Let's Go Flying March Newsletter

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VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3 •MARCH 25, 2009

In This Issue:
Tasmanian daredevil    |    Book a discovery flight online
ASA launches Learn to Fly blog    |    Explanation of pilot gadgets and gear

Live the Dream

Flying without sound
Born deaf, Brent Redpath could not hear the roar of the jet engines, but the motion of the airplanes inspired him to learn to fly. Now, at age 20, He is realizing his dream. Read more>>

Flying humanitarians
From its start in Ethiopia nearly 25 years ago, Air Serv International has performed vital flight operations in 36 countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia. Read more >>

Tasmanian daredevil
Carolyne Jasinski recounts the great experience she was treated to by Australia-based Skydiving Tasmania. After reaching an altitude of 3,000 meters in a small plane, she and the instructor she was strapped to, Brad Jones, took the great plunge. Read more >>

Gone flying? Tell us about your flight and submit photos and video of the experience!

Start Flying

Book a discovery flight online
Your first step in learning to fly was subscribing to the Let’s Go Flying newsletter. Your next step is taking an introductory flight lesson. PilotJourney.com offers 30-40 minute discovery flights at over 400 flight schools nationwide. Under the watchful eye of an FAA Certificated Flight Instructor, sit in the pilot’s seat and experience your first flight lesson. Read more & watch video >>

ASA launches Learn to Fly blog
Aviation Supplies and Academics (ASA) has launched a new Learn to Fly blog that will feature tips, tricks, and stories from featured ASA authors. Topics will include picking the right airplane to fly; what to do on bad weather days; and flying better with more than one CFI.

Explanation of pilot gadgets and gear
Welcome to the world of flying. Like any vocation or hobby, flying can bring with it lots of fun new gadgets and gear. You're likely to encounter and use all of these items at some point in your flying career. Read more >>

First Steps • Types of Certificates • Time and Cost
Choose a Flight Instructor • Safety • Take Your First Flight

Aircraft of the Month

Bell 47 helicopter
The Bell 47 holds a place in aviation history as the first helicopter approved for civilian use. The Bell 47 Helicopter Association has an entire website ( http://www.bell47.net ) dedicated to Bell 47 preservation, including detailed information and videos. To learn more about flying helicopters, check out AOPA’s helicopter blog, Hover Power.

Ask a Pilot

Question: What happens during a discovery flight (AKA: introductory flight lesson)?

Answer: During your introductory flight, a flight instructor will be sitting beside you with another set of flight controls, but you’ll be in the pilot’s seat. This is your first flight lesson. First, you’ll see what it’s like to visually inspect the aircraft before flight. Next, you’ll experience the take off, flight, and landing. You’ll probably fly a popular training airplane like a Cessna 172, Piper Warrior, or Diamond Katana. Your flight will last about 30 minutes, and you can even log that time in your logbook so it counts toward the required flight time for your private pilot certificate. For additional information, read a real discovery flight lesson plan written for CFIs by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Do you have a question about flying? Ask a pilot! Call 877-58-PILOT or send an e-mail.

In the Blogs

Here are some recent highlights from our Let's Go Flying blog page.

Case for medevac choppers made by death of actress
By Andrew Schmertz
The terrible death of actress Natasha Richardson highlights the value of medevac helicopters. Read more >>

How I learned to fly
By Paul Tocknell
One of the things I enjoy most about being a corporate pilot is the relationship and conversations I get to enjoy with my passengers. Read more >>

Aviation Calendar of Events

Featured Event: Sun 'n Fun Fly-In
The 35th annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In and Convention will be held from April 21 to 26 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Fla. Sun 'n Fun will feature air shows, entertainment and aviation workshops. For details, visit the official Sun 'n Fun website.

Airports all across the United States offer weekend activities, from pancake breakfasts and barbecues to car and air shows. Find out what’s going on in your area. You can search by city, state, or geographic region.

Let’sGoFlying.com is sponsored by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), a not-for-profit individual membership association, which effectively serves the interests and needs of its members as aircraft owners and pilots, and establishes, maintains, and articulates positions of leadership to promote the economy, safety, and popularity of flight in aircraft. To unsubscribe at any time, click here.

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