<><><> OCTOBER 2008 <><><>

MICHIGAN WING COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

 

In case you were not aware, it’s October already! Where did the summer go! See paragraph h. below. I have copied and pasted the minimum requirements we as members need to fulfill in regards to CAP’s Safety program as outlined in CAPR 62-1 dated 4 June 2008. It may seem like a lot, but I have included links to the National website where a lot of useful information is stored. The unit Safety Officer is the most important member of the Commander’s staff in that this person is charged with protecting all of us from being our own worst enemy. Help them help you stay safe always! Excerpt follows with my comments in green and the links in blue, unless you are only able to read this in plain text. I have also attached this message as a pdf in that event.

3. Required Program Criteria.

a. Each level of command shall formally appoint a safety officer with qualifications appropriate to the local risk environment. Members in command positions should not serve as safety officer. Whenever possible, and especially in flying units, members with flying experience should be selected. Safety Officers will report directly to the commander (reference CAPR 20-1, Organization of Civil Air Patrol).

b. Within 90 days of appointment, each safety officer shall complete the on-line Basic Safety Course and test, located on the Safety page of the National CAP website. http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/basic_safety_course/

c. Each safety officer shall complete the on-line (not yet available) Safety Survey not later than 31 January of each year. Items to be addressed in this survey shall include, but are not limited to, those listed in the on-line Safety Survey found in e-Services. Once completed, this report will be sent automatically to the safety officer and the commander at the next higher echelon.

 d. Safety Officers shall develop a program of regular safety education and mishap prevention training for the unit(s) to which they are assigned. This program shall deliver no less than 15 minutes per month of face-to-face safety education and training to the membership. Members who missed the face-to-face safety meeting will review the information presented at the meeting before they participate in any CAP activity (including unit meetings). Rational flexibility should be used to get the latest safety meeting information to those members who miss the unit safety meeting. Any system that gets the message to the member is acceptable – e-mail with read receipt, videotaping the presentation for later playback, audio taping, read file or any other method that works. Due to the educational benefits gained from the interaction during face-to-face meetings, each member must attend at least one face-to-face meeting per calendar quarter.

http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/presentations.cfm

 

(1) At least once annually, Operational Risk Management (ORM) will be discussed during a unit safety meeting. http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/orm.cfm

(2) New members will receive ORM familiarization training, which is included in the Level One Foundations Course. http://level2.cap.gov/documents/Policies.pdf

(3) Sample briefings and educational material are available on the Safety pages of the National CAP website. http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/links.cfm

(4) Brief reports of topics covered and total members attending shall be forwarded to the next higher echelon of command. These reports shall be factored into the annual program assessment (Safety Survey). (See the attached form MIWGF 22, modify the header and print it (front and back) for original signatures as a sign in sheet for each meeting. Use of the form is highly suggested unless you already use something similar. These reports should be scanned and e-mailed to Wing at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

e. Safety briefings shall be incorporated into all field training exercises, encampments, and other special activities where members face risk.

f. The Civil Air Patrol Safety Improvement or Hazard Report, CAPF 26, and/or FAA Form 8740-5, Safety Improvement Report, shall be used to suggest ways to reduce operational risk to members.

g. All mishaps will be promptly reported and investigated in accordance with CAPR 62-2, Mishap Reporting and Investigation. Special attention will be given to any contributing factors that can be promptly corrected.

h. An annual Safety Day will be held in all units sometime during the month of October to focus on improving safety knowledge and attitudes during the new fiscal year. (For guidance, go to http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/presentations.cfm and view the PowerPoint “October Safety Down Day”. Report attendance and completion using the above form upon conclusion of the event.)

 

Michael A. Saile, Colonel, CAP
Commander
Civil Air Patrol Michigan Wing
Auxiliary of the United States Air Force
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
pager: 248-333-4203 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
work: 248-858-5078
cell: 248-425-2571 (no signal at my work location)
home: 248-681-5717

 

 

<><><> JULY/AUGUST 2008 <><><>

ONLINE BASIC SAFETY OFFICER COURSE!

