Page 56 - Volume 14 Number 4

CSIP Profile – Jim Ratliff
Where were you born and where are you living now?
I was born in Live Oak, Florida, and am now living in Houston, Texas, based out of Executive Airport (KTME).
College and Degree: Florida State University – BS in Business Administration, Webster University – MA in Public Administration
Work Bio: I served in the U.S. Air Force for over 23 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. I flew the A-7D, A-10A and F-5E/F and was an instructor in the Air Force Fighter Weapons School in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am also retired from American Airlines, where I flew the MD-80 and B-737-800. I was the director of operations and training for Tidal Aviation, a Cirrus Platinum Training Center in the Houston, Texas, area. Currently I am an independent Platinum CSIP and owner of Seminole Aviation, LLC in the Houston area.
When was your first flight – commercial and private? My first commercial flight was in September 1972 from Tallahassee, Florida, on my way to Air Force Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion training in Spokane, Washington. I thought the Boeing 727 was enormous! Later,
in 1997, I thought it looked really small when parked next to the MD-11
I was flying. My first private flight was in September 1972, in the Flight Indoctrination Program for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program. My face hurt from all of my smiling!
When was your first solo? Nov. 2, 1972, at the Tallahassee International Airport. I still have the back of my T-shirt with my instructor’s signature on it!
What kind of aircraft have you flown and/or owned? I have flown over 30 types of aircraft and have not owned any of them. How cool is that?
What has been your all-time favorite flight? In 1978 I had the privilege of flying a brand-new A-10A to the Farnborough Airshow in England. I must have answered a million questions that weekend!
What do you enjoy most about teaching at a CPPP and how do you think pilots will benefit from attending one? I enjoy spending quality time learning things with other Cirrus pilots and instructors. I sincerely believe that every pilot and nonflying partner that attends a CPPP leaves the event as a better and safer aviator. That makes me smile and helps me sleep better at night.
Give one or two tips for Cirrus pilots: Stay proficient and safe, not just current and legal. You may have a no-notice “checkride” coming on a dark and cloudy night when things don’t go as planned. Be ready for it!
Use your Cirrus and your flying skills to give back to your community through service organizations such as Angel Flight, Pilots for Paws or Veteran’s Airlift Command. While it is a great feeling to help others who really need it, it also gives you a reason to fly often and stay proficient.
Electrical Fire
= Air – Direct your attention to the vents and environmental system. Close them off. The smoke may accumulate temporarily, but the key is to stop the air from circulat- ing so that you are not fanning a small flame into a big one.
= Ignition–Eliminateallsourcesof electricity including batteries and alternators. Depending on your flight condition, you may want to leave battery 2 on to power the flight instruments in order to maintain aircraft control.
= Fuel – What’s burning is the wire coatings, insulation, plas- tic, etc. You cannot eliminate these things, but it should jog your memory to grab the fire extinguisher. Because there are metal panel covers underneath the instrument console, you are going to have to position the fire extinguisher to aim around the edges and allow the Halon to seek anything that is burning.
Now begin your emergency descent and crack the door to eliminate the smoke.
Engine Fire
= Air–Inthiscase,airisyourfriend and we will use it to try and blow out the fire during the emergency descent. Slipping in order to divert smoke and flames away from the pilot will often aid in control of the aircraft, though this may be disconcerting for any passengers.
= Fuel – The fuel selector goes to the off position. Remember how to get it there – pull the mixture to idle cutoff and turn the boost pump off, as it may continue to squirt fuel remaining in the lines onto the hot engine.
= Ignition – Turn magnetos off. If the propeller is still turning and the magneto switch is on both, left or right positions, a spark will be going to the cylinders, continuing to ignite any remaining fuel. Leave the electronics on (battery, alternator and avionics). You do not want to create a second emergency.
In the case of any fire (electric or engine), do not attempt to glide to
54 ■ COPA Pilot
MAY 2019