Dothan AL- Pilots gathered at Aero One Aviation, Dothan Regional Airport on Saturday December 8 at 9 AM for the official inaugural meeting of the new IMC Club Dothan Chapter. At the meeting, prospective members had the opportunity to interact with IMC Club founder and President Radek Wyrzykowski. IMC Club is an organization designed to promote safety and proficiency among its instrument rated members.
- Aero One Aviation, Dothan Regional Airport, Alabama-
Radek used his standard formula for new Chapter meetings. Starting with a 30 minute review of how the International Club was started, he explained how it has grown and evolved over the few years since formed. During the second half of the meeting, Radek led the group through a discussion of an IMC Club scenario involving a departure from last summer's AirVenture ahead of approaching weather. The complicating factors included the odor of fuel, a rapid reduction on the fuel gauge, and a sense of urgency on the part of the pilot to get home for a family commitment.
-Radek Wyrzykowski and Bill Castlen at the Wiregrass IMC Chapter meeting-
Bill Castlen hosted the chapter as the new President. He is a CFI, and CFII with over 7700 flight hours and has logged over 4000 hours of flight instruction and is actively involved as a FAASTeam member in his area.
-Radek led he group through a realistic IMC scenario.-
One of the primary goals of IMC Club is to increase pilot confidence and proficiency by training in actual instrument conditions. The club was established as a learning resource for instrument-rated pilots, and for students pursuing their Instrument Ratings. To accomplish this, monthly meetings are held at local chapters around the country to help pilots and students build and maintain their IFR skills, and to share stories and tips from their fellow pilots.
-Wiregrass aviators are not shy about sharing their thoughts-
Radek led the Dothan group through the realistic IMC scenario. The purpose of the scenario was to generate a discussion of possible alternative courses of action and possible consequences of each. The group of 15 aviators did not disappoint with a lively discourse both thought provoking and educational. Castlen said, "We are looking forward to our next Wiregrass IMC Club meeting that will be scheduled after the first of the year."- Bill Castlen contributed this article and images. For more information: http://www.imcclubs.org/