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Copyright © 2003 AOPA. | Training Tips
| NOISE AWARENESS
An old flight-training adage states that just because something is legal, it isn't necessarily a good idea. A pilot with high standards will recognize the difference. Such a pilot-or student pilot-should be familiar with the information contained in FAA Advisory Circular 91-36C, which "encourages pilots making VFR flights near noise-sensitive areas to fly at altitudes higher than the minimum permitted by regulation and on flight paths which will reduce aircraft noise in such areas." The advisory circular depicts a compromise solution, in lieu of new regulation, to problems of noise over "identified noise sensitive locations" such as national parks, U.S. Forest Service wilderness and primitive areas, and other locations noted in the advisory circular.
"Pilots flying above one of these areas are asked to maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above the surface. While this restriction is voluntary, pilots are asked to comply in order to limit noise and reduce potential hazards-such as bird strikes-to aircraft and those on the ground. Certain types of activities may be prohibited and  mandatory flight restrictions may be imposed over some specially designated parks and wildlife areas, including Hawaii's Haleakala National Park, California's Yosemite National Park, and Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park," explains Elizabeth A. Tennyson in the February 2000 AOPA Flight Training. Overflight of special conservation areas was the subject of an August 1998 "Flying Smart" column. Affected areas are depicted on VFR aeronautical charts. Pilots can review the recommended flight procedures in Section 7-4-6 of the Aeronautical Information Manual.
Learning the intent of this advisory circular provides an opportunity to review the federal aviation regulations on minimum safe altitudes. Kathy Yodice dedicated her "Legal Briefing" column in the January 2002 AOPA Flight Training to the subject. That article and other material cited here may also help you to explain the requirements of such a navigational situation to the examiner conducting your flight test. That examiner might well be tempted to raise questions probing the depth of your cross-country planning knowledge, as Designated Pilot Examiner Dave Wilkerson relates in his July 2002 AOPA Flight Training commentary titled "Checkride: Cross-Country Testing."
Noise awareness also can come into play when you're operating at certain airports. Residents living near an airport, or under aircraft flight paths, sometimes complain-often very loudly-about aircraft noise, even if the airport was there first. These complaints can grow into calls to close the airport. "What's All the Noise About?" in the July 2003 AOPA Flight Training and "The Noise Police are Here" from the August 2001 AOPA Pilot help to explain the concept of "noise abatement," or flying in such a way as to minimize your noise "footprint" on the ground. Do not compromise safety in order to follow noise-abatement procedures, however. AOPA's Airport Support Network also provides some very useful information on how pilots can fly more quietly.
Be ready-and be a good neighbor as you pass overhead!
| Your Partner in Training
| As a student pilot, you are closely supervised to ensure your safety. But once you earn your private pilot certificate, you may tend to grow more complacent in your skills, or lose proficiency in aircraft operations-and that's dangerous. Did you know pilots with private and commercial pilot certificates are the most likely to suffer fatal stall/spin accidents? Read the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's new topic-specific study on the subject. Visit the foundation's Web site to learn about free safety seminars in your area.
Do you have a 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
| COMM1 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE APPROACHES
Applications for scholarships offered by a manufacturer of aviation training products to help aspiring career aviators defray flight training expenses and tuition are due by the end of this month. Deadline for the third annual Comm1 Aviation Scholarship Program is September 30. The annual Comm1 Aviation Scholarship Program is an effort by the developers of Comm1 Radio Simulators to raise awareness about the importance of pilot communications proficiency at all levels of flight training. The company will award two $1,000 scholarships; application information is on the Comm1 Web site. Winners will be announced at AOPA Expo 2003 in Philadelphia on October 30.
| Inside AOPA
| ASF PREPARES TO RECOGNIZE 10,000th SKYSPOTTER
Participation in the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's SkySpotter pilot report (pirep) training program has built so quickly that sometime in the next few weeks the 10,000th participant will be logged. ASF unveiled the program in November 2001 to encourage pilots to file more pilot reports and actively play a crucial role in the improvement of weather reporting and forecasting. "More than 9,800 pilots had completed the program by the middle of August," said Kathleen Roy, ASF senior research analyst. The entertaining Web-based SkySpotter training session is cosponsored by the FAA and National Weather Service to teach pilots how to formulate and deliver pireps. See the Web site to participate.
