Holly Pavlika, Managing Director @Big Fuel Communications Part#1

Holly Pavlika, Managing Director @Big Fuel Communications Part#1

I'm getting my first car and I have been reading up, but I can't understand some of the lingo...help!?

Apr 08, 2011 by VaL | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation

Ok so I'm getting a 1988 Cadillac Seville STS. I have tried to search individual terms but they just bring me back to the same pages, or to forums for other cars like Dodge and PT Cruisers.
So please could you break down these terms for me so that I can understand them, like you were telling a younger child as you are pointing to parts in the car.

" It featured special 15 inch alloy wheels, special springs, rear sway bar, and a special 15.6:1 steering ratio for enhanced handling, a grille mounted Cadillac emblem, special cloisonne trunk lock cover, and a unique four place interior."

Here is the Wikipedia Page

In 1986, an all-new, much smaller body attempted to combine the crisp angularity of the original Seville with the rounded edges of the new aerodynamic aesthetic. The series featured a transverse mounted V8 driving the front wheels. The smaller size and conservative styling were regarded as bland, and customers stayed away. Despite the lack of popularity, the new Seville/Eldorado chassis featured an advanced transmission and engine control system that offered Environmental Protection Agency fuel consumption figures of nearly 30 mpg-US (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg-imp) on the highway using a small fuel injected V8. The new model featured a worldwide production car first—a computer system that monitored the car's systems and the engine. The BCM/ECM (Body Computer Module/Engine Computer Module) was paired with an electronic dashboard using high intensity vacuum fluorescent displays and utilized GM's expertise derived from the acquisition of Hughes Electronics, makers of communications and spy satellites. This expertise was later carried forward to many GM models and brands making GM the leader in cutting edge electronics for automotive use. Unfortunately, with sales way below expectations the new model was considered a disaster, and an exterior refresh was rushed for 1987 as a 1988 model. This was the final Cadillac Seville generation to have annual facelifts for the grilles.
The big news for 1988 was the introduction of the Seville Touring Sedan which came equipped with GM's FE2 Touring Suspension. It featured special 15 inch alloy wheels, special springs, rear sway bar, and a special 15.6:1 steering ratio for enhanced handling, a grille mounted Cadillac emblem, special cloisonne trunk lock cover, and a unique four place interior. 1988 Seville Touring Sedan production totaled 1,499 units. The first 1988 STS were custom built in June 1988 by Cars and Concepts and announced at the 1988 Detroit Grand Prix. A special label was affixed to the lower corner of the driver side front door by Cars and Concepts identifying it as one of the original STS's. For 1989, the features of the Seville STS remained unchanged, and 2,487 were produced.

Thank you so much!!!!!

15 inch alloy wheels = The wheels are 15 inches in diameter and are made of an aluminum alloy (or a mixture of aluminum and 1 or more other metals).

special springs = Just means it has soft springs for a comfortable ride.

rear sway bar = It's a bar that connects 1 wheel on the left side to the same wheel on the right side, in this case the rear wheels, so that the car doesn't lean as much when you are turning. It is like a spring that only works side to side.

grille mounted cadillac emblem = It's a logo that is attached to the grille, which is the front piece of the car between the headlights.

15.6:1 steering ratio = That means that if you were to make the wheels turn around one full circle, if it were possible, you would have to turn the steering wheel around 15.6 times. It just tells you how much the front wheels turn left or right when you turn the steering wheel. The lower the number, the faster the front wheels turn.

cloisonne trunk lock cover = It just means there's another cadillac emblem that covers the trunk lock so you can't see it from the outside. And to access the lock, you turn the emblem so it rotates off the lock.

"unique four place interior" = means it has seating for 4 people.

Private Flying to Unfamiliar Airports?

Mar 21, 2010 by Simo | Posted in Aircraft

Hello. I recently obtained my Private Pilot's License and I haven't done much flying before for "pleasure". I'm still in training (adding ratings/certificates), but this situation has never arrived that I have had to arrange to park a plane at another airport and FBO. So if I were to take a cross country flight somewhere how do I know if there is free parking. I know the procedure for talking to an FBO (Unicom) and whether or not there is fuel but what about parking? How do you know if it's free and how do you arrange to have parking if it isn't free? Do you just call the FBO ahead of time? Also, if going to a controlled airport, do you simply request "taxi to parking" or something along the lines of "taxi to FBO parking"? Also, what about bigger airports Class C and B airspace. Any parking for GA aircraft? Any information about international flying would be appreciated too. Is it pretty much the same procedures as here in the U.S. (such as IFR communications, general communications, clearances, etc). How would you obtain approach plates for airports that aren't in the United States. Anyone with experience (preferrably pilots or anyone of knowledge) on any of these questions are highly valued. If you can offer information about similar subjects that I didn't ask, feel free to do so.
Thank you very much for your time and responses
Warbird Pilot: I have done a lot of cross country flying for my PPL, but I've never needed to actually go to an FBO for fuel or parking because I've had sufficient fuel and I never stopped at an airport-I just did my touch and go and headed to the next place

By all means, call ahead to the FBO for particulars. Often times, parking is free but you might run into a fee for overnight parking at larger FBO's although that might be waived if you buy fuel. A parking fee is sometimes called a "tie-down" fee but either term is understood. Another little pilot goodie offered by many FBO's is a courtesy car, usually loaned at no cost, so you can drive yourself to the local eatery for the infamous "$100 Hamburger". You might be able to reserve the car (usually an old beater that'll get you there and back) by telling them your ETA, just make a serious effort to make that time as closely as possible so they can tell other pilots after you if it will be available and when.

At larger fields, there may be more than one FBO. You should be aware of that before you arrive to avoid confusion. Various references such as "Flight Guide" (highly recommended), the FAA's Facilities Directories and online resources are good places to check during pre-departure flight planning. Once you are handed off to Ground from Tower after landing, ATC will ask you for where you are going on the field. Simply reply, "Taxi to Signature, please.", at which time they will clear you via taxiways saying something like, "Continue southbound on Alpha, turn left at Kilo and taxi to the end." If this is your first time at this airport it'll be easy to get lost so feel free to reply to Ground saying something like, "This my first time at the airport, request progressive taxi, please". ATC will gladly give you turn-by-turn directions.

Since you sound like you are planning to do some serious airtime accumulation including foreign airspace, I would strongly encourage you to join Aircraft Owner's and Pilot's Association (AOPA). This is a wonderful organization with a membership composed of pilots from students to 30,000+ hour Whale drivers (747's). As a membership benefit, they will help you with international flight planning and advise you of what you need.

Welcome to the club and keep the blue side up.