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Copyright © 2005 AOPA. | Training Tips
| ABORTED TAKEOFF
 Aborted takeoff-sounds pretty dramatic, doesn't it? The idea calls to mind hectic action and screeching tires. That doesn't have to be the case. Changing your mind about lifting off is an option any time you are rolling on the runway but something doesn't look or feel right about letting the airplane fly. You will, however, have to make up your mind quickly. Having considered the possibility helps to make a rejected takeoff one of seven "be ready ahead of time" situations described by Wally Miller in his June 2002 AOPA Flight Training feature "Don't Go There: Avoid Bad Situations By Creating Good Ones." Discuss how to handle a rejected takeoff with your instructor. A starting place is found in Miller's summary of the essentials and his cautionary note: "Maintain directional control. It's almost intuitive to retard the throttle(s) and apply brakes, but what seems to cause most accidents on aborted takeoffs is that pilots fail to maintain directional control. They run off the side of the runway and hit an obstacle."
What might indicate aborting a takeoff? An engine problem, certainly. An animal, ground vehicle, or other aircraft could suddenly appear on the runway up ahead. Strong crosswinds or simply failing to use sufficient rudder on the takeoff run to prevent left-turning tendency could cause loss of directional control. If not arrested promptly, this could lead to trouble, as Christopher Parker discusses in the April 2003 AOPA Flight Training Instructor Report. Also, did you plan properly for the performance you can expect on takeoff? High density altitude robs your engine of performance, as reviewed in Section 3 of AOPA's Handbook for Pilots. Know before you roll, especially on a high-elevation, short runway.
Opting to abort, or reject, a takeoff is rarely necessary if the pilot and aircraft are both prepared for flying. But knowing the option is available adds a safety margin to the takeoff and lets a pilot make fast decisions and carry them out confidently.
| Your Partner in Training
| The FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual is the best reference for learning good air traffic control communication skills and phraseology, and it's available on AOPA Online. The most important lesson as you learn to use the right words is "do not be afraid of using the wrong words." Regardless of the form it takes, effective communication is the goal. Read more in an article from the November 2002 issue of AOPA Flight Training magazine. Still have questions? Call our aviation experts at 800/USA-AOPA weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time.
AOPA Flight Training Members have access to all of the features within AOPA Online and Flight Training Online. Login information is available online.
| Flight Training News
| EXPECT TFRs FOR PRESIDENTIAL TRAVEL OVER NEXT 60 DAYS
President Bush's social security plan may represent a long-term agenda for the wallet, but in the short term pilots should be more concerned about the logbook. The president, Vice President Cheney, and Treasury Secretary Snow will be spending the next 60 days traveling to 60 cities on a social security reform campaign. That means pilots all over the country will face 30-nautical-mile-radius temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) wherever the president goes and smaller ones for the vice president. "Having access to airspace is critical for the future of general aviation, and reducing the number and size of TFRs nationwide is one key focus of AOPA's efforts in 2005," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. AOPA urges pilots to check notams before flying. To keep up to date on TFRs, check AOPA's TFR Web page. ePilot subscribers will continue to receive e-mail airspace bulletins for presidential TFRs.
FAA PULLS PLAN TO REQUIRE PLASTIC PILOT CERTIFICATES
An FAA proposal that would have required all pilots to trade in their paper certificates for the newer plastic version has been withdrawn. The FAA pulled back the proposal, saying it needed to reevaluate the plan because of a congressional requirement for a picture on the pilot certificate. AOPA has long supported putting photos on pilot certificates, which is viewed as a security enhancement in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Congress has said that the FAA should start issuing upgraded counterfeit-resistant pilot certificates with photos by October. For more, see the full story on AOPA Online.
SPORT PILOT APPLICATION FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
Ready to take the sport pilot practical test? Assuming you can find a designated pilot examiner to go up with you, the form you'll need to apply for the rating is now available. Download Form 8710-11, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application-Sport Pilot, from the FAA's Web site. Contact information for sport pilot designated examiners (there are 13 so far) has been posted on the FAA's Web site. Read the latest updates on the sport pilot and light-sport aircraft initiative on AOPA Online.
EVELYN BRYAN JOHNSON TO BE HONORED
The Tennessee Museum of Aviation and Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame will honor Evelyn Bryan Johnson on May 26. Johnson, who turned 95 on November 4, 2004, has logged more than 57,600 hours, taught thousands of aspiring pilots, been a designated pilot examiner since 1952, and conducted more than 9,000 flight checks. Sadly, her FAA examining authority expires on May 31. But Johnson, who learned to fly while her husband was overseas serving in World War II, says she isn't retiring. She'll continue as manager of Moore-Murrell Field in Morristown. For more information about the event, e-mail [email protected] or call 866/286-8738. Johnson was previously featured in AOPA Pilot magazine and AOPA Flight Training .
