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Copyright © 2005 AOPA. | Training Tips
| OVERHEAT SEASON
 Every season imposes unique demands on pilots trying to get the best performance out of an aircraft while also protecting it from abuse or damage. Midsummer heat brings the risk that some routine operations could overheat the engine in your training aircraft.
Why is an overheated engine a serious matter? "If an engine runs too hot for too long, the oil pressure will eventually decrease. This happens because of thermal breakdown-when oil overheats, it begins to break down and lose its lubricating capacity. Now you've really got a problem: High engine temperatures can cause a loss of power and eventually engine damage or failure," wrote Joe Castanza in the August 2002 AOPA Flight Training feature "Red, Green or In Between: Understanding What Engine Gauges Are Telling You."
Most piston-engine aircraft are cooled primarily by air flowing through the cowling as the airplane moves and secondarily by engine oil that lubricates moving parts. Overheating will show up as an abnormal indication on the oil temperature gauge. Prolonged idling on the ramp after startup, a long taxi to the runway, or having to hold short for a long time could trigger overheating. If a maximum-performance climb is required after takeoff, monitor engine temperature carefully. Some pilot's operating handbooks recommend that climbs at airspeeds slower than best rate of climb (V Y) be of limited duration during hot weather.
If you are fortunate to be training in an aircraft with cowl flaps, open them as recommended for climbs. Most training aircraft lack cowl flaps, but their pilots still have options. "Under normal operating conditions in airplanes not equipped with cowl flaps, the engine temperature can be controlled by changing the airspeed or the power output of the engine. High engine temperatures can be decreased by increasing the airspeed and/or reducing the power," explains a discussion in Chapter 5 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
But these techniques won't help if the situation has advanced too far. A hot engine accompanied by low oil pressure indicates an impending engine failure-an emergency. See the April 1, 2005, Training Tips article "Got Oil?"
Hot temperatures, delays after startup, and long climbs at low airspeeds are the warning signs. Watch them carefully and take action to keep the situation from heating up.
| 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 grow more complacent or lose proficiency in flying skills or 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 topic-specific study on the subject. Visit the AOPA Online Safety Center to learn about free ASF safety seminars in your area.
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
| FLIGHT SCHOOL ORDERS AIRCRAFT FOR SPORT PILOT TRAINING
A flight school has ordered a dozen light-sport aircraft to help launch its new business in Central Florida. CubAir Flight Academy placed a $1 million order for a dozen Sport Cubs with CubCrafters Inc. of Yakima, Washington. CubAir Chief Executive Officer Chuck Larsen said the school plans to offer training for sport pilots as well as seaplane ratings and tailwheel endorsements. CubCrafters hopes to get FAA approval for the Sport Cub under the light-sport aircraft standards by the end of the year. So far, the company has 32 orders.
ONE THOUSAND PILOTS HIRED IN JUNE
The month of June brought 1,000 new pilot jobs, which raised the total to 3,048 new jobs for the second quarter of 2005, according to AIR, Inc. The year-to-date total is 5,251 new pilot positions. Major airlines hired the most pilots in June (237), followed by the national airlines (230), jet operators (211), and non-jet operators (150). It was the only the second time in two years that major airlines led in hiring. The total number of new jobs for all of 2004 was 9,382. For more information about AIR, Inc., see the Web site.
CIVIL AIR PATROL CADETS VISIT CESSNA AIRCRAFT
Cessna Aircraft Company and the Civil Air Patrol recently teamed up to sponsor a one-week summer program for a select group of CAP cadets. Twenty-one cadets from around the country spent a week in Independence, Kansas, learning about the history of Cessna aircraft and shadowing employees in various stages of aircraft production. Each cadet also got to fly along as an observer on a training flight in a Garmin G1000 glass-cockpit-equipped airplane.
