February 2006 - American Bonanza Society

autopilot had become nonfunctional. Ilanded at Sacramento and went toExecutive Autopilots on the field. Theyhad worked on the AC convener in myairplane in the past. With in 10 minutes,they were on the problem, and becausethey needed a few days to work on myunit, they lent me one. This worked wellfor the remainder of my trip.Their friendly approach to helpingme out with no advance notice was verymuch appreciated, and I was on my wayin a little over an hour. I think theydeserve recognition for this outstandingservice.- Charles S. TannenbaumSpringfield, OregonThank you to 01/On December II , a huge surprisebinhday pany was held for me fourdays ahead of time by my eldest grandsonat a club where he is a member. Atleast 100 guests were there. It was wonderfulto meet so many old friends andacquaintances, all younger than me, ofcourse.On my actual binhday, December15, ABS member Scott Thomas of LakeSaranac, New York, arrived inPoughkeepsie in his Baron and flew mydaughter Trisha and me to Kitty Hawk,Nonh Carolina, for the I02nd anniversaryof the Wright brothers' flights. Ihad attended the 98th, 99th and IOOthanniversary celebrations, but not the10 I st. I was really impressed withScott's piloting skills.A binhday pany was also held inthe very popular Black Pelican restaurant,which had been the GovernmentLifesaving Station when the Wrightsmade their flights.On December 17, First Flight ceremonieswere held at Kill Devil Hills. Aformation was flown above the monumenton top of the huge sand dune fromwhich the Wrights made their early glid·ing flights.That eveni ng a banquet with about200 people attending was held in thelarge building next to the level groundfrom which the Wrights had made theirfirst powered and controlled flights intheir flying machine. Pictures of me andsome of my various career aircr.aft wereprojected on a large screen-a real surpriseto me!I also had many e-mail greetingsand cards and letters when I got home. Iwant to thank all of those who panicipatedin making this IOOth birthday sospecial for me.-John M. Miller. Poughkeepsie, New YorkARSAviatorAwardCONGRATULATIONS TOTHE FIRST THREE ASS AVIATORSThree members have qualified to dotefor the ASS AVIATOR deSignation. which rec·ognizes those who go for beyond the mini·mum requirements to beoome sofer. more knowledgeable pilots.Dr. lorne Sheren, Cholham. New Jersey. earned our first ASS AVIATORstatus with SPPP training in Manchester. New Hampshire. and by complet·ing three AOPA Air Sofety founDation on·line courses.Next comes John Wiebener, Edgewood. New Mexico, who earned thisdesignation by completing a new FAA type rating. on FAA WINGS level. andfive Operations or Maintenance track seminars at the 2005 ASSConvention. for a total of 155 ASS AVIATOR points.Our third ASS AVLllTOR is Robert Castle, Midwest City. Oklahoma. whoachieved recognition by adding a Mulliengine Instructor rating to his FlightInstructor certificote, and completing the AOPA Air Safety Foundation an·lineEngine and Propeller Course.So for. we hove received completion certificotes toward the ABS AVlA·TOR program from 47 members. Congratulations to 01147. and especiolty tothese first three ASS AVIATORS.For more information on how you, too. con achieve the designation ofASS AVIATOR. see the ASS website or the October 2005 issue of the ABSMagazine.Bolts of two different lengths were used tosecure the wheel halves together. Which lengthbolt is correct? And do you know why?See poge 9478 for the 01 \VOl