AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition - Volume 8, Issue 23

In this issue:
Restricted airspace expands during AOPA Fly-In
West Point cadets begin helicopter training
Airline training school to open second location

RESTRICTED AIRSPACE EXPANDS DURING AOPA FLY-IN
Pilots planning to attend AOPA's Fly-In and Open House should use extra care when planning and executing their flights into Frederick Municipal Airport on Saturday. The FAA is expanding the P-40 prohibited area, making it more vital than ever that pilots know exactly where they are and where they're headed. "By all means, come to fly-in," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "but be very thorough in your preflight planning. Our goal is zero airspace incursions in spite of the challenges thrown our way." AOPA is working to mitigate the issue and has notified the FAA and security agencies. Read more on AOPA Online.

TIPS FOR A SAFE ARRIVAL
With nearly 50 pristine aircraft on display, 100 aviation exhibits, and hours of safety seminars, AOPA’s Fly-In is the pilot’s perfect one-day getaway. But make sure you start the day right with a safe arrival. Review these safety tips, including intercept procedures, from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Then, study our arrival procedures.

THE 'E' WORD
Nobody wants to face an emergency while piloting an aircraft. But learning to fly requires studying and practicing how to respond if things go wrong. Rule One is always: Fly the airplane! (See the Dec. 19, 2003, Training Tip.) Then, activate the appropriate emergency procedure or checklist from your pilot's operating handbook. Another decision is what assistance to request from air traffic control. Emergency resources and procedures are catalogued and explained in AOPA's Handbook for Pilots .

When a pilot declares an emergency, he or she is granted authority to deviate from rules and clearances to the extent required to meet that emergency. That's a big responsibility, and a pilot could be called upon later to justify the actions taken. Your knowledge of emergency authority is probed in questions on the private pilot knowledge test. Here is a sample question:

What action, if any, is appropriate if the pilot deviates from an ATC instruction during an emergency and is given priority?

A) Take no special action since you are pilot in command.

B) File a detailed report within 48 hours to the chief of the appropriate ATC facility, if requested.

C) File a report to the FAA administrator, as soon as possible.

What constitutes an emergency? Kathy Yodice discussed that question in the September 2001 AOPA Flight Training's " Legal Briefing." The Aeronautical Information Manual's pilot/controller glossary "defines emergency as 'a distress or an urgency condition.' The FAA provides definitions for both terms. Distress is defined as 'a condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and of requiring immediate assistance.' And, urgency is defined as 'a condition of being concerned about safety and of requiring timely but not immediate assistance; a potential distress condition.' This is a good starting point to help you determine whether or not a specific situation is an emergency," Yodice wrote, adding, "The FAA further advises that an aircraft is in at least an urgency condition the moment the pilot 'becomes doubtful about' position, fuel endurance, weather, or any other condition that could adversely affect flight safety."

Study emergency procedures! Then take the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's online safety quiz. Emergencies are serious events, but pilot preparedness is what brings a safe resolution.

Are you beginning to embark on longer cross-country odysseys? While it's important to obtain a complete briefing and check the weather before flying in the traffic pattern, the atmosphere and its influence on your flight become even more significant once you venture outside your home airspace. Expand your aeronautical horizons and go to AOPA Flight Training Online for a complete weather picture.

WEST POINT CADETS BEGIN HELICOPTER TRAINING
Twenty West Point cadets have begun a four-week helicopter training program at the University of North Dakota (UND) Aerospace in Grand Forks, N.D. When they complete the program, they will have earned a student pilot certificate and logged enough hours to solo. A second group of cadets begins training July 8. The initiative continues an agreement established in 2003 between UND and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to train cadets to fly Army helicopters. The program has trained 143 cadets to date.

AIRLINE TRAINING SCHOOL TO OPEN SECOND GEORGIA LOCATION
Airline Transport Professionals (ATP) will open a second training center at Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville, Ga. The first location was opened in 1984 at Fulton County Airport-Brown Field in Atlanta. The new facility includes classrooms, simulator bays, pilot sleep/shower quarters, and 20,000 square feet of hangar space. ATP praised the location as being optimal for its airline training program, as the airport lies in Class D airspace but outside the 30-nautical-mile veil of Atlanta's busy Class B airspace.

WOMEN IN CORPORATE AVIATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP
Women in Corporate Aviation is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a man or woman who is seeking professional development and/or career advancement in any facet of corporate aviation. The award must be used for a specific program of education, such as flight training, maintenance career education, aviation education upgrades, or college aviation degree courses. For more information, see the Web site. The application deadline is June 30, 2008.

THE SWEEPSTAKES AIRPLANE COMES HOME
AOPA's Get Your Glass Sweepstakes is a long process. Between purchasing the airplane and refurbishing it, slightly more than a year passes. But this year, thanks to some great shops, the refurbishment is ahead of schedule. Come visit AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Md., this weekend for a personal, close-up view of the best new glass airplane in the sky. Visit the sweepstakes home page for more information.

