The Boeing B-17F "Flying Fortress" AFA-317th Chapter Aircraft

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"It has served, unlike any other bomber, through all of the Second World War. It had become a legend in its time. A tribute to the men who had conceived, designed, and built it-and a monument to the remarkable young men, most of them boys who flew it. These men, and this plane, accomplished one of the most frightening missions ever demanded of men and aircraft. Together they helped end history's last "Glorious War".

MIAMI-HOMESTEAD AIRFORCE ASSOCIATION CHAPTER 317th

AFA-317 Blogspot created and maintained by Benny F. Benitez, FAA -Airframe / Powerplant and FCC-Ham Radio Lic.) VFW Life Member, Former Chapter President (2009-2010). Current Chapter Vice President of Special Projects

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Air Force Association Miami Chapter, The 317th Leadership Maintains Their Airmen Proficiency With Scheduled Flight Training

With their external pre-flight checks completed, both Rod and Catherine commence their pre-flight cockpit check list prior to aircraft engine start Having assisted the crew with the ground pre-flight and act as a ground safety observer during engine start and taxi Chapter President Benny Benitez stands by to see the crew off Chapter Vice President Rodrigo "Rod" Huete conducts a fuel sample check during his ground pre-flight of the Piper Arrow Chapter Secretary Catherine Smallwood herself an FAA CFI, CFII, MEI, Gold seal Flight Instructor also undertakes the duties of pre-flight inspection on the Piper Arrow With charts in hand as well with his well worn active duty "red chart pouch" Chapter Vice President Rod instructors both Catherine and Benny as he goes over a few safety tips while undertaking the pre-flight duties of the Piper Arrow
Derived from the Cherokee Archer II, but with a more powerful engine, retractable landing gear with automatic extension and untapered wings is the Piper Arrow aircraft N808ND belonging to Silver Express of Tamiami Airport (KTMB)
Prior to heading out to the flight line Chapter Vice President Rod and Chapter Secretary Catherine review their flight plans and identify the various "Warning Areas" to be aware of during their training flight

Miami, Florida 4th February 2010: (Tamiami Regional Airport KTMB) : As the most active AFA Chapter in South Florida concerning the flight training of its leadership, the AFA-317th Vice President Rodrigo "Rod" Huete and Chapter Secretary Catherine D. Smallwood maintains the Chapter flight proficiency with scheduled 90 day flight training events. Having conducted Glider training back toward the end of the 4th quarter of 2009, Rod and Catherine conducted various "touch and goes" utilizing a Piper Arrow at Homestead General Airport known as X-51 and at Tamiami Regional Airport (KTMB). With a clear day, high broken clouds, the leadership at AFA-317 conducted a safe and valued training flight. As a licensed FAA Airframe & Power plant Mechanic, former Airline Maintenance Director, and Squadron Safety Petty Office during his days when associated to U.S Naval Air Reserve Patrol Squadron VP-64, Chapter President Benny Benitez was also present to assist with the duties of ground pre-flight of the aircraft and acted as ground safety observer during engine start and taxi out.

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