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Copyright © 2002 AOPA. | Training Tips
| JUDGMENT CALL
What is "sound judgment" in flying? How does a pilot demonstrate that quality to a flight-test examiner during a checkride?
Doing so is mandatory, just as demonstrating mastery of the aircraft is a criterion for satisfactory performance, as discussed in last week's Training Tips, Stable and Steady . Sound judgment will be evaluated "throughout the flight portion of the practical test." See the discussion of "satisfactory performance" in the introduction of the "Private Pilot Practical Test Standards" ( click here to download a copy). For a further regulatory perspective, see the FAA pamphlet Introduction to Pilot Judgment .
There are many ways to demonstrate good judgment for your examiner. Your weather evaluation-and the go/no-go decision you based on it-was an excellent  start. So was the care with which you preflighted your aircraft and handled it on the ramp and during taxi. In flight, remaining ever vigilant for other traffic, refusing to give in to distractions, and prioritizing multiple tasks (aviate, navigate, communicate) speak volumes about your judgment.
Hoping for more specific guidance? Fortunately, much has been written both about teaching and learning pilot judgment. "To encourage good judgment, be cautious and orderly when you fly. Help your students to select go/no-go criteria and then stick to them. Pose scenarios to your students and see how they react. Set the example by setting high standards for yourself and then consistently doing your best to meet those standards," wrote AOPA Flight Training columnist Wally Miller in the September 2000 issue's "Instructor Report." See also the February 2000 AOPA Flight Training "Instructor Report" by Christopher Parker for insights on the components of good pilot judgment.
The July 2000 AOPA Flight Training article "Poor Judgment-Breaking the Chain" offers a student's perspective, including the observation that "the main impediments to good pilot judgment are misunderstanding of risk; ignorance of the aeronautical decision-making process; misunderstanding of the influence of personality on decision making; [and] failure to appreciate the role of stress in decision making."
For more on the relationship between stress and pilot judgment see "The Silent Passenger" in the July 2002 AOPA Flight Training. Then, armed with all this great advice, let your good judgment shine through!
| Your Partner in Training
| The AOPA Air Safety Foundation is an excellent information resource for student pilots. From safety topics to online courses to training seminars, you'll find useful tools to help you along the way to getting your private pilot certificate. ASF has just released an especially timely update of its Aircraft Icing Safety Advisor. Click here to download a copy on AOPA Online. If you have additional questions, our aviation experts are available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern to answer your questions toll-free at 800/872-2672.
As an AOPA Flight Training Member, you have access to all of the features within AOPA Online. For login information click here.
| Flight Training News
| DO THE RIGHT THING, BOYER TELLS NEW MICHIGAN GOVERNOR
AOPA President Phil Boyer hasn't wasted any time in trying to prod Michigan's new governor to do the right thing for general aviation. In a letter to Governor-elect Jennifer M. Granholm, Boyer urged her to "consider the implications" of continuing to enforce the state's pilot background check law. Passed in May 2002, the law requires a criminal record background check through the FBI for any person seeking flight training in the state-whether to obtain a pilot certificate, add a new certificate, or add a rating to an existing certificate. In August AOPA filed suit in federal court, contending that the law is a violation of Article VI, clause 2 (the "supremacy clause") of the U.S. Constitution. The FAA has also weighed in with a legal opinion that the "qualifications of persons operating aircraft are determined according to federal rules and should not be subject to standards varying from state to state." Boyer also told the governor-elect that she shouldn't allow aviation to get lost in a bureaucratic reshuffle. See AOPA Online.
AOPA DEFENDS GA AIRPORTS IN TWIN CITIES
AOPA is acting quickly to squelch any attempts to sell six publicly owned general aviation airports around Minnesota's twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) is considering selling the airports to cover operating deficits at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). In letters to MAC and Minnesota's newly elected governor, AOPA argued that MAC's six GA airports must remain open to the public without unreasonable increases in rates and charges. See AOPA Online.