UNION ADS MISREPRESENT AOPA STAND ON ATC PRIVATIZATION
AOPA does not support privatization of the air traffic control system, as some labor unions apparently are claiming in TV advertisements. "We have fought, and will continue to fight, attempts to take the responsibility for aircraft separation and control away from the federal government," AOPA President Phil Boyer said last week. Boyer's remarks were made in response to recent questions from AOPA members about TV ads claiming that Congress is about to privatize ATC, as some labor unions representing FAA employees have claimed. Boyer said AOPA supports the FAA reauthorization bill, which, among other provisions, would prevent ATC privatization for at least four years. It also would add new protections from so-called "pilot insecurity" rules enacted after September 11, 2001 and would provide $3.2 billion for airport improvements. Labor unions oppose a provision of the legislation that would direct the FAA to look at 69 control towers and consider whether any should be staffed with contract employees. For more, see the news story at AOPA Online.
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| Training Products
| KING SCHOOLS INTRODUCES ELECTRONIC E6B SOFTWARE
You can turn a personal digital assistant (PDA) or pocket personal computer into an E6B with new software from King Schools. The software can be used on any PDA running Palm OS 3.5 or higher, or Pocket PC 2002. Along with standard E6B functions, it includes 21 aviation calculations-including weight and balance, density altitude, speed, distance, and holding and landing pattern entry calculations-and 18 aviation conversions. The software sells for $28.95. Order online from King Schools or call 800/854-1001.
| | Final Exam | Question: Why do we say "niner" on our aircraft radio, instead of just "nine"? Where does the term come from?
Answer: While our research resulted in a plethora of information on the aviation phonetic alphabet, there was very little stated about numerals. We did, however, find two sources that commented on the term "niner"-and they had two very different statements. One said that pilots say "niner" to distinguish nine from the numeral five, as those numerals could be easily confused when heard in radio transmissions. The other said that the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is the controlling agency for worldwide aviation activities, chose "niner" because "nein" (pronounced "nine") is a common German word meaning "no." By saying "niner" it would be clear that the numeral was being stated.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? E-mail to [email protected] or call 800/872-2672. Don't forget the online archive of "Final Exam" questions and answers, 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
| | NEVER AGAIN ONLINE
A young pilot runs out of options when a thunderstorm closes in-and he makes a precautionary "beaching." Read about it in this month's installment of Never Again Online.
AOPA Pilot's monthly "Never Again" column is similar to AOPA Flight Training's column "Learning Experiences" in which pilots can learn from the experiences of others."
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Northampton, Massachusetts. The Hot Air Balloon Championship takes place September 5 through 7 at Northampton Airport (7B2). Dozens of hot air balloons launching mornings and evenings along with balloon, airplane, and helicopter rides; vintage aircraft; skydiving; teddy bear parachute drop; and more. Contact Dick Guisto, 413/584-7980, or visit the Web site.
Warner Robins, Georgia. The Robins Air Force Base Open House and Airshow takes place September 6 and 7 at Robins AFB. Featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the Starfighters, Ed Hamill, and more. Contact Maj. Kurt Raffetto, 478/327-0531, or visit the Web site.
Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Lunken Air Show takes place September 13 and 14 at Cincinnati Municipal/Lunken Field (LUK). Celebrating the 100th of aviation and seventy-fifth of the airport, the event features aircraft from the Air Museum Planes of Fame. Contact Charlie Pyles, 513/321-4291, or visit the Web site.
Wichita, Kansas. The National Air Tour will be at Colonel James Jabara (AAO), September 12 through 14. Features about 30 vintage aircraft. Contact Bernadette Bradshaw, 316/337-9046, or visit the Web site. The tour is scheduled to continue through September 24. For more, see the air tour's 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 Clinic is scheduled in Phoenix, September 13 and 14. A clinic is also scheduled in Richmond, Virginia, September 20 and 21. 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 Phoenix, September 14. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Kansas City, Missouri, September 8; St. Louis, Missouri, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, September 9; Springfield, Missouri, and New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, September 10; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 11. The topic is Say Intentions. For complete details, see AOPA Online.
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