News

At the Board meeting today in Palm Springs it was announced that Ann Marie Radel has been elected as VP. Congratulations, and thanks for volunteering Anne Marie.

At the March 15 Board meeting two new Regional Directors were elected. Bill Derksen is replacing Doug Reetz as the Region 4, Central, Director. Thank you Doug for your service.

Mike Berck is replacing Tom Dyer as the Region 6, Pacific, Director. Thank you Tom for yours service.

There will be an introduction article in the next Star. These gentlemen can be reached at central@grummanpilots.org and pacific@grummanpilots.org.

Thank you gentlemen for volunteering.

The online registration- https://grummanpilots.org/event-4940705/Registration,  for the GOPA Convention in Palm Springs is now open. Information regarding the convention is available in the Coming Events area- https://grummanpilots.org/event-4940705

Our May convention is at the Hollywood Celebs Favorite Desert Playground, Palm Springs!! As promised, here are links to a small portion of the fantastic things to do in the area:
Here are three of our favorite websites for all areas of the Coachella Valley:
https://www.playinlaquinta.com
https://www.Palmspringslife.com
https://www.gpsgetaway.com
Here are a couple of our favorites:
Agua Caliente Casino, https://www.aguacalientecasinos.com
The Living Desert Zoo/Gardens,  https://www.livingdesert.org
Red Jeep Adventures, https://www.red-jeep.com
Joshua Tree National Park, https://www.nps.gov/jotr
El Paseo California Artist Gallery,  https://www.melissamorganfineart.com
Modern Celebrity & Architecture Tours, https://www.moderntourspalmsprings.com
Here are the websites to our convention tours:
Palm Springs Air Museum, https://www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, https://www.pstramway.com
Also, for those who may want to stay in the area before or after our convention and explore cool places that are close (by Grumman flight), here are some distances from KUDD airport (Bermuda Dunes). If anyone needs guidance through any of the airspace around the area, or would like to know about other airports, please feel free to contact me.
Las Vegas (KLAS), 150.4 nautical miles
Catalina Island (KAVX), 109 nautical miles
Santa Barbara (KSBA), 181.8 nautical miles
San Diego (KSAN), 76.3 nautical miles
Van Nuys (KVNY), For those who saw the movie “16 Right”, 113.6 nautical miles
Mohave Air and Spaceport (KMHV), 121.7 nautical miles
Fullerton (KFUL) close to Disneyland, 85.3 nautical miles
Harris Ranch & Hotel (308) For delicious steaks, 338 nautical miles
Let’s have some fun and see some things!!!!
Cheers, Anne Marie and Mike Radel, GOPA2023@grummanpilots.org, Cell 818-429-8663

Garmin GFC500 autopilot ALERT (May not apply to our planes)

 Garmin has found a problem with the optional GAD28 auto-trim for the GFC500 autopilot which could cause runaway nose-up trim.  This does NOT affect the basic GFC500 without the optional autotrim.  If you have auto-trim, you must immediately disable the autopilot by pulling and collaring the c/b and placarding the autopilot inop.  You can then take it to your Garmin shop to have the auto-trim disabled after which you can resume using the autopilot, manually trimming as needed when you get a TRIM light.  For more information, see the documents below or contact your Garmin dealer.

Service Alert 22109 Rev A is available at:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/faq/mZwVwMogJ09ZLIPJgWTBJA

The recommended Service Bulletin 22110 Rev A is available at:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/faq/s7SeFk9oh96I8qVfjtNbV8

The 2023 GOPA convention will be held May 2-5 at the Bermuda Dunes airport near Palm Springs, California. More information is here.

Details have been released and you can view them here. Limited spots so make your reservations early.

GeneralAviationModifications, Inc.
2800 Airport Rd. Hangar A
Ada, OK 74820
580 436-4833
Fax 580 436-6622
Press Release: September 1, 2022
For Immediate Release
General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI) is pleased to announce that we have received the FAA’s Approval of the expansion of our Supplemental Type Certificates on the use of our G100UL High Octane, Unleaded Avgas. The Approved Model List (AML) now covers every spark ignition piston engine and every airframe using a spark ignition piston engine(s) in the FAA’s Type Certificate database.
GAMI has conducted testing and certification of the G100UL under the FAA’s Supplemental Type Certificate Certification Program with a high level of FAA oversight for the past 12+ years. George Braly, GAMI’s co-founder and Head of Engineering said “We’ve been told by the FAA that this is the most thoroughly tested and documented STC that has ever been done at the Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.”
GAMI’s G100UL has many advantages over today’s 100LL.
1. In addition to having “no lead (TEL)” the fuel has equivalent octane performance and can work in even the most demanding high compression ratio and turbocharged engines.
2. The G100UL has no “organometallic additives” or “scavenging agents” and as such burns exceedingly clean similar to today’s unleaded auto fuels. This results in exceptionally clean combustion chambers, free of deposits and materially improving such maintenance headaches like frequent oil and spark plug changes required with today’s leaded fuel.
3. It is fully “miscible” or “fungible” with 100LL in any proportion without loss of properties and approved as such in the wing of an airplane.
4. Being petroleum based, the G100UL can be produced at a large number of refineries or specialty chemical production facilities improving the logistics of delivering this aviation gasoline through the existing infrastructure
5. The G100UL has been tested for its material compatibility and found to be acceptable for use with a wide range of materials. No changes are required of the aircraft or engine other than the application of placards.
6. Operationally, the G100UL is virtually identical to 100LL and actually has a bit more energy (BTUs/gal.) for increased range of the aircraft.
Tim Roehl, President and Co-founder of GAMI said “It’s a great day for GA! Not only can we look forward to a lead free fuel future, the benefits of the G100UL will improve the maintainability and reliability of our engines, enhancing dispatchability and safety!

The SIL, SIL-J-9613-001 Rev. A, covers some of the engine mounts used on our planes, and others.

The FAA has issued SAIB: AIR-22-15 regarding bondline inspections. The document is here and has been added to SB- 195A in the Maintenance Files area of grummanpilots.org.