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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2002 AOPA. | Training Tips
| MEASURING YOUR PILOT SKILLS
One concern voiced by many student pilots preparing for the private pilot checkride is that until now they have flown with only one person: their flight instructor. True, your instructor is confident that you will pass because you are flying to the skill level published in the Practical Test Standards ( click here to download). But the nagging doubt stemming from doing all your flying in a one-dimensional environment may remain. How do other pilots of your experience level fly? Did they struggle with the same concepts and maneuvers? Having some perspective on this might relieve some of the pre-test jitters. (Even after the test, some pilots experience this challenge to confidence. See "Am I a Good Pilot?" in the April 1999 AOPA Pilot.
 For a trainee, one solution is to ride along on another student pilot's dual-instruction lesson given in a four-seat trainer. (See the May 24, 2002, edition of this newsletter). Or you could seek a "second opinion" on your flying and ask your instructor to arrange for you to take an evaluation flight with another CFI. These flights, known as "phase checks" (or "stage checks"), are used at all flight training levels, for a variety of purposes. For example, flight schools operating under the accelerated FAR Part 141 are required to incorporate phase checks into the curriculum. See "Route 61 or Highway 141?" in the February 1993 AOPA Pilot. Some schools use them routinely, even when they're not required. And handicapped student pilots who must fly with an examiner to obtain a Statement of Demonstrated Ability before taking the practical test can use the flight as a stage check, as suggested in the July 1998 AOPA Flight Training column "Training Topics."
You also can put your doubts in perspective using the informal method. That's the perfect job for a mentor–an experienced aviator and friend, but not necessarily a flight instructor or directly involved with your training. He or she has "been there" and understands. Do you know someone who is mentor material? AOPA's Project Pilot can provide support for both of you. Need help finding a mentor? Log on to Project Pilot's Find-a-Mentor service and make a new friend while putting those nagging doubts to rest!
| Your Partner in Training
| Extra-careful preflight is required for night flying. Organizing the cockpit, choosing checkpoints, pondering emergency situations–the challenges are greater, but so are the rewards. The special skills of night flying can only be acquired and maintained by undertaking frequent night flights. If you missed the article on night flying in the October 2002 AOPA Flight Training, read it now at AOPA Online.
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
| AOPA OPPOSES NEW JERSEY PILOT ID LAW
AOPA is fighting yet another attempt by the New Jersey legislature to pass a pilot background check and pilot ID law. New Jersey Senate Bill 1438 would require every student pilot and renter pilot operating in the state to be fingerprinted and submit to a criminal-history background check. The state would issue a photo ID card to approved pilots, and FBOs and flight schools would have to check it before allowing a pilot to take an aircraft. Pilots would have to pay for the ID card, background check, and fingerprints. "This bill is unconstitutional, unneeded, and unfair to New Jersey pilots and aviation businesses," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "AOPA will fight this with every means at our disposal." The state senate's Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Monday, and AOPA will be there to testify. AOPA also sent a letter to key members of the New Jersey Senate opposing the bill and detailing why it would be bad law. For more information, see AOPA Online.
EMBRY-RIDDLE TO TRAIN AIR FORCE CADETS
The initial delivery of six Diamond DA20-C1 Falcon aircraft to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for use at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, took place at the Diamond Aircraft factory in London, Ontario, last week. Utilizing 35 of the DA20-C1 Falcons, Embry-Riddle will train as many as 500 Air Force cadets annually. The Falcon, named in honor of the U.S. Air Force Academy mascot, is a custom version of Diamond's standard two-seater.
BRIDGEWATER STATE, COMAIR FORM PARTNERSHIP
Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, has formed a partnership with Comair Aviation Academy. Under the agreement, Comair Academy–a wholly-owned subsidiary of Comair and Delta Air Lines–will become the sole flight training school for Bridgewater State aviation students. Comair Academy will establish a facility at New Bedford Regional Airport, and will conduct all phases of flight training for the college's Aviation Science majors. Upon graduation from Bridgewater State, aviation majors will have the opportunity to work as flight instructors for the academy, and after earning advanced pilot credentials will be guaranteed an interview with the Delta Connection airline. "We believe that this professional training program represents the best of collegiate and industry partnering," said Frank Sargent, director of aviation planning and operations for Bridgewater State. "It also provides a seamless transition from the academic environment to a responsible industry position. Our college's aviation majors and, ultimately, the traveling public will benefit from this alliance."
