AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition - Vol. 7, Issue 45

In this issue:
Industry-wide effort leads to decline in GA accidents
WAI offers new scholarships with extended deadline
Back to the essentials in AOPA's Catch-A-Cardinal

CHANGED EXPECTATIONS
As pilots continue the transition from fall to winter flying, they need to account for more than changing weather. (See the discussion of weather changes in the Nov. 2, 2007, Training Tips.) Pilots also must adjust their flight-planning habits, remembering to look up and employ seasonally different aircraft performance values. Also, with the recent switch back to standard time from daylight-saving time, remember to change the way you convert local time to Coordinated Universal Time, so-called "Zulu" time. For instance, pilots flying in the Eastern time zone now should add five hours to local time (using the 24-hour clock) to determine Zulu time; during daylight-saving time they added four hours. See the July 11, 2003, Training Tips article "What time is it?" for more on time zones and conversions.

The aircraft performance changes a pilot can expect in cooler, denser air add up to a good news/bad news proposition. Lower density altitudes mean more power is available to shorten takeoff runs and liven up climbs to altitude—reassuring when flying from high-elevation airports or with heavy loads. But there are performance penalties too.

A Cessna 152 cruising at 95 knots true airspeed (KTAS) at 4,000 feet msl in summer air warmed to 20 degrees above standard temperature burns 4.9 gallons per hour (gph). Achieving that same 95 KTAS at 4,000 feet at standard temperature—more typical of this season—occurs at a higher fuel burn: 5.1 gph. In very cold air the burn increases to almost 5.4 gph. Do you have sufficient fuel in reserve? A great way to review aircraft performance is to visit the AOPA Online Pilot Information Center and download Chapter 9 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. For more comparative analysis of aircraft performance under a variety of atmospheric conditions, see the December 2005 AOPA Flight Training feature "Don't fight the charts."

Avoid getting into the rut of using the "same old" performance figures when making mental estimates of fuel burn, true airspeeds, and climb performance. Even if you have no training flights scheduled for a few days, log some quality armchair time reviewing your pilot's operating handbook for the numbers you'll use during the cool days ahead.

As an AOPA member, you have online access to articles from AOPA's flagship publication, AOPA Pilot magazine. Simply go to the AOPA Pilot archives for a wealth of information, organized by subject. You'll find training information, safety articles, legal issues, aviation careers, and more. Take advantage of this additional AOPA membership benefit to get the most out of your 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.

INDUSTRY-WIDE EFFORT LEADS TO DECLINE IN GA ACCIDENTS
The FAA announced last week that general aviation pilots exceeded safety goals for the fiscal year just completed. That success was due in large part to industry efforts. The FAA had set a goal of not more than 331 fatal accidents for GA during fiscal year 2007 (Oct. 1, 2006, to Sept. 30, 2007). The actual number was 314. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation played a significant role, reaching tens of thousands of pilots through nationwide in-person safety seminars and online safety courses. Read more on AOPA Online.

NEW WAI SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED; DEADLINE EXTENDED
Women in Aviation International has announced several new scholarships for 2008 plus an extended deadline to make it easier to apply. The new scholarships include type ratings from Bombardier Business Aircraft Services, ExpressJet, and HorizonAir, as well as a separate scholarship for Learjet maintenance training, also offered by Bombardier. Other new scholarships are being offered by the International Civil Aviation Organization, Garmin, and Telex, whose scholarship is accompanied by a headset. The deadline to apply for the new offerings is Dec. 10, while the deadline for the remaining 46 scholarships is still Dec. 1. For complete details and application information, see the Web page.

FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHOSEN TO CONDUCT ATC TRAINING
Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) is one of nine new schools joining the FAA's Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative. FCCJ will begin offering air traffic controller training in the fall of 2008. Training will be conducted at the Cecil Center South-Aviation Center of Excellence. The FAA has added nine schools to the original 14 in the initiative to meet a projected need for new air traffic controllers through the next decade.

KENT STATE STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
The Cleveland National Air Show Charitable Foundation recently presented scholarships to three Kent State University aeronautics program students. Michael Burngasser, Matthew Loveday, and Lannie Marsh each received a $5,000 scholarship. "The relationship between the Cleveland National Air Show Foundation and Kent State's College of Technology shows the importance in linking academia and industry," said Isaac Richmond Nettey, associate dean in the College of Technology. "The scholarships are especially important, because it shows the industry's continued support of aviation education at Kent State."

EMBRY-RIDDLE, ZERO GRAVITY CORP. SIGN AGREEMENT
Researchers, students, and teachers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) will have an opportunity to experience weightless and variable-gravity conditions under a new agreement with Zero Gravity Corporation. ERAU and Zero-G will work together to integrate weightless flights and space science workshops for teachers and develop experimental programs for high school and college students, among other projects.

