AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 7, Issue 15

CALM IN A CRISIS
When you train on emergency procedures for your aircraft, much of the emphasis falls on procedural knowledge: lowering the nose immediately after an engine failure, combating a cabin fire, maintaining control solely by reference to instruments during an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions.

No emergency procedure will be performed as smoothly as possible without one critical ingredient. The pilot must be able to remain calm and composed under the stress of unexpected difficulty. In the absence of this element, problems grow into emergencies, and emergencies are less likely to conclude safely.

It's not uncommon in training to witness a student pilot, or even a pilot working on advanced training, tense up and fly clumsily when given an emergency to handle. By contrast, a pilot who learned early that the light touch makes everything easier in the cockpit will fare much better (see the December 22, 2006, "Training Tips" article "Relax").

The typical stress response in an emergency is to rush through procedures. Some pilots panic and try to land as quickly as possible regardless of other considerations. Even without a true emergency, a pilot may throw judgment out the window. Consider this first-hand account of a private pilot's takeoff into unexpectedly strong winds and a subsequent panicked attempt to return to the ground. "I wanted to get back on the ground so bad I didn't do what I had been trained to do. So, instead, I struggled to get the airplane back on the extended centerline. By the time I had done that I was over the threshold, very fast and very high. Of course during all of the excitement, I had neglected to lower the flaps beyond 10 degrees," Patrick J. Timmerman recalled in his description of a harrowing landing in the February 2004 AOPA Pilot "Never Again."

Another example of a pilot seeking to get back down as quickly as possible, and other mental mistakes contributing to accidents, are discussed in the August 2006 AOPA Flight Training "Accident Analysis" column, which studied mishaps involving soloing student pilots.

Train thoroughly in emergency procedures-and don't consider the course complete until you can give yourself a better-than-just-passing grade on remaining composed under fire.

During your initial flight training, you have different avenues that you can take to become a certificated pilot. You can train for the sport, recreational, or private pilot certificate. The sport and recreational certificates require fewer hours than the private but also limit the type of aircraft and flying you can do. Check out this chart for a comparison of the costs, hours, requirements, and limitations of each certificate. Then talk to your flight instructor to see which is best for you. More information about these certificates is available through AOPA Project Pilot.

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.

CAE LAUNCHES NEW LINE OF FULL-FLIGHT SIMULATORS
CAE, a Canada-based simulator manufacturer and training provider, celebrated its sixtieth anniversary last month by launching another new product. The CAE 5000 Series full-flight simulator addresses training requirements for high-volume commercial narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320, as well as business jets, including very light jets, the company said. Launch customers for the new series include Lufthansa Flight Training, which has ordered an Airbus A320 simulator, and Ryanair, which ordered five simulators in October 2006 that will all be part of the CAE 5000 Series.

ST. CLOUD STATE STUDENTS DRAWN TO BUSINESS AVIATION
St. Cloud State University, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is encouraging aviation students to think outside the airline cockpit and explore career options with companies that have their own aircraft, flight crews, maintenance technicians, and other aviation support. A student/industry partnership with corporations in the Twin Cities has given more than 100 students the chance to work on business aviation projects at 3M, Target, General Mills, and other large businesses. Student teams have tackled assignments on aircraft and organization mergers, jet acquisition, and pilot succession and hiring.

EMBRY-RIDDLE SPONSORS AIRSHOW PILOT
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an official sponsor of aerobatic pilot Matt Chapman. "As a captain for American Airlines and an exhilarating aerobatic performer, Matt is a great role model who gets kids excited about aviation," said Embry-Riddle (ERAU) President John P. Johnson. It's hoped that Chapman will help ERAU to recruit more students, he said. Chapman, who flies a CAP 580 airplane that will be named The Embry-Riddle Eagle, will be sporting a new uniform with the university designation when he appears at Sun 'n Fun from April 17 through 23 in Lakeland, Florida. ERAU and Matt Chapman Airshows will coordinate on other cross-promotions, including aircraft markings, print advertisements, Web sites, and appearances at airshows and other venues.

SWEEPS CARDINAL READY TO UNMASK
The smooth execution of any important task lies mostly in preparation-a checkride, for example. It's no different with the final paint application on the 1977 Cessna Cardinal we're refurbishing for this year's AOPA sweepstakes. You can learn how an airplane gets prepped for its final paint scheme in this week's update. See the striking Cardinal for yourself at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, on display next week from April 17 through 23.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $5,000 FOR FLIGHT TRAINING
Are you signed up for AOPA Project Pilot? If not, find a pilot who can mentor you and come to Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, next week. If you and your Mentor sign up for Project Pilot at the gate from April 17 through 20, you will get in free for a day (a $30 value), and you'll be given a red sticker to wear. Make sure you have the sticker displayed prominently-AOPA's SurPRIZE Squad will be surprising four lucky winners each day from Tuesday, April 17, through Friday, April 20, with $250 for flight training. Then at the end of the day Friday, one of those 16 winners will win $5,000 for flight training. (See the official rules for more details.) If you forget to sign up at the gate, stop by AOPA's Big Yellow Tent to become a Project Pilot student and get a sticker for a chance to win money for flight training.

GOING TO SUN 'N FUN? REVIEW THESE SAFETY PROCEDURES
If you're planning to fly into Sun 'n Fun next week, or know someone who is, be sure to review the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's "Now Featuring: Fly-In Safety (Sun 'n Fun Edition)" before making the trek. This collection of resources includes Sun 'n Fun show-specific information and general fly-in safety articles, along with video and audio clips, on a single page. It also has a link to the Sun 'n Fun notam, a map of the VFR arrival for use with the notam, and the Fly-In Safety Checkup-a list of recommendations written by Air Safety Foundation staff pilots on how to get to and from the show without incident.

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.

KING SCHOOLS UPDATES GARMIN G1000 COURSE
King Schools' Cleared for Flying the Garmin G1000 multimedia training system has been updated and expanded. First issued in 2006, the course covers VFR and IFR operations, navigation, communications, loading and activating instrument approaches, departure and arrival procedures, and more. The new version includes additional lessons and questions covering terrain awareness and warning system, XM satellite weather, en route and approach holding, and OBS lessons, as well as expanded coverage about setting fuel information, bearing pointers, updating the Jeppesen database, and course reversals, including procedure turns. The course contains nine CD-ROMs and runs approximately five hours before interactive questions. The course sells for $249. To order, visit the Web site or call 800/854-1001.

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: I read in the April 6, 2007, "Final Exam" that a VFR flight plan is generally not required (although filing one is a good idea for search and rescue)-but can you tell me when a VFR flight plan is required?

Answer: VFR flight plans are required for the following flight operations: international flights to or from the United States; crossing the off-shore coastal air defense identification zones (ADIZs) or the Washington, D.C., ADIZ; or if specifically required by an FAA notice to airmen issued for a specific ground-based event in the form of a temporary flight restriction (such as presidential visits, natural disasters requiring rescue operations, and the like).

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.

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 Tampa, FL; Chicago; Indianapolis; and Reston, VA, April 21 and 22. Clinics are also scheduled in San Diego, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City, April 28 and 29. 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 Lakeland, Florida, during Sun 'n Fun, April 19 through 21. The topics vary-for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.