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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2002 AOPA. | Training Tips
| TESTING KNOWLEDGE
One of the milestones of flight training is completing the Federal Aviation Knowledge Test for the Private Pilot Certificate. The test, formerly known as the "written test" but now computerized, can be taken at any time during training, but must be completed before you are eligible to take your final flight examination. (CATS provides AOPA members with a $10 discount on test fees.)
You must obtain a written endorsement from your flight instructor, or a graduation certificate from an FAA-approved ground school course, to be eligible to take the 60 multiple-choice questions of the Private Pilot knowledge test. You will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam. The minimum passing grade is 70 percent (correctly answering 42 of the 60 questions). Review prerequisites in the Federal Aviation Regulations. Once passed, the test score remains valid for 24 months.
Coordinating ground-school study with flight training is an important but flexible decision that you and your instructor can tailor to your schedule and available facilities (see a discussion in the April 1999 AOPA Flight Training). You may attend a ground school, or study at home. Either way, download a valuable resource in the FAA's Knowledge Test Guide. Also review the Airman Knowledge Test Question Bank to practice for the test and review the subjects the questions cover. Note that subject codes appear above each question, allowing you to look them up in the reference publications listed in the test guide's appendix.
Prepare carefully, especially if your knowledge of regulatory or operational subjects is out of date. Knowledge tests are updated as necessary, as discussed in the July 2001 AOPA Flight Training. Don't run afoul of such questions as this one from the Airman Knowledge Test Question Bank, addressing changes made to medical certification in recent years:
A Third-Class Medical Certificate is issued to a 36-year-old pilot on August 10, this year. To exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate, the medical certificate will be valid until midnight on
A. August 31, 2 years later.
B. August 31, 3 years later.
C. August 10, 2 years later.
Hint: For the answer, see the Federal Aviation Regulations. And good luck on your Knowledge Test!
| Your Partner in Training
| | 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.-6 p.m. Eastern time) or from AOPA Online. If you're not already a member, join today and get the pilot's edge. For Web site login information click here. | Flight Training News
| AIRCRAFT AUCTION BENEFITS AVIATION SAFETY
 A Trinidad GT airplane provided by manufacturer EADS Socata will be auctioned online this summer by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, with the proceeds going to help fund ASF aviation safety and education programs. The "Spirit of Liberty" is a four-seat airplane with retractable landing gear, a special paint scheme, and a state-of-the art Honeywell Bendix/King instrument panel. The auction begins May 1 on the ASF Web site; bidding closes on August 31.
OMF APPLIES FOR IFR CERTIFICATION ON SYMPHONY 160
OMF Aircraft plans to enhance the Symphony 160 by pursuing certification for IFR and night flight, and by seeking a 10-percent increase in useful load. Such changes would further enhance the Symphony's appeal as a training aircraft. Company officials said this week that all of the engineering has been done and the paperwork has been filed with the FAA. The company hopes to have FAA approval this summer. The single-engine, two-place Symphony is geared toward the training market with its low operating and acquisition costs and good flying characteristics. For more information, visit the Web site.
HOT WRENCHES TAKE TOP PRIZE IN MAINTENANCE OLYMPICS
The Hot Wrenches of Canada's Bombardier Aviation Service won the inaugural PAMA Aviation Maintenance Olympics (PAMO) team competition. Second place went to the Maintenance Craftsmen of Orlando, a team of Delta Air Lines mechanics. Third place was won by the Arch Rivals of Midcoast Aviation. Other winners were Jet Jockeys of Pratt & Whitney, Team Professional Appearance Award and fourth place overall; David Mills of Duncan Aviation Battle Creek, TechnAthlete of the Year; and Bob Haines of Delta Airlines, Troubleshooter of the Year. "All of the competitors did a fantastic job, and I congratulate the teams and individuals who helped make this PAMA Aviation Maintenance Olympics a success," said competition organizer John Boomhower.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA MEETS AT WHITE HOUSE WITH HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF
AOPA management went straight to the top to explain general aviation security issues. In a White House meeting with Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, AOPA President Phil Boyer and Senior Vice President of Government and Technical Affairs Andy Cebula said that the general aviation community is willing to be part of the solution to any security concerns. "Give us an idea of the risk or threat, and we'll come back with practical solutions," Boyer said. Ridge acknowledged that the government's own information efforts had not always been effective, specifically noting the very short advance notice given when airspace near Washington, D.C., was closed during the president's State of the Union address. "That won't happen again," Ridge said.
