Prospective pilots had the chance to talk with a flight instructor and learn more about what's involved in learning to fly. Fifteen participants won gift certificates for a free introductory flight, and the pilots who brought them had a chance to win one of two headsets from Lightspeed and Pilot USA.
Irina Klissourova, a 13-year-old flight student, said she attended several seminars during her first AOPA Fly-In, including "How to Start Learning to Fly." "It gives you a lot of opportunities to figure out what you want to do," she said.
Visit AOPA next year--on Saturday, June 3--for another chance to tour the association's headquarters, attend seminars, and see the latest and greatest that general aviation has to offer.
Cross-country flying: Focus on the final stretch
Your long solo cross-country has been filled with surprises--the wind blew you slightly off course, you couldn't understand air traffic control, and your landing was less than perfect. Now you are within the last five miles of your home base, but you shouldn't relax.
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation created "The Last Five Miles" Safety Seminar to provide you with techniques to make that final stretch safe and enjoyable. During the seminar, you will learn three reasons why you should descend early (and one instance when that would be a mistake), when a straight-in approach can be safe and legal, how to safely handle traffic pattern conflicts, and more.
The free, fast-paced seminar made its debut in August and will continue through January 2006. The full schedule for "The Last Five Miles" and other live seminars is available in the AOPA Online Safety Center.
While you are brushing up on the final phase of cross-country flight, don't neglect all of the other aspects involved with planning and flying long distances. Check out the cross-country section under the student tab at AOPA Flight Training Online to sharpen your skills for this phase of flight.
DHS to take control of foreign exchange flight training program
The flight training portion of the Exchange Visitor Program is expected to be transitioned over the next two years from the U.S. Department of State to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but foreign flight-school students in the United States should not notice any significant changes.
"The flight training program is being transitioned to the DHS, but not eliminated, as some flight schools had worried," said Luis Gutierrez, AOPA director of regulatory and certification policy. "A source from the U.S. Department of State has told AOPA that the change will be in program management only and that foreign flight-school students still will be able to participate under their J-1 visa."
The Exchange Visitor Program allows foreign nationals to live temporarily in the United States for educational, research, or other professional purposes, including flight training. About a dozen schools, mainly larger flight academies, offer training through this program.
AOPA Expo packed with activities
Student pilots who attend AOPA Expo 2005 in Tampa, Florida, will have the opportunity to participate in interactive seminars and product demonstrations in the aircraft display area at Peter O. Knight Airport and at the Tampa Convention Center. Expo features a beefed-up static display with more than 70 aircraft, three days of educational seminars, more than 525 exhibitor booths, and other activities. Learn about the state of general aviation with AOPA President Phil Boyer and other industry experts during free daily pilot briefings. Don't miss AOPA Expo, November 3 through 5, in Tampa. Register in advance to receive discounts from 10 to 30 percent.
For the latest on AOPA's advocacy efforts for pilots, visit AOPA Online.
Related Articles