Win a Cake and Ice Cream Party for your unit!!!  Or a Pizza and Soda Party for your unit!

Here is an excellent opportunity for your unit to get recognized for it's commitment to safety. 
The Michigan Wing Safety Office will provide a party for whichever unit has the highest percentage
of members (cadet and seniors) who complete the new Safety Specialty Track Training.

SQUADRON SAFETY OFFICERS will keep track of completions.   You have until 15 AUGUST 2008 to complete
the courses, report to your safety officer and have the units success get reported to the
Wing Chief of Safety (LBURKE@MIWG.CAP.GOV).

The BRAND NEW CAP Safety Specialty Track Training is available on the Safety website at http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/basic_safety_course/

ALL Unit Commanders and Safety Officers in Michigan are REQUIRED to complete this course and
send a copy of their certificate to the Wing Chief of Safety (LBURKE@MIWG.CAP.GOV). 
Squadron Commanders can not be dual hatted as the Safety Officer.

MI Wing HQ Staff has already taken on the challenge and started taking the course.
Hurry up and beat them!

<><><> MAY/JUNE 2008 <><><>

101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER, GRILL SAFETY TIPS,
AND CAKE & ICE CREAM CHALLENGE

First I want to apologize for the confusion.  In May there was some confusion over who was writing the Safety email.  So no one did it.  This month's Briefing will be even longer and more painful than usual. 

(No just kidding - We wouldn't let AE add their stuff, so this will be fun!)

1.  *Win a Cake and Ice Cream Party for your unit!!!  Or a Pizza and Soda Party for your unit!*

Here is an excellent opportunity for your unit to get recognized for it's commitment to safety.  The Michigan Wing Safety Office will provide a party for whichever unit has the highest percentage of members (cadet and seniors) who complete the new Safety Specialty Track Training.  *

SQUADRON SAFETY OFFICERS* will keep track of completions.  You have until 15 AUGUST 2008 to complete the courses, report to your safety officer and have the units success get reported to the Wing Chief of Safety (LBURKE@MIWG.  CAP.  GOV).  The BRAND NEW CAP Safety Specialty Track Training is available on the Safety website at

http://level2.  cap.  gov/visitors/programs/safety/basic_safety_course/

ALL *Unit Commanders and Safety Officers *in Michigan are *REQUIRED* to complete this course and send a copy of their certificate to the Wing Chief of Safety (LBURKE@MIWG.  CAP.  GOV).   Squadron Commanders can not be dual hatted as the Safety Officer.   

MI Wing HQ Staff has already taken on the challenge and started taking the course.  Hurry up and beat them!

2.  MAY UNIT SAFETY BRIEFING: *101 Critical Days of Summer*

There is an excellent briefing on the most dangerous time of the year - the 101 days of Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day).   Please review the presentation on the NHQ Safety Website.  This would be an EXCELLENT way to provide fifteen minutes of Safety briefing for your unit members.   (Each Unit is required to have 15 minutes of training each month and absent members should review the notes or in this case - the electronic version!)

http://level2.cap.gov/visitors/programs/safety/presentations.cfm

3.  JUNE UNIT SAFETY BRIEFING: *Grill Safety Tips*

Colonel William S Charles II is a former MI Wing Commander, GLR Region Commander, National IG.  Smart guy like that and about a year ago, he almost burned his home to the ground.  *How you ask? * (/I can assure you that I had a great line to fill in right here.  Unfortunately, he is still the Assistant National

IG, and I can't afford to make enemies with someone like that!/)  

What happened was: He started his [older] propane grill, went inside to get the steaks (Colonels make a lot more money than the rest of us).  One of the propane burners had rusted out near the top.  The rust left a hole on the top of the burner, when it finally gave way, it turned into a mini-blowtorch.  The temp was extremely hot and focused.  So hot, that it actually burned an EIGHT inch hole in the CAST IRON cover of the grill.    

