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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2002 AOPA. | Training Tips
| MULTITASKING ON THE FLIGHT TEST
As you near completion of your private pilot training, two important skills you have mastered include using a variety of navigation systems, and learning how to control  your aircraft solely by reference to instruments in the event of inadvertent flight into deteriorating weather (see the Feb. 8, 2002, edition of this newsletter). Now the question is: Could you perform both tasks simultaneously?
Task F, Area of Operation IX (Basic Instrument Maneuvers) of the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards ( click here to download) measures your ability to use communication, navigation systems, and radar during flight solely by reference to instruments. During training sessions of simulated instrument flying with your instructor, practice using electronic navigation, as well as flying radar vectors issued by air traffic control. Be sure to identify all ground stations tuned, to ensure that the correct station has been selected, and that the signal is usable.
At some airports, airport surveillance radar (ASR) is available. ASR provides "relatively short-range coverage in the general vicinity of an airport and...can also be used as an instrument approach aid," explains the Aeronautical Information Manual . The June 2002 AOPA Flight Training article "The Art of the Chart" tells how to use your navigational charts to determine if an ASR approach is available nearby. If so, ask your instructor to request a practice ASR approach for you from ATC, their workload permitting. Although flying an ASR approach is a skill required only of instrument pilots, it is a realistic way to practice for this task, and a potential lifesaver. See "Radar to the Rescue" in the October 1995 AOPA Pilot. Controllers are required to practice providing ASRs to pilots to remain qualified. They may welcome the opportunity.
For a noninstrument-rated pilot, flying in instrument conditions constitutes an emergency. Review the steps on securing emergency assistance given in the AOPA's Handbook for Pilots , such as using the correct transponder code and radio frequencies. Apply them as needed to the simulated instrument-flying task you are asked to demonstrate. Remember that the best defense against having to use these demanding skills for real is a thorough, timely weather briefing, a correct go/no-go decision–and a 180-degree turn at any sign of worsening weather!
| Your Partner in Training
| "My local FBO has the aircraft insured; why do I need nonowned coverage?" This is a question that we get from students on a regular basis. The FBO's policy does not protect you, it protects the FBO or flight school. If you damage the aircraft, the FBO's insurance company may come after you personally to recover what it paid the FBO for repairs. More important, you need liability protection from the really large claims that could result from a mishap. For more information, check the online Pilot's Guide to Insurance or visit the AOPA Insurance Agency.
As an AOPA Flight Training Member, you have access to all of the features within AOPA Online. For login information click here.
| Flight Training News
| DIAMOND DA20-C1 GETS HIGHER LOAD LIMIT
The FAA has approved a gross weight increase, to 1,764 pounds, for Diamond's two-seat DA20-C1 aircraft. This increases the useful load for Diamond's Continental-powered Katana–popular as a training aircraft–to approximately 600 pounds, depending on configuration. The new gross weight is applicable to all U.S.-registered DA20-C1s and does not affect the Utility category certification. For more information, visit the Web site.
COMM1 AWARDS TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS
Two pilots aspiring to professional aviation careers have each received $1,000 scholarships from Comm1. Winners Rosely Netrefa, 32, of Hawthorne, California, and Tina Conover, 21, of Castle Rock, Michigan, were among more than 80 applicants for the scholarships. Netrefa, a flight attendant and student at Long Beach City College who hopes to become a professional pilot, says the scholarship money will help her complete her CFII and MEI ratings and transfer to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to complete her aviation degree. Conover, who will use the money to help finance a dual degree program at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, hopes to work both as a professional pilot and an air traffic controller. Comm1's Aviation Scholarship Program is at the core of an ongoing series of efforts by the developers of Comm1 Radio Simulators to raise awareness about the importance of pilot communications proficiency at all levels of flight training and to improve aviation safety.
ARKANSAS COLLEGE WINS AEROSPACE AWARD
The Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Aviation Department was awarded the Civil Air Patrol's Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award, presented in commemoration of Frank Brewer and his lifelong interest in aviation, youth, and education. NWACC's Aviation Department, nominated in the organization category, is aggressively seeking to increase public awareness of degree programs offered by the college. "We want the young people, and career changers, to know that we have excellent programs right here in Northwest Arkansas," said David Bowman, head of the aviation program. During the past year, NWACC Aviation has hosted an Aerospace Education Teacher Workshop and taught aviation to elementary students in the popular summer school called "Kids College."
