A FALL/WINTER TONIC.......

You may have noticed at ISP, we have introduced numerous student and pilot trips. If you are "tired of navigating in circles" or just need a break from your lesson curriculum, we have the TONIC for you. Keep your eyes open when in the lobby and viewing our web site (www.midislandair.com) for new trips and a monthly theme of exciting places to fly with family, friends, a fellow pilot or student. You will find a discount on planes, fuel, CFI's or restaurants. So stay posted.

Since the summer we have had trips for students and pilots to Martha's Vineyard, Portsmouth, Atlantic City, Rutland, Mt. Pocono and Mystic. Training flights into NY Class B and expanded use of the ATC system have been well received.

We also offer expanded and discounted BFR's (known as the President's BFR Special) with an emphasis on safety and improving flying skills (instead of just meeting requirements). This special is for renters and owners.

In November, we sponsored two major trips. The first, we organized with the Mid Island Pilot Club to Kitty Hawk, NC to visit the Air Museum. The trip was a two-day success, with three planes and eight customers visiting the Kitty Hawk facilities a GREAT time for all! The second trip was a combination vacation/training flight to the Bahamas. The weather was perfect, the flight flawless and the excitement awesome. This is one of the ultimate uses of your pilot certificate flying yourself to the Bahamas! Let us know if you have a special, challenging flight in mind which would be enhanced by the addition of your personal CFI.

While planning these flights, we decided to put together two additional training courses; "Flying the ATC System" and the "Right Seat Companion". The first course is intended to help the VFR pilot learn about and practice using ALL the facilities available in the VFR environment,

thus making a better and safer pilot. It will introduce communications, vectoring, advisories, weather, planning and other advantages usually afforded only to IFR pilots. Those pilots who continue beyond this course and enroll in our Cessna Instrument Course will receive a $100 enrollment discount. The second course will introduce a frequent, non-pilot, flying partner to the basics of flying an airplane. They will learn how to use the radio in an emergency to request assistance, fly straight and level, find an airport and get the aircraft on the ground. If you are interested in either of these courses, please contact Don Lawrence.

On Dec 6th we sponsored a Super Saturday flight to Nantucket for a day of Holiday festivities. Seven Mid Island and Pilot Club planes were scheduled, half the flights were PVT and IFR training flights. We all know what happened when Mother Nature brought in the year's first major snow storm and unfortunately all flights were cancelled. We did manage to reschedule as festivities continue through December 24^th. This is the nature of flying vigilance and SAFETY FIRST! During the weekend of Dec. 13-14, there was a Fly-In to support "Toys for Tots". Pilots received a 50% discount at the restaurant when they donated a toy. What a way to give back to those less fortunate and in a flight as well!

We've started a series of one hour medical seminars for the second Saturdays in Dec, Jan, Feb and Mar. These will be given by Dr. Bruce Gilbert, who is currently training for his instrument rating. They are free of charge and we encourage all to attend. To insure adequate seating, please call the ISP flight desk to reserve a spot. Join us at 8:30 for coffee and donuts before the 9:00 seminar. Our first seminar on Dec 13^th was a great success; thank you Bruce.

For 2004, keep an eye open for monthly themes. If the snow persists, part of Jan and Feb will certainly be skiing. We wish everyone a Happy Holiday and safe and fun flying

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