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Copyright © 2005 AOPA. | Training Tips
| DYNAMIC HYDROPLANING
Maintaining your aircraft tires at the correct pressure for performance and safety was the message of the August 12, 2005, "Training Tips." One risk amplified by soft tires, but always present when landing on a wet runway, is a phenomenon called dynamic hydroplaning. This occurs, says Chapter 9 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, when the tires "ride on a thin sheet of water rather than on the runway's surface. Because hydroplaning wheels are not touching the runway, braking and directional control are almost nil." The chapter also contains an interesting and easy mathematical formula to determine the minimum speed at which dynamic hydroplaning could occur. To use it you will need to know your aircraft's tire pressure.
 Landing during or shortly after a rainstorm should make any pilot alert to potential hydroplaning. Standing water or puddles on a runway are other warning signs. Grooved runways minimize the problem by facilitating drainage. Check the runway surface of your destination as part of your flight planning. The possibility of dynamic hydroplaning is another incentive to make your landings to exacting standards of directional control and touchdown airspeed. Note that if hydroplaning begins, it may continue down a speed lower than the one determined by the formula referred to above. Numerous accidents in which aircraft have run off the end of grass runways have been attributed to excessive speed and dynamic hydroplaning-so keep this in mind when landing on a soft field. "By their nature, soft-field landings invite hydroplaning when wheels touch down on wet grass or soggy runways," advised Dave Wilkerson in "Checkride: Soft Touch" in the May 2001 AOPA Flight Training.
Dynamic hydroplaning is a risk for any size aircraft. Sharing one pilot's recollection could spare you a similar experience. "I knew lots of fancy terms for the problem and could quote the details from memory. It never made much of an impression on me until I experienced that no-brakes feeling as we were rolling out after landing an airliner on Runway 5R at Mexico City," AOPA Flight Training contributor Karen Kahn wrote in her April 2003 feature "Learn By Doing: Every Flight Helps to Build Good Judgment." Dynamic hydroplaning is another reason to make every landing your best landing.
| Your Partner in Training
| Grounded by the weather, your schedule, or other intrusions? Don't give up-you'll get back in the air some day. In the meantime, keep your head in the game by reading every aviation article you can find, or use a desktop computer simulator to practice basic and instrument flying skills. Research and plan trips to future destinations with AOPA Online's flight-planning resources- aviation weather from Meteorlogix, the Real-Time Flight Planner, and AOPA's Airport Directory Online . Also, be sure to visit the AOPA Online Safety Center for free interactive courses, Safety Advisors, quizzes, and a schedule of 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-toll-free at 800/872-2672. As an AOPA Flight Training Member, you have access to all of the features within AOPA Online and AOPA Flight Training Online. Login information is available online.
| Flight Training News
| AOPA SWEEPSTAKES TWIN COMANCHE WINNER KEEPS ON LEARNING
AOPA's 2004 Win-A-Twin Comanche Sweepstakes winner Roy Wilbanks isn't letting dust collect on his new aircraft. The North Carolina resident has been busy learning the finer points of the Twin Comanche's avionics, which include Garmin's GNS 480 GPS/nav/com and multifunction display, plus S-Tech's System 55X autopilot. For some specialized training, Wilbanks went to Avionics Training Unlimited Inc. in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. "After reading my avionics manual and studying the CD for over a month, I thought I had gained a considerable amount of knowledge...but with [the] training course, I found out it was the fine tuning that really made the difference," Wilbanks wrote in an update to AOPA. "And now with the profound knowledge, I feel much more comfortable while operating them." See the complete story on AOPA Online.
NATIONAL AIRLINES HIRE MORE PILOTS THAN MAJORS
More than 1,192 pilots obtained airline jobs in July, bringing the year-to-date hiring total to 6,443, according to AIR, Inc. National airlines took back the lead from the majors, adding 383 new pilot positions. Jet operators hired 323 pilots, and the majors finished in third place with 187. Non-jet operators hired 118 pilots. For more information about AIR, Inc., see the Web site.
NATIONAL AVIATION DAY: SPREAD THE JOY OF FLIGHT
If you're looking for a reason to hang out at your local airport or introduce a friend to aviation, National Aviation Day, Friday, August 19, provides the perfect opportunity. "Great strides have been made in aviation since Orville Wright's first flight in 1903. Today general aviation aircraft range from light sport aircraft like the Piper J-3 Cub to personal jets like the Eclipse 500," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "In America, we also have a unique freedom that keeps GA efficient and affordable, so we certainly have many reasons to celebrate National Aviation Day." National Aviation Day was first observed in 1939, but why on August 19? It's Orville Wright's birthday. Celebrate the day by taking your friends on a tour of the airport or arranging an introductory flight with an instructor. See AOPA Online.
