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IDWEST FLYER
M

AGAZINE
December 2014/January 2015
Published For & By The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978
midwestflyer.com
Des Moines Flying Service
Authorized Piper Dealer | HondaJet Authorized Sales and Service
Extensive Parts Inventory and Expertise
75 Plus Years Piper Sales and Service Experience
2015 Meridian
Strength, Flexibility & Luxury
Pratt & Whitney Power | 260 KTAS | 1,000 NM Range
30,000 Max. Altitude | Known Ice Protection
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ww.dmfs.com | 800.622.8311 | Parts Direct 800.247.2560
DesMoinesFlyerFinal2015.indd 1 10/10/14 2:44 PM
a Des Moines Flying Service Company
Des Moines Flying Service
Authorized Piper Dealer | HondaJet Authorized Sales and Service
Extensive Parts Inventory and Expertise
75 Plus Years Piper Sales and Service Experience
Meeting Our Members
2015 Meridian
Here at AOPA, 2014 has been a year of
Strength, Flexibility & Luxury
experimentation, and one of our biggest
experiments has been hosting a series of
regional fly-ins all across the country.
Pratt & Whitney Power | 260 KTAS | 1,000 NM Range
30,000 Max. Altitude | Known Ice Protection It was a tough decision to end the tradition of
holding one big show every year. It was something
AOPA had done for a long time, and there were
members who really valued the chance to get
together with us and one another at a three-day
extravaganza.
While we loved welcoming members to these
events, and getting to know the regular attendees,
we also realized that we were seeing only a very
small segment of our membership—mostly people who lived on the East or West Coast and who could
take several days to spend with us.
We knew we wanted to reach more of our members in more places, so we decided to experiment with
smaller one-day events. Admission was free of charge and each event was held on a Saturday to make
coming less of a commitment. In honor of our 75th anniversary, we scheduled a homecoming at our
Frederick, Maryland, headquarters plus events at airports in Washington State, California, Texas, Georgia,
Massachusetts, and Indiana.
Over the course of these seven gatherings, we met more than 16,000 members—that’s more than three
times as many people as attended our last annual convention.
It was a chance for me to tell thousands of members directly about our advocacy efforts in Washington,
D.C., and in every state in the nation. It was also a chance for me to hear from our members about their
questions and concerns.
But, perhaps best of all, every event was a chance to celebrate what’s great about general aviation,
starting with the people. Hanging out at the airport with a couple thousand of my fellow pilots and
aviation enthusiasts is always my idea of a good time. Add in beautiful airplanes old and new, innovative
avionics, pilot gear of every type, and entertaining and educational seminars, and you’ve got a perfect
Saturday as far as I’m concerned.
We enjoyed meeting our members so much that we can’t wait to do it again. In the next few weeks we’ll
be announcing our 2015 AOPA Fly-In schedule. Count on seeing us in Frederick for a 2015 Homecoming
event, plus a series of all-new locations around the country. I can’t wait to meet you there!
Mark R. Baker
President & CEO, AOPA
*For more information on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the issues that affect your flying go to www.aopa.org today.
a Des Moines Flying Service Company
DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 3
ww.dmfs.com | 800.622.8311 | Parts Direct 800.247.2560
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CCoonntteennttss
Vol. 37. No. 1 IssN: 0194-5068 December 2014/January 2015
ON THE COVER:
