AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 6, Issue 29

TRAINING ON NEW TURF
The July 7, 2006 and July 14, 2006 Training Tips focused on issues that arise after the unexpected departure of your flight instructor. Sometimes it's the student who departs and must piece together a training program in new territory. A job change, a transfer to a different region, or even just shifting business fortunes at your original airport are common examples.

Now, in addition to getting back to work with a brand-new flight instructor, a new locale for training may require you to adjust to entirely new conditions for your flying. Say you went from the flatlands to the mountains, or from a small nontowered airport to a bustling hub in stringently controlled airspace. Don't be discouraged by the differences-your horizons are expanding, and you will gain valuable experience in the new flight environment as described in the January 2001 AOPA Flight Training feature "Turf for Training: The Towered Non-Towered Debate."

You may also find yourself continuing your training program in an unfamiliar make and model aircraft. Not ideal, but it does have a positive side in giving you diversity of experience. Take time to become thoroughly familiar with the new machine's characteristics, even if that means a little backtracking. That's especially advisable if, for example, you had just begun intensive solo practice in the previous make and model. And speaking of soloing a new make and model, this requires both a new pre-solo knowledge test and an endorsement of your student pilot certificate by your new instructor, according to the Federal Aviation Regulations. Keep an eye on those required 90-day solo endorsements in your logbook, too.

Don't forget one last detail of getting back to flying after a move. Your student pilot certificate may not be exercised for more than 30 days, unless you notify the FAA's Airman Certification Branch in writing of your new address. Download this convenient form to satisfy that requirement. Don't let the small details that crop up during periods of change slow you down!

The key to a good preflight is to understand what you are checking and why you are checking it. One overlooked switch (such as a boost pump) can make the difference between safety and disaster. The pre-solo flying skills section of AOPA's Flight Training Web site explains how proper preflighting will help you leave potential problems on the ground.

Do you have a question? Call the experienced pilots in AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA. They're available to take your calls weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. 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.

OHIO FLIGHT STUDENTS LEAVE THE NEST
Three students enrolled in Sinclair Community College's commercial pilot program are the first to complete flight instructor training and are moving on to jobs at Delta Connection Academy. Brian Calloway, Matthew Davison, and Eric Kronenberger completed their pilot training schedules together and will instruct at Delta Connection Academy's Dayton, Ohio, facility. "These young men are expected to spend the next year or two instructing here in Dayton while they finish their multiengine ratings and accumulate the hours needed to qualify for hire by a commercial airline," said Walt Davis, professor and chairman of the aviation technology program at Sinclair, which is located in Dayton.

FLIGHT SCHOOLS TAKE DELIVERY OF ELITE AVIATION TRAINING DEVICES
ELITE Simulation Solutions has delivered new RC-1 advanced aviation training devices (AATDs) to two flight schools. Augusta Aviation, Inc., Augusta, Georgia, plans to use its new AATD not only to train flight students, but also to supplement training for its charter operations. And Flying Tigers Flight School, Houston, Texas, says the acquisition of a RC-1 will be a valuable asset in assisting students with a realistic and cost-effective way to supplement their training as fuel costs continue to increase. The RC-1 features life-size, high-resolution instruments, cockpit enclosure, and external visual system with a large-screen display as standard equipment. It includes simple, complex, and twin-engine aircraft modules.

AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION TO UNVEIL NEW SEMINAR AT OSHKOSH
If you're planning a stop at EAA AirVenture next week, try to fit some room in your calendar for the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's newest live safety seminar. "Emergency Procedures," which debuts July 28 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, takes an entirely different approach to safety. Rather than telling you how to keep things from going wrong in the cockpit, this session will look at what to do after things have already gone wrong and how to handle those nasty "up here, wishing you were down there" scenarios. The seminar takes a real-world look at how to keep things under control in the air and get the airplane safely on the ground. See the Air Safety Foundation's Web site for a complete schedule and to see when this exciting new offering is coming to your state.

BOYER PROMOTES AOPA PROJECT PILOT AT DIAMOND JET ROLLOUT
Speaking to more than 400 Diamond aircraft owners and other invited guests at DiamondFest 2006, held at Diamond Aircraft's Canada facilities in London, Ontario, AOPA President Phil Boyer praised the new company's innovation. Diamond used the occasion to roll out its new personal jet, the D-Jet-making it the first new manufacturer to offer a full line of aircraft, from trainer to personal jet. "Just as it's important to have new aircraft, it's critical to have new pilots," Boyer said. "That's why AOPA has relaunched our successful Project Pilot program." AOPA's Project Pilot has a proven track record of attracting more people into starting flight training and helping them to maintain that enthusiasm all the way to a private certificate. Without the involvement of a Project Pilot mentor, nearly 50 percent of new student pilots drop out within the first year of training, he said. For more, 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.

ANYAWOS ADDS TERMINAL AREA FORECASTS TO PREMIUM SERVICE
Back in February, anyAWOS discontinued free access to its service, which permits pilots to access any automated weather observation system outlet in the continental United States via a toll-free number. The company moved to a subscription service, promising to beef up the features of anyAWOS and remove some or all of the advertising. A recent enhancement is the addition of terminal area forecasts, or TAFs, to the premium level of service, available for $65 per year. Once an airport is selected, the forecast is obtained from the National Weather Service, then interpreted and voiced to your telephone. Premium subscribers also get unlimited calls and can contact multiple airports per call, and they don't have to listen to advertisements. Basic service, available for $30 per year, limits the subscriber to an average of five calls per month, one airport per call, and may include some local advertisements.

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.

Answer: The TSA alien flight training/citizenship validation rule requires a flight school, which includes independent flight instructors, to maintain a copy of a student's citizenship documentation for at least five years. As an alternative to keeping a copy of the documents used to prove citizenship, your instructor can make an endorsement in his/her own logbook and in your logbook certifying that you have presented to him/her your proof of citizenship. You will want to check your instructor's or flight school's policy to determine if any additional record-keeping requirements apply. To find a sample endorsement and what documents a student may use as evidence of U.S. citizenship, view "AOPA's Guide to TSA's Alien Flight Training/Citizenship Validation Rule."

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.

Clinton, Iowa. The Cessna 150-152 Club National Fly-In takes place July 20 through 23 at Clinton Municipal (CWI). A fly-in with forums and events for those who own, fly, or just love the Cessna 150 and 152. Camping on field and banquet Saturday night. Contact Royson Parsons, 805/461-1958, or visit the Web site.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Power on the Prairie Airshow takes place July 22 and 23 at Joe Foss Field (FSD). Two full days of events and fun featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and celebrating the 60th anniversary of the South Dakota Air National Guard. Contact Wesley Nelson, 605/336-1988, 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 Clinic is scheduled in Newark, New Jersey, July 29 and 30. A clinic is also scheduled in Long Beach, California, August 5 and 6. 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 Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 26 through 29. Seminars are also scheduled in Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 31; Kent, Ohio, August 1; Whitehall, Ohio, August 2; and Indianapolis, August 3. Topics vary-for more details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.