Colonel Charles came out of the kitchen to find molten metal falling on to his wood deck!Fast action from him (We like to think he learned something from last October's briefing on fire extinguishers) prevented the fire from spreading.  Eventually, the Novi Fire Department even paid a visit.  It must have been a warm Summer evening, because Colonel Charles's wife (1T Bonnie Charles) said the firefighters were 'hot'.   

Now there are purists who only cook with charcoal, but that has its hazards as well.  Especially carbon monoxide!

This link will take you to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's "*Grill Safety Tips*

<http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97128.html>"

Excellent opportunity to share a CAP safety lesson with your families and friends!we may have missed Fathers Day, but it still would be some great tips to share with Dad (or Mom since she probably has to provide guidance to Dad when he cooks.  )

Two other late breaking tips from the JUNE MI Wing Staff Meeting:

a) There are mats available that go under your gas or charcoal grills.  They keep the drippings and grease from damaging the decks and leaving a potential opportunity to slip on.   

b) Be EXTREMELY careful when making those SMORES.  Children, Hot Burning Sugar and pointy sticks are a REALLY dangerous combination.  Yes, you've been doing it for years and nothing ever happened.  But BE CAREFUL.  Especially with the youngest kids.   

4.   Flood Stages - *NOAA Website*.   

We've been watching the Midwest floods with great interest.  More than a decade ago, CAP was intimately involved in the Mississippi River floods.  Including extensive air operations.   But what would we do if flooding occurred closer to home?

This site: <http://www.weather.gov/ahps/> provides some OUTSTANDING information about flooding levels.  It shows the status of various electronic water level monitoring stations around the United States.  GROUND TEAMS: This is definitely worth  looking at before heading cross country - especially after recent rainfall.   

*This is another great site to share with your family and friends - even if they live out of state.  Especially if they live out of state!!!!*

5.  Electrical Generators - Disconnect from Main- Not in Garage.   

Major Rick Thalmann lost power at his home during the recent storms in SE Michigan.  The downside was some thawed food.  The upside was romantic MRE dinners by candlelight, at least until Major Thalmann had an 'urgent' work trip out of town.  Poor Mrs Thalmann had to eat in the dark.  At least he couldn't use his power tools - so that was a safety plus!

But there were lots of other dangers.  You may have heard about them on the radio or on TV.   

a) Downed power lines across the road.  Especially in the first hours after the storm.  Call them in - stay away!

b) Don't park the generator in your garage.  The fumes are DEADLY.  And be careful with that gasoline.  Let the engine cool, before pouring gas in. 

c) And one other real danger to others - IF YOU HAVE A GENERATOR - Make sure you are disconnected from the Utility Companies lines!!!!  This is extremely dangerous to lineman making repairs!!

7.  Michigan Wing Portal

A number of safety related files have been uploaded to the MIWG Portal.  You can access them at: Safety Directory Link <cid: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >

8.  Don't just read this, tell someone you read it.  If you got this far - make sure you report it to your unit safety officer.  So your records are up to date!!!

Fly, Drive & Sleep Safe.  Just not at the same time!!!

Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing

 

<><><> APRIL 2008 <><><>

SENTINEL

While I am technically, too young to be a Baby Boomer, this month's Sentinel
does have a thought provoking article about aging. 

On a personal note, gray hair showed up on my head around age 16. 
I felt it made me a more distinguished looking Cadet Master Sergeant. 

Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing

 

<><><> MARCH 2008 <><><>

ANNUAL AWARDS & FLOODING AWARENESS!

Happy March to all you.

1.   Nag your commander for a change!   The Annual Safety Reports were due from each unit, through their Group HQs, to Wing HQ a month ago.   Please ask your squadron commanders if yours got turned in on time.  Unless you live in the Northern Michigan Group - All of theirs were turned in.  And so were many others.  But this way your CCs will know you read this AND you care enough to ask about Safety!