Rory Fredstrom of Brainerd, Minnesota, flying his
1960 PA-18-95 Piper super Cub over the fall terrain of northern Minnesota.
MIDWEST FLYER
Brad Thornberg Photo
AGAZINE December 2014/January 2015
HEADLINES

B-29 Superfortress Edges Closer To First Flight
In More Than 60 Years .....................................................................17
Minnesota Pilot Wins AOPA Sweepstakes Debonair…
AOPA President Stages Air-To-Air Delivery .....................................22
The “Oscar Night of Aviation” Inducts Midwest Aviators ......................26
AOPA Works To End Border Crossing Frustrations .............................29
Published For & By The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978
Lake Area Technical Institute Thriving! .................................................34 midwestflyer.com
GA Groups Oppose U.S. Senate Bill MFM Dec2014Jan2015 issue.indd 1 11/14/14 8:21 AM
That Would Close Missouri’s St. Clair Regional Airport ....................40
Morey & Teitell Complete Capital Air Tour As Planned ........................41
Industry Encouraged By Next Step In Collaborative Process
SECTIONS
For 100 Low-Lead Fuel Replacement ...............................................59
At Our Airports ..............................................38
Calendar .......................................................58
Classifieds .....................................................60
COLUMNS
Destinations ..................................................43
AOPA Great Lakes Regional Report - by Bryan Budds .......................15 From Our Readers ........................................ 7
AOPA Central Regional Report - by Yasmina Platt ..............................16 From Wichita .................................................17
Ask Pete - by Pete Schoeninger ............................................................ 9 Future Fuels ..................................................59
Aviation Law – On Your Side - by Gregory J. Reigel ............................. 8 Hearing Protection ........................................62
Dialogue - by Dave Weiman .................................................................. 5 Insurance ......................................................57
Flight Training - by Harold Green .........................................................20 Let’s Fly & Dine .............................................42
From AOPA Headquarters - by Mark R. Baker .....................................14 Minnesota Aviation Industry News ................51
High On Health - by Dr. Bill Blank .........................................................18 Minnesota Education Section .......................54
Instrument Flight - by Michael J. “Mick” Kaufman .................................10 People In The News......................................22
Minnesota Aeronautics Bulletin - by Cassandra Isackson ....................48 Products & Services......................................53
Wisconsin Aeronautics Report - by Hal Davis ......................................44 Promoting General Aviation ..........................41
WATA Difference ..........................................46
Washington ...................................................29
FEATURES
Yingling Aviation Opens Subway Café – by Molly McMillin ..................17
Once-And-For-All – No Question About It –
Flying Motor Gliders Is The Way To Fly Without A Medical
& Much More! – by Jim Hanson ....................................................30
Second Generation Gyroplanes In The Midwest – by Chris Laskey ....47
Say Again? – by The Raviator ..............................................................62

4 DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
Dialogue
Your Feedback Is Important!
by Dave Weiman Are You Receiving Midwest Flyer Magazine
For The First Time?
Have you noticed an increase in
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few minutes after your call to evaluate As a “regional” aviation publication, we pride ourselves
their service. The deluge of requests in providing quality statewide and regional news and
like that is a bit overwhelming and can information, and as a pilot and aircraft owner myself,
be very time consuming. However, at nothing gets published unless I think it will interest you.
least you know your feedback is valued! If you like what you see, we encourage you to subscribe
either online at www.MidwestFlyer.com, or by mail
Providing feedback in areas where we have a vested ($19 for one year, or $29 for two years):
interest like “aviation” is essential. If we have an idea on
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should take the time to contact our aviation organizations. 6031 Lawry Court
Staff representatives will likely be very appreciative and Oregon, WI 53575
receptive to your input.
At Midwest Flyer Magazine, your input is always
welcomed. Email: [email protected]
Thank you! q
Flying is the
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known to man.
Landing is the first.
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MIDWEST FLYER Index To Advertisers
DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MAGAZINE
Serving The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978 Academy College ...........................................11 Mid-Continent Aircraft Corp. (Cessna C-Star) ..60
Aero Fabricators, Inc. .....................................39 Mid-Continent Insurance ................................60
Editor/PublishEr Aero Insurance, LLC. .....................................31 Midwest Aircraft Appraisal .............................60
Dave Weiman Aero Legal Services .......................................53 Midwest Flyer Magazine ............46, 57, 59 & 64
Production dirEctor Aerolab USA ..................................................18 Miminiska Lodge (Wilderness North) .............63
Peggy Weiman Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) . 3 Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technician
Photo Journalists AircraftInsurance.com ....................................60 Conference .................................................21
Don Winkler, Geoff Sobering, airpac.com .....................................................56 Minnesota Aviation Trades Ass'n (MATA) .....51
