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A nice view of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, located just to the east of the Tacoma Narrows Airport. This is the second bridge built at this location. The first bridge opened on July 1, 1940 and was called "Galloping Gertie" because it had a tendency to be swayed up and down by the constant winds. The bridge collapsed during a windstorm on November 7, 1940, little more than 90-days after being opened. The new bridge was completed and opened to traffic on October 14, 1950. This bridge is sometimes referred to as "Sturdy Gertie" since it has been able to withstand the strong winds and currents that pass through the Tacoma Narrows. More information about the Tacoma Narrows Bridge can be found at this link. |
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Lt Col Larry Bielstein (photo to right, wearing blue cap) conducts a briefing of the day's activities before taking the first group of cadet aloft. |
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Lt Col Larry Bielstein answers cadet questions before conducting the aircraft's pre-flight inspection. |
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As part of the pre-flight inspection, Lt Col Larry Bielstein shows cadets what to look for when inspecting the elevator, rudder, and tail section. |
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Lt Col Larry Bielstein climbs aboard to check the aircraft's fuel level. While the plane does have fuel gauges, it is a good idea to visually check the level of fuel on board. After all, running out of gas in a car is MUCH different that running out of gas in a plane. Remember the recent Boeing S-307 Stratoliner crash in Seattle? It appears that the cause may have simply been a lack of fuel! |
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The pre-flight inspection continues... In the photo (from left to right) Cadet Matthew Andes, Cadet Rohan Naldrett-Jays, Cadet Nathan Wilkins, (hiding behind Cadet Wilkins is 1st Lt Dan King), Lt Col Mark Kahley, and wearing the blue cap is Lt Col Larry Bielstein. |
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This is the Cessna 182 that was flown today. |
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In the Civil Air Patrol, you can never have enough paperwork! There are forms to fill out before and after every flight. Here, 1st Lt Dan King does his part to make sure all the records are correct before taking off. |
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1st Lt Dan King answers cadet questions before conducting the aircraft's pre-flight inspection. |
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Whenever possible, cadets are allowed to take control of the aircraft and learn how the aircraft operates. Naturally, the pilot-in-command performs all critical skills (such as take-off and landing.) In this photo, Cadet Nathan Wilkins is learning how to coordinate turns using both the rudder and ailerons. |
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Sometimes you see things from the air that you didn't know were there. In this case, a very small dam in Mason County. |
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Another treat as seen from the air was the Washington State Patrol Academy's driver training course in Shelton, WA. While it's hard tag heuer replica to see in the photo, there were several Trooper Cadets driving police cars around the track in simulated high-speed pursuits. |
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Approaching the Tacoma Narrows Airport for Runway 17. |
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