2.  Also - If your squadron or group safety officer does a great job, make sure he/she knows you care.  We have about one week to submit the Michigan Wing Safety Officer of the Year to GLR Region HQ.   Send your nominations to me.  No fancy forms needed just an email with a brief write up is enough. 

3.  The theme of this month's safety email was going to be "Don't fly your kite near power lines."  But you can guess which department at Wing HQ got all bent out of shape about THAT idea.   "Aerospace is everything, all forms of flight are important, wind, thrust, angle of attack, the Chinese kite makers in eight thousand BC,  yada yada yada."  Long time readers of these emails understand my pain.

So I picked a different topic.   This one is likely to effect us personally and operationally. 

Did you know that March 17-21 is National Flood Awareness Week?   Really it is.  I couldn't make this up.  Well actually I could, but if I make something up, its going to be a lot funnier than flooding.  Check this out for some ideas:  Flood Safety Awareness 

A very cool link for river flood stages that lets you check the rivers near your home is:  River Flood Stages.   This is an incredible link for ES Officers and ICs.  Think about it, you might actually know where the next mission is going to be - before it happens!  It's sorta like giving me a flight release! 

Many of you already know that Disaster Relief is one of our primary Emergency Services Missions.  I heard a statistic once that no one in Michigan Wing was in the CAP before 1941.  I find that hard to believe because I'm pretty sure Colonel Saile has been in forever.  I've got pictures of him as a warrant officer (we don't even have those anymore) and before that he was a cadet.  But anyways, for those of you that haven't been in forever, you may not be aware of the number of major missions that Michigan Wing has provided air and ground support during flooding. 

In the 80's a number Group III (now merged into Oakland-Macomb Group) members left a Wing conference to fill sandbags on Lake St Clair.  They earned a Unit Citation for that.  A few years later, the Saginaw, Tittabawassee, and Cass Rivers flooded and Saginaw Bay was extended about thirty miles south.  The River Raisin in Monroe has been a perennial problem child since the early nineties.  Maybe if they renamed it the River Staying-Below-Flood-Level they would have less problems.  What do I know?  On the West Side, the Kalamazoo and more often, the Grand River have overflowed their banks. 

And everyone in the Detroit Area has heard "Heinz Drive is closed because the Rouge River overflowed" on the radio.  I've never been there, but I suspect that road is built below the river water level.  I mean, people leave their lawn sprinklers on too long and Heinz Drive ends up under water. 

This Winter (2008) has seen unusually high snow fall rate or previous years.  Guess what happens when it warms up?  And it not only those people with waterside chalets that have to worry.  Many municipal sewer systems can become overwhelmed and cause local flooding.  Sewer or storm drain backs up, and every basement in the neighborhood is under water. 

And that water is COLD.  Cold water lowers body temps THIRTY times faster than cold air.  In Fifty degree water, a Fifty year old man will die in less than Fifty minutes.  A healthy young cadet won't last much longer. 

At your next safety briefing, please spend at least thirty minutes covering the following two topics.  Some story telling is appropriate, but also challenge each other to come up with 10 or more ways to prepare for flooding at home and on the next CAP Mission.  Here are some examples.

At HOME:  a) Spend a few hours in the basement.  Move the important things off the floor.  Picture albums, wedding dresses, etc.  Move them to the top shelf.  

b) Go out and clean the Winter trash from the storm drain grates.   Does it look like lots of trash is in the storm sewer?  Call your city Public works Dept.

Next CAP ES Mission:  a) Make sure every ground team member has a life preserver.  Preferably one that fits over your gear.  b) Practice fast dumps of your gear.  If you fall in the water you need to get very light very quickly!  c) What line (rope) and flotation devices should be in our vehicles for water rescues?

Every unit should submit their ideas to the National HQ CAPSafe safety program.  Send your suggestions to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

4.  If you've made it this far, thanks for reading all this.  Remember last November's email topic, "circadian rhythms"?   It is already time to turn the clocks forward.  So you will LOSE an hour of precious sleep on Saturday Night.   Maybe you need a quick reminder?  Check out this link and see how you can protect yourself!