Mike Nightengale Airways Gifts ..................................................60 Minnesota DOT Office of Aeronautics ...........48
Avfuel Corporation .........................................61 Minnesota Petroleum Service ........................43
contributing Editors & PhotograPhErs Basler Turbo Conversions, LLC .....................46 Morey Airplane Company .....................58 & 60
Randy Arneson Brady Lane Beaver Aviation, Inc. .............................41 & 46 NationAir Aviation Insurance ................23 & 46
Mark Baker Chris Laskey Becher Hoppe ................................................22 NewView Technologies, Inc. ..........................46
Bayland Buildings, Inc. Ed Leineweber Best Oil Company ..........................................37 Northland Aerospace .....................................55
Dr. John Beasley Dan McDowell Bolduc Aviation Specialized Serv. ..........9 & 46 Northland Community & Technical College ...55
Jim Bildilli Molly McMillin Bolton & Menk, Inc. ........................................20 OMNNI Associates .........................................42
Tom Biller Woody Minar Brackett Aircraft Co., Inc. ......................46 & 52 Pat O’Malley’s "Jet Room" Restaurant ..........26
Dr. Bill Blank Rachel Obermoller Cessna Aircraft Co. .........................28, 46 & 61 Phillips 66 ..................................28, 33, 37 & 40
Richard Braunig Yasmina Platt Chicago Piper ................................................ 2 Piper Aircraft, Inc. ...................................2 & 61
Bryan Budds Paul H. Poberezny Cirrus Aircraft .................................................61 Price County Airport (PBH) ............................32
Hal Davis The Raviator DAHER-SOCATA (TBM 850) ........................61 R.W. "Buzz" Kaplan -
Harold Green Greg Reigel Des Moines Flying Service, Inc. .................... 2 The Life of an Adventurer ...........................25
James Hanson Pete Schoeninger Eagle Air ........................................................38 Racine Commercial Airport ............................46
Cassandra Isackson Brad Thornberg Eagle Fuel Cells .............................................43 Rapco Fleet Support, Inc. ..............................46
Michael Kaufman Mike Ullery/NAHF Eagle River Union Airport ..............................43 Reigel Law Firm, Ltd ......................................53
Field of Dreams Airport (04W) .......................38 Rice Lake Regional Airport - Carl's Field .......60
ADVERTISING Fond du Lac Skyport ......................................46 Schweiss Doors .............................................34
PHONE: [phone] Garmin ..................................................61 & 64 Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) .............. 7
E-MAIL: [email protected] Gran-Aire, Inc. .................................28, 46 & 60 Skycom Avionics, Inc. ....................................64
www.MidwestFlyer.com Hangar Building Sites (South St. Paul, MN) ..33 S. St. Paul Municipal Airport (Fleming Field) ....33
Hangar For Rent (Hartford, WI) .....................60 Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport ............60
Hangar For Sale (Cumberland, WI) ...............60 Tanis Aircraft Products, Inc. ...........................24
ISSUE CLOSING DATES
Hangars For Rent (Janesville, WI) .................60 The Green Earth Deicer Company, Inc. ........42
DEADLINE ISSUE Hangars For Rent (La Crosse, WI) ................60 Thunderbird Aviation .............................11 & 64
November 1 December - January Hangars For Rent (Lone Rock, WI) ...............40 Tri-County Regional Airport (Lone Rock, Wis.) .40
January 1 February - March Hangars For Sale (Juneau, WI) .....................60 Trimcraft Aviation ...........................................46
March 1 April - May Harbor View Pub & Eatery .............................32 Ulteig (Engineering, Surveying, Consulting) ..29
May 1 June - July Jet Air Group ..................................................17 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ................19
July 1 August - September Johnson Aviation Insurance ...........................14 Wag-Aero Group ............................................39
La Crosse Regional Airport ............................60 West Bend Air, Inc. ........................................46
September 1 October - November
Leineweber Law .............................................47 Winona State University.................................26
Maxwell Aircraft Service.................................36 Wipaire, Inc. ...................................................27
COPYRIGHTS
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MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE is published bimonthly
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Magazine endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, but shall not be responsible for the reliability of
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6 DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
Listing Writers EtC MASTERDecember2014.indd 1 11/18/14 9:16 AM
F o r
rom ur eaders
Dave: from the “Bad FAA” to provide us with less headwinds. The computer model
Excellent series of articles on 3rd backup capabilities. figures the least time spent in the air,
class medicals in Oct/Nov 2014 issue. Larry E. Nazimek hence least fuel consumed and crew
Robert W. O’Brien, Jr., AAE Chicago, Illinois expenses paid. It is very sophisticated
Executive Director and accurate to within a few minutes
Wisconsin Airport Management Dave: even on my 15-hour trips from O’Hare
Association (WAMA) I just checked Flight Aware, and to Shanghai. Of course, there is always
Blue River, Wisconsin was tracking a Jet Blue A320 on a weather, ATC flow control, over-flight
flight from New York to Las Vegas, and permit fees, clear air turbulence reports,
Dave: rather than fly direct, it flew northeast volcanic activity, one engine drift
The recent fire at the Chicago over Lake Michigan, then west over down over terrain, and much more to
ARTCC, with its disastrous and tragic Madison, before proceeding towards the consider.”
