AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 6, Issue 36

FLYING TOWARD FALL
As summer gives way to fall, think about what it means for your flight training. While there might be fewer daylight hours available for flying, it's much easier to work in those required night hours. The convergence of temperature and dew point in the evening, however, means fog, just as it did during the balmy days of July. But once the dew point slips below freezing, frost, with its nasty implications for the aerodynamic efficiency of airfoils, could form. See Tom Horne's column "Wx Watch: Dew Point Review" in the March 2003 AOPA Pilot. Remember to remove (or polish smooth) all frost on airfoil surfaces before your early morning flights. There's no such thing as an innocent coating of frost on a leading edge of a wing or tail; the disruption of airflow it can cause must be respected and eliminated. No problem because your aircraft is kept in a warm hangar? You're fortunate. But watch out for a trap: An airplane towed outside for a dawn flight could cool off enough to accumulate frost. So be wary!

There's good news about the onset of cooler conditions. Density altitude comes down along with air temperatures, letting you calculate (and experience) your aircraft's climb performance in its healthier realms-reassuring when operating out of high-elevation airports. You'll be surprised how much more quickly you reach cruise altitude. Thunderstorms appear less often this time of year. It stands to reason that in the absence of the convection that breeds thunderstorms, thermal turbulence (see the June 30, 2006, Training Tips) abates, promising flights that stay smoother longer.

The junction of summer and fall also heralds hurricane season. You might be surprised how these storms' possible tracks can raise concerns for pilots well removed from the center of the weather systems. See how a hurricane that struck in 2004 posed questions for pilots, as examined in the September 2005 AOPA Flight Training column "The Weather Never Sleeps: Handicapping Hurricanes."

As always, seasonal changes in flight conditions bring advantages and disadvantages. Find ways to make current conditions work for you as your training moves along.

As a student pilot, you are a member of your airport's community, which includes the aviation businesses as well as the pilots who base their personal aircraft there. You are obligated to know and follow any noise abatement policies that your airport utilizes. Where do you find these? Your first stop is the Airport/Facilities Directory, which lists noise abatement policies and procedures under "airport remarks." (You'll also find them in both the printed and online versions of AOPA's Airport Directory and on the back of Jeppesen instrument approach plates.) Noise ordinances vary, so pilots who plan to fly into an airport with a noise abatement program should call the airport's noise abatement office ahead of time to find out the details of its particular policy. For more information, see the July 2003 issue of AOPA Flight Training.

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.

AOPA EXPO: STEP INTO THE FUTURE OF GA
Ten years from now, what will the cockpit of a typical general aviation aircraft look like? How will the National Airspace System be funded? You'll get a glimpse during AOPA Expo 2006 in Palm Springs, California, November 9 through 11. Find out what these new acronyms-ADS-B and WAAS-mean, how these technologies can improve pilot safety and situational awareness, and what AOPA is doing to make it easier for you to equip your aircraft with this technology. Celebrate your love for GA by watching 80 airplanes taxi through the streets of Palm Springs on Wednesday, November 8, one day before Expo begins. The aircraft will then remain on display for the duration of Expo. Inside the convention center, you will find more than 500 exhibits and more than 70 hours of seminars. If you haven't already registered to attend Expo, visit AOPA's Expo Web page.

EMBRY-RIDDLE EXPANDS GLOBAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is expanding and restructuring its global educational programs and will add 10 to 20 new graduate and undergraduate programs in aviation, aerospace, and related disciplines. The Worldwide Campus, formerly known as the Extended Campus, will continue to be headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, but will be housed in a new research park being built next to the Daytona Beach campus. That building is scheduled for completion in January 2009. The Worldwide Campus currently has more than 27,000 students enrolled through classroom, online, or hybrid undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs.

CHECK OUT THE AOPA PHOTO OF THE DAY
Make yourself smile each day with the new AOPA Photo of the Day feature on AOPA Online. We are pulling images from our vast archive of stunning photography. Each photo also posts with links to articles and information related to the photo’s subject matter.

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION SEEKS SPRING INTERN
Looking for valuable work experience? Interested in aviation safety education? Enjoy doing research, writing, and editing? The AOPA Air Safety Foundation is seeking applicants for a full-time spring internship. The intern will assist in developing upcoming safety education materials, including online courses, live safety seminars, and print publications. The intern will gain valuable experience and receive hourly pay and a generous stipend to assist with moving, housing, or flying expenses. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 27. See AOPA Online for more information, including details on how to apply. Can't miss the spring semester at school? The foundation is also accepting applications for the summer internship.

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.

MAGNIFICO PLUS BOOSTS GPS DISPLAY
OfficeontheGogo.com, which specializes in accessories for personal digital assistants, recently introduced a magnifier designed especially for handheld GPS receivers and PDAs. The Magnifico Plus utilizes an acrylic lens to magnify your GPS display two and one-half times. Its clamshell design fits onto your GPS using two pieces of Velcro (included) that you attach to the GPS or PDA. Retracted, the magnifier can fit into a shirt pocket. The suggested retail price is $49.95; the unit is available for less at Aircraft Spruce & Specialty and Wicks Aircraft Supply.

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: Under 14 CFR 61.3(l), each person who holds an airman certificate, medical certificate, authorization, or license required by Part 61 must present it for inspection upon request from the FAA; an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer; or an authorized representative of the Transportation Security Administration. Additionally, 14 CFR 61.51(i) states, upon a reasonable request from the FAA, NTSB, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, a person must present his or her pilot certificate, medical certificate, logbook, or any other record required by Part 61. For information on ramp checks, visit AOPA's subject report 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.

Moriarty, New Mexico. The 15th Annual EAA Land of Enchantment Fly-In takes place September 9 and 10 at Moriarty Municipal Airport (0E0). Event features pancake breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, Saturday lunch, aircraft judging with awards dinner Saturday evening, and Wings Safety Seminar on Saturday morning. Contact Don Gillmore, 505/345-9944, 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 Clinics are scheduled in Phoenix, and Richmond, Virginia, September 16 and 17. A clinic is also scheduled in Seattle, September 23 and 24. 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 Vernon, Connecticut, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and Maryville, Tennessee, September 11; Worcester, Massachusetts, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Smyrna, Tennessee, September 12; Billerica, Massachusetts, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and Germantown, Tennessee, September 13; and Little Rock, Arkansas, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, September 14. The topic is "Emergency Procedures." For details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.