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Copyright © 2004 AOPA. | Training Tips
| BOUNCES AND PORPOISES
 The March 26, 2004, Training Tips on "Tackling Touchdown Travails" encouraged student pilots struggling with landings to have confidence-brighter days are coming! Errors such as bounced landings and an accompanying phenomenon called porpoising are miscues that you will soon leave behind.
The cause of the bounce and the porpoise is failure to achieve the correct landing attitude at the proper height above the runway during the transition from the roundout to the flare. See Thomas A. Horne's description of these terms in "Touchdown!" in the September 2003 AOPA Pilot. If you hesitate to rotate the nose to a sufficiently high attitude while reducing your descent rate to almost nil before the wheels touch, two things can happen: You'll touch down with excessive airspeed, and the impact may propel you back into the air.
Then where are you? On the way back up, nose high, power off, airspeed dissipating. What to do next depends on how severe the first arrival was. A minor hop can often be corrected simply by adding slightly more back pressure on the yoke during the second touchdown. You can recover from a somewhat more aggravated bounce with a combination of back pressure and a touch of power. A real gear-shaker may leave you almost stalled and so high that the only recourse is to go around and try again.
Under no circumstances should you jam the nose down in an attempt to land after a bounce. This is what causes the porpoise-a jarring and increasingly severe succession of impacts and rebounds often leading to nose-gear failure and accidents. Robert Rossier analyzes landing errors including the porpoise in the September 1997 Flight Training column "Learning Experiences."
Failing to understand what causes porpoising is a common source of student discouragement. See Rod Machado's cure for this-including simulating bounce errors with your instructor to practice recoveries safely-in "Self-Confidence Hurdles," his commentary in the December 2000 AOPA Flight Training. And as AOPA Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg urges all student pilots and their instructors in the July 2001 AOPA Flight Training "Instructor Report," remember to "make go-arounds the rule" when a landing is not working out.
Then practice. The results will soon be obvious.
| Your Partner in Training
| The FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) for private and commercial pilot certificates require examiners to place greater emphasis on ground operations and avoiding runway incursions. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation, supported by an FAA grant, has produced a runway incursion training program using a decidedly low-tech approach: downloadable flash cards. The front of each card displays a typical airport sign or pavement marking. The back not only explains it, but describes the action that the pilot should take.
Do you have a question? Call our experienced pilots-available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern toll-free at 800/872-2672. AOPA Flight Training Members have access to all of the features within AOPA Online. Login information is available online.
| Flight Training News
| DIAMOND TO OFFER LESS EXPENSIVE DA40
Diamond designed its new Diamond Star DA40-180FP, a fixed-pitch version of the DA40-180, with a specific goal in mind: to lower purchasing and operating costs. It uses a carbureted Lycoming O-360A4D 180-horsepower engine and a fixed-pitch metal Sensenich propeller to do the trick. The overhaul cost of the O-360 is about $5,000 less than that of the DA40's fuel-injected engine. The aircraft, targeted toward flight schools, can reach speeds higher than 140 kt and produce a 900-fpm climb at sea level. Certification is expected in late 2004. The DA40-180FP has a base price of $179,900. For more news from this week's Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, see AOPA Online.
ELITE TRAINER CERTIFIED UNDER NEW FAA CLASSIFICATION
A desktop aviation training device (ATD) has received FAA certification for use in flight training under a new classification known as Advanced ATD. The iGATE 400-series trainer, manufactured by Elite Simulation Solutions in conjunction with Integrated Cockpit Solutions, can be used for 20 hours toward an instrument rating, 50 hours toward a commercial certificate, 25 hours toward an airline transport pilot certificate, and 2.5 hours toward a private pilot certificate. It is available in simple, complex, or twin-engine aircraft configurations and includes a three-screen external visual system, an integrated CPU/image generator, rudder pedals, and a separate graphical instructor station. Elite says prices start at $23,995 for a single-engine model and $27,995 for a generic twin-engine model. For more information, see the Web site.
COMM1 SCHOLARSHIP READY FOR ENTRIES
Sharpen your pencil or fire up the computer: The fourth annual Comm1 Aviation Scholarship Program is accepting applications from aspiring aviators. Two recipients will receive $1,000 each toward the cost of flight training. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in pursuing an aviation career and are asked to submit a 75-word statement describing an experience in which radio communications had a dramatically positive or negative effect on the safety of a flight. The deadline is September 30. The recipients will be announced in October at AOPA Expo 2004 in Long Beach, California. For complete eligibility requirements and an application, see the Web site or call 888/333-2855.
