Page 23 - Volume 20 Number 8

Kevin Ware, ATP CFI MEI and regular ‘Twin and Turbine’ contributor, gave a presentation on optimizing takeoff and landing performance in these aging, and often significantly-modified, twin- Cessna aircraft. It appears that when performance enhancing modifications are made to these aircraft, those are not always accompanied by appropriate changes in either the Pilots Operating Handbook or on the airspeed indicators. Ware reviewed how an owner/pilot can obtain the correct numbers and, by operating the aircraft accordingly, increase aircraft utility and safety.There was also a large group of sponsors present, with the largest booths probably being those of RAM Aircraft, well-known Twin Cessna modifier and engine overhaul company from Waco, Texas, and Garmin, from Olathe, Kansas. RAMoffered several attractive discounts for those attending the meeting. Garmin had a display of its new touch-pad panel-mounted units.An occasionally humorous “pinch hitter” course for spouses was well attended and highly rated. It was noted (and, in fact, quite factually), that not all “spouses” were female.The group also had a number of heavily-attended social functions, including a visit to the retired WWII aircraft carrier Yorktown, where special access was allowed to the flight deck and bridge, followed by a real southern BBQ dinner served on the aircraft maintenance deck.Most of those attending the convention•promised to return in 2017; the location has yet to be announced. T&TKevin Ware is an ATP who also holds CFI, MEII and helicopter ratings, and is typed in several business jets. He has been flying for a living on and off since he was 20, and currently works as a contract pilot for several corporations in the Seattle area. When not working as a pilot, he is employed part­time as an emergency and urgent care phy­ sician for a large clinic in the Seattle area.AUGUST 2016TWIN & TURBINE • 21