EAA/IMC Chapter Creativity

February 2017 - The North Andover, Massachusetts
, chapter of the IMC Club, EAA Chapter 106, held its January meeting in the Massport conference room. Instead of using one of the regular IMC Club scenarios, they used a “home-grown” situation that one of their CFIs, Ed Keins, found himself involved in during the mid-1980s.

It was a business trip in his company Aztec: Bedford (KBED), Massachusetts; Salisbury (KSBY), Maryland; Roanoke (KROA), Virginia; five passengers; and limited fuel. A new employee, a former Marine pilot, was in the left seat for a checkout in the Aztec, and Ed was at the right controls. They made a stop at KSBY for fuel and a weather update. It was still VFR at KROA, but the weather was deteriorating (not forecast) at KSBY. After departing IFR, they encountered IMC midway en route on a 2.5-hour flight. Weather at KROA was declining rapidly. As they descended on the approach for an LDA/GS Runway 06 approach (no ILS was available then), the windshield iced over, with only the small area in front of the new pilot having any visibility offset from the runway because of the LDA angle. They reached MDA (at about 400 AGL), then the MAP without getting a visual sighting of the runway, and initiated missed approach to a hold. They heard a B-737 completed a successful LDA 06 right behind. They agreed they had limited fuel remaining (about 1 hour), and the only other viable alternates were some 60-70 nm away. What would you do?

Ed’s presentation opened the table to reviewing the possible courses of action available and evaluating the decisions made. The discussion was lively and dynamic, with participants expressing their opinions without reservation and asking various questions.

Ed — who is a pilot and flight instructor with ATP CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings — is an assistant chief instructor at Executive Flyers in Bedford, and the IMC Club program coordinator at that location. Also the former president of Aviation Simulation Technology Inc. (simulator manufacturer in the late ‘80s and ‘90s) and a retired Lt. Col. of USAF Reserve, Ed has more than 8,900 hours plus more than 4,000 as an Air Force navigator. He was the recipient of an FAA Wright Brothers award in 2011.

All IMC Club meetings use real-world scenarios. Thank you, Ed, for your contributions and willingness to share your experiences with the group.

At IMC Clubs, the purpose is to promote instrument flying, proficiency, and safety in a “hangar flying” atmosphere where pilots can network and share knowledge and experiences. Are you interested in participating in one of these meetings?