Favorite links, documents and training videos created by and recommended by our members.
KLBE Airport
General information about Latrobe’s Palmer Airport can be found on their home page. You can locate KLBE on the Detroit Sectional chart and find frequency, runway, and other airport info by following these links to Skyvector.com.
Listen online or via mobile app to live KLBE radio communications (tower and ground control), streamed from a radio scanner located on the field, available online from LiveATC.net.
Safety
FAA Safety
The FAASTeam at the Federal Aviation Administration provides courses, seminars, and other resources in their Safer Skies Through Education program. Included on this site is the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program, “based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress‑free flying experience.”
If you have any doubts about the value of recurrent training then be sure to read this Report on the Effectiveness of the WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program prepared by the FAASTeam Outreach Program Manager.
Air Safety Institute
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association sponsors the Air Safety Institute promoting aviation safety thru interactive courses, accident analysis, safety seminars, and more. Be sure to read the 22nd Joseph T. Nall Report of Accident Trends and Factors, a review of general aviation aircraft accidents that occurred during 2010.
Pilot Training
Private Pilot Ground School – DVD or Online
Here are three Private Pilot Ground School courses available on DVD or online. The DVD versions allow you to study without an internet connection but the content is static, while the online versions can be updated by the vendor to reflect changes in the regulations.
At Sporty’s Pilot Shop search for “Private Pilot Flight Training Course” and choose the Online, iPad/iPhone, or DVD course that fits your needs.
If you prefer King Schools click the Airplane Private Pilot Knowledge Test from their menu and then Private Pilot Knowledge Test Course. You’ll have the option of purchasing either DVDs for PC or online for PC or Mac.
Another choice can be found at Jeppesen’s JeppDirect. Select Training from their menu, then Private Pilot (FAA) from the sub-menu, and finally Private Pilot Online Training and Test Prep: FAA Written Exam.
A word of caution on the online courses: one of our members who purchased an online version reports that the video stream wasn’t well compressed and that the presentation paused frequently when using Verizon’s low tier DSL offering. He recommends that you have at least a 3 megabyte internet connection before choosing any of the online courses.
FAA Written Exam Practice Tests
If you’ve previously passed your FAA written test and don’t need a ground school course, or if you just want assess your knowledge, you can find several free practice tests on the internet. Try searching on Google for “faa private pilot written test practice” (don’t include the quotes when searching). Here are a few found by Google in Jan, 2024: Exams4Pilots, RisingUp Aviation, Webexams, and even at the FAA.
Administrative
Medical Certificate
As of October 1, 2012 Aviation Medical Examiners will no longer be offering paper 8500-8 forms in their office. You must complete your application for a medical certificate ahead of your appointment using the online MedXPress system, and you need to carry your confirmation number with you to the physician’s office so he can locate your application on the FAA’s servers. Visit the FAA MedXPress site to register and to complete the form.
Before logging onto the MedXPress site the first time you can watch this excellent video produced by the EAA demonstrating how to use the new system.
Armchair Flying
GPS Simulator
While on the ground you can practice the Garmin GNS 430W with Garmin’s 400 Series Simulator. Note that your computer must be running the 32‑bit version of Windows as this sim will not work on 64 bits. A complete set of manuals for the 430 can be downloaded from the manufacturer, and Steve Lehar at Boston University has created a series of exercises to guide you through practice sessions on the simulator.
Other Instrument Simulators
Luiz Monteiro’s instrument simulator lets you practice using the VOR, HSI, RMI, and ADF. Adobe’s Flash browser plug‑in and a reasonably fast CPU are required to run these sims.
A more basic Java‑based VOR simulator written by Tim Carlson will work on less capable computers.
Preflight
FAA Approved Self Briefings
If you have a Student Pilot’s License (or a third class medical certificate) or above then you can register for the Data Transformation Corporation DUAT or Computer Sciences Corporation DUATS systems for FAA‑approved self briefings. An FAA Flight Service Station telephone briefing can be obtained at 1‑800‑WX‑BRIEF and is recommended even if you self‑brief.
General Weather Information
NOAA’s National Weather Service Aviation Weather Center is a good place to get general aviation weather information including current METARs and TAFs, and the Weather Underground has useful civilian weather forecasts.
VFR Flight Planning
If you’re a member of AOPA then you can use their full‑featured planner without additional charge; the advertisement supported site FltPlan doesn’t require membership but does encourage you to register in order to get the full set of features; and Seattle Avionics offers DUAT Voyager, a free version of their full Voyager Software System.
Postflight
Discussion Group
The flying club has a forum on Google Groups to allow us to continue to interact when we’re not together at the hangar, the Greensburg meeting room, or social events.
We’re located at PFC on Google Groups.
This forum is private to those who have registered, but you don’t have to be a club member to participate. If you have an interest in the Pittsburgh Flying Club and would like to have access to our discussion group, then introduce yourself to our moderator by selecting the join button at the link above and he’ll take it from there.
Club Aircraft Reservations
The flying club uses a commercial web‑based reservation system, new.aircraftclubs.com, to schedule its aircraft. Once you’re a member you’ll be assigned a logon id and password.
Documents
Club documents outlining our rules and bylaws, a membership application, and miscellaneous unofficial documents can be found on this page.
Official Club Documents
Here are the Club Rules and Regulations, our Bylaws, and the Membership Application.
For the 2016 annual club proficiency check ride you’ll need to complete this questionnaire for the Archer and present it along with this check ride form to your chosen instructor.
Our insurance company requires that all members fill out this pilot experience form. You may bring the completed form to any regular business meeting or mail it to the address shown on our contacts page.
Unofficial Manuals
These reference manuals are not to be used for flight planning purposes as they aren’t necessarily specific to our year and model, but they can give you an idea of the Archer’s capabilities and limitations. The club will direct you to the proper printed manuals once you’re a member.
Other Club Documents
When you’re visiting a nearby airport please take a copy of the Club Advertising Flyer to display in the parked airplane and one to post on the FBO’s bulletin board. There are local pilots trying to find us. Let’s make their search easy.
Airport Authority Documents
On June 5, 2012 the Westmoreland County Airport Authority designated the Bravo intersection between taxiway Alpha and runway 3/21 as a safety area in which to perform engine run-ups. This is a copy of their notice and for your convenience here is a link to a skyvector.com page where you can get a copy of the airport diagram showing the Bravo intersection.
Member‑submitted Documents
When you’re doing your pre‑flight planning you’ll need the compass deviation numbers. To save a trip to the airport we’ve copied them into Excel spreadsheets:
We’ve also created Excel Weight and Balance calculators tailored to each aircraft:
The Weight and Balance calculation spreadsheets make a good double‑check for you and produce a nice printout, but remember that these are aids only. You’re responsible for verifying all flight calculations.
Training Videos
Preflight
New preflight action: Remove the top cowling and inspect the engine compartment.
Step 1: Remove the top cowling.
Step 2: Inspect the engine compartment.
Step 3: Engine Start Procedure