AIRLINE PILOTS STILL IN DEMAND, COMPANY SAYS
More than 400 pilots met with representatives from 15 airlines during Air, Inc.'s December 2 Airline Pilot Career Seminar, Airline Forum, and Job Fair in Washington, D.C. Comair scheduled interviews at the fair, while at least two other carriers conducted interviews on site, the pilot career consulting company said. "Many pilots are unaware that there are still opportunities at every level-majors, nationals, regionals; passengers, cargo, and fractionals," said Kit Darby, Air Inc.'s president. The company's next career seminar will be held in Dallas on January 25, 2003. For more information visit the Web site.
| Inside AOPA
| LIGHTS, CAMERA, AIRPORT WATCH ACTION!
An AOPA crew spent last weekend in Florida shooting the final scenes for the new AOPA's Airport Watch video. The video will be available in January for distribution to pilot groups and airport organizations. It is just one part of AOPA's comprehensive Airport Watch program, which is modeled after a neighborhood watch and is designed to enlist the aid of more than 600,000 general aviation pilots to watch for suspicious activities at airports. An accompanying brochure will be mailed to all members in January. You can read the brochure or request a copy of the video at AOPA Online. Click here to download the brochure in PDF format.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| Training Products
| LED CHART ILLUMINATOR FOR NIGHT OPS
Sporty's LED Chart Illuminator lights up charts, checklists, or notes in the dark of the nighttime cockpit. The Chart Illuminator uses light emitting diode technology, which means no burned-out flashlight bulbs, and is said to last almost 40 hours on four AA batteries. It measures approximately 9 inches by 6 3/4 inches and weighs 8.5 ounces with batteries. It sells for $34.95 with white-light LEDs or $44.95 with red light. For more information, contact Sporty's or call 800/SPORTYS.
| Final Exam
| Question: Since I'm a student pilot, do I need to learn about spatial disorientation? Doesn't it only happen to instrument-rated pilots?
Answer: VFR-only pilots are the most frequent victims of spatial disorientation. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation conducted a study of spatial disorientation accidents that occurred during a 10-year period and found that 50 percent resulted from VFR-rated pilots flying into instrument meteorological conditions. This situation is fatal 90 percent of the time. For more information, read about the ASF's recent human factors study or click here to download a copy of its Spatial Disorientation Safety Advisor.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? E-mail to [email protected] or call 800/872-2672.
| Picture Perfect
| | Looking for a unique gift this holiday season? Order high-quality prints from the AOPA Online Gallery. Search the hundreds of fabulous images, select your favorite, and with just a few keystrokes, a beautiful print will be shipped directly to your doorstep! Of course, you can still download your favorite images to use for wallpaper or send a personalized e-card. For more details, see AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| The AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes Waco has flown! Now the race is on to break in the airplane's engine before the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-in next April. But in Owatonna, Minnesota, where the UPF-7 is being refurbished, frigid temperatures are making it tough. View pictures and an update on AOPA Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Wickenburg, Arizona. Fly-in and Explore Wickenburg takes place December 21 at Wickenburg Municipal/Wellik Field (E25). This month's activity is a tour of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. A fee of $5 per person includes the tour and round trip transportation to the museum. Contact Maria Langer, 928/684-5690, or visit the Web site.
Hesperia, California. A Toy Drive and Toy Air Show takes place December 22 at Hesperia Airport (L26). A free pancake breakfast for fly-in pilots, with toy donation valued at $20 or more. Runway closes to landing and departing aircraft from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a remote controlled plane airshow. Call Debbie, 760/948-1177.
Aviation activities traditionally slow down at this time of year, and you may not receive a regional calendar each week. To submit an event to the calendar, or search all events, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online .
For comments on calendar items, contact [email protected].
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Fresno, California, and Reston, Virginia, December 21 and 22. Clinics are also scheduled in San Jose, California; Jackson, Mississippi; and Portland, Oregon, January 4 and 5. Attend a FIRC during the month of December and receive a free ASF umbrella! For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter® Ground Schools will take place in Detroit, and Seattle, January 12. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Reno, Nevada, January 6; Sacramento, California, January 7; San Jose, California, January 8; Oakland, California, January 9; and Santa Rosa, California, January 10. The topic is The Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings. For the complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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