AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 6, Issue 24

FIVE HAZARDOUS ATTITUDES
The June 9, 2006, Training Tips discussed how every flight-test applicant must be able to make competent decisions about whether to fly. An important element of your ability to make such decisions is whether you are prone to any of the hazardous attitudes associated with risky aeronautical decision making and certain kinds of accidents.

"The FAA's literature defines five hazardous attitudes that can undermine a pilot's aeronautical decision making. They are antiauthority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation. While these terms all have negative connotations, each really represents a trait or characteristic embodied in the psyche of every human mind. The key to maintaining a safe attitude is understanding the factors that influence each of these traits and recognizing situations when these traits may become prevalent enough to compromise our decision-making ability," wrote Robert N. Rossier in the September 1999 AOPA Flight Training feature "Hazardous Attitudes: Which One Do You Have?"

The five hazardous attitudes and related traits are described in detail in Chapter 16 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. In discussing risk management, the chapter notes that hazardous attitudes can surface when a pilot evaluates changes affecting any of four risk elements found in every flight: the pilot, the airplane, the environment, and the operation. The danger, it notes, is that "hazardous attitudes can lead to poor decision making and actions that involve unnecessary risk."

This concept must be taught by flight instructors and is recognized by many individuals and organizations responsible for deciding whether a particular pilot is fit to fly, wrote Richard Hiner in the December 2001 AOPA Flight Training Instructor Report, in which he provided an excellent example: "I'm familiar with a flying club that requires all new members to submit their driving records. Those with an excess number of points for traffic violations are rejected for membership. The theory is that a member with a bad driving record displays the hazardous attitudes of 'antiauthority' and 'macho,' and the other members don't want them in their club. This seems to have served them well, because the club's safety record is remarkable."

Know the attitudes, know the risks, and know yourself when you head out to fly. Illustration by John Sauer.

It's almost time for your cross-country solo, so in preparation you'll be planning and flying cross-countries with your flight instructor. The use of aeronautical charts is key at this point in your training. The Aeronautical Chart User's Guide is a useful learning aid. Other helpful tools designed specifically to enhance your flight-planning experience are available in the Virtual Flight Bag at AOPA Flight Training Online.

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.

TACKLING THE WRITTEN: WHEN TO TAKE THE TEST
Timing is everything in aviation: when to rotate, when to flare, time between checkpoints, and so on. Did you also know that you should time when to take your knowledge test? Some instructors and flight schools want you to get the written out of the way before flight training. Tests expire after 24 calendar months, but it could take you longer than two years to earn your pilot certificate-if you have decided on a leisurely track-depending upon the weather, your schedule, finances, or other variables. Others recommend that you wait until you are nearly ready for your checkride. But if you aren't a test taker or have trouble finding the time to take the exam, you could end up delaying your checkride. AOPA recommends timing when to take the knowledge test as appropriate to the pace of your training-usually at a midpoint to minimize the chances of either of those scenarios. To find your nearest knowledge testing site, download the FAA's list.

AIRMET CHANGES TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON GA
The wording in textual airmet reports will be slightly different beginning July 26. AOPA previously concluded that the changes will have little effect on users and there will be no impact on safety of flight. In proposing the changes, the National Weather Service, for the most part, wanted to fix inconsistencies from region to region and from forecast to forecast. In the future there will be graphical airmets, which will provide more precise data. Because textual reports will be derived from the graphical versions, there also was a need to standardize the data. See the changes on AOPA Online.

CHUTE OR NO CHUTE?
Should flight schools give preference to airplanes equipped with a parachute system? That's the focus of a survey now being conducted by Arlynn McMahon, AOPA Flight Training contributor and chief flight instructor at Aero-Tech in Lexington, Kentucky. McMahon invites student pilots and new private pilots to contribute to her research by completing an online survey. The survey consists of 10 questions and should take about five minutes to complete. Results will be published when they are available.

ONLINE SEMINAR OFFERS TIPS FOR FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION
It's that time of the year, when students heading off to college must get their paperwork in order. For those who have their sights set on an aviation college but aren't sure how they're going to pay for it, an online seminar might have the answers. The interview-style seminar, sponsored by PilotJourney.com, provides input from a financial aid officer at an aviation college, but the information isn't focused on any particular school or institution. See the Web site to sign up.

