AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition - Volume 8, Issue 2

In this issue:
Phoenix East Aviation to add SkyCatchers to fleet
New ASF Safety Quiz on emergency procedures
Elite Simulations to launch call-in talk show

SHARING YOUR AIRSPACE
You have learned the correct method for safely entering the traffic pattern at nontowered airports, and you've studied right-of-way rules that keep different categories of aircraft safely separate. (See the May 2, 2003, "Training Tips" on right-of-way rules.) Now you're ready to put these concepts to the test as you endeavor to operate safely in the presence of other airport users.

After you check airport publications for your destinations' radio frequencies, runway lengths and bearings, and facilities, be sure to look up what other kinds of air traffic might be present. "To airplane pilots, the ways of helicopters, gliders, and balloons seem mysterious. Knowing how they come and go helps you to coordinate your departures and arrivals with theirs. Being familiar with their operation is comforting when you scan for traffic because you know where to look for them. Chatting with their pilots and asking some questions (perhaps even going for a ride) is hugely helpful," was the advice offered in the October 2007 AOPA Flight Training column "Accident Analysis: Mixed Company."

Towplanes and gliders may use only the runway that is closest to the glider operation's base; you may need to use another because of reported surface winds. Large airplanes may use only the longer runways and fly a higher traffic pattern. Parachute jumping could be under way; what frequency is used to advise local aircraft about "jumpers away"? Helicopter pilots are responsible for avoiding the flow of fixed-wing aircraft, but keep an eye out for them in the pattern and while taxiing. Instrument approaches flown for practice by pilots training for the instrument rating could be in progress. These aircraft train with different arrival routes than aircraft making routine arrivals under visual flight rules. Ask your instructor to describe instrument training that could be in progress and what to listen for on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). If there is a floatplane base on an adjacent body of water such as a river or lake, visualize its traffic pattern. Does the seaplane base use the same CTAF as the airport?

Experience will make these other kinds of aviation activity more familiar. Meanwhile, do your research and ask questions to fill in the gaps.

"Oh no, I lost my logbook! What do I do?" A student pilot is required to carry his or her logbook on all solo cross-country flights; it must contain the proper endorsements. If the endorsements are lost, then new endorsements should be obtained from an authorized instructor. A private pilot doesn't have to carry a logbook, but it's still an important record of flight experience. The FAA's General Aviation Operation Inspectors Handbook (FAA Order 8700.1) provides guidance for reconstructing lost logbooks. If you have other questions about logbooks, call the Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 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.

PHOENIX EAST AVIATION TO ADD SKYCATCHERS TO TRAINING FLEET
Phoenix East Aviation Inc. of Daytona Beach, Fla., has ordered 10 Cessna 162 SkyCatchers to complement its training fleet. Scheduled for delivery in 2009, the SkyCatchers will be equipped for day and night VFR flight and will feature single Garmin G300 displays that will provide primary flight and engine information in a split-screen format. Phoenix East's fleet includes Cessna 172SPs, a Diamond DA42 Twin Star, and Piper Seneca multiengine aircraft.

NEW ASF SAFETY QUIZ ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
If faced with an in-flight emergency, would you be prepared to act? Emergency procedures are something every pilot memorizes and practices during training, but those skills are sometimes lost after the checkride is completed. Knowing and practicing emergency procedures can mean the difference between walking away from a problem and becoming a statistic. Put your knowledge to the test with the latest ASF Safety Quiz from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. The quiz covers pilot priorities in an emergency, search-and-rescue issues, resources available to a pilot during an emergency, and more. Need another challenge? Check out previous quizzes.

ELITE SIMULATIONS TO LAUNCH CALL-IN TALK SHOW
Interested in aviation simulators and flight training devices, or thinking about purchasing one? If so, you'll want to check out the debut of a weekly call-in talk show sponsored by Elite Simulation Solutions. The Elite Simshow is scheduled to air from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern on Jan. 17, and each Thursday evening thereafter. To participate, you'll need to download Skype, a free computer program that lets you make long-distance calls over the Internet. (Calls to this program will be free.) You can then speak directly with Stephen Gatlin, Elite director of marketing and host of the program, and the show's guests. Callers will be able to ask questions and exchange ideas in an open forum, and a podcast will be available for download on the following Friday.

HELICOPTER FLIGHT SCHOOL OPENS AT ALBERT WHITTED AIRPORT
SunHelo Aviation has commenced flight training operations at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Fla. The flight school offers private, commercial, and certificated flight instructor training and will add the instrument rating and airline transport pilot training to its curriculum soon, according to a news release. Training is conducted in Brantly B-2B helicopters, which the company will also sell and service.

AOPA UNVEILS 2008 SWEEPSTAKES AIRPLANE
The 2007 Catch-A-Cardinal is snug in its hangar in Georgia, and the winner of this beautifully refurbished Cessna Cardinal will be announced shortly. In the meantime, it's a brand-new year, and AOPA has a brand-new sweepstakes airplane project under way. This year's pick is an airplane that student pilots can embrace: a 1976 Piper Archer. AOPA's 2008 Get Your Glass Sweepstakes airplane will take you to the forefront of glass technology. We’re going to retrofit this venerable, easy-to-fly, and highly capable Piper Archer with a glass display from Aspen Avionics, as well as avionics from Garmin, S-Tec, Avidyne, PS Engineering, and many others. See the complete story on AOPA Online, and be sure to visit the sweeps page for weekly updates and photos of work already in progress.

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.

KEEP NOTES HANDY WITH SPORTY'S WRISTWRITER
Sometimes you find yourself in the cockpit without a scrap of paper when you need one. Fortunately, you won't have to scribble a clearance, frequency, or altimeter setting on your hand with the WristWriter from Sporty's. The WristWriter is an adjustable wrist band fitted with scrollable, water-resistant paper. The device, which comes with its own mechanical pencil, sells for $19.95 and can be ordered online or by calling 800/SPORTYS.

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: Can you please explain what "ground effect" is?

Answer: Ground effect is caused by the interference of the ground surface with the airflow pattern about the airplane in flight. When the wing is under the influence of ground effect, there is a reduction in upwash, downwash, and wingtip vortices. It can be detected and measured up to an altitude equal to one wingspan above the surface and is most significant when the airplane is maintaining a constant attitude at low airspeed close to the ground. A decrease in induced drag makes the airplane seem to float on a cushion of air beneath it, so if a power approach is being made, the power setting should be reduced as the airplane descends into ground effect to avoid overshooting your desired touchdown point. More information on this subject is discussed in the article "Ground Effect: Flying in the Realm of Altered Air Flow."

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.

The pressure to accumulate needed flight hours before a checkride has caused many pilots to make decisions they wouldn't have considered under normal circumstances. Read how a seasoned helicopter pilot and his flight instructor did just that on a night VFR cross-country in the latest installment of "Never Again Online."

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 Clinics are scheduled in Jackson, Miss.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Rochester, N.Y., Jan. 19 and 20. Clinics are also scheduled in San Jose, Calif., and Baltimore, Jan. 26 and 27. 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 Ft. Worth, Tex., Jan. 14; Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 15; El Paso, Tex., Jan. 16; and Albuquerque, N.M., Jan. 17. The topic is "Top 5 Mistakes Pilots Make." For details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.