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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright © 2003 AOPA. | Training Tips
| WHAT TIME IS IT?
It is 7 o'clock on a Friday morning when a pilot departs Des Moines, Iowa, for a summer vacation trip to New England. After several refueling stops and a long day of flying she arrives at her destination, Rockland, Maine, at 0200Z Saturday. What was the Coordinated Universal Time when she departed Iowa? On landing in Maine, what is the local time? When figuring your answers, did you consider that she crossed from the Central Time Zone to the Eastern Time Zone? Did you also remember to take into account that a summer vacation occurs during Daylight Savings Time, not Standard Time?
 "The Federal Aviation Administration uses Coordinated Universal Time (also referred to as 'Zulu time') for all operations. This term replaces 'Greenwich Mean Time' (GMT) in international parlance to be used in aviation. It provides a frame of reference to eliminate confusion when aviation operations encompass several time zones within a short time span. UTC is still referred to as 'Zulu' time," explains Section 2 of AOPA's Handbook for Pilots . A pilot will hear time expressed, for example, as "One Two Zero Zero Zulu" on automatic terminal information service broadcasts and when receiving weather updates by radio. When filing a VFR flight plan, your estimated times of departure and arrival are Zulu estimates; Section 6 of the Handbook offers guidelines on how to state time using UTC during radio communications.
Section 4-2-12 of the Aeronautical Information Manual gives conversion tables between local and Zulu time. Aviation weather products also state times of forecasts and observations as Zulu times. Jack Williams looks at a few examples in his "The Weather Never Sleeps" column on weather map basics in the February 2003 AOPA Flight Training.
You can look up the UTC conversion factor for an airport-but not its time zone-in its listing in the AOPA's Airport Directory Online or the FAA's Airport/Facilities Directory. Time zone boundaries may be identified on aeronautical sectional charts, as explained in AOPA Flight Training's December 1998 "Flying Smart" column.
By the way, it was 1200Z when the pilot took off from Des Moines. Although it was early Saturday morning Zulu time when she landed in Maine, locally it was still only 10 p.m. Friday-leaving lots of time for a great vacation by the sea!
| Your Partner in Training
| "I'm about halfway through my training. Can you tell me what I might expect to do during the checkride for my private pilot certificate? Can you provide me with some type of information or list of aviation scholarships or loans? Do I have to carry my logbook when I fly?" The answers to these frequently asked questions and more can be found on AOPA Online under "Flight Instruction." If the Web site doesn't adequately answer your question, call our experienced pilots-available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time 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
| TSA RE-EXAMINING LONG-TERM TFRs AT AOPA's REQUEST
Adm. James Loy, head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said his agency and the FAA are taking another look at more than a dozen temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) set up in the name of national security shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a June 26 letter, Loy said the two agencies are "conducting a thorough audit" of the 16 TFRs that AOPA has asked to be rescinded "to ensure that they are protecting the public in an efficient, cost-effective manner." AOPA has argued that the TFRs are no longer needed from a security standpoint. "Admiral Loy has shown a real willingness to listen to the concerns of general aviation," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We don't always get what we want, but Admiral Loy always gives us due consideration." Two of the 16 have already been rescinded-at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri, and Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas-as well as a third not on AOPA's original list, in the Class E airspace over Valdez, Alaska.
GOLDEN EAGLES FLIGHT TEAM WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Golden Eagles Flight Team took first place at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (NIFA Safecon) national competition held earlier this year in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In this year's competition against 25 other university teams, the Golden Eagles from Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Arizona, campus racked up 178 points, setting a new record for the most points earned at a national Safecon. Following the Golden Eagles in the ranking were the University of North Dakota in second place, Western Michigan University in third place, Southern Illinois University in fourth place, and Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus in fifth place. The Golden Eagles previously were Safecon national champions in 1999, 1997, and 1993.
| Inside AOPA
| SPORTY'S CHAIRMAN HOSTS ASF BENEFIT
Hal Shevers, founder and chairman of Sporty's Pilot Shop, conceived and spearheaded a first-of-its-kind fundraiser to continue the research and educational activities of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Shevers contacted potential ASF donors, inviting them to a dinner with AOPA President Phil Boyer and obtaining their commitment for a $5,000 tax-deductible contribution. During the July 2 dinner in Cincinnati, Boyer addressed the particular concerns and questions of each guest. Questions included concerns of a warbird owner about the demilitarization bill reintroduced in Congress this year, the influence of the Secret Service on airspace decisions surrounding presidential movements, and details surrounding the manufacturing community for single-engine piston airplanes.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| Training Products
| FLIGHT BAG WITH DETACHABLE UNITS FROM W. WALLER & SON
Newly minted private pilots often treat themselves to a new flight bag to celebrate the big event. The Captain's bag from W. Waller & Son, Inc., has room for all of the gadgets, sectionals, and handbooks you'll no doubt acquire in the coming months. Its two end bags zip off and can be used separately, or they can be attached to the main bag to use as a single unit. All sides of the bag are lined with high-density, closed-cell insulating foam to protect the contents from impact. The bag measures about 26 inches in length (each end bag is about 4 inches deep), sits 10 inches high, and is 12 inches wide. It comes with a detachable shoulder strap and leather-wrapped carry handles on the main bag and on each end bag. The bag comes in black, gray, and red heavy-duty urethane-coated Cordura nylon that is water repellent. The price is $219. For more information, call 800/874-2247; or see the Web site.
| | Final Exam | Question: We are experiencing a lot of thunderstorms this summer that last 10 or 15 minutes, delaying a flight lesson until they pass. When the lightning is flashing, is it safe to sit on the ground in the airplane and wait the storm out?
Answer: It's as safe to sit in the airplane-provided it is metal and not a composite material--as it is to sit in an automobile. However, the rubber tires are not the reason it's safe, as many of us were taught. Rather, it's the metal framework of the vehicle (aircraft or car) that conducts the lightning's electrical current until it jumps to the ground. While being inside the airplane is OK, standing under the wing is the worst thing to do-you yourself could provide the lightning its path from the airframe to the ground. More information on this subject is available in "The Weather Never Sleeps: Thunder and Lightning" from AOPA Flight Training magazine, as well as in AOPA's subject report on Thunderstorm Avoidance .
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.
| 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
| AOPA's updated aviation subject report on ATC Communications offers a slew of articles on such topics as mic fright, making professional-sounding radio calls, and the often-overlooked but valuable service known as "VFR traffic advisories." Read the report online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Elmira, New York. The Marion Jayne Air Races and Historic Cruise takes place July 18 through 25 at Elmira/Corning Regional (ELM). Celebrating 100 years of powered flight with an 1,800-mile cross-country air race. Contact Patricia Purcell, 903/564-9410, 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 .
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 New York City, and Memphis, Tennessee, July 19 and 20. A clinic is also scheduled in San Diego, July 26 and 27. 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 School takes place in 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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