consequences, may have been a southwest to Vegas. Why don’t they just Airline Captain
blessing in disguise, as it demonstrated fly direct and save the miles? Chicago, Illinois
a weakness in our lack of backup plans GA Pilot
and systems. Midwest U.S.A.
I recall an editorial by an aviation Hi Dave:
attorney about a “Good FAA and Bad Dear GA Pilot: I submitted our 12th annual fly-in
FAA,” in which he contrasted those We checked with a senior captain for event data on your form today. Thank
aspects of the FAA that are necessary, a major airline, and this is what he has to YOU and Midwest Flyer Magazine for
and relate to safety with those that don't, say: promoting not only us, but GA across the
such as the things aviation attorneys “We fly wind distance miles. We region.
write about in aviation publications. The look at the great circle route (string on Respectfully,
ARTCCs are part of the “Good FAA,” a globe) and then factor in the winds, Scott Stuart
and FAA funding should be transferred always looking for more tailwinds and Longville, Minnesota
DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 7
a L - o Y s
viation aw n our ide
FAA Takes A More Sensible Approach To First-Time, Inadvertent TFR Violations
by Greg Reigel Under the amended guidelines, the the airman’s certificate.
Attorney At Law FAA will apply the following sanction 5. If the facts and circumstances
policy to TFR violations: surrounding the TFR violation call
© December 2014. All rights reserved.
1. A single, first-time, inadvertent into question the qualifications of the
he FAA violation will result in a 30-day airman, the FAA may also issue the
T
recently suspension EXCEPT in circumstances airman a request for re-examination
amended involving: under 49 U.S.C. § 44709 (a “709
its enforcement a. Inadvertent, first-time Ride”).
guidelines for violations resulting from aircraft 6. Intentional TFR violations or
dealing with intruding one mile or less into the “aggravated” violations (which isn’t
airmen who security airspace and then turning defined or explained in the amended
violate temporary and exiting directly when there are no policy) will result in revocation of the
flight restriction resulting complications for air traffic airman’s certificate.
(TFR) airspace. Greg Reigel control or other aircraft; or Unfortunately, informal counseling,
In the past, b. Inadvertent, first-time whether oral or written, is not a
when the FAA alleged that an airman violations resulting from aircraft briefly permitted alternative for the FAA to
violated a TFR, and the incident was a (two minutes or less) squawking a 1200 deal with TFR violations. However,
first-time, inadvertent violation by the code or failing to squawk an assigned at least now the FAA has the option
airman, and that airman would receive discrete code, in security airspace that of remedial training to educate, rather
a Notice of Proposed Certificate Action requires the aircraft to squawk a discrete than punish, inadvertent violators.
(Notice) proposing suspension of his code when there are no resulting Of course, this amended policy begs
or her airman certificate for 30 days complications for air traffic control or the question of what constitutes an
for violation of a variety of regulations. other aircraft. “inadvertent” violation. Depending
This was the FAA’s “shoot from the upon the FAA’s interpretation of
hip,” no questions asked approach. And In situations 1(a) and (b), the FAA “inadvertent,” which in the past hasn’t
once the Notice was issued, the FAA will use remedial training, assuming always been the most reasonable, the
conceded very little, if anything, from the airman has no prior history of amended policy may be for naught.