DOWLING COLLEGE TO GET VIRTUAL CONTROL TOWER
Dowling College's School of Aviation got a windfall for virtual aviation training. NASA earmarked $1.7 million of its current fiscal year budget for a virtual control tower that the school's research and development division will design and install at its virtual systems laboratory. The tower, accompanying airport, airspace, and radar will be used in an integrated laboratory course for aviation students. Dowling's Brookhaven campus is located in Shirley, New York; it is one of 13 colleges in the country that participate in the Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative, the sole civilian source of new controller hires for the FAA.
| Inside AOPA
| | AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION DIRECTOR TO RECEIVE AWARD
The Aero Club of New England (ACONE), the oldest aero club in North America, will present a presidential medal to AOPA Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg at its annual meeting on April 28. Landsberg is being recognized for his national work in aviation safety, including major contributions to ACONE's Crash Course Safety Seminar over the past 11 years and representation of general aviation on multiple committees for the FAA, National Weather Service, and NASA, as well as service on an advisory board to a major aviation university. ACONE will also honor six New England-area pilots for their aviation achievements. Landsberg was a presenter at Crash Course 2005 on Wednesday.
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
| SPORTY'S 'TRANSITION TO GLIDERS' DVD EXPLORES QUIET FLIGHT
Power-off landings don't faze glider pilots since every landing is a power-off landing. Sporty's has released another DVD in its "What You Should Know" series, and this installment focuses on making the switch from powered aircraft to gliders. Transition to Gliders discusses the FAA training requirements, shows glider launch methods (including in-flight footage of three different launches), and explains how control inputs affect the aircraft, among other topics. The 98-minute DVD is available for $39.95 from Sporty's. Order online or call 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: I recently looked at a METAR (aviation routine meteorological report) for my airport and noticed some unusual indications. It read, where the wind is normally reported, "22015G25KT 180V270." What does that mean?
Answer: The report indicates that the wind is currently coming from the southwest at 15 knots with gusts to 25 kt. The second set of numbers indicates that the wind direction is unpredictable with direction varying between south and west. The "V" between the numbers shows the variable nature of the winds. For more information, consult chapter two of Advisory Circular 00-45E, Aviation Weather Services .
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
| Birds are tenacious creatures, particularly when they’re building nests, and they seem to love airplanes as nesting sites. Even a hangar can’t protect an innocent airplane from a determined little bird if it can get inside. In the updated AOPA aviation subject report on bird/wildlife strikes, read how one aircraft owner went head to head with a feathered foe that was not intimidated by plastic owls or rubber snakes.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| UPCOMING FLYING DESTINATIONS:
Dallas, Texas. The Sixteenth Annual Women in Aviation Conference takes place March 10 through 12 at Adam's Mark Hotel. Includes speakers, trade show, job fair, and networking opportunities. Contact Women in Aviation, 386/226-7996, or visit the Web site.
Arlington, Virginia. The 2005 Annual Repair Symposium and Legislative Day takes place March 11 through 13 at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City. Sponsored by the Aeronautical Repair Station Association. Meet members of Congress, discuss maintenance industry issues, and attend educational sessions. Contact Keith Mendenhall, 703/739-9543, or visit the Web site.
Titusville, Florida. The 2005 Tico Warbird Airshow takes place March 11 through 13 at Space Coast Regional (TIX). Featuring modern military flybys and demonstrations, vintage warbird flybys and static display, and more. Sponsored by Valiant Air Command. Call 321/268-1941, or visit the Web site.
New Berlin, Texas. The Sixth Annual Biplanes and Taildraggers Fly-in takes place March 19 and 20 at Heritage Airfield (TE86). Come enjoy a 3,100-foot grass strip, Texas brisket, or watch Stearmans and other nostalgic aircraft fly by. Visit the Web site.
Long Beach, California. The 2005 Aviation Safety Symposium takes place March 22 and 23 at the Queen Mary. Topics include human factors in aviation, general aviation, air carrier and helicopter accidents, the new light sport rule, equipment installations, and FAA regulations given by speakers from the NTSB, FAA, CAMI, and Cirrus Aircraft Company. Contact George Mahurin, 562/420-1755, 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 San Mateo, California; Columbia, Maryland; and Philadelphia, March 19 and 20. Courses are also scheduled in Atlanta, and Boston, April 2 and 3. 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 in Rockford, Illinois, March 14; Northbrook, Illinois, March 15; Romeoville, Illinois, March 16; and Peoria, Illinois, March 17. The topic is "Weather Wise." For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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