        The National Road Safety Foundation

5.  One other note about sleep.  Captain Jo Hendrix from Traverse City sent a note about "obstructive sleep apnea" (that links to an excellent description).  Sleep Apnea it is a serious medical issue.  If you or someone you love is overweight, snores extremely loudly or seems to be tired no matter what time of day it is, they may want to see a physician about this condition.  At least one former MI Wing commander and another CAP Mission Pilot are able to live near normal lives after treatment for Sleep Apnea.

That is all for now - Stay Safe!

Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing
Civil Air Patrol/USAF Auxiliary

<><><> FEBRUARY 2008 <><><>

OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT
ANNUAL TRAINING

Happy February Everyone!!!

Lots going on in CAP the last couple months, please remember to keep safe while we do it all.

There are only two things to cover this month, as we all sit patiently waiting for Spring to spring.

1.  FAA SAFETY AWARD WINNERS FROM MICHIGAN - First the BIG NEWS -

The FAA has recognized a Four People in the State of Michigan for their OUTSTANDING contributions to Safety in 2007.  Guess what?  Two of them are members of CAP and Michigan Wing!!!

SM Dave Schrader - Who just joined the Willow Run Composite Squadron was recognized as the FAA Safety counselor (Now FAASafety Team Member).

Captain Kary Lucas - A long time member of the Kellogg Field Senior Squadron was recognized as the FAA Flight Instructor of the Year!

Please join me in congratulating both of them in achieving these significant awards.

2.  RISK MANAGEMENT - Every member of CAP is supposed to receive new or recurrent training in Operational Risk Management (ORM).

a) Unit commanders, please make sure that you track this training for your members.  You will be asked to report this information later this year.  Use the attached materials a to brief them.

b) Unit Members - ORM isn't just fun and entertainment like, say, Aerospace Education, this is important stuff that is easy to understand and will save your life.  And it can be fun....  I've added some discussion points for units to use in their Safety talks this month...

A very long time ago Momma Burke used to give the Burke kids lots of ORM training.  But back then we called it "nagging", not training.

Why are you leaving the house without a jacket?  What are you going to do if the car breaks down and you have to walk?  Why don't you slow down, when the road is wet?  Why are you going out if a snow storm is on the way?  Where are you going to sleep while you are on this mission?  You're going flying in the clouds?

What examples can you think of, where you have factored in risks and changed your behavior to counteract that risk?

These are the same questions we should be asking ourselves every time we do something, in CAP or not.  Most of the time we do it subconsciously, but sometimes we need more formal reminders.  Attached are two Michigan Wing forms developed by Lt Col Joe Brown more than a decade ago.  They still work today, don't they?   Instead of just judgment, these forms apply scores to different levels of risk.  Those scores help pilots or drivers make a go or no-go decision.

Many drivers and pilots have personal limits that they impose (or others impose) based on their personal experiences.  A 16 year old driver that I know and love has rules on her driving.  No more than one friend in the car when she drives, without parental permission.  If a friend is present, the radio/cds/ipod is turned off.  No cell phone EVER if the car is turned on.  A bit severe, perhaps, but it seriously limits the RISK of distraction for someone with little experience driving.  She signed a contract with these rules when she got her license.  But honestly, she is more afraid of Grandma Burke being brought in for a counseling session.

Cadet Drivers: What limits do your parents have for driving?  What rules do your friends parents have?  Does it make sense?

All: What can you do BEFORE you ever get in the car to limit your risks on the road?

Lots of pilots have personal limits as well.  A one thousand foot ceiling and two miles of visibility is common for rusty instrument pilots.  Michigan Wing has added THREE new airplanes in the last thirty days.  Two Cessna 182s with G1000 glass panels and a Gippsland GA-8 Airvan.  Few of our pilots have experience flying these very different aircraft.  So typically they use extra caution and even more preparation than usual when they get ready to fly.  Notice the Air Ops ORM form even has a spot for noting "Complex tasks, new technology".  Smart guy, that Lt Col Brown.

