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Copyright © 2005 AOPA. | Training Tips
| INTERSECTING RUNWAYS
How many runways does your airport have? Airport diagrams in AOPA's Airport Directory Online show that many airports have multiple runways of varying lengths and widths. Some airports' runways run parallel to one another, but more often the runways' magnetic bearings differ. Often those runways intersect.
 When an airport with intersecting runways has a control tower, using more than one runway at a time helps air traffic control streamline the flow of traffic. A program for simultaneous operations on intersecting runways, known as land and hold short operations (LAHSO), is used at designated airports. Under LAHSO a flight could be cleared to land on one runway while another aircraft either takes off or lands on an intersecting runway, provided the landing pilot can stop before reaching the intersection or other point specified. LAHSO is described in Section 4 of AOPA's Handbook for Pilots. Note that although LAHSO is a special emphasis area for flight examiners to cover on the private pilot practical test, the program is not for use by student pilots except when flying with their instructors.
At a nontowered airport, there is no such thing as LAHSO, but it is still possible for simultaneous operations to be occurring on multiple runways. Be alert! For example, a glider-towing aircraft operating on the field may prefer to use the runway closest to its base (so would the glider when it lands). Or there might be a grass or sod runway in use for pilot training even when the wind favors the main paved strip. At many nontowered airports with commuter-airline service, the longest runway may be the only one approved for airline operations, whereas the light single-engine aircraft use whichever runway is most favorably aligned with the wind.
If the multiple-runway airport does not have a complete network of parallel taxiways, aircraft may have to taxi on, and cross, runways. Under these conditions pilots must see and avoid each other, coordinating their intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). So before arrival or departure, be sure to request an airport advisory (see the September 16, 2005, Training Tips) and listen carefully to the CTAF broadcasts of other pilots. Then use your judgment to select the runway most consistent with safety!
| Your Partner in Training
| If you are now a private pilot or nearly there, you may be thinking about going straight into training for the instrument rating. The primary advantage is flexibility. With an instrument rating, clouds, precipitation, and below-VFR ceilings need not cancel your trip. This alone is reason enough to pursue the rating. Learn more about eligibility for the instrument rating on AOPA Online. Questions? Call our experienced pilots in the Pilot Information Center. They're available weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern toll-free at 800/872-2672.
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
| NINETY-NINES GROUP OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS
The Eastern New England chapter of The Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots) will offer three scholarships in 2006 for men and women studying for a career in aviation or seeking to add pilot ratings. Two $1,000 scholarships are available for men and women; a third $1,000 scholarship is open to women who have at least a private pilot certificate. For criteria and applications, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to Katharine Barr, 278 Elm St., North Reading, Massachusetts 01864. Applications will be available in October. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2006.
DUTCH STUDENT PILOT WINS SPORTY'S SWEEPSTAKES SKYHAWK
The purchase of a $15 Diamond Xtreme Motorglider checklist earned F. J. Coster a new Cessna 172 in Sporty's Pilot Shop's twentieth annual sweepstakes. Coster, who lives in Maasdam, The Netherlands, learned the news on September 15 after Sporty's founder Hal Shevers telephoned Coster's girlfriend. Coster, a bus driver, had already left for work and didn't hear of his good fortune until after he returned home. Coster is a student pilot and, though based in The Netherlands, occasionally flies in Florida and Canada. No word yet on whether he will fly the airplane back to Europe. The fully equipped Skyhawk is the 150,000th single-engine airplane built by Cessna. Customers who ordered from Sporty's between July 7, 2004, and September 7, 2005, were automatically entered in the sweepstakes, totaling about 500,000 entries.
GET A JUMP START INTO THE HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE PROFESSION
If you love helicopters or enjoy tinkering with aircraft, consider pursuing helicopter maintenance as a career. The Helicopter Association International is offering the 2005 Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarship Award Program, which will give five recipients a boost into that profession. Applicants should recently have earned their airframe and powerplant certificate or be close to graduation from an FAA-approved Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school. Scholarship recipients can choose to attend a course from companies such as Agusta Aerospace Corporation, Bell Helicopter Textron, and others, or take a course conducted by Southern Illinois University. The application deadline is October 31. See the Web site for more information.
| Inside AOPA
| LEARN HOW TO AVOID THUNDERSTORMS WITH ENHANCED MINICOURSE
Instrument-rated pilots flying deep in the clouds often can't tell what might lie ahead until it's too late. Air traffic control can help, but only if you understand ATC's limitations. Find out how to get the information you need from ATC when thunderstorms are forecast. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's enhanced thunderstorm avoidance online minicourse focuses on the importance of proper communications, including verifying with each controller to whom you are handed off exactly what services you will receive. Take the course at the AOPA Online Safety Center.