that 30-day suspension. violations. This means the airman But the amended policy definitely
Now, however, it appears the FAA would receive a warning letter, remedial appears to be a step in the right
may have recognized that this approach training and the airman would not have direction. Hopefully, this more
wasn't necessarily the best way of a finding of violation placed in his or enlightened approach, and the voice
dealing with these types of violations. her airman record. (In my opinion, a of reason, will prevail in the future. In
In June of 2014, the FAA amended more appropriate response to this type any event, airmen should continue to
Order 2150.3(b), the FAA's compliance of situation, rather than preventing check for NOTAMS, understand the
and enforcement program, to change an airman from staying current and scope of any TFR NOTAMS issued for
its approach to dealing with first-time, competent by suspending his or her their route of flight, obtain appropriate
inadvertent TFR violators. According airman certificate, as was the case in the flight service briefings and updates, and
to the FAA, it is modifying its policy past.) either avoid TFRs or comply with the
to provide more flexibility in dealing 2. A new inadvertent violation and applicable requirements for operation
with TFR violators with the intent of a history of 1 prior inadvertent TFR within the TFR.
reducing “the number of violations violation will result in a 45 to 90-day Fly smart and stay safe.
occurring in security airspace by suspension of the airman’s certificate.
using remedial training in appropriate 3. A new inadvertent violation and EDITOR’S NOTE: Greg Reigel is an
circumstances to prevent repeated a history of 2 prior inadvertent TFR attorney with Reigel Law Firm, Ltd., a
inadvertent violations.” I’m not sure violations will result in a 90 to 150-day law firm located in Hopkins, Minnesota,
which represents clients in aviation and
why it took the FAA this long to figure suspension of the airman’s certificate.
business law matters.
out that remedial training might be a 4. A new inadvertent violation and
For assistance, call [phone]
better alternative to a suspension, but a history of 3 or more inadvertent TFR
or Twitter: @ReigelLaw
better late than never, I guess. violations will result in revocation of (www.aerolegalservices.com) q
8 DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
a P
sk ete
Ask Pete!
with the 152, and your fuel burn will sales for new aircraft.
drop to about 7 gph. For that one gallon Q: Everybody knows Dacron
by Pete Schoeninger per hour more at the same speed, you fabric (Ceconite, etc.) will last almost
get 350 lbs more useful load, much more indefinitely. Now, my mechanic is
Email your questions to room inside, two more seats, and much suggesting I recover my 25-year-old
[email protected]
longer range. Look at engine overhaul Citabria, even though the fabric tests
ads and you will see the cost of the 0-235 okay. Is he nuts, or greedy, or both?
Q: Pete, I think (C-152 engine) is about the same or even A: He’s cautious. When Champs (the
you are full of hot a little more than the 0-320 (in Cherokee Citabria’s father), Cubs, etc. were in large
air. In the last issue 140s and many Cessna 172s.) Right now production in the late 1940s, they were
of Midwest Flyer old Cherokee 140s – if anything – are a all covered with grade A cotton. That had
Magazine, you said little cheaper to buy than 152s, and old a useful life of 5 to 7 years. That meant
an older four-seat 172s about the same price. a mechanic got a very detailed look at
airplane could be Q: How do manufacturers plan the bare frame of the airplane after that
operated almost as production numbers for next year’s 5 to 7-year-old fabric was removed.
cheaply as a Cessna airplanes? Now, the fabric is so good it will last a
152. That’s baloney, Pete schoeninger A: They might deny it, but very long time, but it is still a good idea
because my Cessna manufacturers watch sale activity of to get a really good look at the airframe
172 burns 8.5 gallons per hour and a used one, two and three-year-old models every once in a while. I have personally
friend’s 152 only burns 6 gph. That’s a closely. If a two-year-old airplane has heard the owners of two well-known
difference of $15 an hour, to say nothing dropped quite a bit in value, there will fabric airplane companies recommend
of more expensive engine overhauls, not be as strong a demand for new ones. no more than 20-25 years between cover.
insurance, etc. If the two-year-old airplane is bringing Mechanics who do recover work will tell
A: I have never denied being full of say 90% of a new one, a new airplane you that in virtually every recover they
hot air. Slow down your 172, lean by the with warranty, etc. will be more attractive do, there are issues to repair that could
book if appropriate to cruise side by side to buyers and that should mean good not be seen with the fabric on. q
DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 9
i F
nstrument Light
New Challenges In Picking Up An IFR Clearance Once Airborne
by Michael “Mick” Kaufman Our only alternative was to return to Merrill, land and get the
clearance via telephone. To add to the complications, there
n the world of aviation, there was an IFR aircraft on the approach, which we needed to
I
are many items, procedures and avoid hitting with marginal and lowering weather conditions.
