Training Tips
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Article
Positive aircraft control tops a list of 16 areas of special emphasis that a designated pilot examiner must scrutinize during the private pilot checkride. It encompasses more than "positive exchange of the controls." Find out how a breakdown in positive aircraft control can lead to some serious mishaps. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Advocacy
A government-industry working group that included the AOPA Foundation recommended that the area forecast (FA) be transitioned to more modern digital and graphical forecasts. Read more...
Article
AOPA is inviting high school administrators, guidance counselors, and aviation program directors to attend the first symposium of the AOPA Aviation Education Leadership Alliance. Read more...
Article
Delta Air Lines Foundation surprised West Michigan Aviation Academy with a donation that funded the purchase of a 1999 Cessna 172. Read more...
Webinar
Great instructors are at the heart of a successful flight school. Learn how flight school operators run a successful business while creating an environment that helps instructors thrive. AOPA and the National Association of Flight Instructors will host a Flight School Business webinar Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time featuring AOPA Flight Training Excellence Award-winning flight school owners and NAFI Hall of Fame instructors. Register today...
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Tektober 2015
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Article
A helmet-mounted simulator worn during flight has pilots seeing things, like another aircraft flying in formation, a military tanker ready to offer aerial refueling, or even a runway to practice landings at 5,000 feet with no airport nearby. The system, which obviously requires a safety pilot, has potential applications for general aviation. Read more...
Flight Training magazine
Technology breeds ambivalence. It can be life-changing, and a nuisance; make things cheaper, or become a money pit. For every idea that advances our way of life, there are dozens we must wade through to find it. How has technology changed the way you fly? Log in to read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said aircraft operators should be trusted to cooperate, comply, and be partners in safety. When it comes to drones, however, the agency opted for a different approach—announcing a $1.9 million civil penalty against a photography company for drone operations in the New York Class B airspace. Also this week, Redbird Flight Simulations rises to a unique challenge, and take a look at what's in store for you in Tullahoma, Tennessee, at this year's final AOPA Fly-In. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 8...
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Plane Spotter
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What's up? 'Doc'
Most plane spotters can tell you that a B-29 Superfortress named Fifi is the only flying example of the breed, thanks to the restorative work of the Commemorative Air Force. Unmistakable for its four huge radial engines and a glass-enclosed nose section, Boeing's heavy bomber first flew in 1942. A number of B-29s still appear in museum displays—and now a Superfortress named Doc, undergoing restoration in Wichita, Kansas, has for the first time in 70 years had all four engines running during a ground test. Doc could fly again soon.
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Training Products and Resources
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Safety Spotlight
Do you know what to expect when jumping from a familiar airplane or avionics setup into something new? Explore the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Transitioning to Other Aircraft Safety Spotlight, which includes flash cards, quizzes, and the popular Transitioning to Other Airplanes online course. Learn more...
Digital publication
The Air Safety Institute shares simple rules of thumb to help manage general aviation pilot and passenger expectations in "A 90-Percent Solution." Also, learn why airplane owners and instructors need to be vigilant during flight reviews, how to keep stalls at bay, and which flight service tools help us analyze each flight. Access free digital flight instructor newsletter articles and videos anywhere, anytime.
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Member Benefits
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Pilot Protection Services
The FAA issues a letter of investigation to a pilot early in its enforcement process. The first thought for most pilots is, "What should I do and where is this going?" Read more...
Member benefit
Get your adrenaline rush from the speed, agility, and precision of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 17 and 18. Britain's Paul Bonhomme leads going into the finals, but Australian pilot Matt Hall isn't far behind. AOPA members can receive a 10-percent discount on tickets. Plus, show your AOPA membership card at the gate for access to a special AOPA member viewing area and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Purchase your tickets today...
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Blogs
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Dig deeper into weather information in your area by reading an in-depth regional aviation forecast discussion to learn how weather conditions that can't simply be encoded into a terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) might affect your flying. Hover Power blogger Matt Johnson explains. Read more...
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Final Exam
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Question
During your preflight you notice that the landing light bulb is burned out. Your mechanic is nowhere to be found on the field. Can you replace the bulb without a mechanic?
Answer
Yes. Remarkably, there are many maintenance tasks a private pilot can do that are deemed "preventive maintenance." FAR 43 Appendix A(c) gives a complete list of these items.
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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. 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 an account executive; human resources coordinator; legal services plan specialist; payroll technician; database developer; aviation event planner; manager of aviation safety programs; ambassador—Texas; director of aviation security; director of media relations; and director of regulatory affairs.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
Oct 10-11 - Nashville, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Oct 17-18 - Wichita, Kansas; and Santa Clara, California
Oct 24-25 - Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov 7-8 - Atlanta Georgia; and San Diego, California
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
Oct 10 - Tullahoma, Tennessee
Oct 12 - Lakeland, Florida
Oct 13 - Concord, California; Madison, Wisconsin; and Fort Myers, Florida
Oct 14 - Fresno, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; West Lafayette, Indiana; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Oct 10 - Tullahoma, Tennessee; and Henderson, Nevada
Oct 11 - Middletown, Pennsylvania
Oct 13 - Fort Myers, Florida
Oct 15 - Culpeper, Virginia
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse |
Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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