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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
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Copyright © 2003 AOPA. | Training Tips
| HOLIDAY FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS
For many general aviation pilots, long holiday weekends are an ideal time to fly. The rare combination of great weather, time off, and long hours of summer daylight is hard to beat.
Good enough-but don't let the carefree mood lead you into careless flying. Many other pilots are thinking along the same lines as you are; be extra watchful for opposing traffic. (Download the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Collision Avoidance Safety Advisor and compare your preparatory measures to its collision avoidance checklist.) "Another common cause of near misses en route is encountered when aircraft take the same routes and altitudes into and out of airports," wrote David Montoya in his December 2001 AOPA Flight Training feature titled "Avoiding Close Calls." "This problem is often much worse in the mountains, along the coast, through busy airspace, and over and near points and events of great interest. I counted 17 aircraft circling over the Golden Gate Bridge fireworks display the last Fourth of July. Isn't it safer to watch the fireworks from the ground?"
 As Montoya noted, it is tempting-if not necessarily advisable-to combine training or cruising flights with observation of such demonstrations as holiday parades or fireworks. Be sure you are in compliance with the minimum safe altitude requirements of Federal Aviation Regulation 91.119, which decree that pilots must maintain "over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement," or over "any open-air assembly of persons," an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
Remember-those altitudes are a "minimum." Higher is surely better. But your responsibilities do not end there. Could your route be affected by a temporary flight restriction (TFR) or a notice to airmen (notam) restricting access to the airspace, or the altitudes you must fly when traversing it? Review TFRs, and review information about the notam system, in the May 16, 2003, "Training Tips."
Remember the heightened security climate. Prudent flying includes steering clear of any opportunity for straying into trouble, as AOPA President Phil Boyer reminds pilots in his "President's Perspective" column in the September 2002 AOPA Flight Training. That said, take advantage of leisure time and good weather to make big strides toward your training goal!
| Your Partner in Training
| More than once a day, air traffic controllers help a pilot by performing a "flight assist." Download the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Say Intentions: When You Need ATC's Help Safety Advisor to learn what air traffic control can and can't do to help pilots in distress. For the most effective use of all available services, you need to know how the system works. If you need more information, call our experienced pilots--available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern to answer your questions toll-free at 800/872-2672.
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
| AOPA INVESTIGATES ADIZ-RELATED FUEL EXHAUSTION ACCIDENT
A Baltimore-area pilot and two passengers were injured Sunday after they were forced to wait so long for clearance into the Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Area Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) that they ran out of fuel on approach to the runway at Martin State Airport. "Fuel management is the pilot's responsibility," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "But having said that, AOPA has repeatedly warned the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration that the operational gridlock caused by the ADIZ procedures would result in an accident, and now it appears that this has happened." AOPA has interviewed the owner of the accident aircraft and will file a Freedom of Information Act request for audiotapes of ATC communications and FSS briefings. AOPA will review the information to determine where the FAA system failed and redouble efforts to fix the problems. Pilot Dale Roger told the Baltimore Sun that he circled outside the ADIZ for an hour while air traffic controllers tried to locate his flight plan, which he maintained was on file and active. An FAA spokesperson said a preliminary investigation showed none of the flight service stations that cover the route of Roger's flight had a record of a flight plan being filed. If diverting to another airport to refuel is not possible, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Fuel Awareness Safety Advisor contains tips for maximizing fuel economy. For more, see the news story on AOPA Online.
FORMER AIRLINE EXEC NAMED DEAN OF WMU AVIATION COLLEGE
Rick Maloney, a former United Airlines executive, has been named dean of Western Michigan University's College of Aviation in Battle Creek. Maloney comes on board July 15, bringing more than 30 years of flight management experience to the position. He retired earlier this year as United's vice president for flight operations and system chief pilot. For more information, see the WMU Web site.
FLIGHTSAFETY PERSONNEL HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE
Dick Skovgaard, director of FlightSafety Academy at Vero Beach, Florida, was awarded an Excellence in Training Award by the National Air Transportation Association at its annual meeting. The NATA award recognizes an individual or organization for "outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training." Laurance Wakefield, director of training at FlightSafety Academy, was named 2003 Flight Instructor of the Year by the FAA Orlando Flight Standards District Office, which oversees many of the nation's largest flight training schools. Dennis Heffelfinger, the academy's manager of advanced airline training, was named 2003 Instructor of the Year by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. The award recognizes an instructor who consistently exhibits excellent teaching practices.
| Inside AOPA
| PILOT BACKGROUND CHECKS LOSE GROUND IN NEW JERSEY...
New Jersey pilots won a reprieve from a proposed state law mandating background checks this week when state senators adjourned without taking up the measure. AOPA encouraged its New Jersey members to contact their representatives and senators and urge them to oppose the bill-and AOPA members leapt to action. At least one senator acknowledged rethinking his position after hearing from constituents. "This demonstrates once again the power of our membership," said Andy Cebula, an AOPA senior vice president. "The bill resurfaced quietly at the very last minute, but the quick response of our members let New Jersey lawmakers know that they couldn't hide their actions in the rush to end the session." Senators spent all night trying to resolve the state's budget impasse and never took up the background check bill, in effect holding it until they return for a lame-duck session following elections in November. See AOPA Online.