HELICOPTER SCHOOL OFFERS COLLEGE DEGREES
MG Aviation in Greenville, South Carolina, has joined the Pilot Career Foundation (PCF), a not-for-profit organization that offers college degrees in aviation through Utah Valley State College (UVSC), so that students can learn to fly helicopters at MG Aviation while completing an online associate's or bachelor's degree at the college. "The college degree programs allow pilots to show prospective employers they studied a particular curriculum in conjunction with their pilot training," said Glenn Counsil, MG Aviation president. For more information, visit the Web site or call 864/232-6789.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA SEEKS�ROLE IN FSS STUDY
AOPA is insisting that it be part of a government study that could change the way flight service station services are provided to pilots. In personal meetings with FAA officials and in a follow-up letter, AOPA asked that it have input. "We must have a voice in this study to ensure the outcome meets the modern-day needs of general aviation pilots," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. The study will compare the cost and value of continuing to provide FSS services by the FAA versus contracting some services to outside sources.
AOPA ASKS FAA TO REDUCE SIZE OF PRESIDENTIAL TFRs
AOPA is asking the FAA to reduce the size of presidential temporary flight restriction areas. In a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, AOPA President Phil Boyer expressed concern over the proliferation of airspace restrictions affecting general aviation. A 10-nautical-mile TFR around Camp David in Maryland last weekend closed the Frederick Municipal Airport's ILS to all practice approaches and student traffic, Boyer pointed out; another Camp David TFR expansion begins this afternoon. AOPA has learned that the Camp David TFR might be expanded to a 30-nm radius, similar to TFRs around President Bush's retreats in Texas and Maine. "What has changed in the nation's threat profile to drive these new airspace restrictions?" Boyer asked. "The five-mile Camp David TFR has proven adequate for more than a year, even during the time of the 'Code Orange' elevated security alert."
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| Training Products
| HELICOPTER FLYING DVD AVAILABLE FROM SPORTY'S
A two-program training DVD, "Advanced Helicopter Flying" with "Advanced Helicopter Cross-Country", offers 43 lessons in the world of helicopter operations. The DVD puts the viewer at the controls of a Robinson R22 as well as many of the larger helicopters. The DVD's full-motion menus provide mini-previews of each lesson. The two-program set is $49.95. Order from the Web site or call 800/SPORTYS.
| Final Exam
| Question: I'm a student pilot. May I participate in the FAA's Pilot Proficiency (Wings) Program?
Answer: The Pilot Proficiency Award (Wings) program encourages pilots to participate in personal recurrent training. According to Advisory Circular 61-91H, all pilots holding a recreational pilot certificate or higher and a current medical certificate, when required, may participate. So, as a student pilot, you are not eligible to actually participate in the program. But, one aspect of the Wings program is attendance of at least one FAA-sponsored or FAA-sanctioned aviation safety seminar. Student pilots are certainly encouraged to attend any of these. Once you have attained your pilot certificate, you will then be eligible to participate in the actual 20-phase program. For more information on the FAA Wings program, take a look at "Get Your Wings: Helping You Stay Proficient" from the July 1999 issue of AOPA Flight Training magazine.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? E-mail to [email protected] or call 800/872-2672.
| Picture Perfect
| | Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area. See AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| If you use AOPA's Airport eDirectory on your PC or personal digital assistant, you can download the latest updates for your state–or the complete database–from AOPA Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA�Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Kingsbury, Texas. The Vintage Aviation Historical Foundation Fall Fly-in takes place November 23 at Old Kingsbury Aerodrome. Pioneer Flight Museum projects will be on display. Contact Mary Riedel, 830/639-4162, or visit the Web site.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see Aviation Calendar of Events.
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic is scheduled in Baltimore, on November 23 and 24. Clinics are also scheduled in Austin, Texas, and Denver, December 7 and 8. 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 Baltimore, November 24; and Denver, December 8. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Scotia, New York, November 18; North Syracuse, New York, November 19; Henrietta, New York, November 20; and Cheektowaga, New York, November 21. The topic is Ups and Downs, check AOPA�Online for more information.
To make submissions to the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For comments on calendar items, e-mail [email protected].
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