Last month I told you we had an aircraft acquisition in the works. It’s official. N8208X, a 1961 Cessna 172B, is now in our hangar at Brennand Airport in Neenah.

This is the piece everything else has been waiting on. Training is open, the rental program is live, and you can book a discovery flight online. We’ve already booked our first one. More on all of it below.

And of course, AirVenture starts Monday the 20th.

Meet N8208X

Our airplane is a 1961 Cessna 172B. It’s exactly what I wanted for this school: simple systems, forgiving handling, and a roomy cabin. The 172 has been the standard trainer for decades for good reason.

It’s based at Brennand Airport (79C) in Neenah, in the hangar I wrote about in June. Having the airplane and the hangar in the same place means we can run training and rentals on our own schedule.

Clintonville Fly-In

On Tuesday the 14th our family flew N8208X up to the fly-in at Clintonville. It was the airplane’s first event since it came home, and a good evening of airplanes and conversation with pilots from around the area. If you were there, it was good to see you.

A New Name: Compass and Prop

One more piece of news. Oshkosh Aviation is now Compass and Prop Flight Training.

The mission hasn’t changed and neither have I. But with a hangar in Neenah and an airplane of our own, we needed a name that belongs to us rather than to a city. The website is now compassandprop.com, and everything from the old site points there. Same instructor, same phone number, new name on the door.

The sign went up on the hangar this month too.

We’re on Facebook under the new name as well. Follow the page at facebook.com/CompassandProp for photos, student milestones, and event announcements between newsletters.

Flight Training: The Calendar Is Open

For everyone who’s asked about training over the past year, I’m now taking students at Brennand.

Instruction is $58/hour for all reserved time: preflight briefing, ground, time in the airplane, and the debrief.
The 172 is $135/hour wet, fuel included.
You pay as you train. No packages required, and no surprises.

The best first step is a $145 discovery flight: 45 minutes at the controls, 30 minutes of ground, and a logbook with your first entry. You can book it online through Flight Schedule Pro at compassandprop.com/discovery-flight/, or get in touch.

Through August 31, the $90 cockpit video package is free with your discovery flight, so you’ll have footage of your first time at the controls. Book the regular discovery flight on the website and mention the newsletter when we schedule.

I’m one instructor with one airplane, so if you’ve been thinking about training, now is a good time to get on the calendar.

Certificated Pilots: The Rental Program Is Live

Already have your certificate? N8208X is available for rental.

Here’s how it works: a one-time $100 joining fee, $25/month for rental access, and then you fly at $135/hour wet. You’ll need 100+ hours total time and a checkout with me at Brennand (about an hour of ground and 2 to 3 hours of flight), and access includes a free flight review every two years.

This is a straightforward commercial rental, the same as renting from any FBO. Get checked out once, then book the airplane online on your schedule. Details at compassandprop.com/rentals/, or call or text me at (920) 358-0581 to line up a checkout.

Time-building toward commercial or ATP minimums? Reach out and we can talk about what you need.

Tip of the Month

If you’re based anywhere near Oshkosh, read the AirVenture NOTAM even if you’re not flying to the show.

The arrival and departure procedures reshape the airspace for everyone in the area, not just show traffic. Know where the Fisk arrival runs, where the holds stack up, and when the field closes for the airshow. The pilots who get caught off guard every year are usually locals on a routine flight, not the ones flying in for the show.

What’s Coming Up

EAA AirVenture, July 20-26, KOSH. I’ll be there all week working our booth for my day job, and I’m planning to catch the airshow and talk with some vendors about equipment to make N8208X a better trainer. If you see me, say hi.
Pilots & Pastries is taking July off with AirVenture in town. Watch for the August date in the next issue.

As always, if you have questions about training, want to schedule a flight, or just want to talk flying, reach out through our contact page. I read every one.

Thanks for following along.

Blue skies,
Dan Lauerman
Compass and Prop Flight Training
920-358-0581
[email protected]
compassandprop.com