Club News
We are thrilled to welcome Angelina Angrisani to Flying Panthers as our newest Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)! Her dedication and passion for aviation make her an incredible addition to our team.
A message from Angelina:
“Hi everyone, I’m Angelina, and I’m a CFI! First and foremost, I am an aviation enthusiast! My favorite part about aviation is the people in it. Through fostering a community, I’ve met so many generous individuals who’ve helped further me in my aviation journey. Now, I want to give back, do the same for others, and help them succeed! Please reach out if you have any questions or inquiries—I’d be happy to help and share the wonderful opportunities aviation offers.”
Angelina is available for:
✈️ Discovery Flights
✈️ Private Pilot Training
✈️ Commercial Flight Training
✈️ Biannual Flight Reviews
✈️ Tailwheel Endorsements
Please visit our website at www.flyingpanthers.org to learn more or schedule a discovery flight or lesson with Angelina today! 🛩️
Text/Call: (916) 842-0260
Angelina's contact information
We are thrilled to announce that Grace Pan has joined our team as our newest Certified Flight Instructor!
Grace began her aviation journey with us at Flying Panthers as a student in 2021. Since then, she has diligently earned her Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI ratings at our school. Her dedication and passion for aviation are truly commendable.
"I began my aviation journey right here at FPFS in 2021, and it's been an unforgettable adventure ever since. I’m excited to spread the joy of flying and share the wisdom I’ve picked up along the way. Let’s work together to make your aviation dreams come true."
Available for:
Discovery Flights
Private Pilot Training
Commercial Training
Biannual Flight Reviews
Text/Call: (909) 244-8458
Grace has proven herself an excellent CFI, and we are excited to have her on board. Welcome to the team, Grace!
Please be aware that KMCC will have a temporary Tower and Ground Control effective Monday through Friday from 08:00 until 18:00, February 26th through March 8th.
During this period, the Tower frequency will be 121.05, and Ground Control will be 133.15.
Bring a lawn chair. Plane wash at 11am on Saturday February 3rd at 11am. Please text (Alexander) at 916-753-9347 if you can help with the plane wash.
We need all the hands we can get to help. We are now vacuuming and cleaning the inside of the planes. There will be a sign in sheet at the plane wash. Flying Panthers track volunteer hours.
Remember Flying Panthers keeps our prices affordable by everyone helping and volunteering. The plane washes are fun, and you get to socialize with other people who have a love for aviation.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Alexander Asfeh
As we transition into the colder months, we would like to bring to your attention a vital safety reminder regarding frost and ice on our aircraft, especially during the morning hours before 10 am.
Recently, our Chief Flight Instructor, Phil Cypret, conducted a pre-flight inspection and observed frost on the wings of our aircraft. We cannot emphasize this enough: under no circumstances should any of our pilots take off if there are any signs of frost or ice on the aircraft. We must exercise caution and prioritize safety above all else.
Frost and ice can have a detrimental impact on an aircraft's performance and safety. To further emphasize the seriousness of this issue, the following link is a Bold Method article that discusses the dangers associated with taking off when frost or ice is present on an aircraft. Please take a few moments to review this article and familiarize yourself with the potential risks involved.
https://www.boldmethod.com/blog/list/2022/11/6-reasons-why-frost-on-wings-can-be-deadly/
Your safety is paramount, and proper pre-flight procedures are essential to ensure a secure and incident-free operation.
Thank you for your commitment to safety and diligence in upholding our high standards. Let's work together to ensure that every flight is conducted with the utmost caution and professionalism.
Come join CFI Claudiu for a in-depth discussion of aircraft aerodynamics. The class will be held our hanger on Kilo. Aircraft aerodynamics and related math will be presented.
Please confirm attendance with Claudiu via text: (916) 806-7285
Details
- Location: The oil locker hangar on Kilo
- When: Tuesday July 18th 2023
- Time: 9am-when we finish
- Cost: $10 paid on-site
- The class is primarily for student pilots; though anyone is welcome
Bring
- PHAK: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (hardcopy or pdf on a tablet)
- Calculator, notepad, pencils, ruler
- Chair, cold water, snack, if desired.