FSS TIP OF THE WEEK: KICK THE 'K'
In an international context, airports in the 48 contiguous United States are prefixed with the ICAO country code "K." Because Lockheed Martin's flight service computer system is set up to automatically assume flights are domestic, pilots should not precede their airport identifier with a K unless they plan to fly internationally. Stating the K up front for a domestic flight could create extra steps for the briefer, thus slowing the process. Remember to phonetically spell airport identifiers to avoid miscommunication. For more FSS tips, download AOPA's quick reference card and take the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's A Pilot's Guide to Flight Service online minicourse. Complaints or compliments on your briefing? Report them to 888/358-7782.

INVITATION TO VOTE IN 'PILOT' PHOTO CONTEST
Help choose the next "Photo of the Month" in the AOPA Pilot 2008 General Aviation Photography Contest. Go online and vote for your favorite from among the 12 best May entries chosen by AOPA Pilot staff. The photo with the most votes will be announced in next week's ePilot Flight Training Edition and will be published on AOPA Online. Enter your own photos in the contest before Sept. 2. Cash prizes totaling more than $5,000 will be awarded, including a grand prize of $1,000.

STAY COVERED FOR AS LONG AS YOU INTEND TO PILOT AN AIRCRAFT
As you get older, you may want to consider selecting an insurance company to insure you for as long as you intend to pilot an aircraft. While, in most cases, aviation insurance companies will renew coverage for an active, current, and loss- and violation-free pilot, they may also have a pilot age limit beyond which they will not provide quotes for new business. Consult an experienced aviation insurance specialist about how various companies may apply such restrictions and factor this into your policy selection. Read more on AOPA 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.

ELITE OFFERS INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY SUMMER SCHOOL
ELITE Simulation Solutions is offering instrument proficiency ground school courses at its Orlando, Fla., facility. The instrument knowledge test prep course is a 12-hour classroom course meant to be taken over a weekend. The instrument knowledge and oral test prep course includes 30 hours of class instruction covered in 10 three-hour sessions. The instrument proficiency check course includes four hours of class and simulator instruction. Prices range from $169 to $259 per course. For class dates, more information, or to register, see the Web site.

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: How does carburetor ice form?

Answer: Carburetor ice forms as a result of a temperature change induced by the restriction in the venturi of a carburetor. The operating principle of float-type carburetors is based on the airflow through the venturi causing a decrease in air pressure, which draws fuel from the float chamber. When there is sufficient moisture and a significant temperature decrease, ice can form. Learn more about carburetor icing.

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:
Bartlesville, Okla. Biplane Expo 2008 takes place June 5 through 7 at Bartlesville Municipal (BVO). For more information, contact Charles W. Harris, 918/622-8400, or visit the Web site.

Reading, Pa. World War II Weekend takes place June 6 through 8 at Reading Regional/Carl A. Spaatz Field (RDG). For more information, contact Brenda Saylor or Dave Schott, 610/372-7333, or visit the Web site.

Frederick, Md. The 18th Annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House takes place June 7 at Frederick Municipal (FDK). For more information, visit the Web site.

Atlanta, Ga. A Good Neighbor Day airshow and open house takes place June 7 at Dekalb Peachtree (PDK). For more information, contact Mario Evans, 770/936-5440, or visit the Web site.

Caldwell, Id. A Festival of Flight airshow and classic car show takes place June 7 at Caldwell Industrial (EUL). For more information, contact Doug Bergner or Darin Hunt, 208/571-6804 or 208/459-0718, or visit the Web site.

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. A national Mooney fly-in takes place June 13 through 15 at Lake Tahoe (TVL). For more information, contact Phil Corman.

Chantilly, Va.  Become a Pilot Family Day will be held June 14 at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center adjacent to Dulles (IAD). For more information, contact Doug Baldwin, 703/572-4061, or visit the Web site.

Hinesville/Fort Stewart, Ga. A Salute the Troops event takes place June 14 and 15 at Midcoast Regional at Wright Army Airfield (LHW). For more information, contact Cindy Jones, 912/368-3471, or visit the Web site.

St. Francis, Kan. The twenty-sixth annual Stearman fly-in takes place June 14 and 15 at Cheyenne County Municipal (SYF). For more information, contact Robert Grace, 785/332-2251, or visit the Web site.

Lock Haven, Pa. A Sentimental Journey Fly-In takes place June 17 through 21 at William T. Piper Memorial (LHV). For more information, contact Carmen, 570/893-420, 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 Orlando, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Reston, Va.; June 7 and 8. Clinics are also scheduled in Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Columbus, Ohio, June 21 and 22, and in San Jose, Calif., June 28 and 29. 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 at the AOPA Fly-In and Open House, June 7, in Frederick, Md. Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.