Now, I'm no stranger to the world of aviation. I formerly worked in air traffic control for seven years and have lived on more airbases than most. But until that first flight, I can honestly say that I had never really flown before.
Besides the sheer joy of flying, which would take some time to describe, the staff at Sugar Land Aviation is top-notch. My CFI made me feel comfortable and really took the time to find out what I wanted out of this experience. For me, that was important. He could have simply followed a canned approach, but instead he took the time to ask and follow up with questions for me. This approach made the entire flight a better experience. I have since made the decision to continue with my flight training there, and I'm excited about the adventure ahead of me.
I look forward to my subscription to AOPA Flight Training magazine. A little tip I got from my father after the flight -- when I described my problems in applying the wrong amount of rudder when looking at the inclinometer -- was "Step on the ball!" I guess I will have two instructors now.
Travis Sales
Sugar Land, Texas
Appearances can be deceiving
In reading the June 2005 issue of AOPA Flight Training, I was surprised, and perhaps a little humored, to find that an article titled "Accident Analysis: Realistic Distractions" that spoke of proper door-latching technique, while the cover photo featured Cessna 182 N282ES in flight with an improperly latched copilot-side door. The door can be seen in a seemingly "forced-closed" position.
The "Accident Analysis" article stands true that proper precautions must be taken in order to ensure the safety of the aircraft's occupants. The text's point should speak for itself in the example of the photograph.
Eric Rubenstein
Wayne, Pennsylvania
Several readers wrote to express their concern that the Cessna 182's door did not appear to be closed. The magazine's art directors tell us that at certain angles and with stark light like that in the cover photo, it may give the illusion that the door is not securely latched. As "Accident Analysis: Realistic Distractions" states, however, a door can pop open at any time; it then is the pilot's task to ignore the distraction until he or she can land and safely shut the door. -- Ed.
'Shall' versus 'must'
I was quite surprised when I read Dave Wilkerson's article, in the May 2005 AOPA Flight Training, concerning the new Designated Pilot Examiners Handbook ("Checkride: Focus on Society"). Specifically, he states that "...In the FAA's lexicon, the word 'shall' is optional in nature. Not so 'must.'"
If Wilkerson doesn't believe the Webster's Dictionary defintion -- "used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory" -- he should take a look at Section 1.3(b)(1) of the federal aviation regulations (14 CFR Chapter 1), which states that "Shall is used in an imperative sense," throughout the regulations.
Michael McKinley
Naperville, Illinois
The author is correct that both Webster and the regulations place "shall" in the imperative -- as do the current and previous Pilot Examiner Handbooks. However, definitions are not always followed precisely in the real world, which the FAA appears to acknowledge with its shift from the use of "shall" to "must" for required actions. -- Ed.
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