Jacob Torba is now offering helicopter training at KMCC in his R22.
What: Presentation and discussion on RNAV GPS approach concepts When: Sunday June 25th at 6pm - 8pm Where: 5822 Price ave. KMCC
We'll spend time reviewing GPS concepts, RNAV minimums & approach plates, PBN and RPN, MON VORs and ILS, and why this matters to RNAV. Some dos and don'ts. What is better between GPS and other nav systems.
Seating is limited
$10 at the door, cash
On June 4th Andrew Bates passed his instrument check ride
On May 23 Austin Alvarez soloed at KMYV from flight instructor: Chris K
Claudiu was Grace's CFI
From the Sacramento County Sheriff's Air Squadron ...
This scholarship program is focused on youth in the Sacramento Metro area between 17 and 25 years old with an interest in pursuing a career in aviation and community service. The program is designed to actively support, mentor and guide recipients through their journey in the exciting field of aviation and become future leaders in their community. Award Recipients will receive cash grants that will be used for flight training, check rides, exam fees, training materials, aircraft rental or other applicable expenses approved by the Scholarship Committee to further their aviation pursuit.
The Scholarship Committee will select the top six applicants to participate in an in-person interview and select two recipients of $2,500 each for the 2023 program. (Must currently reside in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, Amador, Sutter or Nevada County).
Apply at 2023 Scholarship Information - Sacramento County Sheriff's Air Squadron (sacairsquadron.com)
Flight instructor Claudiu Mich received an award for being an extraordinary CFI. His student Brandon English received an award for being exemplary student pilot. At 17 years old and on Brandon’s 2nd solo, he kept a level head and landed 🛬 without incident when N11746 suffered a loss of engine power.
The Flying Panthers is holding an IFR oral check ride prep class on Sunday March 19th at 4pm at 5822 Price ave at KMCC.
Working on an instrument ticket? Just want to talk IFR? All are welcome.
Topics to include
- General IFR knowledge based on the IFR ACS
- Specific areas of knowledge gaps some DPEs see regularly. Don't be that pilot!
- Sample XC flight plan discussion. Will be from KLHM to KLMT. So feel free to do a flight plan for that before the class, and be ready to discuss.
The class will last 3-4 hours.
Class will move quick, but questions are welcome. Bring a IFR low en route chart, if you have one.
Cost is $20 at the door. Cash please (or Venmo)
Please shoot an email to ifr_oral_prep_mar23@flyingpanthers.org if you plan on attending.
A little about me. I serve on the board for The Flying Panthers. I've recently achieved my IFR rating. I have yet to get it wet in actual IMC. But the experience of the check ride is still fresh. I actually have had my IGI longer than my instrument rating.
Gene Campbell IGI/AGI
Flying Panthers will provide a one day ground school on the various elements of VFR cross-country flight planning.
Location: 5822 Price Avenue (east side of McClellan)
- CFI: Claudiu Mich
- Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
- Time: 5:00pm
- Cost: $10
Topics included:
- Pilotage
- Deduced reckoning
- Radio navigation
- Sectional chart interpretation
- Obtaining weather reports
- Preparing for possible emergencies
PS: Please bring as many of the following items that you have (Claudiu will also bring some to share):
- San Francisco sectional charts (expired is okay)
- Chart supplements
- POH (download samples PDF samples)
- Pencils (including color pencils)
- Paper or a notebook
- Plotter
- E6B
Flying Panthers will present a low key discussion night of possibly less understood and tricky instrument oral topics this Sunday Nov 20th at 4pm 5822 Price ave at KMCC.
This is geared for those who are working on an instrument ticket. However, everyone is welcome.