...AND COULD BE ELIMINATED IN MICHIGAN
Meanwhile, an AOPA-backed bill to eliminate Michigan's pilot background check law cleared the next-to-last hurdle before it can be sent to the governor. The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved House Bill 4704 and sent it to the full Michigan Senate. The bill would end the unconstitutional criminal background checks on anyone seeking flight training, replacing them with a common-sense regulation requiring flight schools to implement a security program. The full Michigan senate still needs to debate and vote on the bill before it can be sent to the governor for signature. Meanwhile, AOPA is still pursuing its federal lawsuit to have the current background check law declared unconstitutional. "The federal government must be allowed to set a uniform standard for pilot qualifications without interference from the states if we're to have a truly national air transportation system," said Andy Cebula, an AOPA senior vice president. "New Jersey can't set one standard and Michigan another."
FAA ADMINISTRATOR TO ADDRESS AOPA EXPO 2003
AOPA Expo 2003 will kick off October 30 in Philadelphia's convention center with a chance for general aviation pilots to meet FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. She has accepted an invitation to once again address the opening general assembly. At last year's Expo, Blakey-with just weeks on the job-spoke frankly about the challenges arising out of security concerns that faced both the federal government and the GA community. But she pledged to supplement hard-to-understand textual notices to airmen outlining temporary flight restrictions with graphical depictions-and that promise came true June 15. For more information or to register for Expo 2003, see AOPA Online.
WACO HISTORICAL SOCIETY HONORS AOPA
AOPA is the 2003 recipient of the Waco Historical Society's Clayton Brukner Award. The award is given to the person or group that demonstrates a longtime devotion to the causes, goals, and principles of the society. The award is named for one of the four founding members of the Weaver Aircraft Company (WACO). "AOPA is proud to receive an award named for one of aviation's earliest pioneers from an organization like the Waco Historical Society," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "It celebrates the wind-in-your-face roots of general aviation. We honor that tradition, too, with our Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes Waco. But even as we give a nod to the past, we keep an eye on the future to ensure GA's continued success." For more information on the Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes and its unique grand prize, see AOPA Online.
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| Training Products
| GLEIM ADDS WEATHER PORTAL TO WEB SITE
Here's another Internet-based tool to help you make the right go/no-go decision. Gleim Publications recently launched an aviation weather site that is a portal to the National Weather Service. You can click through to radar images depicting the continental United States, plus Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The clean, simple page design promotes user-friendliness, letting you access area forecasts, TAFs, METARs, and winds-aloft info for all U.S. reporting stations, and extended forecasts for nearly every city in the United States. Check it out online.
| | Final Exam | Question: How do I find information on obtaining loans and scholarships for flight training?
Answer: AOPA's Flight Training Funds program is available to both student and certificated pilots; it offers great flexibility to tailor your training according to your needs. AOPA also offers a 5% FBO rebate on purchases at qualified FBOs, and a 5% discount on all purchases from Sporty's Pilot Shop when you use the AOPA credit card. In addition, you will find a list of available aviation scholarships on AOPA Online as part of the subject report, Aviation Loans and Scholarships .
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? E-mail to [email protected] or call 800/872-2672. Don't forget the archive of questions and answers from AOPA's ePilot and ePilot Flight Training. FAQs are searchable by keyword or topic.
Correction: The June 20, 2003, edition of "Final Exam" incorrectly stated that underwater pressure doubles with every 33 feet of depth. Pressure increases one atmosphere per 33 feet of additional depth. ePilot Flight Training Edition regrets the error.
| Picture Perfect
| | The AOPA Online Gallery allows you to download your favorite images to use for wallpaper, send a personalized e-card, and order high-quality prints to be shipped directly to your doorstep. Search the hundreds of fabulous images in our archives and select your favorites today! For more details, see AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| If you have undergone or are considering Lasik or another type of photorefractive procedure to improve your eyesight, the FAA has indicated it will require a six-month stabilization period following the procedure if one eye is corrected for near vision and one for distance. Find out what impact this will have on your flying. Pilots who have undergone lens implants or cataract surgery will need to have FAA Form 8500-7, Report of Eye Evaluation, completed for their next aviation medical exam.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Geneseo, New York. The History of Flight Airshow takes place July 12 and 13 at Geneseo Airport (D52), noon to 4 p.m. Presented by the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum. Admission $5. Warbirds, antiques, and classics performing off grass runway. Fly-ins welcome before 11 a.m. Contact 585/243-2100, or visit the Web site.
Terre Haute, Indiana. The Terre Haute Air Fair takes place July 12 and 13 at Terre Haute International-Hulman Field (HUF). The Red Baron Pizza Squadron headlines this year's event celebrating the centennial of flight. Other acts include Performer of the Year Jim LeRoy, a Vietnam War rescue reenactment, a microjet, warbirds, and more. Contact Dennis Dunbar, 812/877-7600, or visit the Web site.
Brunswick, Georgia. The American Yankee Association 2003 Convention takes place July 14 through 17 at Malcolm McKinnon Airport (SSI). This is the annual international gathering for owners of American, Grumman American, American General, and new Tiger aircraft. Contact Fran Levy, 443/260-2390, or visit the Web site.
To submit an event to the calendar, or search all events, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For comments on calendar items, contact [email protected].
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 Jacksonville, Florida, and Pittsburgh, July 12 and 13. Clinics are also scheduled in New York City, and Memphis, Tennessee, July 19 and 20. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Renewal Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter® Ground Schools take place in Pittsburgh, July 13, and New York City, July 20. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 30 through August 2. Topics vary; for complete details, see AOPA Online.
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