Training & Safety
Resources
“IFR fix” archive
Take a look at the IFR experience from a new perspective, and answer a provocative piloting poll question on that subject to and see what fellow instrument pilots—newly rated and IFR veterans alike—would do under similar circumstances. See the archives >>
“Fly like a fighter” archive
Fighter pilots aren’t all that different from the rest of us in the general aviation world. They love flying, follow checklists, and even make a few mistakes—and they learn from those mistakes just like we do. Larry Brown of Colorado Springs, Colo., is a retired Air Force F-15 who is relating his experiences in military and GA flying. See the archives >>
Real Pilot Stories
Each Real Pilot Story is a true account of a good flight gone bad. Listen to pilots who really have “been there, done that” (and survived) tell their harrowing tales in hopes of helping the rest of us become better pilots. All presentations contain audio. In order to view the presentations, a Flash plug-in is required.
Read MoreNews
Redbird launches AOPA Jay, growing sim community
Students and pilots who want to practice fly-in procedures to summer events or test their skills with new flight situations have a new option for a personal flight simulator, Redbird Flight Simulations announced April 10. Redbird officially launched the AOPA Jay, a single out-of-the-box simulator unit, during the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Fla.
Poll probes students' flight training experiences
AOPA's new online poll, announced April 10, seeks to gather personal experiences from students and pilots working on advanced ratings about the condition of the rental aircraft they used, quality of ground and flight instruction, the attitudes of the instructors and schools, and the methods used to set goals and mark progress.
CAE Academy buying 35 Piper trainers
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy will add 35 Piper training aircraft to its fleet, CAE and Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced in Lakeland, Fla., April 9. The agreement includes firm orders for 22 single-engine Archer TX and 13 twin-engine trainers, as well as parts and service.
IFR Fix: 'Half-baked verbal briefings'
Quick, what's the textbook definition of true airspeed? Do you keep track of TAS in flight? Can you discuss a circumstance in which TAS would trigger a mandatory-reporting requirement during an IFR flight?
Fly like a fighter: Join the gaggle
An F-15 pilot must rejoin with his formation team after a delayed start because of a maintenance issue. Find out how the lessons he learned on that mission can prepare you for fly-ins this spring and summer.
MiG-15: Flying the enemy fighter
An enemy fighter in generations' memories and the history books, the MiG-15 is flown in the United States today as an experimental aircraft. Find out what it's like to fly it.
German researchers claim first: Robotic flight simulator
It delivers the ultimate in realism, at a fraction of the cost: Researchers at Germany's analog to NASA have worked with private industry to develop the first flight simulator mounted on a robotic arm.
Five fuel apps
Pilots know all too well one of the big costs of flying is fuel. They also need to know where fuel is available and how to measure and maximize its use. As the cost of fuel continues to rise, everyone also wants to find the best prices. These five apps claim they can do some or all of these tasks.
Earhart namesake creates aviation foundation
Denver television reporter and private pilot Amelia Rose Earhart has announced plans to create the Fly with Amelia Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit organization that will provide aviation opportunities, free aviation-based educational curriculum to grades K-12, and scholarships to fund flight training for young women.