In this session, we'll go through a XC flight on the low en route chart, and discuss a few points as if it's hard IFR the whole way. Some of the topics we will cover along the way include:
- Planning and reading low en route chart
- Lost comms
- Required/InOp equipment
- Alternates and diversions
- Various approach plates
- MON for VOR/LOC/ILS
- PBN/RPN/GPS
Feel free to bring questions, we'll try to answer in the class.
Cost is $10 at the door.
Gene Campbell 915.390.5166 IGI/AGI
Congratulations!
Congratulations Jackson - Marc Launey was his flight instructor
Congratulations David - David Calabretta was his flight instructor
Flying Panthers Flight School is happy to announce another private pilot ground school session to start in August 2022. To be held on-site at our classroom on the McClellan airfield. This private pilot ground school class will prepare you for the FAA written knowledge test, provide you with explanations and discussions all about flying and being a pilot, and give you a foundation of knowledge to serve you in a future check-ride oral exam.
The instructor for this class is Gene Campbell (AGI/IGI). The class is roughly 40 hrs of total class time. The cost is $400 for FPFS members, and $500 for non-members + materials.
Interested? Reserve a seat by sending a note to gene.campbell@flyingpanthers.org. Please state days and times of weekday evenings and weekends you are available in August and September? We will confirm the class dates and times in a couple weeks.
Gene AGI/IGI
Will Devitt took his first solo flight on May 11th at Marysville. His wife made sure not to forget to bring water and soak him on the way out of the airplane! - CFI Jacob
Hello Everyone,
Bring a lawn chair. Donuts and coffee will be provided for the first Saturday of the month plane wash at 9am 05/07/2022.
Please text me (Jennifer) at 916-337-4937 if you can help with the plane wash.
We need all the hands we can get to help. We are now vacuuming and cleaning the inside of the planes. There will be a sign in sheet at the plane wash. Flying Panthers tracks volunteer hours.
Remember Flying Panthers keeps our prices affordable by everyone helping and volunteering. The plane washes are fun, and you get to socialize with other people who have a love for aviation.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Jennifer West (FPFS Vice President)
Caden Norman passed his PPL checkride with DPE Mark Montague Sat March 5.
DPE Mark stated Caden was very prepared and an excellent checkride overall.
"Caden was an outstanding student who was checkride-ready for a while, but the extra time allowed him to refine the skills and have a flawless checkride. Congrats Caden!" - CFI Randdi
MARCH 7TH - 13TH IS "WOMEN IN AVIATION WEEK"
March 8th, 1910 The first woman earns a pilot certificate
RAYMONDE DE LA ROCHE
Early Flight (107)
In 1909, while the Baroness Raymonde de la Roche was dining with Charles Voisin, he suggested that she learn to fly an airplane. Her new ambition took her to the French flying grounds at Chalons where she was taught by Voisin himself. On March 8, 1910 she received the first pilot's license awarded to a woman. She entered the 1910 Reims meet as the only female participant and was seriously injured in a crash. After a lengthy recovery, she went on to win the Femina Cup for a nonstop flight of four hours. In 1919, the Baroness set a women's altitude record of 4,785 meters (15,700 feet). In the summer of 1919, de la Roche, who was also a talented engineer, reported to the airfield at Le Crotoy to copilot a new aircraft in hopes of becoming the first female test pilot. Unfortunately, the aircraft went into a dive on its landing approach and both the Baroness and the pilot were killed. A statue of de la Roche stands at Le Bourget airport in France.
(information compiled by D. Cochrane and P. Ramirez) (forwarded from CAP WING)
Flying Panthers Flight School is seeking those interested in attending an instrument pilot ground school class to start in March or April. This class is available to anyone with a private pilot certificate. The class is 40 hrs in total. The cost is $300 for Flying Panthers students and $400 for all other students. You'll will also be responsible for purchasing books and training materials.
If you are interested, please read on ...
This class will introduce you to all elements of the FAA instrument pilot written exam. Combined with home study and practice you will be ready to pass this exam.
Estimate at least twice a week and 4 hours each class for a total of 5 weeks. Let me know if you prefer do more than 2 classes a week and/or longer classes. And please state the days of the week and times that would suit your schedule.
