AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 6, Issue 47

ALCOHOL OFFENSE REPORTING
Alcohol and piloting don't mix. Student pilots learn operating rules like the "eight hours from bottle to throttle" mnemonic to help remember minimum required intervals. Other details of this subject on which you may be tested include how and when pilots must report alcohol-related motor vehicle violations to the FAA. There are two reporting requirements. Complying with one does not satisfy the need to make the other report-nor are they made to the same FAA officials. Do you know the requirements?

One report is made on an application for an airman medical certificate ( download a copy that you can review). See the instructions page for "convictions or administrative action history."

A less-understood reporting obligation appears in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). It requires reporting a "motor vehicle action" not later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action is taken. "One of the distinctions is that this notification must be made to the FAA within a short time after the event occurs and may not wait until your next medical examination. In addition, the notification must be made to the FAA's security office, not the medical office; thus, disclosing this information on the medical application form, which you may have to do also, does not discharge your responsibility to report the information under FAR 61.15," Kathy Yodice explained in the July 2001 AOPA Flight Training's " Legal Briefing" column. See the column for a definition of a "motor vehicle action."

What happens after a report? "The effects of a report, or a failure to report, are serious. If a pilot does report a motor vehicle action, it will automatically trigger a review of the pilot's file to determine if the pilot continues to be eligible for his or her airman certificate (two or more in a three-year period and you are out) or medical certificate (a history of alcoholism). If a pilot fails to report even one conviction or administrative action, that is grounds for suspension or revocation of any pilot certificate or rating he holds. It is also grounds for denial of an application for a certificate or rating for up to one year after the date of the motor vehicle action," John Yodice said in the May 2002 AOPA Pilot column " Pilot Counsel: Flying and Driving."

Are you beginning to embark on longer cross-country odysseys? While it's important to obtain a complete briefing and check the weather before flying in the traffic pattern, the atmosphere and its influence on your flight become even more significant once you venture outside your home airspace. Expand your aeronautical horizons and go to AOPA Flight Training Online for a complete weather picture.

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.

AIRSHOW FOUNDATION NAMES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Foundation has awarded eight scholarships to men and women to help them with their aviation or aerobatic training or obtain an airframe and powerplant certificate. Kimberly Blair, South Colby, Washington, received the $1,000 Charlie Hillard Scholarship to further aviation training. Jackie Tatelbaum, Tempe, Arizona, and Patrick Carter, Redding, California, were recipients of the $1,000 French Connection scholarship, to be applied toward aerobatic training. The $1,000 Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship for aerobatic training was presented to Rachel Thomas, Orlando, Florida. Sgt. Christian Scala, Pensacola, Florida, received the Leo Loudenslager Scholarship, which provides $2,000 toward flight training. Red Baron Memorial Scholarships, which provide $1,000 toward tailwheel or aerobatic instruction, went to Brandi Lueken, St. Charles, Missouri, and Chelsea Engberg, Loomis, California. Brittany Loeschnig, Murrieta, California, received the $1,000 Sean DeRosier Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a resident of the western United States and must be used for either aerobatic training or education toward obtaining an A&P certificate.

COLLEGE CREATES KIOSK SYSTEM FOR FLIGHT STUDENTS
Flight students at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, New Hampshire, have begun using a kiosk system that allows them to access a variety of information in a "one-stop shop" fashion. The college has received the first of 10 MontegoNet Kiosks, or terminals that allow students to access such information as flight planning, weather, and airplane dispatch at one location. Rick Bartle, assistant director of flight operations-flight services, said the new kiosk has already seen a lot of traffic, with more than 200 user sessions each week. On a typical fall semester flying day, the college operates more than 100 flights a day, with about 1,100 flight hours each month. The aviation program has 240 flight students.

AOPA GETS FAA RADAR FACILITY TOUR
Nearly two dozen members of AOPA's Communications Division spent the day last Friday with air traffic controllers at the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control (Tracon) facility in Vint Hill, Virginia. "As representatives of AOPA, and as pilots who fly in the most restricted airspace in the country, it is imperative that we have a good working relationship with air traffic controllers," said Jeff Myers, AOPA executive vice president of communications. "It was gracious of the staff at Potomac Tracon to invite us to their facility for the opportunity to discuss issues face to face." Tracon controllers took the AOPA visitors on a tour of the operations room, while encouraging questions and comments. A popular topic of discussion was the Washington-area Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), which has increased the controllers' workload significantly since it was imposed in early 2003. Other questions led to an explanation of the sectors controlled by Potomac Tracon, a discussion of the responsibilities of traffic flow managers as they work with changing weather and other demands, and a demonstration of how radar weather is overlaid onto controllers' screens so they can better assist pilots who request deviations. 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.

SHOP FOR YOUR FAVORITE PILOT AT ASF ONLINE STORE
Avoid the crowds and get your student pilot (or flight instructor) a holiday gift. Visit the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's online store, where you can purchase DVDs on a variety of topics, including weather, single-pilot IFR, and others. You can also purchase flight planning forms, the "Pilot's Checkride Guide," and much more.

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.

Question: Is there an easy memory aid that can help me deal with an in-flight emergency?

Answer: It's as easy as ABCDE. The "A" stands for airspeed to pitch for best glide speed; "B" is used to identify the best place to land and fly to it; "C" stands for cockpit checklist to cover restart procedures and securing the aircraft; "D" is used to declare your situation to air traffic control/FSS on frequency 121.5 and transponder code 7700; and "E" stands for execute the emergency landing. When faced with an impending emergency landing, you should repeat the term MAYDAY three times to the air traffic controller or over the emergency frequency 121.5. This is because distress communications have absolute priority over all other communications, and MAYDAY commands radio silence. For additional insight, review the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's online course, Say Intentions-When You need ATC's Help and the AOPA Flight Training magazine article " Legal Briefing: Reporting Emergencies."

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.