CHINA CHOOSES CESSNA 172s FOR PRIMARY TRAINING
The Civil Aviation Flying University of China has ordered 42 Cessna 172 Skyhawks for use in its ab initio primary flight training program. Twenty of the Skyhawks will be equipped with Garmin G1000 glass panels and avionics. Cessna will begin delivering the new aircraft in the first quarter of 2006. The civil aviation program currently trains 600 students per year, with plans to increase that number to more than 1,000 students annually when the new aircraft are on line. Students in the program transition from the Skyhawk 172R up to the Cessna Citation CJ1 for advanced aircraft training.
| Inside AOPA
| 'GOOGLE IT' ON AOPA ONLINE
With more than 40,000 pages of information, AOPA Online has just about anything you'd ever want to know about flying and general aviation aircraft. And now, a new search engine with a familiar name helps you find what you're looking for-faster and easier. The Google search technology means you can find everything on AOPA Online as easily as you can "google" information on the Web. Just type your keywords into the search box on the left side of your screen-that part is the same as it has always been. What's new is how quickly you'll find what you're after.
REPORT PROVIDES TIPS ON TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN, FAMILY
Time to load up the family and the dog for a fun flying adventure? Traveling with children, other family members, and pets adds a new set of challenges for the private pilot who's accustomed to flying solo. With proper planning and equipment, you can make the experience go more smoothly for everyone involved. Read the Traveling With Children and Family aviation subject report on AOPA Online.
HAVE YOU UPDATED YOUR AOPA MEMBER PROFILE?
To make the most of your membership and allow us to serve you better, please visit AOPA Online and update your personal member profile.
| Training Products
| CALCULATE THAT LOAD WITH WEIGHT-AND-BALANCE SOFTWARE
Weight-and-balance software programs abound; you might even have a home-brew model conjured up in Microsoft Excel. But if you don't, Momentum Interactive's Weight & Balance Visualizer Computer offers a clean design and good graphics in a product available for many popular models of general aviation aircraft. The base program gives you one module with the aircraft model of your choice; you download the program from the company's Web site. Easy to download and straightforward to use, the program illustrates the center-of-gravity position on a two-dimensional image of the aircraft, with graphics for passengers, baggage, and fuel on board. Warnings pop when loading is out of range or over maximum gross weight. The initial program and module are $24.99; additional aircraft modules are $9.99. See the Web site for more information or to order.
Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.
| | Final Exam | Question: My instructor and I have been reviewing sectional charts and symbols. What is meant by the rectangular-shaped, magenta dashed line that extends from certain airports?
Answer: The magenta dashed line depicts Class E airspace that extends down to the surface. This allows aircraft flying an instrument approach procedure to that airport to remain in controlled airspace during the descent. The Aeronautical Chart User's Guide shows the many ways Class E airspace can be depicted on sectional charts. You'll find more helpful information in the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's publication Airspace For Everyone .
Got a question for our technical services staff? E-mail to [email protected] or call the Pilot Information Center, 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 images in our archives and select your favorites today! For more details, see AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| "Takeoffs and landings are two very different and very busy times of flight, and sometimes, because of their short duration, we forget just what can go wrong," says AOPA Flight Training contributing editor Chip Wright. Read his analysis of "runway manners" in the updated aviation subject report on Runway Incursions .
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| UPCOMING FLYING DESTINATIONS:
Massena, New York. Wings of Freedom-Saluting Those Who Serve takes place August 19 through 21 at Massena International-Richards Field (MSS). Featuring tours and flight experiences aboard Collings Foundation B-24 and B-17 aircraft, military equipment display, civilian aircraft, and memorabilia, etc. Contact Paul Haggett, 315/769-3525, or visit the Web site.
McMinnville, Oregon. The Northwest Antique Airplane Club Fly-in takes place August 19 through 21 at McMinnville Municipal (MMV). Don't miss the largest display of antique aircraft in the Northwest-more than 700 aircraft on display. Contact Carmen Eastman, 503/320-9120, or visit the Web site.
Rochester, New Hampshire. The Skyhaven Airshow 2005 takes place August 20 and 21 at Skyhaven (DAW). Includes military flybys, an A-10 demonstration, a 50-person sky-dive, and line-up of aerobatic acts headlined by Rob Holland. Contact OVA Staff, 603/332-0005, or visit the Web site.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The 2005 Cardinal East Coast Fly-in takes place August 20 at Lancaster (LNS). Join fellow Cardinal owners for seminars, food, and prizes. Contact Al Hubler, 717/367-7272, or visit the Web site.
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. The fifth annual Wisconsin Rapids Balloon Rally and Music Fest takes place August 26 through 28 at Alexander Field South Wood County (ISW). Airplane and helicopter rides, skydiving demonstrations, and balloon launches and glows throughout the weekend. Proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Contact Rose Dorcey, 715/421-0055, or visit the Web site.
Albany, Oregon. The Wah Chang Northwest Art and Air Festival takes place August 26 through 28 at Albany Municipal (S12). Featuring hot air balloons, airplane displays and rides, Young Eagle flights, live music and performing artists, and more. Contact Jan Taylor, 541/917-7777, or visit the Web site.
Camarillo, California. The EAA Chapter 723 Camarillo Airshow takes place August 27 and 28 at Camarillo (CMA). Featuring performances by Rob Harrison in his Zlin 50, and Ellsworth Getchell with the Hawker Sea Fury. Contact Larry Beckett, 805/383-0686, or visit the Web site.
To submit an event to the calendar or to search all events visit AOPA Online. For airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic is scheduled in Reno, Nevada, August 27 and 28. Courses are also scheduled in Sacramento, California, and Columbia, Maryland, September 10 and 11. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online.
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