AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 6, Issue 6

PRE-SOLO STALLS
Before you are approved to fly solo in your training aircraft, you must receive and log flight training in 15 maneuvers and procedures set forth in Section 61.87 of the Federal Aviation Regulations covering solo requirements for student pilots. Item 10 on that list deals with "stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall." What is the difference between the two instances of stall recoveries given? And what are the indications of a stall?

As your airplane approaches its critical angle of attack during entry to a stall, its responsiveness to your control manipulation decays. The oncoming stall may be heralded next by aerodynamic buffeting that you can feel through the controls, or by activation of the mechanical stall warning. Sometimes-especially if the entry was hesitant or too gradual-the airplane may simply develop a sink rate despite the pilot's efforts to maintain the original flight attitude. Any of these are "indications" that a stalled angle of attack has been reached. Don't wait for the mechanical stall warning to confirm what you otherwise sense-this is a common error. If the task is to recover at the first indication of a stall, do so! When you practice recoveries from full stalls, the entry will progress beyond those early indications. The resulting stall reaction will be more pronounced; the aircraft may pitch down abruptly or buffet strongly. Learning the various methods of recognition and the appropriate means of recovery is a vital pilot skill, discussed in depth in Chapter 4 of the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH). (Take a glance at the chapter's discussion of a recognition method known as "kinesthesia.")

Your flight instructor will teach you how to recover effectively from stalls with a minimum loss of altitude-a requirement when you demonstrate stall recoveries on your flight test-while avoiding a secondary stall (explained in the AFH chapter given above). Gauge your technique against the recovery method described by Rod Machado in "Nix the Negative Gs" in his October 2005 AOPA Flight Training commentary.

Practice the 15 required maneuvers and procedures with your instructor until you are sharp and confident. Then move on to one of flying's greatest thrills-solo!

ADIZ COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES ON A RECORD; AOPA DOESN'T STOP
More than 21,380 comments. That's a record number of responses to an FAA notice of proposed rulemaking. And AOPA members from across the nation should be proud that they answered the call to help strike down a permanent air defense identification zone (ADIZ) around the Washington-Baltimore area. But will it do any good? "I can tell you that the incredible number of comments made a huge impression on congressional staffers," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. AOPA on Monday briefed more than 40 of the key aides to members of Congress, aides that help influence lawmakers’ positions on issues and help them write legislation. "We made it clear that their constituents, pilots who vote for their bosses, are deeply concerned about the spread of ADIZs to other parts of the country. The number of comments was a forceful reflection of that concern." 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.

SEAT CUSHIONS OFFER BACK SUPPORT, PROPER HEIGHT
"If you have to lean forward to see over the instrument panel, you aren't sitting correctly," says a local flight instructor. Fortunately this is a problem easily remedied, thanks to manufacturers like Oregon Aero, which specializes in seat cushion systems for all kinds of aircraft. And for those who rent aircraft and need a seat cushion that they can take with them, Oregon Aero offers the Portable Universal Softseat Cushion System. Cushion bases in sizes ranging from half an inch to 2 inches start at $109. Also available are portable lumbar support cushions that can be zipped to the bases ($46), and combination cushion bases with adjustable lumbar support ($179). For more information or to order, call 800/888-6910, or see the Web site.

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.