If you are interested in attending please respond by sending a note to gene.campbell@flyingpanthers.org
Once we have a list of interested students, we'll set the dates, and give more instruction as to how and where to sign up, and buy supplies.
Gene Campbell AGI/IGI Flying Panthers Flight School
Congratulations Jason for passing your private pilot ASEL add-on checkride! - CFI Caleb
Congratulations Miro for passing your private pilot checkride! Your hard work paid off! - CFI Caleb
Jon Haynes, our ER Doc, passed his instrument rating this morning! Congratulations Jon! - CFI Phil
Have you ever wanted to deepen your cross country planning knowledge? Do you rely on your EFB (ForeFlight, Fltplan Go) perhaps a little too much? Do you have questions about weather, NOTAM interpretation, course, heading and timing, and more?
You're invited to join Phil Cypret and Gene Campbell for a 4 hour cross country planning class. We'll go over
- Sectional Map Overview
- Route Planning, Airports & Airspaces
- Weather observations, forecasts & flight service
- NOTAM interpretation
- Weight and balance
- Minimums & Go / NoGo decisions
- Special considerations
The cost for the class is $10 to be paid at start of class. The class is scheduled for Feb 26th from 2pm-6pm at the classroom at KMCC. There are 12 seats open for this class. Hope to see you there.
If you want to attend this class, please reserve your spot by sending a note to groundschool@flyingpanthers.org. You'll receive a response to confirm your seat.
On Fri Feb 4 Brian Schaiper Passed his PPL. checkride with DPE Bob Larkin.
"Brian was a wonderful student, and a well-rounded pilot and very coachable. Congratulations Brian!!" - CFI Randdi
Congratulations Ryan!! - CFI Randdi
Flew on the very airplane he spent months painting! - Jacob CFI
Says the C-5 Galaxy sim is much easier to land. - Jacob CFI
Comes prepared for every lesson! - Jacob CFI
The Flying Panthers Flight School (FPFS) will be conducting a 40+hour Private Pilot ground school class from Nov 1st 2021 to Jan 26, 2022. Class sessions are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday most weeks from 7pm-9pm at our classroom at the McClellan airfield.
This private pilot ground school class will prepare you for the FAA written knowledge test, provide you with in depth explanations and discussions all about flying and being a pilot, and give you a foundation of knowledge for your future check-ride oral exam.
The instructor for this class is Gene Campbell (AGI/IGI). The cost is $399 for FPFS members, and $499 for non-members. And includes all the Gleim Private Pilot materials required for the class.
We will observe the required Covid rules for a classroom environment, which at this moment will require masks.
To reserve a seat or for more information please contact Jennifer West at jennifer.andronas@flyingpanthers.org or Gene Campbell at gene.campbell@flyingpanthers.org.
And Matt Angelo passed his private pilot checkride today Sept 29th 2021 - CFI David
Nik Passed his instrument check-ride yesterday Sept 28th 2021 - CFI David
Congratulations to Miro for completing her first solo! - Caleb Davis, CFI
Flying Panthers Flight School delivered 10 pizzas to the aircrews at KMCC including the tower to say "Thank You" for all you do on ths Labor Day
Annalise Baird did a great job on her first solo. She did it while talking to the tower and dealing with the departing fire bombers! - CFI Phil
He is the newest PPL in town!
“I can't take any credit. Isai is amazing student. DPE Bob Larkin said wonderful things about him including his composure and knowledge. Isai will be a special Aviator for the future.” Randdi - CFI
Matt Angelo Soloed 62L. Congratulations Matt - FPFS
This is just a test. Please ignore.
Congratulations. Enjoy the freedom!!