Pilots/Aircrews:  Can you recite IMSAFE by heart?  Do you have a card in your possession now?  What is PAVE?  This would be a great time to review the King Risk Management DVD from last year.  What three things can you remember from that course that apply to Risk Management?

The attached PDF file is a great example of thinking about Risk Management in simple terms and actions.

Spend some time reviewing ORM at your meeting.  Think about it the next time the weather is bad and you want to drive, or you jump in the car without a jacket on a cold day, or you are going to run with scissors,  or your friends are going to jump off a bridge.  (If you close your eyes, you can almost hear my mother asking the questions)

 PLEASE track your attendance, keep it on file.  I'll need it soon. 

As always, Drive, Fly and Sleep Safe.   Just not at the same time. 

Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing

<><><> DECEMBER 2007 <><><>

DECEMBER 2007 – EMERGENCY SAFETY DOWN DAY

Can you believe it is already December?  If you don't have enough on your plates with the Holidays, Tax Season and studying for your Aerospace tests, The Michigan Wing Safety Office is back with its monthly update and an important announcement.  There is LOTS going on this month, please help your Unit Safety Officer to succeed. 

This may seem like a long email – but I added a joke at the end to reward you. 

1.      DECEMBER SAFETY DOWN DAY.  Due to the recent loss of an aircraft in Nevada Wing, we have been asked to conduct another SAFETY DOWN DAY.   Brigadier General Amy Courter has identified two areas that should be reviewed and discussed as part of this briefing.  (We are excluded from the mountain flying brief).  The topics are listed below and some links where you can download presentations to make to the units.

Michigan Wing Unit Safety Officers or Commanders will brief on the following topics:

A.      All members will be briefed on vehicle driving techniques and use of seat belts. Special attention will be given to holiday traffic operations and winter season driving in those areas adversely affected by weather.

The Michigan Dept of Transportation has a great document that can be used to make this presentation to units. Lt Col Mark Phleeger, Michigan Wing Director of Cadet Programs is available to provide his personal insights on this very topic.

www.michigan.gov/documents/Winter_Driving_Tips_108473_7.pdf

B.      All members will be briefed on holiday safety to include how to act in large crowded areas and fire safety during cold weather to include holiday lighting, heaters and fireplaces. 

Fire Safety: Hmm…   It seems to me that Michigan Wing leads the nation in fire safety training!  We know all about fire extinguishers, remember?  Another great reference is the Taylor, Michigan, Firefighters website.  Check them out at:

Winter Safety Tips:  http://www.tpffu1252.org/index.html

Or you could check out the article in this month’s Safety Sentinel!

C.     For members in appropriate climates, cold weather protection and safety should be included.

The U of M football team may be struggling this year.  (The Capital One Bowl? What-the-Heck-is-that?).  But the U of M Dearborn campus has some nice cold weather safety tips.  Check them out at:

http://www.umd.umich.edu/318001/

As adults, we a choice to make about how to handle this.  The first option is: “We all complain about our third safety down day in four months and generally negative.”  Or “We all spend a few moments thinking about how we can make this a safe Winter for our people!”  Please choose the latter. 

Action Required:  All Units must hold the Safety Briefing and report completion to MIWG/SE (Lt Col Burke) by 27 December 2007. 

Because of the frustrating nature of this requirement, I will be accepting angry emails until December 15th. 

2.      ANNUAL SAFETY AWARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS [DUE DATE 5 JANUARY 2008]  

There are TWO Safety Related Awards for INDIVIDUALS:

Safety Officer of the Year Award - An annual award presented to the safety officer who has contributed most to the CAP safety program. Each wing may submit a nomination to region. The region commander will review all nominations submitted and will select one nominee believed to be the most deserving of the award. The region commander will forward the nomination to NHQ CAP/SE for final selection. All nominations must be forwarded by the region to National Headquarters postmarked not later than 15 March. Nominations that are late or that have not been coordinated through the region commander win not be considered for the award.

