AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition -- Vol. 7, Issue 24

In this issue:
CAE opens Northeast Training Center
Are the airlines hiring?
Father, sons share passion for flight

FLYING FAQs
Nothing helps a student pilot succeed like high-quality flight instruction and a support network. Whether you depend on that support from fellow students at your flight school, an AOPA Project Pilot Mentor, or some other trusted source of information about flying, having help sure beats going it alone.

This is especially true as you digest the new experiences you'll encounter in flight and when questions arise during ground study as you complete your training program. Every flight you take, and every subject you study, will raise issues on which you'll need further explanation. You read a federal aviation regulation—the definition of a solo cross-country flight, for instance—and find that you need some points clarified. While flying, you hear an exchange on the radio between air traffic control and another pilot, and it contains the unfamiliar phrase "Cleared for the option." What was that about? How can you get more information on V speeds or the definitions of aerodynamic terms? Why do some student pilot certificates expire at the same time as the holder's medical certificates, but not others? These and many other questions arise so routinely that they are addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions section of AOPA's online Pilot Information Center.

The online Pilot Information Center is a must-see resource for a student pilot. You can view the FAQs by category (aeronautical charts, airman information, flight instruction, and weather) or scroll through the questions and answers. Take several of the common questions posed above. Many student pilots are puzzled the first time they hear another aircraft—or their own—cleared "for the option." See the Final Exam discussion in the December 10, 2004, AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition for the explanation of that clearance. What was that about student pilot certificates and medical certificates having different expiration dates in some cases? Indeed, the two may be issued on the same piece of paper but still have different expiration dates, according to the answer to a question under the Flight Instruction heading, which includes a reference to the relevant regulations.

So give the FAQs a glance. You'll find the answers to many questions, and you'll learn a few new things along the way—guaranteed!

One of your tasks in preparing for any airborne journey is to become familiar with all available information concerning your flight. How long are the runways at your intended destination, and can your aircraft safely take off from and land within those lengths? What are the communication and weather frequencies? AOPA's Airport Directory Online has the answers to these questions and more. The directory features vital details on more than 5,300 public-use landing facilities, 7,000 fixed-base operators and aviation-related businesses, and more than 55,000 restaurants, hotels, and transportation services. Toll-free flight service station (FSS) telephone numbers are listed for more than 5,000 public-use airports so that you can call the individual FSS instead of your home-base FSS when you dial 800/WX-BRIEF on your cell phone. New features include fuel prices from 100LL.com, thumbnail sectionals supplied by SkyVector, and thumbnail views of taxi diagrams.

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.

EMBRY-RIDDLE TO PROVIDE AVIATION ENGLISH TRAINING PROGRAMS
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has teamed up with Aviation English Services (AES), a New Zealand-based company, to provide the industry with aviation English language training solutions. The programs are in response to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO's) new requirements that identify English as the official recognized language of aviation. The ICAO has developed a set of English language proficiency standards and recommended practices for pilots and air traffic controllers operating internationally. The new aviation English program is an integrated educational approach that combines Web-based self-paced instruction, classroom seminars, learning aids, and progress testing. For more information, see the Web site.

ARE THE AIRLINES HIRING?
Want to know the employment picture at the airlines? Who's hiring more pilots, the regionals or the "legacy" carriers? The answers are a click away at AOPA's Career Pilot pages, where you'll find a graphic that details the monthly hiring numbers across the country, the year-to-date hiring total, and the previous year's total number. If a professional pilot career is your goal, be sure to visit Career Pilot sections on career development, professional training, industry news, and much more.

FATHER, SONS SHARE PASSION FOR FLIGHT
"How many people get to watch a sunset from the cockpit of an airplane with their father or grandfather as a child? Not many, and I did," said Project Pilot Student Greg Middleton about one of his many flying experiences with his dad, Gary, who is also his AOPA Project Pilot Mentor. Gary has been flying for 37 years and now gets to guide his three sons along the same path. "Although none of them want to make it a career, they sure love to fly for fun," said Gary. Read how this father shares his passion for flight and inspires his sons in this special ePilot report.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRAG YOUR TAIL? TAKE THE SAFETY QUIZ
Most student pilots learn to fly in tricycle-gear airplanes such as the Cessna 152 or Piper Cherokee. But conventional-gear aircraft like the Piper J-3 Cub are still kicking, and new versions produced by American Champion Aircraft and Cub Crafters are making inroads in the light sport department. Whether you're a "nosedragger" pilot who wants to know more about tailwheel flying, or a taildragger type looking for a refresher, take the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Quiz to learn more about tailwheel landing techniques, special regulatory requirements for tailwheel pilots, runway surfaces that make things easier for the "conventional gear" set, and more. Each Safety Quiz offers you a quick, easy, and interactive way to assess and expand your knowledge.

THE CARDINAL'S ENGINE IS INSTALLED—NOW WHAT?
We've spent the past few weeks installing the factory overhauled Lycoming engine on the 1977 Cessna Cardinal for this year's AOPA sweepstakes—and now it's time to run it for the first time on the airframe. So what do the technicians do to prepare for the first engine start? Learn all about the process in this week's update on the project.

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.

‘THE COMPLETE PRIVATE PILOT' EXPLORES FLYING FUNDAMENTALS
So you want to learn to fly—or, perhaps, you're already learning to fly, and you have a friend or family member who's caught your flying bug and would like to know more. Bob Gardner's The Complete Private Pilot covers everything involved with becoming a private or recreational pilot, and it will help the aspiring pilot to prepare for the FAA knowledge test and checkride. Gardner is a Gold Seal flight instructor who has been teaching since 1968, as well as an accomplished writer and airshow speaker. The tenth edition of Gardner's book is published by Aviation Supplies and Academics and sells for $24.95. Order it online or call 800/272-2359.

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 am considering using a flight training device to help with my flight training. Can this time be logged toward my pilot certificate?

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.

Scappoose, OR. The Northwest RV Fly-In takes place June 16 at Scappoose Industrial Airpark (SPB). Contact Joe Blank, 503/829-6333, or visit the Web site.

Lock Haven, PA. The Sentimental Journey Fly-In takes place June 20 at William T. Piper Memorial (LHV). Contact Carmen Banfil, 570/893-4200 or 570/748-5123, or visit the Web site.

Glens Falls, NY. The American Yankee Association Annual Conference and Convention takes place June 26 through June 28 at Floyd Bennett Memorial (GFL). Contact Matthew Drahzal, 610/745-0436, or visit the Web site.

Gardner, KS. The Greater Kansas City Vintage Fly-In, Pancake Breakfast, and Cookout takes place June 22 through June 23 at Gardner Municipal (K34). Contact Jeff Sullens, 816/729-3151.

Galveston, TX. The International Cessna 170 Association Convention takes place June 24 through June 30 at Scholes International (GLS). Contact George Horn, 307/587-6397, or visit the Web site.

Ellsworth AFB, SD. The Open House, Fly-In, and Airshow takes place on June 23 at Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA). Contact Capt. Dave Marten, 605/385-4246, or visit the Web site.

To submit an event to the calendar or to search all events visit AOPA Online. For airport details, including FBO fuel prices, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online.

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic is scheduled in Charlotte, NC, June 23 and 24. Clinics are also scheduled in Newark, NJ, and Memphis, TN, July 21 and 22. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online.