AOPA Action

Each aviator is responsible for airport security. That's the message that AOPA and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security have partnered to reinforce to the state's pilots. But this message applies to all pilots everywhere--from students to those at the professional level.

In a letter mailed in September, AOPA President Phil Boyer and James Thomas of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security reminded Connecticut pilots that, "It is up to all of us to monitor our surroundings and look for ways we can prevent negative events from happening. We each need to do our part to diminish the concerns that every small airplane and small airport could be a terrorist threat."

AOPA and the state endorsed two simple security procedures that will enhance airport security: securely lock your aircraft (ask others to do the same) and use AOPA's Airport Watch Program. The Transportation Security Administration has a toll-free number (866/GA-SECUR[E]) to report suspicious activity.

"During these extraordinary times, it's important that general aviation pilots like you take the initiative to show that pilots can, and will, foster security at our GA airports," concluded Boyer and Thomas.

Renters: Make sure you're covered

"You're not covered!"

Those are words that no pilot wants to hear after having an accident in a rented or borrowed aircraft, but those who do not have aircraft renter's insurance could be faced with that scenario.

Even a small mishap could put a renter pilot in financial jeopardy. A renter's policy can provide coverage when renters need it most, with coverage for up to $5,000 of the FBO's deductible, regardless of fault, and options for aircraft damage liability. In the event of a lawsuit, a renter's policy will provide coverage for legal defense costs, regardless of the verdict.

The AOPA Insurance Agency has renter's insurance coverage to fit any pilot's needs and budget, plus broad liability coverage with no family sublimits. For more information or to purchase a policy, visit the Web site or call 800/622-2672.

Pilot wins surprise after successful checkride

Certain things in the cosmos must have been aligned correctly for newly minted private pilot Don Belsky. On the day of his successful checkride, he got a surprise in the mail. Belsky had always wanted to be a pilot. He took his first flight lesson while he was in his teens but had to put off the rest to raise a family. Last year he decided to reinvigorate the dream.

A great way to prepare for a checkride, or enhance learning in general, is to take the quick and easy Sporty's Safety Quiz through the AOPA Online Safety Center. Nearly 85,000 people have completed the free quiz, which is updated biweekly. Also access the quizzes through one of the five learning phases of flight on AOPA Flight Training Online.

Pilots who complete a quiz can win a Sporty's Air-Scan V Desktop Scanner through a drawing. As luck would have it, Belsky received a scanner on the day of his checkride.

"As I was opening your gift, my family was preparing a surprise celebration for me," Belsky said. "Thank you so much for making an already extraordinarily special day even more so."

Take a look at ceilings and visibility with ASF

Weather often forces pilots to make a go/no-go decision, so the AOPA Air Safety Foundation created Weather Wise: Ceiling and Visibility--the first in a series of online weather courses partially funded by the National Weather Service--to bring a real-world perspective to the art and science of weather forecasting for pilots.

The interactive 20-minute course focuses on the relationship between temperature and dew point, and ceiling and visibility. It also teaches when and where fog is likely to form. In-flight video clips show what MVFR, VFR, and IFR conditions look like from the cockpit. Helpful tips point out the signs of changing weather conditions.

This is the first in a series of online weather courses that are free and open to all pilots in the AOPA Online Safety Center. Future weather topics include convective activity, turbulence, and air masses and fronts.

For the latest on AOPA's advocacy efforts for pilots, visit AOPA Online.