AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition - Volume 8, Issue 27

In this issue:
AOPA President Phil Boyer to retire
Veteran racers finish first in all-women's race
UND Aerospace to train pilots from India

HOLIDAY FLYING
A long holiday weekend that opens with an Independence Day celebration is an irresistible time to combine flying with vacationing or visits to loved ones far away. If the weather cooperates, the long weekend is a perfect training opportunity to launch on a solo cross-country or log some hours practicing for a checkride.

Of course you're not the only pilot who has this in mind. The skies are likely to be abuzz with aircraft. That's doubly true in the traffic pattern of any airports you'll visit, so be extra careful, especially in places where aircraft are likeliest to converge (final approach, and above navigational aids, or navaids). For some guidelines on preparing to fly during the upcoming holiday period, see the July 4, 2003, "Training Tip: Holiday Flight Precautions." 

Notices to airmen (notams) should be reviewed carefully and often, especially if there will be a long ground-time interval between your outbound flight and return flight. Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are likely to go into effect without much notice—add them to your list of items to stay on top of before flying. The security of your aircraft and your airport deserves your attention during the Fourth of July holiday. Resources for managing all of these vital pilot responsibilities can be found in links provided in the AOPA Online news archive article "AOPA tips: Ensure a holiday free of mishaps." It includes this safety reminder about a small but important detail for the notam-checking phase of your preflight briefings: "Look for local notams...in order to avoid areas where airshows and aerial displays are scheduled."

As aircraft owners take advantage of free time to air out their flying machines, many nontowered airports come to life with homebuilts, ultralights, and classic aircraft. Keep your eyes outside! Many of these aircraft are not radio equipped. "In the see-and-avoid flight environment, a radio helps but is not required," reminds the Sept. 3, 2004, "Training Tip: Aviation's Silent Partners."

What better time for the full scope and diversity of general aviation to be displayed in all its glory than a long Fourth of July holiday weekend? Stay safe—and don't miss out on the fun.

Higher-than-usual density altitude is here for the duration in many parts of the country. "High, hot, and humid" is the terrible trio that robs your aircraft of performance and creates potentially deadly scenarios. Read AOPA's aviation subject report on density altitude for in-depth information on weather, accident prevention, and aircraft performance. Then take a look at the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Mountain Flying Safety Advisor and online course. If you still have questions, call the AOPA Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern.

AOPA PRESIDENT PHIL BOYER TO RETIRE
Phil Boyer will step down as AOPA president at the end of the year. When Boyer took the controls in 1991 (only the third president in AOPA's 69-year history), the GA industry was in crisis, beaten down by product liability lawsuits. He helped pass the General Aviation Revitalization Act, which turned around aircraft manufacturing. He also championed civilian use of GPS and WAAS, and later ADS-B to benefit general aviation. Boyer upgraded AOPA management and member service resulting in a 40-percent membership growth, despite declining pilot numbers. His new ventures funded novel GA advocacy and member benefits, while holding AOPA dues to $39. "I've made no secret in the aviation community that I had a retirement plan. But before stepping down, I wanted to make sure I was leaving the world-class AOPA organization run by the best management team to continue our leadership in GA advocacy, information, and education," said Boyer. "At the end of this year, I will be able to 'get my life back' and fully enjoy the GA flying that AOPA fights so hard to preserve." Read more on AOPA Online.

AOPA TRUSTEES SELECT CRAIG FULLER TO SUCCEED BOYER
The chairman of the AOPA Board of Trustees, William C. Trimble III, announced June 30 that AOPA member and 40-year pilot Craig L. Fuller had been selected to succeed Phil Boyer as AOPA president, effective Jan. 1, 2009. Fuller has headed a national trade association and held top positions in the White House, global consulting and public affairs firms, and a Fortune 50 corporation. A pilot since age 17, he currently owns an A36 Bonanza, which he flies some 200 hours a year for business and pleasure. "After hundreds of interviews and a painstaking review of 100 potential candidates, it was clear that Craig Fuller, a recognized leader in business, public affairs, and association management, would be ideally suited to carry on Phil's tremendous legacy," said Trimble.