regulations pilots do not have all of All turned out okay, but I vowed that I would never again
the answers for. Many times the people depart VFR hoping to pick up a clearance in the air until
who should know – the FAA – don’t have recently when I almost got burned again.
the answers, either! Over the years, many things have changed on how we
Many aviation writers and self- get our IFR clearances. Today, we have cell phones and
appointed experts write articles that blue tooth headsets that allow us to call a clearance delivery
Michael Kaufman they have little or no knowledge of. number and get an IFR clearance from a non-towered airport
Sometimes, I have the impression they and be able to copy it perfectly through our headsets. Using
have never flown in an aircraft. I do not my Lightspeed Zulu headset, paired to my cell phone, I
want to be put in that class, but on the other hand, there are can call clearance delivery to get my clearance and it can be
times I have to talk to other pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and stored on an app from Lightspeed to be replayed later for any
FAA officials to try to get the best answers possible for my necessary clarification. The app will also store the entire radio
column. communication of the flight.
Over my last 49 years and 20K hours as a pilot, I have This topic on picking up an IFR clearance for my column
had many of my own experiences and will often use those came about because the editor of Midwest Flyer Magazine,
experiences in my columns. I always appreciate input from Dave Weiman, and I have both had recent denials of an IFR
our readers as well, and I may ask your permission to use your clearance from ATC after departing VFR. Here are our stories.
comments in my articles from time to time. In this issue, I My story:
will be writing about new challenges in taking off VFR and I was in a rush to depart Galesburg, Illinois in June 2014
picking up an IFR clearance once airborne. in MVFR conditions with a new G36 Bonanza on my way
More than 20 years ago, I remember departing the Merrill, back from the Beech factory in Wichita. I was giving training
Wisconsin airport in a Piper Lance on a training flight that to the new aircraft owner/pilot. We had spent the night in
changed my personal practice of getting an IFR clearance after Galesburg due to thunderstorms the previous day, and I
departing VFR. I was on a recurrency training flight with a wanted to pay my last respects to a long-time pilot and friend,
pilot I had trained previously, and the weather (WX) would Richard Young of Bear Valley, Wisconsin, whose funeral was
have been classified marginal VFR (MVFR). This was before that morning. We had the airplane in the hangar overnight
the days of cell phones, remote communication outlets and because of the WX, and there was an unexpected delay with
iPads. the line service in getting the airplane out. The flight route
At that time, a pilot who was departing IFR at a non- was simple and straightforward, but the ceiling was low at the
tower airport would get his preflight done and be ready to destination airport – Lone Rock, Wisconsin (KLNR).
start engines. He/she would then call flight service to get a I broke my long-standing rule of departing in MVFR
clearance with a void time, then make a RUN to the aircraft, weather and picking up a clearance once airborne. When I
taxi like on the way to a fire, and complete his checklist to get contacted Moline Approach Control for my clearance, the
airborne before the departure window would close (i.e. “If not controller asked me if I could maintain VFR to 3000 ft. in
off by 00 hours, etc.”). To avoid this rushed departure, many order to receive my clearance. My answer was that I could
of us would depart VFR and once airborne and high enough not, and I was denied my clearance, so I continued VFR
to contact air traffic control (ATC), we would then pick up northbound knowing that the WX at Moline was good VFR,
our IFR clearance. On one particular day, this was the plan to and I would be able to climb to 3000 ft. in a few miles. Once
avoid a delay in departing and the rush to become airborne, I was able to maintain VFR at 3000 ft., I was given my IFR
but it backfired. clearance and proceeded to my destination without further
As we climbed out VFR, we had no luck communicating incident.
with ATC to get our clearance, the WX was rapidly I spent some time thinking about this encounter with
deteriorating, and we were heading in a direction of rising ATC, but it went on the backburner until Dave Weiman had
terrain and obstacles. I tried a method used by many pilots a similar incident.
of asking another pilot to relay our request to ATC, which Dave’s story:
worked, but I did not like the reply that echoed back to me Dave was departing his home airport in Oregon,
from the other pilot. He told me that ATC could not issue us Wisconsin, enroute to an aviation event in Grand Forks. The
a clearance due to another aircraft on the approach to Merrill. WX was marginal VFR, and Dave had filed an IFR flight
10 DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE