344 Truckee Airport’s Challenges and its FLY SAFE Program for Pilots – with Jeff Menasco + GA News

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4.8 • 730 Ratings

🗓️ 8 August 2024

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Max talks with Jeff Menasco, the Director of Aviation at Truckee Tahoe Airport, who describes the unique challenges and beauty of the airfield. Situated at a high elevation of 5,901 feet, the airport experiences high-density altitudes, often exceeding 9,000 feet, which can surprise pilots unaccustomed to such conditions. The surrounding mountainous terrain further complicates approaches, creating high minimums and orthographic wind effects, particularly in the afternoons with gusts up to 35 knots.

Winter weather adds another layer of complexity, with heavy snowfall requiring extensive snow removal efforts. The area’s scenic appeal and proximity to the Bay Area draw significant air traffic, with 65% originating from there. Jeff highlights accident trends, noting that 24 accidents over 28 years were primarily due to high-density altitude, gusty winds, and IFR conditions with visual obscurations.

The airport’s FLY SAFE program incentivizes pilot proficiency through the FAA WINGS program, offering discounts for training and monthly seminars. Efforts to maintain safety include hosting flight clinics and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Noise abatement procedures are also emphasized to respect the community’s tranquility, with specific protocols and quiet hours for operations.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Have you ever noticed how airports generally do a good job of maintaining runways and facilities,
0:06.7	but they don't really view continuing pilot education to improve safety as part of their mission?
0:12.4	Well, not so at the Truckee California Airport, where terrain and density altitude contribute to a higher accident rate there.
0:19.5	Stick around to hear about the unique challenges at Truckee and what that airport is doing to incentivize more pilot training.
0:26.0	Hello again and welcome to Aviation News Talk where we talk in general aviation. My name is
0:30.4	Max Truscott. I've been flying for 50 years. I'm the author of several books and the 2008
0:34.4	National Flight Instructor of the Year. and my mission is to help you become
0:37.9	the safest possible pilot. Earlier in the week, in episode 343, we replayed an episode of
0:44.1	the Aviation Careers podcast on which I was a guest, talking about things pilots should know to stay
0:49.5	safe while building time to get to the 1,500-hour minimums required for an airline job.
0:54.9	So if you didn't hear that episode, you might want to check it out at Aviationustoccom
0:58.6	slash 343.
1:00.4	And if you're new to this show, welcome so happy that you found us.
1:03.8	Now, so that you stay with us, take a moment right now.
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1:13.8	the follow key,
1:14.9	so that next week's episode is downloaded for free.
1:17.8	And this is a listener-supported show.
1:19.8	We've got lots of ways that you can show your support for the show.
1:23.2	So if you would take a moment, go on out to our support page at AviationNewsTalk.com
1:27.6	slash support, where you'll find links to support the show via Patreon, PayPal, Venmo, and Zell.
1:33.7	And when you make a donation, I'll read your name on the show.
	...

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