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA TELLS MICHIGAN JUDGE BACKGROUND CHECK LAW IS ILLEGAL
In a hearing late Tuesday afternoon, AOPA had its first opportunity to argue its case against the State of Michigan's background check law. Passed in May of this year, the law requires a criminal record background check through the FBI for any person seeking flight training in the state to obtain a pilot certificate, any new certificate, or a new rating. In a lawsuit filed in August, AOPA contends the law is a violation of Article VI, clause 2 (the "supremacy clause") of the U.S. Constitution. AOPA filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the state's enforcement of the new law until the court can hear the case and decide whether it is preempted by federal law.
TSA HEAD PRAISES AOPA'S AIRPORT WATCH DURING AOPA EXPO 2002
In a message prepared especially for pilots attending AOPA Expo 2002, the head of the Transportation Security Administration announced that his agency will fund a special toll-free telephone number as part of AOPA's Airport Watch. A record-breaking 11,701 pilots and aviation enthusiasts helped make Expo 2002 the most successful in the association's history. Adm. James M. Loy praised the Airport Watch program as a "great product" that will help secure the nation's general aviation airports. Modeled after the highly successful Neighborhood Watch program, it will enlist the nation's 550,000 general aviation pilots to watch for and report suspicious activities at GA airports. "AOPA developed the program, including the educational materials," said AOPA�President Phil Boyer. "The one thing we needed help on was a single, easy-to-remember telephone number for pilots to report suspicious activities." TSA provided the toll-free number 866/GA-SECURE (866/427-3287), which will be activated in early December.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| Training Products
| NEW VIDEO TRAINING TIP OFFERED
King Schools has added another free video training tip to those available on its Web site. The current tip, "It's a Stall–So What's the Big Deal?" shows how to properly recover from a spin–important to know if you should stall an airplane in uncoordinated flight. Other tips are available in King Schools' video archives.
| Final Exam
| Question: I'm considering lasik eye surgery. Is it acceptable to the FAA?
Answer: The FAA currently accepts lasik, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), or radial keratotomy (RK) for all classes of medical certification. Following the procedure, when the treating physician is satisfied that visual acuity has stabilized and there are no other post-operative symptoms, the FAA requests that the pilot submit a brief report from the ophthalmologist to the Aeromedical Certification Division in Oklahoma City. No other action is required until the time of the next scheduled FAA physical examination, when a completed report of eye evaluation, FAA Form 8500-7 ( click here to download), should be submitted with the medical application. If the visual acuity meets the standard for the class of medical applied for and there are no significant persistent complications (glare and compromised night vision), the aviation medical examiner may issue the certificate at the time of examination. For more information, read AOPA's subject report Acceptable Corrective Measures for Vision Acuity: Photo Refractive Procedures .
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
| NEW INTERACTIVE TOOLS FOR PILOTS
Following the successful introduction of the TurboMedical® interactive medical form just over a year ago, AOPA has announced three new interactive forms to help members through the dizzying process of buying an aircraft. The first is Aircraft Ownership–an AOPA Guide to Buying an Aircraft , an online, interactive version of AOPA's highly regarded buyer's guide booklet. After an aircraft is selected, two new interactive forms, the Bill of Sale and the Aircraft Registration Application form, help with the final steps of an aircraft purchase. Entering information in one form will automatically transfer it to the other.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA�Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Daytona Beach, Florida. Wings and Waves: Embry-Riddle Celebrates the Centennial of Flight takes place November 9 at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB). Free, family oriented airshow; last year's drew more than 200,000 spectators. For more, visit the Web site.
Perry, Georgia. The Wings Over Georgia Airshow takes place November 9 and 10 at Perry-Houston County Airport (PXE). Veterans Day weekend fly-in, exciting stunt featuring Bulldog Airshows with Jim LeRoy in his Pitts S2S, warbirds. Contact Glenn Anderson, 478/987-9548, or visit the Web site.
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 San Diego, and Atlanta, on November 9 and 10. Clinics are also scheduled in Anchorage, Alaska; Cincinnati; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 16 and 17. 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 School will take place in Atlanta, November 10. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in West Columbia, South Carolina, November 11; Hudson, North Carolina, November 12; RDU Airport, North Carolina, November 13; and Southport, North Carolina, November 14. The topic is Single Pilot IFR, check AOPA�Online for more information.
To make submissions to the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For comments on calendar items, e-mail [email protected].
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