december 2011 volume 11 • number 12 - American Bonanza Society

www.bonanza.orgThe idea is to instillmore confidence innon-pilots sitting in theright seat about theworld of aviation…Friday’s classroom sessions arereinforced in the afternoon by a tripto the hangar for a hands-on walkaroundof a Beechcraft aircraft.Here, instructors demonstrate howthe controls and control surfacesfunction. Each companion is invitedinto the cockpit, where they lookwith new interest at the instrumentsand equip ment of which they havegained some understanding. Duringthe walk-around, they try to rememberthe names of all those parts. Saturdaymorning entails a trip to the airportcontrol tower and TRACON (if thereis one at that location). This outingprovides huge insight into the partATC plays in general aviation. Italso reinforces discussions duringthe Friday classes such as, “How doI know someone isn’t going to runinto me in the clouds?”An educated companion is an invaluableasset in the cockpit. Dur ingthose down-to-minimum approachesand high-workload situations, aneducated companion will understandyour need to focus completely onthe aircraft. On those crystal clearVFR days when the sun is gleamingoff the glaciers in Alaska or settingin the Gulf as you fly the FloridaKeys, your educated companion willbetter appreciate the passion youhave for flying. He or she may evenask to try to land the plane!Congratulations to these ABS memberswho have earned ABS AVIATOR status.To participate, send copies of your trainingcertificates to absmail@bonanza.org, orfax (316) 945-1710 attn: ABS AVIATOR.Level 1Michael Lehmann, Lena, IllinoisSam Gibbs, Asheville, North CarolinaPat Groves, Menlo Park, CaliforniaLevel 2Doug Weber, Michigan City, IndianaMichael DeTraglio, Pittsford, New YorkPaul Johnson, Cameron, WisconsinLevel 3John Morris, Rochester, MinnesotaLevel 5Daniel Peterson, Papillion, NebraskaRance Hopwood, Vienna, VirginiaLifetime ABS MASTER AVIATORSMike Fasciano, Lake Forest, IllinoisMike Mercer, Vienna, VirginiaSteve Baggerly, Guymon, OklahomaWe share your love for Beechcraft,which is why we ownone too!Marisa (Reese) LeachA&P/IA MechanicProfessional EngineerCommercial Pilot30+ Year Aircraft OwnerJim LeachA&P MechanicProfessional EngineerCommercial Pilot & CFIIUS Naval Aviator40+ Year Aircraft OwnerWe work on a lot of aircraft, but Beechcraft is our favorite brand. That’swhy we own one, “G-Whiz”, a 1956 G35 Bonanza. Beechcraft are built tolast - with the right maintenance plan. Next time your Beechcraft needsservice, please give us a call at Windward Aviation. We will treat yourBeechcraft as if it were our own.Maintenance • Upgrades • Repair & RestorationAvionics • Propeller • Flight Test & DeliveryPaint & Interior • Detailing • Hangar Space1-800-546-8668Palm Beach County Airport (KLNA)Professionals Serving General Aviation www.windwardaviation.netVolume 11 • Number 12 AMERICAN BONANZA SOCIETY 55