GAMA NAMES AVIATION EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT
Joshua Bochnowski, a senior at Purdue University, is the recipient of the 2004 Dr. Harold S. Wood Award for Excellence, presented by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The award recognizes a top student at a National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) member school who demonstrates academic excellence while promoting aviation on campus and in the community. Bochnowski is a member of the University Flight Team and has participated in the NIFA competition for the past three years. He is an intern in the training department of Chatauqua Airlines.
| Inside AOPA
| GOOD FLYING WEATHER CALLS FOR VIGILANCE ON THE GROUND
With weather improving and flight activity increasing across much of the country, now is a good time for pilots-including students-to refamiliarize themselves with AOPA's Airport Watch program. "It's vital that the general aviation community polices itself to secure our airports and make sure they are safe," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Watch for unusual or suspicious behavior. Listen for suspicious or inappropriate questions or conversations. And if something doesn't look or sound right, report it." To make a report, call the toll-free hotline: 866/GA-SECURE (866/427-3287).
VIDEO SHOWS IMPACT OF CHARITY/SIGHTSEEING RULE
With only a week left in the public comment period on the FAA's proposed changes to charity/sightseeing flight rules, AOPA has released a video that makes a strong case against the proposal and demonstrates the need for the agency to talk directly with pilots. In the video, Harry and Loree Hirschman of Golden Gate Biplane Adventures in San Francisco talk about how they rely on their single-aircraft sightseeing operation to support their family. The FAA's proposal would put them out of business because they would have to operate under stricter rules. A broadband connection is recommended to see the video. The comment period closes on Monday, April 19. See the Web site to file comments online, click on "Comment/Submission," and enter docket number FAA-1998-4521.
| Training Products
| SCAN AVIATION CHANNELS WITH SPORTY'S DESKTOP RADIO
When learning proper aviation radio communications, some student pilots like to monitor air traffic controller and pilot interchanges on aviation frequencies. Others simply enjoy immersing themselves in aviation lingo when they can't be at the airport. With Sporty's Air-Scan V radio, you can listen to an aviation frequency, or you can tune to an AM or FM station whose broadcast will be interrupted by an aviation transmission from one of the scanned channels you select. It sells for $99. See the Web site or call 800/SPORTYS.
| | Final Exam | Question: When setting a code into a knob-type transponder, I've been advised not to scroll through the range of numbers, especially on the first (far left) digit, but rather to carefully turn the knob to the correct number-and leave it there-for each of the digits. Can you tell me why there is concern about this?
Answer: The concern is likely regarding the digit "7." When setting a new code, be careful not to scroll through the digit "7" on the far left because all codes beginning with "7" signify an emergency and will set off alarms at air traffic control centers. The code 7700 means "Help! Mayday!" and is the same as if you declare an emergency using the radio. The code 7600 means you have lost communication with air traffic control, and 7500 means that you've been hijacked. If you squawk 7500 the controller will covertly respond, "Confirm you are squawking 7500." If you confirm, your flight will be carefully monitored, and you can expect law enforcement personnel to surround your airplane when you land. Read more about transponders, how they work, and how they are used in emergencies in the April 2003 issue of AOPA Flight Training.
Got a question for our technical services staff? E-mail to [email protected] or call the Pilot Information Center, 800/872-2672. Don't forget the online archive of "Final Exam" questions and answers, searchable by keyword or topic.
| Picture Perfect
| The AOPA Online Gallery allows you to download your favorite images to use for wallpaper, send a personalized e-card, and order high-quality prints to be shipped directly to your doorstep. Search the hundreds of fabulous images in our archives and select your favorites today! For more details, see AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| We knew the AOPA Sweepstakes Twin Comanche would look beautiful when it came out of the paint shop, but we were pleased to find out that it looks even better, especially under the Florida sun. Current AOPA members are automatically entered to win this airplane. Check out our latest project update and photos on AOPA Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Airshow takes place April 17 and 18 at Davis Field (MKO). Featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds, plus many warbirds and civilian acts. Contact Mike Anderson, 918/682-4101.
Nashua, New Hampshire. The New England Aviation Expo takes place April 24 at Boire Field (ASH). Featuring workshops, exhibits, classes, and seminars. Pre-register online, or drive or fly in! Sponsored by the FAA's Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center, Daniel Webster College, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. For more information, visit the Web site.
Beaufort, South Carolina. The 2004 Lowcountry Blues Festival Airshow takes place April 24 and 25 at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The event features the Blue Angels, Red Baron Squadron, and more. Free and open to the public. Contact the MCAS Beaufort Public Affairs Office, 843/228-7614, or visit the Web site.
Nacogdoches, Texas. The Thirty-Seventh Annual East Texas Airshow takes place April 24 and 25 at A. L. Mangham Jr. Regional (OCH). More than 60 performing aircraft, re-enactments, and more. Gates open at 8 a.m., show begins at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children under 5. Contact Bob Dunn, 936/564-7212.
To submit an event to the calendar, or search all events, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online .
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Cincinnati, Ohio; Salt Lake City; and Reston, Virginia, April 24 and 25. Clinics are also scheduled in Pensacola, Florida, and Houston, May 1 and 2. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Renewal Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
The next Pinch-Hitter® Ground School will take place in Houston, May 2. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, April 19; Raymond, Mississippi, and Winterville, North Carolina, April 20; New Orleans; Frederick, Maryland; and Wilmington, North Carolina, April 21; and Pensacola, Florida, April 22. For complete details on topics and schedules, see AOPA Online.
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