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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright © 2005 AOPA. | Training Tips
| LIGHT IT UP, SLOW IT DOWN
General aviation airports become busy places during summer. Traffic patterns become packed with aircraft on good-weather days. Some simple but effective operating practices will promote safety and efficiency in the pattern.
 Taking off on a bright sunny day, the last thing many pilots think of doing is switching on the aircraft landing light. But you should-and the next time you spot other traffic thanks to that pinpoint of illumination against a backdrop of sky or ground, you'll become a believer. The FAA thinks so highly of using landing lights in traffic patterns and when operating below 10,000 feet that it gave the safety tip a name-Operation Lights On-and a paragraph in the Airport Operations chapter of the Aeronautical Information Manual.
What else can you do to be a good citizen of your traffic pattern? Be predictable. Of course this means complying with a controller's arrival instructions in a tower-controlled airport traffic pattern, and flying the specified pattern at nontowered airports (see the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Operations at Nontowered Airports Safety Advisor). For guidance, see Rod Machado's January 2004 AOPA Flight Training commentary "Since You Asked: Pattern Entry Puzzle."
Many student pilots ask: What should you do if you find yourself getting too close to an aircraft you are following in the pattern? Unexpected maneuvers or non-standard patterns create collision hazards-avoid them. An alternative that seems obvious but is surprisingly under-employed is to slow down! For inexperienced pilots, the urge is strong not to deviate from speeds, configurations, and power settings that you were taught for the pattern. This is called "rote learning"; breaking this habit is a milestone. After all, you also learned how to fly your aircraft at other speeds lower than cruise but safely above minimum controllable airspeed. Use them. Clinging to the usual speeds may lead you to extend your downwind leg far beyond any reasonable point for turning base, making it unlikely you'd be able to glide to the runway after an engine failure. Failing to adjust speed could also create difficulties for any traffic following you. For more, download the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Collision Avoidance Safety Advisor.
Active patterns offer up multiple opportunities for decision making, as described in the August 2003 AOPA Flight Training feature "An Hour in the Pattern." The best way to become comfortable is to get out and practice!
| Flight Training News
| NEW ENGLAND GROUP SALUTES 'SPACESHIPONE' TEAM
The team behind SpaceShipOne-the first privately financed, built, and flown space vehicle-received the 2005 Godfrey L. Cabot Award from the Aero Club of New England. ACONE annually presents the award, named for its founder, in recognition of unique, significant, and unparalleled contributions to advance and foster aviation or space flight. Brian Binnie accepted the award on behalf of fellow team members Burt Rutan, Paul Allen, Doug Shane, Peter Siebold, and Mike Melvill at a June 10 award ceremony in Boston.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT DANIEL WEBSTER COLLEGE
Robert E. Myers will be taking over the presidency of Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire, on July 5. Myers formerly was chancellor of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's extended campus. "We are confident that he will lead Daniel Webster College to its next levels of achievement," said John F. Egan, chairman of the Daniel Webster College Board of Trustees. Myers succeeds Hannah M. McCarthy, who had been Daniel Webster's president for 25 years. She announced her decision to retire last August.
| Inside AOPA
| | BOYER NAMED TO COUNCIL THAT WILL HELP DEFINE NEW ATC SYSTEM
AOPA President Phil Boyer was appointed June 13 to the executive committee of the council that will work with the federal government to define a new air traffic control system. Boyer is the only representative of small general aviation aircraft on the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) Institute's Industry Management council. It is heavily populated with leaders from the airline and commercial aviation industry. "Not only is AOPA fighting for GA access to airspace and airports in 2005, but the association also is keeping its members at the forefront of this long-term government/industry effort to ensure that GA pilots will continue to have that access in 2025," Boyer said. See 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
| SPORT PILOT REFERENCE IN A TABLOID FORMAT
David Schlafman, a 25-year gold seal flight instructor, has created FAAEZTest's Sport Pilot Encyclopedia, an all-in-one reference for sport pilots studying for the practical and knowledge tests. The publication comes in a newsprint tabloid format, and it contains all the pertinent test questions, Schlafman's witty explanations, and appropriate references to the Aeronautical Information Manual, Federal Aviation Regulations, and other FAA publications. Sport Pilot Encyclopedia is revised "every time the FAA issues a new test," according to Schlafman. He encourages user feedback and promises to list as future contributors those who add to the publication (or alert him of any errors). Order online for $9.95 from Pilotshop USA.
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: Can I use a flight-training device on my personal home computer to log instrument flight time?
Answer: The guidelines for logging time on personal computer-based aviation training devices (PCATDs) are specified in AC 61-126, Qualification and Approval of PCATDs . In order to log instrument flight time with a flight training device that is installed on your personal computer, it must be an FAA-approved PCATD, and you must be accompanied by an authorized instructor in accordance with FAR 61.51(g). For more information, read AOPA's subject report on flight training devices.
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
| AOPA's Guide to Learning to Fly has been updated to include sport pilot information. See AOPA Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| UPCOMING FLYING DESTINATIONS:
Akron, Ohio. Aero Expo 2005 takes place June 18 and 19 at Akron Fulton International (AKR). Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the Allied Victory in World War II. Contact Joseph Chevraux, 330/896-6332, or visit the Web site.
La Crosse, Wisconsin. Airfest 2005 takes place June 17 through 19 at La Crosse Municipal (LSE). See the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform, plus many other exciting events including a jet-powered outhouse. Call 608/779-9994, or visit the Web site.
Marysville, Ohio. The Ohio Aerobatic Open takes place June 25 and 26 at Union County (MRT). Ohio IAC Chapter 34 hosts its annual aerobatic contest. Primary through unlimited pilots will be competing for first- through third-place trophies. Barbecue lunch served on Saturday for $5. Visit the Web site.
Davenport, Iowa. The Quad City Airshow takes place June 25 and 26 at Davenport Municipal (DVN). Featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds with Iowa native Lt. Col. Michael Chandler. Visit the Web site.
Denver, Colorado. The Rocky Mountain EAA Regional Fly-in takes place June 25 and 26 at Front Range (FTG). Enjoy a weekend of aviation fun and education for the whole family. The event features aircraft displays, children's activities, aviation exhibits, safety seminars, Young Eagles, a daily air show, and more! Contact Rick Brohl, 303/507-8460, or visit the Web site.
Medford, Oregon. The 2005 Rogue Valley Air Festival takes place June 25 and 26 at Rogue Valley International-Medford (MFR). A family air festival with static displays of military, antique, experimental, special-interest, and other aircraft. Contact PRO 1 Events, 888/776-3868, 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 Minneapolis; Columbus, Ohio; and Reston, Virginia, June 24 and 25. Courses are also scheduled in Portland, Maine, and Memphis, Tennessee, July 9 and 10. 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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