes significantly in helping to sustain, lead, and diversify the Commonwealth’s economy.”

With the release of this study, Governor Deval Patrick declared November “General Aviation Month.”

It is encouraging for us at EFA to see the public recognize General Aviation’s contributions to society. We consider ourselves stewards of aviation’s future. We take this responsibility seriously. We are proud to share our love of flying with the next generation of pilots.

Some information from Mansfield Patch

The first class in our Ground Seminar Series will be Cross-Country Flight Planning on Saturday, January 14 from 10:00am to 12:30pm. Ed Keins and Marc Nathanson will be teaching.

This free, interactive lesson will be good training for Private Pilot students and a great refresher for those with more experience. Bring your questions and your stories.

Topics will include:

• Route selections
• Checkpoint selection criteria
• Weight & Balance considerations
• Cruise performance and wind effects
• Radar advisories vs. FSS flight plan
• Airspace considerations
• Maximizing use of pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR & GPS
• Course lines vs. speed lines
• VOR fixes
• Diverting
• Destination airport procedures

Complete Ground Seminar Series Schedule

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Our Ground Seminar Series has something for every pilot. Brush up on some flight planning fundamentals, learn new avionics, prepare for your checkride or explore new ways to live your passion.

Seminars are intimate, 2.5 hour lessons designed to develop community and address important topics. Dialog with instructors and students about your specific areas of interest.

Many of our seminars are free. The others still cost much less than a typical one-on-one lesson. They are scheduled on Saturdays during the 10:00am block so you can put your new skills into practice right away.

1/14/12 Cross-Country Flight Planning Free
1/28/12 G1000 (C-172 NAVIII) Introduction and Overview $50
2/11/12 Advanced G1000 – VFR Operations $50
2/25/12 KLN 94 GPS Operations and More $25
3/10/12 Aerobatics and Formation Free
3/24/12 Checkride Preparation and Clues $40
4/7/12 Advanced G1000 – IFR Operations $50
4/21/12 VFR Flying: Guided Group Discussion & Shared Techniques Free
5/5/12 IFR Flight Planning: Guided Group Discussion & Shared Techniques Free
5/19/12 Maintenance at EFA’s Maintenance Hangar (KLWM) $25

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Cross-Country Flight Planning
Sat 1/14/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Ed Keins and Marc Nathanson
Free

• Route selections
• Checkpoint selection criteria
• Weight & Balance considerations
• Cruise performance and wind effects
• Radar advisories vs. FSS flight plan
• Airspace considerations
• Maximizing use of pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR & GPS
• Course lines vs. speed lines
• VOR fixes
• Diverting
• Destination airport procedures

{Sign Up}

G1000 (C-172 NAVIII) Introduction and Overview
Sat 1/28/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Sean Brodeur and John Cronin
$50

• Systems differences
• Primary Flight Display (PFD)
• Multi-Function Display (MFD)
• Communications panel
• Reversionary mode
• Standby instruments
• Main functions available

{Sign Up}

Advanced G1000 – VFR Operations
Sat 2/11/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Sean Brodeur and John Cronin
$50

• Loading and storing flight plans (waypoints, airways, inverting)
• Creating user waypoints and tracking offsets
• Setting fuel and range ring
• Establishing individual preset favorites
• Advanced PFD operations
• Advanced MFD operations
• Joystick functions
• Optimizing topo, terrain, weather, obstacle settings
• Understanding the Comm panel
• Integrated autopilot and KAP 140 use

{Sign Up}

KLN 94 GPS Operations and More
Sat 2/25/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Sean Brodeur
$25

• KLN 94 (VNAV, calculating W/V, radio freq loading, MSA/ESA, DME arcs, etc)
• KAP 140 A/P (Alt alerter, pre-selected altitudes, arming altitude, nav and approach modes)
• KX 155A NAV/COM (Chan and Mode buttons, timer, reading radials)
• KN 55A HSI (slaved and unslaved, capturing courses, scaling, etc)
• KMA 28 Comm panel
• Garmin 430/430W

{Sign Up}

Aerobatics and Formation
Sat 3/10/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Marc Nathanson
Free

• Decathlon and EXTRA 300L
• Contests and Practices
• Spin experience
• Unusual attitude and spin recoveries
• Basic aerobatics
• Advanced aerobatics
• Tailwheel endorsements
• Formation flight

{Sign Up}

Checkride Preparation and Clues
Sat 3/24/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Marc Nathanson
$40

• Making sure everything is in order (including IACRA)
• Understanding the PTS
• Filling your “clue box”
• Checkride jitters
• How to prepare
• Using SRM to your advantage
• Common errors (what not to do and guaranteed bust items)
• Correcting your errors

{Sign Up}

Advanced G1000 – IFR Operations
Sat 4/7/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Sean Brodeur and John Cronin
$50

• Entering filed route and changing flight plans
• Instrument, RAIM and VOR checks
• Pre-departure setup (DP and emergency return)
• Checking weather before departing
• Enroute operations
• Full or vectored approach setup
• Course reversals (P/T or hold)
• Use of GPS in lieu of DME
• GPS approach criteria for LPV, LNAV, and LNAV/VNAV
• Missed approach and holds
• Timers and DA/MDA settings
• Integrated autopilot and KAP 140 use

{Sign Up}

VFR Flying: Guided Group Discussion & Shared Techniques
Sat 4/21/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Ed Keins and Marc Nathanson
Free

• Destination airport facilities and services
• Changing weather conditions
• Fuel considerations
• Equipment/engine failures
• Diversions
• Overwater to MVY & ACK
• Night flight considerations
• Also, bring a list of topics you want to discuss!

{Sign Up}

IFR Flight Planing: Guided Group Discussion & Shared Techniques
Sat 5/5/12 10:00am-12:30pm
Ed Keins and Marc Nathanson
Free

• Route selection
• Filing an IFR flight plan
• How to evaluate the weather forecasts and what keeps you on the ground
• Alternate considerations
• Equipment considerations
• Go/no-go considerations
• Obstacle clearance minimums
• Lost comm/nav/equipment problems
• Diversions
• In-flight weather updates
• Precision, non precision, circling, visual and contact approaches
• WAAS approaches
• Approach minimums and other considerations
• Also, bring a list of topics you want to discuss!

{Sign Up}

Maintenance at EFA’s Maintenance Hangar (KLWM)
Sat 5/19/12 10:00am-12:30pm
EFA Staff
$25

• Look “under the hood” of the aircraft you fly
• Learn the whys and wherefores of parts and systems
• Understand what the pre-flight checks tell you and why you do them
• Learn the techniques of cold and hot starting and why we do what we do
• Find out what to do when something doesn’t look/sound/feel/smell right
• Discuss in-flight abnormalities and how to write them up
• Develop the systems understanding you need to diagnose abnormalities and take action

{Sign Up}

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The process is brief and the cost is free. Weekend hours are available on January 7, 9:00am-2:00pm.

US Citizens: bring drivers license
Naturalized US Citizens: bring US passport
Non-US Citizens: bring resident alien card or visa with I-94

Join us for “First Day – First Flight” on New Year’s Day!

Get on the 01/01/2012 schedule to complete a lesson, take a friend for a joy ride, enjoy a $100 hamburger or renew your currency.

You are also likely to experience an unusually quiet day at Hanscom, without the famous downwind 360° for spacing.

All those who log at least one hour, solo or dual, will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Dunkin Donuts.

More importantly, you will get to open the new year with a logbook entry on day one!

What more could a pilot ask for?