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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
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Copyright © 2005 AOPA. | Training Tips
| UPDATED BRIEFINGS
These days, aviation and delays go hand in hand. But that's not only true of the airlines. The various tasks and logistics that must be attended to before you throttle up and take off on your training flights can set the stage for delays. Your attitude about this will determine what kind of flight you have. Stay positive; be flexible. If your flight has been set back for any appreciable amount of time, the first thing to do  is get a new weather briefing-not just to get new winds aloft data for revising fuel and groundspeed calculations, but also to check destination surface reports. Make sure your original go/no-go decision hasn't become stale.
What could make that happen? Converging temperatures and dew points could raise the possibility of fog at your new estimated time of arrival. A pilot report about visibility or turbulence could discredit the forecast or reveal conditions exceeding your endorsed limitations for solo flight. If your training in gathering and using aviation weather products has been thorough and creative, you will never view updating weather as an unnecessary chore. "Some flight instructors encourage their students to study the weather, plan flights that they never intend to fly, get a full weather briefing, and make the go/no-go decision. Then, when enough time has elapsed to complete the flight, they can call Flight Service again, obtain current conditions along the route and at the destination, and learn whether they made the right call. This is a great way to begin developing a weather curiosity that can lead to weather wisdom," wrote AOPA Flight Training Editor Mike Collins in his November 2002 commentary "Preflight: Weather Analysis." Another veteran pilot, AOPA Flight Training columnist Mark Twombly, reflected in a July 1999 "Continuing Ed" column on the lasting educational benefits of a long-ago mission that required reevaluating decisions. "It taught me the value of caution, of planning, and of changing the plan when necessary," he wrote.
All right, delays have been resolved, weather updated. The trip is on. Be sure that any airports you have identified as alternates in case a diversion is needed (diverting was the subject of the June 28, 2002,Training Tips) are still available and that you've checked notams for the flight. Now you are ready to launch, armed with good information and an appreciation of the need to keep your options open when flying!
| Your Partner in Training
| One of the first people who you should see when you begin flight training is an AME-an aviation medical examiner. He or she will ensure that you do not have any physical problems that will preclude you from obtaining a pilot certificate. To locate a medical examiner in your area, see AOPA Online, and be sure to check our list of medical FAQs. Still have questions? Call the Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time.
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
| WOMEN IN CORPORATE AVIATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS
Women in Corporate Aviation, a group of professionals who network and promote career opportunities in business aviation, is sponsoring two aviation scholarships. A $1,000 scholarship is available for a man or woman who is interested in continued pursuit of a career in any job classification in corporate or business aviation. The funds can be used for flight training or an upgrade in aviation education. WCA, in conjunction with Cessna Aircraft, also is offering an $800 scholarship to assist a qualified candidate in completing the commercial certificate. The scholarships will be presented at the National Business Aviation Association annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15 to 17. The deadline to apply for the scholarships is September 10. For more information and application requirements, see the Web site.
FLIGHTSAFETY ACADEMY ORDERS FRASCA SIMULATORS
FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, has ordered three flight training devices (FTDs) from Frasca International. The Frasca TruFlite FTDs will be configured to Piper Seminole specifications and include copilot flight controls and a Garmin avionics suite. They can be converted to a single-engine configuration within minutes. Additionally, the FTDs will meet the requirements for Joint Aviation Authorities devices in Europe and elsewhere. For more information on Frasca products, see the Web site.
BELL JETRANGER TO BE USED IN AIRBORNE RESEARCH
Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering has purchased a Bell JetRanger that researchers will use to gather environmental data that can't be collected by other aircraft. The $1.3 million helicopter was fitted with specialized sensors attached to its nose and in belly pods. They can measure such things as water and carbon dioxide concentrations and very-high-frequency, three-dimensional turbulence at low flying speeds. The equipment enables the helicopter to perform environmental observations that would be missed by high-flying or faster airplanes, satellites, balloons, and sounding rockets. Duke will make the JetRanger available to researchers from other universities and institutions.
| Inside AOPA
| FAA, AOPA HIGHLIGHT COMMUNICATIONS SAFETY IN MAGAZINE INSERT
AOPA Flight Training readers will find a special brochure within the September 2005 issue. Communications: A Key Component of a Safe Flight, a 28-page brochure produced by the FAA and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, highlights communications procedures for safe surface operations at towered and nontowered airports. Many of the items emphasized are also applicable to aircraft in flight. Learn about common communications errors such as similar-sounding call signs, readback errors, and "hearback" errors-incidents that occur when a controller misses an incorrect readback. Included are a glossary of words and phrases commonly used in surface operations and a section that illustrates how they are used. Find out more about runway safety on the FAA Web site or take the foundation's free interactive online course.
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
| NEW COURSE TEACHES TAKEOFF, LANDING RISK MANAGEMENT
Consistently good, safe takeoffs and landings are the result of preparation, according to John and Martha King. The first step in making critical decisions is learning to manage the risks. Next is the consistency and steadiness that come from informed confidence. Practical Risk Management for Takeoffs and Landings, the latest interactive course from King Schools, aims to teach pilots how to apply superior decision-making and perceptual skills with each takeoff and landing. The Kings also share insights on crosswind mastery, tips for good landings, and "the key to passenger-pleasing takeoffs and landings." The course consists of three CD-ROMs that run 93 minutes before interactive questions. It sells for $49 and can be ordered online from King Schools or by calling 800/854-1001.
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: I previously registered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) for my private pilot certificate and have already started my flight training. Unfortunately, I need to change flight schools and want to know if I need to register, again, with TSA.
Answer: Yes. Anytime a candidate makes a change to his flight training request through the AFSP, which in your case is a change of your flight training provider, he needs to register, again, with TSA. The flight training provider will also need to register with TSA if it hasn't already done so. All of your background information (with the exception of the fingerprints) and processing fee will need to be resent to TSA. For complete guidance on the TSA rule, please see AOPA's Guide to TSA Alien Flight Training Rule .
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
| If a problem presents itself in flight, you must investigate all the possibilities. Fuel starvation may not be the cause of a sputtering engine, as the pilot of a Cessna 182 discovered. Read what happened in the latest installment of "Never Again Online."
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| UPCOMING FLYING DESTINATIONS:
Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival takes place July 8 through 10 at Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI). Airshow featuring Lima Lima Flight Team, military jet demonstrations, Dodge Ram Jet, Bill Leff, Skip Stewart, and much more. Static display of military and civilian aircraft. Contact Kristi Thurman, 573/334-6230, or visit the Web site.
Geneseo, New York. The Geneseo Airshow takes place July 9 and 10 at Geneseo (D52). Featuring a display of warbird, antique, classic, and experimental aircraft. Transient planes welcome, camping available. Sponsored by the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum. Contact 585/243-2100, or visit the Web site.
Tarkio, Missouri. The Graves Tarkio Fly-in takes place July 9 at Gould Peterson Municipal (K57). This exciting event, hosted by Rep. Sam Graves, features a breakfast, aircraft display, general aviation products and technologies, military flyovers, and a speech by AOPA President Phil Boyer. For more information, contact John Glaser, 202/737-7950.
Fargo, North Dakota. Fargo Airshow 2005 takes place July 9 and 10 at Hector International (FAR). Featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Julie Clark, the Red Baron Squadron, military demonstrations and more! For more information, call 800/235-7654, 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 Clinics are scheduled in Jacksonville, Florida; Pittsburgh; and Seattle, July 16 and 17. A course is also scheduled in Newark, New Jersey, July 23 and 24. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled to take place during EAA Airventure, July 28 through 30 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The topics vary-for a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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