Safety Spotlight

Winter has finally moved on, leaving us with some beautiful flying weather. More and more pilots are coming out of hibernation and getting back into the air around nontowered airports. Don't let the common term for a nontowered airport (uncontrolled airport) lull you into thinking that anything goes. It's far safer to treat these airports as self-controlled by following the recommended procedures for nontowered airport operations. If it's been a while since you've flown to a nontowered field, this Safety Hot Spot will help you get up to speed.

	Get Started
	Here's a review of what you need to know — and bring — before you go.
	Operations at Nontowered Airports Checkup

	Great Learning Tools
	Articles and videos from AOPA, and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation that get you ready for flying to and from nontowered airports.
	Publications Operations at Nontowered Airports Safety Advisor (PDF file — 858KB) Collision Avoidance Safety Advisor (PDF file — 567KB) The Great Debate Safety Pilot article Pattern Personalities Safety Pilot article Instructor Report articles from Flight Training magazine: Pattern Operations Revisited Which Way Do We Go? Airport Hogs Departing Nontowered Airports Flight Training article Pattern Perfection AOPA Pilot article Listen Up! AOPA Pilot article Runway Markings and Signage Flash Cards (PDF file — 927KB)	Videos Say What? Poor Radio Technique (01:06) Watch Out! Midair Collisions (00:52) Beware of the Blind Spot (00:43) Video clips from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Pilot Operations at Nontowered Airports. Broadband connection recommended. Online Courses Runway Safety Flash Cards: Airport Markings and Signs PowerPoint presentation

	Take a Checkride
	Think you're ready? Find out if you're prepared for operating at nontowered airports and get a chance to win a Sporty's Air-Scan V Aviation Radio/Scanner.
	Sporty's Safety Quizzes Operations at Nontowered Airports

	Resources	Related Web Sites
	General Aviation Accident Data: Collisions at Nontowered Airports between 1999-2003	FAA Operations at Nontowered Airports PowerPoint presentation FAA publications: FAA Advisory Circular 90-66A FAA Advisory Circular 90-42F

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