'FEEL OUR ADIZ PAIN,' AOPA TELLS FAA
The FAA needs to "feel the pain" of pilots flying in the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The agency is proposing to make the two and a half-year-old "temporary" flight restriction around Baltimore and Washington, D.C., permanent. But AOPA says federal officials need to listen-in person and in public-to pilots before they finalize that proposal. AOPA has asked the FAA to hold public meetings before taking further action. Considering the desire of some security officials to implement ADIZ-like restrictions in other major metropolitan areas, it's doubly important that federal officials fully appreciate the complications an ADIZ imposes on general aviation. "The FAA owes it not only to itself, but to the pilots who will have to deal with the effects of such a proposal to gather every bit of information they can," said AOPA President Phil Boyer of the association's request for meetings. "Holding public sessions will allow important give-and-take between the FAA and pilots that written comments alone can't accommodate." Whether or not the FAA agrees to AOPA's request, the association is calling on all members nationwide to file written comments. See AOPA Online.
AOPA EXPO TO FEATURE LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT
At AOPA Expo you can see the shiny new crop of light sport aircraft, find accessories, and meet company officials all in one place November 3 through 5 at the Peter O. Knight Airport and Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. There also will be a Flight Design CT simulator set up so that you can experience the fun of these aircraft. Dan Johnson, an LSA marketing consultant, will be speaking at the second free General Session at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 4. From an industry perspective, the General Session will cover everything from light sport aircraft to very light jets. For more on Expo, 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
| HEAVY-DUTY FUEL TESTER IS ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY
Checking your training aircraft's fuel for sediment or water is an integral part of each and every preflight. After you draw a sample of fuel into a tester, should you dump out the dirty contents onto the tarmac? Not unless your flight school wants a visit from the Environmental Protection Agency. Sporty's Heavy-Duty Fuel Tester with Strainer has a filter screen that removes water and contaminates from a fuel sample so that you can return clean fuel to the tanks. It features a magnified viewing area to permit close inspection of contaminated fuel, a removable splash guard, and a metal actuator pin that is said to fit all popular quick drain valves. It sells for $19.95. Order it 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 am having difficulty understanding what maneuvering speed (V A) is. Can you explain it to me?
Answer: Maneuvering speed, or V A, is the airspeed at which you can use full, abrupt control movement without overstressing the airframe. The purpose of maneuvering speed is to ensure the airplane reaches its critical angle of attack and stalls prior to exceeding the design limit load factor if turbulent conditions arise or sudden full deflection of the flight controls occurs in flight. Exceeding the design limit load factor, positive 3.8 Gs for a normal category aircraft, could cause structural damage to the aircraft. As weight decreases, the maneuvering speed will also decrease. An aircraft flying at lighter weights is subject to more rapid acceleration from gusts or turbulence than a heavier aircraft and requires a slower airspeed to prevent structural damage from occurring in that situation. It is important that you review your aircraft's operating handbook to determine the appropriate maneuvering speed. To learn more about the relationship of maneuvering speed to weight, see AOPA Online.
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
| The comfort of having another pilot on board sometimes gives pilots a false sense of confidence, luring them to try things they wouldn't do if they were flying alone. Two volunteer pilots traveling to pick up a medical transport patient find themselves in this predicament in "Never Again: Two-Pilot Error," from the September 2005 issue of AOPA Pilot.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| FLYING DESTINATIONS THIS WEEKEND:
Petersburg, Virginia. The Ninth Annual Virginia EAA Regional Fly-in and Airshow takes place October 1 and 2 at Dinwiddie County (PTB). Join us for forums, workshops, aviation vendors, and more! Contact DeWitt (Dee) Whittington, 804/358-4333, or visit the Web site.
NEXT WEEKEND:
Sedona, Arizona. The Commander Owners Group Fly-in takes place October 7 through 9 at Sedona (SEZ). Fly your Commander in and meet AOPA President Phil Boyer, plus get up close to the refurbished AOPA Countdown Commander Sweepstakes 112A. For more information, see the Web site.
Atlanta, Georgia. The Great Georgia Airshow takes place October 8 and 9 at Peachtree City-Falcon Field (FFC). Featuring Gene Soucy, Flying Farmer, Paul Stender Jet Truck, B-17, A-10 demo, P-51, SBD-5, F-86, Red Eagle Team, F-16, and others. Contact Jerry Cobb, 678/478-4630, or visit the Web site.
San Angelo, Texas. The Rio Concho Airshow takes place October 8 and 9 at San Angelo Regional/Mathis Field (SJT). Featuring the Lima Lima Flight Team, West Coast demonstration F-15 team, F-86 Heritage, Bob Carlton's Silent Wings, and many more attractions! Contact Amber Simmons, 325/659-6409 ext. 4, 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 Jose, California, Indianapolis, and Corpus Christi, Texas, October 8 and 9. A course is also scheduled in Wichita, Kansas, October 15 and 16. 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 Northbrook, Illinois, and Richmond, Virginia, October 3; Romeoville, Illinois, and Norfolk, Virginia, October 4; Rockford, Illinois, and Lynchburg, Virginia, October 5; and Peoria, Illinois, and Abingdon, Virginia, October 6. For topic information and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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