February 2001Newsletter
Santa Rosa Chapter Ninety-Nines
January Business Meeting
To Vicky Spediacci, flying is a matter of saving lives. As Director of Operations for Reach/Mediplane based in Napa, California, she oversees pilot training and operations. She has 15 years' experience and over 5,000 hours as a helicopter pilot. She shared some of her experiences with us at the January meeting, along with an excellent presentation on the inner workings of Reach, where she has worked for the last six years.
As an air ambulance company, Reach has five bases: four in Northern California (Concord, Sacramento, Redding, and Napa), and one in Los Angeles. Each base operates within a 250 mile-radius. They fly both fixed-wing and Agusta helicopter aircraft.
Reach has to maintain high skill levels not only with its pilots, but also the paramedic and nursing crews. Vicki outlined the stringent hiring and training requirements for all members of the crew. Reach's attention to safety in aircraft maintenance, pilot selection and training, and operational procedures has earned it the respect of their competition and their suppliers.
Keeping abreast of the latest technologies, Reach has new "isolete" units for the care and transport of neonatal patients. Their helicopter pilots are also using new GPS approaches that allow them to fly below weather minimums following certain FAA-established routes. These improvements make it possible to fly when the need is sometimes greatest.
Beyond her fascinating discussion of Reach operations, Vicki also shared some interesting tidbits of her own flying career, such as standing in as helicopter pilot for Meg Ryan in the movie Courage Under Fire. To Vicki and her fellow pilots, courage is not a movie. It's something they display every time they fly to the rescue.
Airmarking Ukiah airport needs a compass rose. Tentatively scheduled for May 19.
Expand Your Horizons: coming to Sonoma State on March 31, this conference held by women promotes career opportunities to young teenage girls. Last year, we had a successful "I Can Fly" program. Contact Betsy Taggart to sign up, 571-8682, Betsy_taggart@mediplane.com
Girl Scout Badge:Barbara Shubel is organizing a program for an Aviation badge one Saturday TBD in April or May. She needs volunteers to "pilot" stations for teaching various aspects of aviation.
Scholarships
Valerie is already planning this year's chapter scholarship award. The Board has discussed giving $3000 this year, plus additional $500 awards to student pilots.
The Board recommends donating $1000 to the Amelia Earhart Scholarship fund. Last year we gave $500. We will vote on this at the February meeting
Calendar of Events
Thursday, February 15th-Meeting 7:00 p.m. at 575 West College Avenue Santa Rosa, offices of Wyvern Restaurants. Speaker to be announced. Join us early at 6:30 for a potluck dinner.
March 31:: Expand Your Horizons conference. Contact Betsy Taggart to sign up, 571-8682, betsy_taggart@mediplane.com
April 27-29: Spring Section Meeting on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA
June 21st: Scholarship awards program with possible presentation by Astronaut Dan Tami. Contact Barbara Shubel or Jean Schultz for details or to help.
July 17-22: International Conference, Calgary, Alberta
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