Flying Santa December 2008 marked the 79th year of Flying Santa flights to New England’s USCG stations and lighthouses. This holiday tradition was established in 1929 by Capt. William Wincapaw, a Maine seaplane pilot, as a gesture of appreciation to the lighthouse keepers, lifesaving crews and their families who stood vigil along our coast. On Christmas Day, Capt. Bill would take to his plane and drop packages of holiday treats for the dedicated folks at these isolated outposts. The tradition was carried on for many years by maritime author and historian Edward Rowe Snow, who sometimes visited lighthouses as far off as the West Coast and Bermuda. Friends of Flying Santa continues these flights today, using helicopters to make visits to over 30 stations and lighthouses from Jonesport, ME to Jones Beach, NY. An all volunteer non-profit organization, the Friends hold fundraising events during the year to cover the costs of the program including scholarships for Coast Guard dependents. Each December, during three days of flights, we visit with and deliver toys to over 600 CG children. A long list of pilots, many current and past members of the New England Helicopter Council, has helped make this annual tradition a huge success. To view all the photos from December’s flights as well as additional information about Friends of Flying Santa, please visit our website at www.flyingsanta.org.
Contributed by: Brian Tague President, Friends of Flying Santa
English Language Proficient Endorsement Are you planning an international flight this summer? Maybe a quick trip to Montreal or over to Nova Scotia? If so, you may need to get a new airman certificate. Here’s what you need to know. Effective March 5, 2008, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires that private, commercial, and airline transport pilots with powered aircraft ratings who operate internationally have a certificate stating that the holder is proficient in the use of the English language. The ability to read, speak, write, and understand English is already a U.S. regulatory eligibility requirement; the FAA Registry began issuing all new certificates with this endorsement on February 11, 2008. The U.S. has notified ICAO that it will extend the U.S. compliance date until March 5, 2009, in order to provide sufficient time for all affected U.S. airmen certificate holders to comply with the ICAO Language Proficiency airmen certificate endorsement requirements. Certificates that are ordered as regular replacement certificates will include the endorsement. You can order a replacement certificate on-line or by mail. You will be asked to register with Online Services if you don't already have an on-line account. Note that there is a $2 fee for replacement airmen certificates. Airmen who request temporary authority or verification of their airman certificate will not have the English proficiency endorsement until the replacement certificate has been requested and the $2 fee paid. If you have questions, you may contact the Airmen Certification Branch toll-free at 1-866-878-2498.
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For more information regarding ICAO English proficiency, refer to Information for Operators (InFO) 08012 at the following web link:
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