February 20, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 8

Flight Training News

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Get ready to taxi

How do you cope with cockpit distractions, confusing taxiways, and miscommunications when operating at airports? The Air Safety Institute's new Runway Safety online course puts you in real-world scenarios that depict the complexities of airport surface operations. Building off 14 years of educating pilots on runway safety through its original online course, the Air Safety Institute takes a fresh look at the subject that will challenge pilots of all skill levels. Test your knowledge right from your desktop or tablet...  

Article

Connecting aviators worldwide

When we're up in the sky or spending time at our favorite airports, we keep our cameras handy so that we safely can grab that perfect shot and share the moment with others. Now it's even easier to share those photos and videos with the pilot community. AOPA has partnered with Share Aviation, a social network by pilots, for pilots. Read more...  

EAA seeks AirVenture volunteers

The Experimental Aircraft Association has created a new Collegiate Volunteer Program for its annual fly-in convention, EAA AirVenture, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 20 through 26. Through the program, college students may join the more than 5,000 volunteers who help at the event each year in areas including aviation-related activities, customer service, and event operations. Volunteers may be eligible for special recognition and benefits; details of the collegiate program are available online.

Grant to fund airflow control research

A Florida State University researcher has received a $15,000 grant to lead a team in research related to airflow control, the university announced. Under the National Science Foundation's Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program, Lou Cattafesta, co-director of the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, will lead a team of FSU and Ohio State University researchers working with aerospace companies and government agencies on issues affecting the efficiency and cost of aircraft.

Training Resources

Pilot Safety Announcement

Fuel for thought

Tapping the fuel indicator will not feed the engine—a healthy fuel reserve will. Yet there are pilots who find themselves and their airplanes coming up short of their intended destination. What if the airlines handled fuel management the way some general aviation pilots do? Sit back, relax, and watch this Pilot Safety Announcement...  

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.

Career Pilot

Boeing weighs options to replace 757s

The Boeing Co. is considering whether—and how—to replace its 757 mid-sized jet, according to The Wall Street Journal. The aircraft were delivered from 1982 to 2005, and those still in the fleet are getting old, the newspaper noted; as Boeing loses market share to Airbus for next-generation single-aisle jets, it is working on an updated version of the 737 and polling customers to study its options for a larger, longer-range jet. Some industry executives think an updated version of the 757 may be the most realistic option, according to the report.

For more aviation career news, see the Flight Training website.

Plane Spotter

Factory-built Fox

If the three-bladed propeller and two transparent gull-wing doors don't reveal the identity of the light sport aircraft that has just taxied in as the sun sets, come back tomorrow and check it out inside its T-hangar. If the airplane is sitting inside with its tube-and-fabric wings folded, you can log a sighting of a 100-horsepower Rotax-powered Kitfox Super Sport special light sport aircraft. Built by Homedale, Idaho-based Kitfox (rather than in this owner's hangar, or elsewhere) the 1,320-pound-gross-weight, two-place airplane can be ordered with tricycle landing gear, or a tailwheel.

Training Products

Article

ASA releases 7 checkride apps for Android

Aviation Supplies & Academics Inc. on Feb. 12 announced seven new apps for Android designed to help pilots prepare for the oral portion of practical tests. Read more...  

'Learn to Fly Course' adds weather, cross-country videos

An update to Sporty's Learn to Fly Course adds close to four hours of videos and animations as well as improved features, Sporty's announced Feb. 12. New weather videos incorporate the latest products and technology from the Aviation Weather Center and Lockheed Martin Flight Service, and real-world cross-country scenarios deal with GPS and iPad electronic flight bag applications in addition to pilotage and dead reckoning. The updated course, which also includes improvements to its knowledge test prep application, is available now as an online course or app for $199.99.

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.

Member Benefits

Members only

FAA offers interpretation of solo endorsements

How long is a solo endorsement valid? The regulations can be confusing, even misleading, but a recent FAA interpretation provides some clarification by distinguishing between student pilots and already-certificated pilots seeking additional certificates or ratings. Read more...  

Member benefits

What airplane is right for you?

It's easy to be awestruck at the latest models and upgraded glass panels, shiny paint jobs, and plush interiors, but before you buy an airplane, ask yourself what is important to you. Buy what you need first, not necessarily what you want. Read more...  

Poll

Vote for the favorite cover in 'Pilot' history

After nearly a year of voting for their favorite AOPA Pilot magazine covers, from the first issue in 1958 to the December 2014 cover, AOPA members have narrowed them down to the top five. Will it be a Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer on floats, Citabria 7GCBC floatplane, Ford Tri-Motor, Douglas DC-3, or Grumman Widgeon? Place your vote to select the favorite Pilot cover in history. The winner will be announced in next week's AOPA ePilot, and will appear in AOPA Pilot magazine. Place your vote to select the favorite Pilot cover in history.  

Blogs

The first officer, the teacher

When will an airline captain find himself looking to the first officer for training and advice? A junior first officer explains how he's assisted captains who are new to the fleet type. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

Alternate realities

For a pilot who flies IFR infrequently, should weather requiring an alternate raise a caution flag about the go/no-go decision? Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

Which VHF frequency can a pilot use to communicate with most air traffic control and flight service facilities in the event of an emergency situation?

Answer

Section 6-3-1 of the Aeronautical Information Manual designates 121.5 MHz as the "emergency" frequency.

Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of aviation operations

The director of operations at this Massachusetts company will oversee all aviation operations, including directly interfacing between the company, operations, maintenance, sales, and customer service. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating flight department activities with customers and other departments. Apply for this exciting opportunity now.

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an outreach and events coordinator; aviation event and meeting planner; vice president for major and leadership gifts; Sitecore developer; director of studies, research, and analysis; administrative assistant, Air Safety Institute; Air Safety Institute intern; associate editor—Web/ePilot; online marketing manager; .Net applications developer; and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.