Distinguished Aviator Award - This award recognizes outstanding airmanship by a CAP pilot. The pilot must demonstrate heroic measures or an extraordinary level of skill, alertness, ingenuity, or proficiency in averting or minimizing the seriousness of a flight mishap. NHQ CAP/SE will convene an Awards Board to review the nomination and evaluate the seriousness of the incident as well as the nominee's action in coping with the situation.

    (1) The emergency must have resulted from any of these situations:

        (a) Mechanical difficulty with the aircraft while in flight or on the ground.
        (b) Errors made by others, in the air or on the ground.
        (c) Environmental factors beyond the nominee's control.

Note: Members who prevented a potential mishap that they caused by their own misdeeds, lack of judgment, or foolhardy/excessive risk-taking are ineligible.  (Like barely NOT shooting down a CAP Airplane with your model rockets!)

Action Required:  All Units Commanders should consider submitting their safety officers or distinguished aviators for these awards by 5 January 2008.  Why not do it now – before the holidays become overwhelming? 

3.      ANNUAL SAFETY AWARDS FOR UNITS 

UNIT SAFETY AWARDS - Unlike the certain other departments, in Safety, try to reward excellent performance!  You may not be aware, but there is a safety award that should be presented to each unit that has an accident free (calendar) year.  In order to process these awards, each unit needs to submit an annual safety survey by 31 January.  There will be more reminders in next months email, this is an advisory.  The form is attached to this email.

Action Required:  All Units Commanders and Safety Officers must complete the Annual Safety Survey by  31 January 2008.  Relax and enjoy December, worry about this one next month. 

4.      FAA SAFETY PROGRAM (CAP PILOTS, SCANNERS & OBSERVERS)

Major Carter Billiu has agreed to assist the Wing Safety Office as long as “I don’t have to listen to your boring stories or stupid jokes!”   Sure.  Silly Majors.

Major Billiu has completed the Senior Program Level III and earned the Grover Loening Award.  He has been a unit safety officer in the Detroit 100^th and he is an FAA Safety Counselor.  Carter brings a wealth of aviation experience to the Wing Safety team.  He is an active Flight and Ground Instructor and an Instrument rated Commercial Pilot

During the next couple months, Major Billiu will be leading our efforts to get all our pilots, scanners and observers enrolled on the FAA Safety Website and motivate them to take some of the great courses offered on both of these great websites:

http://www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses/

http://www.faasafety.gov/

Maybe you can help him by visiting these sites, registering and taking a few courses.  They are easy to use, entertaining and educational.  On a slow afternoon or evening, you can easily complete a couple courses and remind yourself what you forgot.  Besides with the writer’s strike, there is nothing on TV anyways. 

5.      DECEMBER SENTINEL.  Colonel Saile has taken the joy out of my monthly forward of the link to the Sentinel, but I’m re-sending it anyways. 

Aircrew members and Flight Release Officers are required to review it before gaining a flight release.  Everyone should read it because it’s a great little newsletter.

The December Sentinel was posted yesterday on the Safety web page at:

http://level2.cap.gov/documents/Sentinel.pdf.

Action Required:  All Aircrew members must review the document before their next flight release.

6.      MONTHLY AEROSPACE JOKE: 

Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Federal Aviation Administration, and the FAA examiner arrived last week for the pre-Christmas flight check.

In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his logbook out and made sure all his paperwork was in order. He knew they would examine all his equipment and truly put his flying skills to the test.

The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and Rudolf's nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for sled's enormous payload.

Finally, they were ready for the checkride. Santa got in and fastened his seatbelt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shotgun.

"What's that for?!?" asked Santa incredulously.

The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this ahead of time," as he leaned over to whisper in Santa's ear, "but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff."