VETERAN RACERS FINISH FIRST IN ALL-WOMEN'S RACE
Veteran air racers Dene Chabot-Fence of Carson City, Nev., and Gloria May of Fresno, Calif., won the thirty-second annual Air Race Classic all-women's cross-country speed race last week. Chabot-Fence and May also won the 2001 competition and have placed in the top 10 on multiple occasions since 1994. This year's competition launched on June 24 from Bozeman, Mont., and concluded June 27 at Mansfield, Mass. The top-scoring collegiate racing team was fielded by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which took eighth place overall. Marisha Palk and Mandy Parsons competed on behalf of Embry-Riddle. The 2009 air race will launch June 23 in Denver, Colo., and end on June 29 in Atlantic, Iowa. For more information, see the Web site.

UND AEROSPACE TO TRAIN PILOTS FROM INDIA
The University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will provide pilot training for more than 200 college students from India under a new three-year agreement. The Bharati Vidyapeeth University (BVU) students will obtain a commercial certificate and instrument rating during their training, which will take place at UND Aerospace's facility at Roberson Community College in Lumberton, N.C. The students will complete their academic requirements at BVU and transfer the credit hours from their flight training to BVU.

EXPERIENCED IFR PILOTS BENEFIT FROM MINICOURSES
What could a 10,000-hour corporate pilot and safety officer possibly learn from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's free online series of IFR Chart Challenge minicourses? Plenty, it turns out. "I've been flying for 26 years, have over 10,000 hours, and (was) amazed at what I don't know or have forgotten," Todd Tobiason recently wrote to the foundation. The safety officer and line pilot for a company with six corporate aircraft, Tobiason completed and praised all three IFR Chart Challenge minicourses following the foundation's recent outreach to 89,000 instrument-rated pilots nationwide. "They were very good," he said. "I will send these on to our six other pilots for a refresher." Are you up to the challenge? Try the ILS, RNAV, and VOR approach minicourses today.

ANOTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
One of the first things you learn when training to become a pilot is that many of the airplane's systems have backups. That's why many instruments are driven by different power sources. With AOPA's Get Your Glass Sweepstakes, electrical power was a major concern. The Aspen Avionics EFD1000 primary flight display runs off electrical power, and we wanted to make sure the winner gets a safe panel. Learn what we did in this week's sweepstakes update.

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.

ASA 'INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES TUTORIAL'
Here's a new software program for instrument pilots-to-be (or for those who want to hone their situational awareness). Instrument Procedures Tutorial from Aviation Supplies and Academics aims to use a graphical interface to help pilots form a mental image of the steps involved in instrument procedures. The goal is to improve pilots' situational awareness and visualization skills while teaching procedures and approaches with simple how-to demonstrations. The package is compatible with Mac and PC and sells for $49.95. See the Web site 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: Every year I pick up fireworks for my kids and bring them home for a Fourth of July celebration. Am I allowed to transport fireworks in my aircraft?

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.

Looking for some really fabulous aviation photography? All the air-to-air photos and beautifully detailed ground images used by AOPA Pilot magazine over the years are yours at the click of a mouse button. Download your favorite images to use for wallpaper or send an e-postcard. For more details, see AOPA Online.

UPCOMING FLYING DESTINATIONS:
Basye, Va. A fly-in takes place July 5 at Sky Bryce (VG18). For more information, contact Kevin Brennan, 240/888-3603, or visit the Web site.

Burlington, Iowa. The American Yankee Association annual convention takes place July 7 through 10 at Southeast Iowa Regional (BRL). For more information, contact Don Cochran, 913/856-4075, or visit the Web site.

Arlington, Wash. A fly-in takes place July 9 through 13 at Arlington Municipal (AWO). For more information, contact 360/435-5857, 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 Clinics are scheduled in Newark and Pittsburgh, July 19 and 20. 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 Wichita, Kan., Ypsilanti, Mich., and Germantown, Tenn., on September 8. Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.