AOPA Services

So you visited the local flight school and selected your instructor. Now you're four hours into your flight training and everything is going well, but sometimes you feel like you just need a little advice. What's your next step? Find a mentor.

AOPA's Project Pilot is a program aimed at matching student pilots with experienced pilot mentors. The point isn't to get another flight instructor, but rather to match you, as a student, with a certificated pilot who will act as a mentor, sharing advice, insight, or just plain fun and experiences.

The easiest way to join the program is through the Project Pilot Web site. Though the focus of the program is being matched with a mentor, which the Web site does through a series of search criteria, there's also information about learning to fly and a description of what the process entails. You can learn what student pilot and medical certificates are, which one(s) you'll need, and how to obtain them; how to pick a flight school and instructor, if you haven't already; the average costs associated with learning to fly; and a list of popular questions.

Once you've been matched with a mentor, the Web site can offer even more. There's a place to track your major milestones, such as your first solo flight. You can also explore advice on how to best interact with your mentor and get the most out of your relationship. Finally, there's a section on how to overcome such common obstacles as using the radio, and more sensitive issues such as conflicts with your instructor.

When you're ready to begin, ask your mentor to sign you up on the Web site. You'll both receive kits that better explain the process and give advice on completing your training. Finding a mentor might just be the thing you need to help you finish your certificate.

For more on AOPA Project Pilot, visit the Web site.

PILOT INFORMATION CENTER Members can receive answers to flight training and other aviation questions, and join or renew by telephone, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday
800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Via the Internet	ft.aopa.org/ask
24-HOUR ONLINE MEMBER ASSISTANCE To join or renew, or for information about the free six-month AOPA Flight Training membership, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Web site. A wide variety of aviation information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION ONLINE SAFETY CENTER Dedicated to providing general aviation pilot education and safety programs online.
Via the Internet	www.asf.org
Dial	800/638-3101
AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS
AOPA Aircraft Financing Program	800/62-PLANE
AOPA Aircraft Insurance Program	800/622-AOPA
Non-owned aircraft and CFI policies available
AOPA Credit Card Program	800/523-7666
AOPA Legal Services Plan	800/USA-AOPA
Other products	800/USA-AOPA
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Ask an AOPA flight instructor	ft.aopa.org/ask
AOPA Flight Training magazine article archive	ft.aopa.org/archive
Aviation library	ft.aopa.org/library
Supplemental information arranged by stage of training	ft.aopa.org/student
Virtual flight bag, including online weather and airport directory	ft.aopa.org/flightbag
NEW ADDRESS? Send your new address and membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701
Fax	301/695-2375
Via the Internet	www.aopa.org/coa-form.html
ONLINE GUIDE TO AOPA MEMBER SERVICES
	www.aopa.org/join/