<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Hello MN
wing pilots,<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">There is a
heightened concern about the number of aircraft mishaps that we are
experiencing as a wing.<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">We have had
5 incidents that have resulted in damage to our airplanes in the last month,
and 6 this year. That is <b>not</b> a trend that can continue. In trying to
find a common thread to these incidents the only thing that can be found is we
are becoming lax or complacent and our decision making has become questionable
in many cases. We deal with risk management on every mission, and we are not
trapping and mitigating risks and the results are showing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"> <b>We have got to do a better job of taking
care of our airplanes!!<span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><b><br></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">As a wise
carpenter once told me “its better to measure twice and cut once” We need to be
applying this same principle, looking at a decision a couple of times before
jumping in and making a bad choice.<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">The phase of
flight that seems to be causing us the most problem is moving airplanes into
the hanger. This area continues to plague us and cause easily avoidable damage
to our airplanes. <span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">We are finalizing
a type of safety down day which will require action from our pilots. One item
that will be included is:<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Every
squadron will need to inspect their hanger to make sure there are guidelines
for all three airplane wheels and stop marks for the C172 and C182. In hangers
that are shared with other aircraft, make sure there are marks for the other
aircraft, so you know you will have clearance. Also check for door clearance
markings to make sure ithe hanger door is open high enough
to accommodate the tail of the airplane.<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Maintenance
continues to deal with supply chain problems getting parts, and when they get
unexpected extra work in the form of
damaged planes it results in more and more of our planes showing “down” status.
We currently show 10 airplanes “down” out of a fleet of 20.<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">We need
everyone’s help to turn this bad trend around. Help each other out when you see
items that may cause high risks or problems to other members. We all want to
have airplanes to fly, so we need to take care of them so they are available when
we are ready to fly!<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Watch for
more information on our Safety down day program soon!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Respectfully,<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"><br></span></p><img src="cid:ii_l5cf0ir70" alt="image.png" width="280" height="67" style="margin-right: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Capt. Greg Bestul, CAP<span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">DOV, MN Wing <span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">612.251.4786<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:gbestul@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">gbestul@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(4,66,122)">U.S. Air Force Auxiliary</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">GoCivilAirPatrol.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p></div></div></div>