Training Tips
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Article
An airspeed excursion toward the aircraft's never exceed speed (VNE) may seem unlikely. But in scenarios such as recovering from a stall, a spin, or a spiral dive, airspeed would increase quickly toward the critical value. The pilot must recognize the potential hazard and execute a delicate recovery to avoid imposing a critical load on the airframe. There's no safety margin after VNE, "a baby's breath will cause the aircraft to exceed its limit load factor, and structural damage will result." Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
A tall (but true) tale of a rare aircraft find in Texas, progress on third class medical reform, amazing aviation videos, pilot saves, new aircraft from Mooney, and one pilot's surprise of a lifetime topped the most-read stories of 2014. Take a look back and see if your favorite story is included, and see what you may have missed that kept pilots talking all year. Read more...
Flight Training feature
Dozens of steps must happen from the time you finish the preflight to the moment your wheels cross onto the runway. Anything you can do to make that process a bit faster, a bit more efficient, and a bit safer is welcome. Here are 10 tips to accelerate your departure.
Flight Training Facebook chat
What lessons have you learned?
What do you wish you had known as a student pilot? Share your insights with future pilots at our live Flight Training Facebook chat at 3 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 6. One chatter will receive a $50 PilotShop.com gift card. Set an email reminder here. Flight Training Facebook chats are underwritten by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty.
Digital newsletter
The Air Safety Institute's flight instructor newsletter brought home Folio's 2014 Eddie Award for best Standalone Digital Magazine in the Association/Nonprofit category. Whether you're actively instructing or getting back into helping flight students learn, CFI to CFI has you covered. Check out the latest edition...
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Scholarships
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Article
Chris Zaboji of Reston, Virginia, was a certificated sailplane pilot long before he earned a private pilot certificate in a single-engine airplane in November at age 17. But that wasn't his only accomplishment of 2014: Zaboji also earned a $5,000 grant from the Soaring Society of America for college that could help him along the path to becoming a professional pilot. Read more...
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Training Resources
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Video
Be on the lookout for freezing precipitation and icing when flying this winter season. The Air Safety Institute shares this short Pilot Safety Announcement as a reminder to avoid weather conditions conducive to airframe icing. Watch the video...
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Did you know that student pilots who join AOPA are three times more likely to complete their flight training? Membership includes unlimited access to aviation information by phone (800/USA-AOPA, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or from Flight Training Online or AOPA Online. If you're not already a member, join today and get the pilot's edge.
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Career Pilot
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Southwest named Airline of Year by ATW
Southwest Airlines on Dec. 19 was named the 2015 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World. In selecting Southwest, Air Transport World editors cited the carrier's "extraordinary and consistent standards of service, financial performance, safety, and environmental and corporate responsibility." In particular, they noted, Southwest achieved a 15-percent return on invested capital for the first time in 14 years. The airline—which for years was the most punctual of big U.S. carriers—saw its government rankings for on-time arrivals plummet, the Denver Post reported Dec. 14. To fix the problem, this summer officials addressed "an ill-fated decision to squeeze more flights into the schedule" by allowing more time between flights, and by telling employees that the day's first flight on every route must depart on time. Airline delays traditionally build as the day progresses.
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For more aviation career news, see the Flight Training website.
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Plane Spotter
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To loud acclaim
Tip tanks, a T-tail, an overall look of speediness, and yes, noise, are telltale indications a plane spotter seeks when confirming sightings of the members of the early Learjet family. The turbojet-powered aircraft is credited as much for its record-breaking performance as for having established the genre of aircraft generally referred to as business aviation, according to the National Air and Space Museum. Third of the line, arriving in the late 1960s, and the basis for future "stretches," was the Lear 25 like this one in service with Ameristar Jet Charter.
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Training Products
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If winter weather cancels a flight lesson, student pilots can continue to move forward in their training by preparing for the knowledge test. The Gleim Private Pilot FAA Knowledge Test book features outlines at the beginning of each study unit and practice questions to help student pilots prepare for the knowledge test. It is available on the Gleim website for $19.95. Read more...
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Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.
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Member Benefits
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Members only
Former FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Manager Dr. Warren Silberman explains the various lengths of wait periods to receive a special issuance authorization after having melanoma, lung cancer, lymphoma, acute leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and bladder cancer. Read more...
AOPA Strategic Partner sponsored content
Aircraft Spruce offers discount on AOPA Logo Collection
AOPA members can save 10 percent on Aircraft Spruce's AOPA Logo Collection by entering promo code "AOPALC" in the Web checkout. This special offer is limited to the AOPA Logo Collection items carried by Aircraft Spruce including iPad flight bags, backpacks, duffle bags, suit organizers, travel kits, Scheyden sunglasses, and more.
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Blogs
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Blog
Interviews for any airline—major, regional, passenger, or cargo—do not end until you are either hired or are "regretfully informed." Even while you are waiting for your answer, you should consider it an open process, because if anybody knows about your interview, they can always make a phone call or send an email. Read how candidates who didn't heed this advice became their own worst enemies.
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Instrument Tip
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IFR Fix
Your preparedness to fly the ILS or LOC RWY 2 approach to Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Keene, New Hampshire, is a result of your hour-long preflight ground review. Read more...
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Final Exam
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Question
How long is an aircraft's registration valid?
Answer
Registration is valid for three years. (Source: FAR 47.40.)
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Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
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Career Opportunities
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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a graphic designer, associate editor—Web/ePilot, program manager for flight training initiatives, senior advertising sales/account executive, online marketing manager, major gift officer, senior ambassador, .Net applications developer, social media evangelist, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Jan 3-4 - Charlotte, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
Jan 10-11 - San Antonio, Texas; Long Beach, California; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Bellevue, Washington
Jan 17-18 - Santa Clara, California; Ridgeland, Mississippi; and Baltimore, Maryland
Feb 7-8 - Sacramento, California; Nashua, New Hampshire; Louisville, Kentucky; Fairfax, Virginia; and New Orleans, Louisiana
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jan 5 - Mesa, Arizona; and Reno, Nevada
Jan 6 - Sacramento, California; and Tucson, Arizona
Jan 7 - El Paso, Texas; and Milpitas, California
Jan 8 - Santa Rosa, California; and Albuquerque, New Mexico
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Jan 8 - Carlsbad, California
Jan 10 - Farmingdale, New York
Jan 15 - Murrieta, California
Jan 17 - Keene, New Hampshire
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse |
Contributors:
Jill W. Tallman
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz |
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