NAFI NAMES MASTER CFIs FOR JULY
Five flight instructors were named Master Certificated Flight Instructors in July, the National Association of Flight Instructors announced. They are Jason Edward Blair of Allegan, Michigan; Melvin Gerald Burkart of St. Louis, Missouri; Ann Margaret Godlewski of Tacoma, Washington; Roy Clifford Hilborn of Chesapeake, Virginia; and John Wesley Vandeventer of Zionsville, Indiana. The master instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that is earned through a rigorous process of continuing education and peer review. Fewer than 500 of the 85,000 flight instructors in the United States have earned the master designation.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE ACQUIRES CRJ SIMULATOR
Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, has acquired a Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) flight management system (FMS) desktop simulator for its aviation program. The simulator will be used in the program's course on advanced cockpits. Manufactured by Simulator Systems International/Wycat, it is the same system used by 20 airlines to train pilots in the details of glass cockpit operations. The simulator utilizes the same hardware that is found in CRJ aircraft, such as an FMS keypad and autopilot mode control panel.
| Inside AOPA
| FLY THE AOPA SWEEPSTAKES COMMANDER TODAY
You may not be able to fly the real thing, but you can fly an accurate representation of the AOPA Sweepstakes Commander Countdown-right down to its advanced "highway in the sky" avionics suite-thanks to a new add-on to "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004" that is available free to AOPA members. The "virtual Commander" add-on from Flight1 Software duplicates nearly every detail of the sweeps airplane, on display this week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. You'll see the Chelton FlightLogic glass-panel display and autopilot; a custom paint job selected by your fellow AOPA members; and a custom interior. Download the plug-in for "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004" from AOPA Online. It runs on any personal computer running Windows XP. You'll need a control yoke or joystick to fly it (rudder pedals are optional).
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
| LIGHT THE WAY WITH BATTERY-FREE FLASHLIGHT
Suppose you are on a night VFR flight and your airplane's electrical system fails, leaving you scrambling for a light source as you begin troubleshooting. The flashlights you prudently carry in your flight bag work just fine-except the batteries are dead, and you can't find the spares in the darkness. Now what? Sporty's Battery-Free Flashlight offers a back-up or emergency light source. Shake the flashlight for 30 seconds and you get 10 minutes of LED light. The flashlight sells for $19.95 and may be ordered online or by calling 800/SPORTYS.
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 student pilot certificate is still valid, but it has no more room for my solo endorsements. Do I need to get a new certificate?
Answer: If the space for instructor endorsements is full, and the student is seeking endorsements for additional types of aircraft, an FAA designated pilot examiner or FAA fight standards district office may issue a second student pilot certificate clearly marked "For Record Purposes Only." See Chapter 6 of the Pilot Examiner's Handbook, 8710.3D. The second student pilot certificate will have the same expiration date as the original. The original is issued to the student, and the duplicate copy destroyed.
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 you couldn't make it to EAA AirVenture 2005 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, you can still get all the news. Read about the latest light-sport aircraft to get an FAA nod, a one-ounce headset from Lightspeed, progress on certification for the glass-cockpit Symphony, and much more.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| UPCOMING FLYING DESTINATIONS:
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. EAA AirVenture 2005 takes place July 25 through 31 at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH). See everything from SpaceShipOne to World War II-era bombers at the world's greatest aviation celebration. Be sure to stop by AOPA's big yellow tent to look at the 2005 Countdown Commander Sweepstakes airplane and enter to win great prizes. See the Web site for more information.
Detroit, Michigan. Thunder Over Michigan takes place August 6 and 7 at Willow Run (YIP). Yankee Air Museum's largest show of WW II bombers! Contact Don Brackett, 734/483-4030, 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 Long Beach, California, August 6 and 7. Courses are also scheduled in Atlanta, and Fort Worth, Texas, August 13 and 14. 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 in Grosse Ile, Michigan, August 1; Kent, Ohio, August 2; Whitehall, Ohio, August 3; and Indianapolis, August 4. The topic is "The Last Five Miles." For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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