BILL TO PROVIDE GA RELIEF COULD REACH HOUSE FLOOR
Fresh from their congressional spring break, key members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Budget committees are in negotiations that could bring a GA relief bill (H.R. 3347) to the floor for a vote. The bill would provide $2.5 billion in direct aid and $3 billion in loan guarantees to flight schools, FBOs, and other small general aviation businesses affected by the post-9/11 airspace shutdown. The AOPA Legislative Affairs staff is currently working with members of the two committees to gain support for the legislation. For more on this legislation see the Web site.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| Training Products
| SPORTY'S INDEXES DVD COURSES TO SYLLABUS, PTS
The award-winning DVD courses from Sporty's Pilot Shop for recreational, private, and instrument students are now even more user-friendly. A comprehensive index to the practical test standards and course syllabus for each certificate and rating make it easy to locate the exact lesson or skill to review. The index capitalizes on one major strength of DVDs over video: the ability to jump instantly to any portion of the program. Sporty's Complete Private Pilot Training Course retails for $159; the instrument course sells for $199. For more, see the Web site.
| Final Exam
| Question: I'm just getting ready to start my flight training and haven't gotten my medical yet. I'm a bit worried because I take a medication for hypertension. How do I know if the FAA will accept the medication that I am on?
Answer: The FAA currently allows most FDA-approved anti-hypertension agents, including diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, calcium channel blocking agents, direct vasodilators, or combinations of these agents. AOPA provides a list of most FAA-accepted medications that you may want to check. In addition, AOPA has a number of medical subject reports on various medical conditions, including hypertension, which provide important medical information for pilots. Finally, before you go to your aviation medical examiner, fill out AOPA's Turbo Medical. This web-based, interactive tool will help you prepare to obtain your medical certificate by providing pop-up informative boxes and warnings to guide you as you fill out the form.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? E-mail to [email protected] or call 800/872-2672.
| Picture Perfect
| Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area. See AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| Did you know that you can ask weather questions to senior meteorologists at Meteorlogix, which provides the weather information on AOPA Online? Questions are answered online, and new answers were just posted at AOPA�Online.
| ePilot Calendar
| Check your weekend weather on AOPA Online.
WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Louisville, Kentucky. Thunder Over Louisville takes place April 20 along the Ohio River, beginning at 3 p.m. A variety of military and civilian performances, including night acts and a fireworks display, continue until 9:30. For more information, visit the Web site.
Moline, Illinois. The second Midwest Aviation Expo takes place April 20 at Quad City International Airport (MLI). See popular business and personal piston-engine aircraft and accessories from Raytheon, Cessna, Mooney, Piper, Bendix/King, Garmin, and others. Finance, insurance, repair, and overhaul companies will be on hand. E-mail or visit the Web site for more information.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see Aviation Calendar of Events
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Denver, Tampa, and Salt Lake City, April 20 and 21. Clinics are scheduled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Reston, Virginia, April 27 and 28. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground Schools will take place in in Tampa, Florida and Denver, on April 20. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in New Orleans, and Eugene, Oregon, April 22; Gresham (Portland), Oregon, and Jackson, Mississippi, April 23; Birmingham, Alabama, and Puyallup, Washington, April 24; College Park (Atlanta), Georgia, and Seattle, April 25; and Spokane, Washington, April 26. The topic is spatial disorientation. For more information, visit the Web site.
For comments on calendar items or to make submissions, contact [email protected].
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