Let’s get this Safety Down Day over with quickly.  I won’t start nagging for until after Christmas. 

Whatever Holidays you celebrate, do it safely and responsibly.

Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing

Winter Safety: It’s Snow Joke!

Our winter Safety briefing came at a great time, given the blanket of snow we got this week.

Interesting story about the California family that got lost doing something simple,
cutting down a Christmas tree.

Family Found after Three Days


Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety,
Michigan Wing

IMPORTANCE OF PRE-FLIGHT

Something to think about whether you are jumping in an airplane or a vehicle!

Col Bill Webb has a great story about an airplane that crashed because the pilot took off without noticing that his elevator had been damaged by the ground crew and removed for repair, in the short time he was gone for a meeting.

Fly, Drive, Sleep Safe!  (Just not at the same time)

Leo Burke, Lt Col, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing
Civil Air Patrol/USAF Auxiliary

-------- Original Message --------

 A little tale about that tenant and his Beech:

 On the Saturday I had worked all day on the RF4, changed the oil, cleaned
 and polished, etc. then buttoned it up, shutting
 the hangar doors about 7:30pm.

 Next morning (Sunday), I opened up the hangar and stood there trying to
 decide whether or not a Pre Flight Inspection was really
 necessary. After all....I had worked on it all the previous day, so what
 could possibly wrong? Discretion being the better
 part, etc...I started my "walk around".

 Arriving at the elevator, I tentatively lifted it and was met by a grinding
 noise.... and a surface that jammed in the "up" position.
 My flashlight and a fine screwdriver revealed all. A small screw about #4 size.

  The tail group of the Beech hung over the rear of the RF4 and it turned out
that the last evening...after I had left....my neighbor
 came in and climbed up to replace the broken red lens on the beacon atop the fin.
He dropped a screw, which he was unable to find, so he installed a replacement.
It did not occur to him that the  screw had chosen to lodge in the
gap between my tailplane  and elevator.

 Never again did I have to debate whether or not to

 Preflight........!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe a tale for your flying club......at my  expense?

<><><> NOVEMBER 2007 <><><>

Circadian Rhythms and November Safety Report

Technically, October 1st was the first day of the 2008 fiscal year.

Michigan Wing has had an AWESOME first month for FY2008!  Thank You All!

1.     Although we had back to back safety briefings in September and October.  You've done a great job of completing them.  We are at a 98.1% compliance for September and 96.2% compliance for October!  This means only one unit did not complete September's requirement and only two units did not complete October's requirements on time.

2.     Here is a link to the November Safety Report.  Have a great read!  Don't forget to report that you read it to your unit safety officer!   MI Wing pilots and observers are required to read this EVERY month and report that they have read it when requesting a flight release.  The article on rashes is especially relevant to aircrews.

3.     I know you just got the Halloween Safety note yesterday, but that was a holiday edition.   (Ed Note: The MI/SE has not received any candy samples - a future topic may be that fat people starve faster than skinny people!)

This month's topic is near and dear to my heart.  Because I am a big fan of sleeping.  (I hope you are too.)  This weekend Daylight Savings Time ends and we turn the clocks back one hour on Saturday at 2:00AM. 

Turns out there is this thing called a "circadian rhythm".  Its pretty much your bodies internal time clock.  (It's why some people wake up every morning at look at the alarm one minute before it is supposed to ring.)  Anyways, just changing the time by a single hour will have an effect on you.  Like a mini case of jet lag. 

Please don't confuse Circadian Rhythm with the 'Sinus Rhythm' that Paramedics Ron Cage and John DeSoto used to call into Rampart Hospital.  I don't know exactly what sinus rhythm is, but it seems serious.  Am I dating myself with "Emergency!" references? 

Check out this link and see how you can protect yourself!

The National Road Safety Foundation

And remember, Fly, Drive and Sleep Safe, just not at the same time!


Lt Col Leo Burke, CAP
Chief of Safety
Michigan Wing

 

<><><> OCTOBER 2007 <><><>