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From the Flight Deck
by Kevin R. Dingman
32 • TWIN & TURBINE
November 2018
Duke Meisters
The 2018 Beechcraft Duke Fly-In
[Meister – compound noun – akin to maestro – A person regarded as skilled or prominent in a specified area of activity; one who has extensive knowledge or ability.]
Aircraft type clubs are organizations that provide information and support to a single aircraft type from the same manufacturer. Most aircraft type
clubs are independent of the manufacturer and organized as
not-for-profit associations operated by volunteers. Such is the case with The Duke Flyers Association (DFA) which has nearly 300 members including pilots from Switzerland, Australia, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, Belgium, South Africa, and Canada. The annual fly-in presents an opportunity to socialize with birds of a feather, renew friendships, and relate stories through heartfelt (sometimes harrowing) tales of all things aeronautical. Attendees also discuss piloting, maintenance, operational techniques,
meet face-to-face with vendors, and accomplish recurrent training.
Pilot Steel, Inc.
As much a treasured social event as a technical one, this year’s annual Duke Flyers Association (DFA) meet- ing was held in Owensboro, Kentucky (KOWB). The event was organized and hosted by Ray and Susan Assmar, owners of both a beautiful Duke and Pilot Steel, Inc., a metal fabrication company. Throughout the gathering, DFA President, retired Delta Captain and Duke guru Bob Hoffman shared pearls of wisdom gained from his 48,000- plus hours of airline and GA flying. Mid America Jet provided host FBO services for attendees which included both piston and turbine Dukes.
A Tough Crowd
The conference itinerary began with cocktails at a meet-and-greet with an evening of storytelling held at the event hotel. The official beginning of the gathering commenced the next day with an early morning, seven-hour, all-encompassing Master IFR refresher course presented by Gary Reeves. Considering that DFA members regularly fly their Dukes in the IFR system, in actual IMC and often to an IMC approach, it was a tough crowd of meisters to impress. However, we can all use instruction and reminders about the sometimes overlooked and essential details of instrument flying using today’s modern avionics, and Gary presented valuable information with something for everyone. Course subject matter covered everything from the still mandatory recording of VOR checks, seldom accessed knowledge about required aircraft instruments, lighting and inspections to LP+V and LPV minimums, DH vs. MDA, holding, SID’s and STAR’s, as well as IF vs IAF with a discussion about the requirement to fly (or not to fly) the procedure turn. His material prompted class participation with a spirited conversation about approach procedures and techniques as well as communicating with ATC while defending our position and responsibilities