BACK TO THE ESSENTIALS IN AOPA'S CATCH-A-CARDINAL
You may fly a new training airplane, with the latest in panel magic—and with a new electrical system incorporating the latest safety advantages. We've upgraded the 1977 Cessna Cardinal that we're refurbishing for AOPA's 2007 sweepstakes with similar modern safety features, like an essential bus, while keeping it simple to understand and easy to fly. As we close the books on the airplane, we're bringing this system online and preparing the paperwork to make it fly. Learn how this system works in the latest update on the sweepstakes Web site.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE LIGHTS; TAKE THE SAFETY QUIZ
If you do most of your flying during daylight hours, the nighttime airport environment can be overwhelming. Airports easily navigated during the day can become a bewildering display of lights of all types and colors. But you needn't be unprepared. Before you launch on your next night flight, take the latest AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Quiz. Each quiz offers a good way to expand your knowledge, plus a chance to win a Sporty's Air Scan V aviation radio/scanner.

STUDENT'S FLIGHT TRAINING TAKES OFF WITH MENTOR'S SUPPORT
AOPA Project Pilot has been designed for just one reason: to make it as easy as possible for you to become a pilot. For Project Pilot student Rob Schaffer, just talking to his mentor, Lee Kitson, is helpful. "So far, we have made e-mail contact, and [we] share our stories and flying history," said Schaffer. "Lee has been very informative in answering my questions and observations after my last flight session. I'm sure he will be instrumental in the coming months...." A mentor's assistance is free and available to anybody who wants to learn how to fly. Join now to get the most out of your mentor-student relationship with conversation starters and time management tips available 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.

AVIATION TUTORIALS' 'WEATHER STATEMENT GROUNDSCHOOL'
Ever wished your flight instructor had spent just a little more time teaching you about aviation routine meteorological reports (METARs) and terminal area forecasts (TAFs)? Still stumbling over what these reports are telling you when you get a computerized weather briefing? Aviation Tutorials' new CD-ROM, Weather Statement Groundschool, may be able to fill in the blanks. The two-hour program, available for Windows-based personal computers, examines the basics of METARs and TAFs and also provides interactive features, including a "speak it" button that lets you hear what a weather code means. The program is $49 and may be ordered online or by calling 414/761-9331.

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 just realized that some of my flight time has been logged incorrectly, and I would like to make corrections where needed. What recommendation does AOPA have in order to best accomplish this?

Answer: You should first discuss the situation with your instructor(s) and do a quick audit of your logbook just to make sure that corrections are valid and necessary. If it's only a couple of errors that need to be corrected on the same page, you can line through the errors within each column with a pencil, make the necessary adjustments, and initial each correction. If there are a lot of incorrect entries that span multiple pages, you should make a small notation (an asterisk or cross symbol, for instance) next to each line entry that is incorrect, calculate the new corrected flight time for each column, and then make a single one-line adjustment in your logbook.

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.

When any situation arises that could escalate into an emergency, the first rule for aviators is always to fly the airplane. An Oklahoma pilot put this adage to good use when he experienced a landing-gear malfunction on a trip to his home airport. How he handled the mishap is detailed in the latest edition of Never Again Online.

Las Vegas, NV. A Nellis Air Force Base Annual Airshow takes place Nov. 10 and 11 at Nellis Air Force Base (LSV). Contact Bob Jones, 702/652-5541, or visit the Web site.

Palm Springs, CA. An Eleventh Anniversary of Palm Springs Air Museum and Veteran's Day Celebration take place Nov. 10 at Palm Springs Air Museum. Contact Sheilah Reed, 760/778-6262 ext. 235.

Lakeland, FL. The Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun presents “Aviation Adventures: Past, Present and Future Charlie Brown” on Nov. 16. Reception is at 6 p.m. and the lecture is at 7 p.m. Contact Gail Taylor, 863/644-2431, or visit the Web site.

San Diego, CA. “International Flying: Have Fun and Fly Safe in Mexico,” a seminar presented by Stephen Blythe takes place Nov. 15 at Montgomery Field (MYF). Contact Janet Lapp, 619/672-2417.

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 Atlanta, Nov. 17 and 18. Clinics are also scheduled in Orlando, Fla., and Austin, Texas, Dec. 8 and 9. 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 Jacksonville, Fla., Nov. 12; Tampa, Fla., Nov. 13; West Palm Beach, Fla., Nov. 14; and Orlando, Fla., Nov. 15. The topic is "Regulations: What every pilot should know." A seminar is also scheduled in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Nov. 10. The topic is "Say it Right! Radio Comm in Today's Airspace." For details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.