Tom soled today on 66th birthday! - CFI Phil
Jacob can now be paid to fly a fixed wing, but not the helicopter yet…?” CFI Justin
“Clayton managed to get a pilots license before most people his age get a drivers license! Great job Clayton” - CFI Justin
Congratulations to Simon Anuszczyk. He joined Flying Panthers determined to complete Private Pilot training in a short period of time...and that’s exactly what he did. He worked hard and studied hard and it paid off. - CFI Robert
Larkin was a determined student, he studied hard and obtained his PPL in 40 hours. CFI - Grant
Congratulations Stephanie! The instrument rating can be tough but you earned it! It’s been a joy to work with you and see your skills sharpen! -CFI Dave
Nik is an A+ student! Right from the get go he was studying hard and learned a ton on his own. Proud of you Nik! -CFI Dave!
Deanna took her checkride in her Grumman Tiger with Richard Conte. Looking forward to taking non-pilots up for a flight. CFI - Phil
Congratulations on your commercial certificate Pavel! You’ve been an awesome student and best wishes on the road ahead! - CFI Dave
Invalid Congratulations Adriel! You can finally get paid to fly! Best wishes on moving forward and getting your CFI.
- CFI Dave
"Andrew was born to fly, he soloed with approximately 15 hours and was signed off for his checkride at 40! Congrats to a new master of the sky." Grant - CFI
Yacob, It was great to work with you! Your hard work, dedication, and attention to detail have finally paid off. Congratulations and keep the blue side up! - CFI, Dave!
It was definitely a mental and physical workout. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way. Lynn for keeping 62Lima in shape, Phil, David C, Scott B, Jenn, for all you support, Karen and the rest of the flying panthers community. You guys are awesome.
"Carson persevered and completed his PPL" - Grant (CFI)
Use of COVID-19 Vaccines by Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers
Notice Number: NOTC1739
The COVID-19 public health emergency has driven extraordinary global efforts to develop an effective and safe vaccine. Some of the vaccines in clinical testing are using novel technology, such as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). The vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have been made available to the American public under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
After careful review of available data regarding safety profiles, the FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM) adopts the following policy as both safe and operationally responsive to this unique situation:
Holders of FAA-issued Airman Medical Certificates or Medical Clearances may receive the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines; however, a 48-hour no fly/no safety related duty interval must be observed after each dose.
Individuals holding an FAA-issued Airman Medical Certificate or Medical Clearance should be reminded that they are prohibited from performing flight crewmember duties or air traffic control duties if they do not meet medical certification requirements, including those related to adverse events from medications that render them unable to perform such duties.
AAM will monitor the patient response to Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and may adjust this policy as necessary to ensure aviation safety. Additional vaccines will each be evaluated as EUAs are issued.
Read FAQs on the use of COVID-19 vaccines by pilots and air traffic controllers here: https://www.faa.gov/coronavirus/guidance_resources/vaccine_faq/
Read more on the FAA’s Coronavirus Guidance and Resource page here: https://www.faa.gov/coronavirus/guidance_resources/#useOfVaccines
Phil, her instructor, announced today that Kalea has soloed today in N11746! She did a great job.
By popular demand Flying Panthers Flight School (FPFS) is putting on an Instrument Pilot 40 hour in person ground class starting Monday April 5th. The class will be taught by Robert Long, CFII and meet 2x per week in the evenings Mondays and Tuesdays 5-8pm. The class will be held at Sacramento Executive Airport (KSAC) in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) classroom. CAP wants to keep the number of people attending at 10 or under, we must practice social distancing 6 feet apart and mask are required. Gleim Aviation books will be required for the class. The cost of the class is $300.00 per person for FPFS students and $400.00 per person for non FPFS students. If you want to attend the Instrument Ground Class, please reply to this email or text me at 916-337-4937 (no later than March 14, 2021 11:59pm).
Send a text to 358-782 (the Dash is required) in the subject of the text type M followed by the airport identifier. For a TAF type T followed by the airport identifier. If you want the report in pain text type PT after the identifier. now
737GL will be joining the flightline soon. We had to have the ADS-B module serviced and the communication electronics needed some work. We are anticipating she’ll be up in a few weeks. Check back here for an update!