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY ORDERS FRASCA FTDs
Western Michigan University's College of Aviation has purchased three flight training devices (FTDs) from Frasca International of Urbana, Illinois. FTDs allow students to become familiar with flight controls and begin their basic flight instruction in the laboratory. The package includes an FAA Level 6 CRJ200 regional jet FTD and two Cirrus FTDs, which will be convertible between the SR22 and the SR20. The Cirrus FTDs will be qualified as FAA Level 6 devices.

CAE WINS FOUR SIMULATOR ORDERS
CAE, manufacturer of flight training simulation devices for civilian and military customers, has received orders for four full-flight simulators. CAE will deliver three simulators-two Boeing 737-800s and one Airbus A320-to Flight Simulation Company's training facility at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. Flight Training Finance, a specialized simulator leasing company, has ordered an Embraer 170/190 full-flight simulator. It will be used in Panama City, Panama, to train pilots of Copa Airlines.

CROSS-COUNTRY PLANNING: POOL YOUR RESOURCES
Working on the cross-country phase of your flight training? You can gather information on the airport, weather, temporary flight restrictions, and more on AOPA's Flight Planning page. Then, use AOPA's Real-Time Flight Planner to plot your flight, get a weather briefing, file a flight plan, and print a flight log. Make sure you are familiar with the navigational equipment on board the aircraft you will be flying. If you will be flying an aircraft with GPS or using a handheld GPS receiver, refresh your knowledge of how to use the equipment by checking out GPS Resources, the latest AOPA Air Safety Foundation Now Featuring item.

TEST YOUR STALL/SPIN AWARENESS WITH SPORTY'S SAFETY QUIZ
Each year dozens of pilots fall victim to stall/spin accidents. As a student pilot or new private pilot, it's vitally important that you understand not only how to detect the development of a stall/spin situation, but also how to prevent it from occurring. Test your knowledge with the latest online Sporty's Safety Quiz, and find out the difference between a spin and a spiral maneuver, what really causes an aircraft to stall, how many feet typically are required for spin recovery, and the percentage of stall/spin accidents that result in fatalities.

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.

'A FIELD GUIDE TO AIRPLANES': NOT JUST FOR AIRPLANE SPOTTERS
Have you ever been in the traffic pattern at a towered airport and been told to follow another aircraft-but you weren't familiar with the model and had no idea what kind of aircraft you should be looking for? Houghton Mifflin's recently released A Field Guide to Airplanes, Third Edition , includes descriptions and black-and-white sketches of more than 400 aircraft likely to be encountered at North American airports-whether civilian or military single- and multiengine aircraft or helicopters, regardless of vintage. The 304-page guide, by M.R. Montgomery and Gerald Foster, is current and includes such new models as the Symphony 160, Liberty XL2, and Diamond Star DA40. Only the emerging light sport aircraft and popular homebuilt models are missing. Text descriptions-and arrows accompanying the artwork-point out key differences between aircraft models with similar appearances. For example, the Beech Skipper and Piper PA-38 Tomahawk: The Tomahawk has a wraparound rear window, and its vertical tail extends slightly above the horizontal stabilizer; or the New Piper Archer III, in which a new cowling with circular air intakes distinguishes it from older versions of the PA-28. The price is $18.95.

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 Federal Communications Commission designates specific frequencies for aircraft and airports to use for specific purposes. For air-to-air communications, the designated frequencies are 122.75 MHz and 122.85 MHz. These frequencies also can be used for private airports that are not open to the public. For a list of designated frequencies for unicom and multicom frequencies, view Table 4-1-2 in the Aeronautical Information Manual. Learn more about what frequency you should use at 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.

Osage Beach, Missouri. The Cherokee National Fly-in and Convention takes place June 16 through 18 at the Tan-Tar-A Resort. Kick off this event with a barbeque at Grand Glaize airport on Friday evening. Saturday features exhibitors, seminars, and a keynote presentation by AOPA President Phil Boyer. Be sure to stop by to see AOPA's Win a Six in '06 Sweepstakes airplane, a 1967 Cherokee Six-260, throughout the weekend. For complete details, see the Web site.

Astoria, Oregon. The Port of Astoria Airport and U.S. Coast Guard Open House takes place June 20 at Astoria Regional (AST). A midweek event is planned this year in conjunction with the Collings Foundation display of B-17 and B-24 bombers. Event features static displays, flybys, and Coast Guard aerial helicopter demonstrations. Contact Ron Larsen, Port of Astoria, 503/325-4521.

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 Phoenix; Columbus, Ohio; and Reston, Virginia; June 24 and 25. Clinics are also scheduled in Jacksonville, Florida, and Portland, Maine, July 15 and 16. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online.