Training Notes and News
Airlines Facing Pilot shortage, flight school leaders say
There is no doubt that airlines will face a critical pilot shortage beginning in the next few years. That was the message that came out of a meeting in October at Delta Connection Academy in Sanford, Florida, attended by leaders of some of the country’s leading flight schools, regional airlines, and financial and regulatory agencies.
“Are the airlines prepared to admit there will be a pilot shortage?” asked Capt. Mark Libretto, a pilot with JetBlue and graduate of Delta Connection Academy. Libretto, like others, said he believes that airlines must act now to ensure they will be able to hire the caliber of pilots needed in the future.
The participants also discussed industry-changing events, such as the fatal crash of Colgan Flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York, earlier this year. Among the many problems, everyone agreed that training was an issue. “You can go through training, not meet the standard, and still pass,” said Gabe Bruno, a retired FAA Flight Standards District Office manager. Capt. Dave Bushy with Cape Air said that professionalism and foundational learning were to blame for the Buffalo accident.
The meeting was the first held at Delta Connection Academy, and while participants weren’t expecting to come to any conclusions on how to fix issues such as the financial needs of students entering training, all agreed it was a good way to get the dialogue started. Delta Connection Academy Vice President of Operations and Maintenance John O’Brien established task leaders to further review the outcomes and continue the action moving forward.
Cessna releases sport pilot program
Cessna Aircraft Company has released its new sport/private pilot course to its Cessna Pilot Center network. The Web-based system allows customers to access training materials from any location with Internet access, and incorporates customizable scenarios for maximum instructor flexibility “This new training program, coupled with the anticipated deliveries of Cessna’s new light sport aircraft, the 162 SkyCatcher, later this year, makes this the complete package for anyone who wants to learn to fly,” said Tom Aniello, Cessna’s vice president of marketing.
King Schools to offer Redbird flight simulators
King Schools Inc. is selling products from Redbird Flight Simulations, a newcomer to the flight sim market. King Schools has exclusive marketing, sales, and distribution rights worldwide. The simulators are high-fidelity, full-motion products geared to the general aviation market. Available for less than $67,000, Redbird’s simulator uses student-specific scenarios to allow for maximum flexibility and interactivity in training. “Redbird’s products bring the same level of flight experience to new and non-professional pilots that has proven so effective in creating safe and proficient professional pilots,” said Barry Knuttila, head of marketing and technology for King Schools.
What it Looks like
By Mark Twombly
Flying yourself from the United States to another country and back is one of the most exciting things you can do with your pilot certificate. Planning and preparing for the trip is a big part of the fun, but before you get immersed in the details of routing, communications, and destination-country entry requirements, take care of a small but important requirement and its associated expense: ordering a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decal.
When you return to the United States from a foreign destination you must make your initial landing at an airport that offers customs and immigration clearance services. CBP agents inspect paperwork for everyone aboard, and they also inspect the aircraft.
One thing they want to see on the aircraft is a CBP decal—a small rectangular sticker that must be affixed “on the outside of the conveyance within 18 inches of the normal boarding area, where it is visible when doors/hatches are open,” according to CBP rules.
The large number on the decal refers to the valid year (“0” means the decal is current throughout calendar year 2010) and, along the bottom, the decal number. This is the number you would include on the required CBP arrival report.
The CBP decal looks officious, as is the process for obtaining one (see www.cbp.gov, click on “Travel” button at top), but the decal exists for only one purpose: to confirm that you have paid the CBP annual user fee of $27.50. In other words, it’s a receipt.
In 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed a budget act that implemented new user fees intended to cover the cost of border-entry inspections that previously were paid for by general tax revenues. When you pay that user fee, you get a decal.
So, the presence of a CBP decal on an airplane doesn’t necessarily indicate that it has journeyed to some foreign port of call. It means only that the airplane owner has paid CBP’s decal dues . For more about international flying, see AOPA Online.
Leroy Homer Jr. scholarship accepting applications
he LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sponsors young people who wish to pursue careers as professional pilots, is accepting applications for its 2010 flight training scholarship. The application deadline is January 31, 2010. The scholarship provides training toward a private pilot certificate at a Cessna Pilot Center. It was created in memory of LeRoy W. Homer Jr., the first officer on United Flight 93, which crashed during the September 11 terrorist attacks. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 23 years as of January 31, and must be able to obtain a third class medical certificate, among other requirements. For more information, see the Web site.
What’s in ‘AOPA Pilot’?
Here’s what you’re missing if you don’t read AOPA Pilot, the association’s flagship magazine published monthly for certificated pilots.
Are you ready to read about more advanced subjects such as these? Just as pilots upgrade to more advanced certificates, it may be time to upgrade your magazine. You can convert your paid membership to AOPA Pilot at any time by calling AOPA toll-free (800-USA-AOPA).
The Frugal Student: Money-saving tips
Send your money-saving ideas to [email protected]. Or, see the AOPA Flight Training page on Facebook.
- Sim it up! A desktop flight simulator can be your best friend on inclement days. Practice maneuvers, VOR navigation, even radio work. Add a yoke and rudder pedals for more realism.—Submitted by Matt White via Facebook
- Sim it up, part two: Use a flight school simulator to practice instrument approaches at about half the cost of renting an airplane. —Submitted by Deborah A. Sawyer via Facebook
Final Exam
Final Exam is composed of questions similar to those a student may expect on the private pilot knowledge test. Answers are researched by members of the AOPA Pilot Information Center staff.
1. The normal radius of the outer area of Class C airspace isA) 5 nautical miles.
B) 15 nautical miles.
C) 20 nautical miles.
A) Class B.
B) Class C.
C) Class D.
A) VA.
B) VLO.
C) VNE.
A) Enough to complete the flight at normal cruising speed with adverse wind conditions.
B) Enough to fly to the first point of intended landing and to fly after that for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed.
C) Enough to fly to the first point of intended landing and to fly after that for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed.
A) On the airworthiness certificate.
B) In the current, FAA-approved flight manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.
C) In the aircraft airframe and engine logbooks.
A) 200 knots.
B) 230 knots.
C) 250 knots.
Answers
1. The correct answer is C. Class C airspace has two rings of defined boundaries, a five-nm radius inner core and a 10-nm radius shelf, however this question refers to the “outer area.” The outer area is a 20-nm ring (not depicted on aeronautical charts) in which pilots are requested to contact the Class C approach control. The frequencies for ATC in those areas are depicted on the charts using rectangular magenta-colored boxes. You are not required to contact ATC while in this area, but it is highly recommended to enhance flight safety.
2. The correct answer is C. Class D airspace is depicted on aeronautical charts as a blue segmented circle. It extends up to about 2,500 feet agl and with a four- to five-nm radius. Class B airspace is depicted by a solid blue line. Class C airspace is depicted using a solid magenta line.
3. The correct answer is A. VA, or maneuvering speed, is the maximum speed at which you can fully deflect the controls without damaging the airplane. If you were to fully deflect the controls or perform a maneuver to the limits of the airplane, the wing would stall before allowing enough force (lG load) to be placed on the airframe in excess of its structural limits. VLO is the symbol for maximum landing gear operating speed. VNE is the maximum never exceed speed for an aircraft.
4. The correct answer is C. According to FAR 91.151, we are required to have enough fuel (considering wind and forecast weather) to get to our first point of intended landing and be able to fly for an additional 45 minutes on a night VFR flight. This is the bare minimum. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation recommends that we plan on landing with at least an hour of fuel in the tanks. Answer A is incorrect because it does not include the required reserve of 45 minutes. Answer B is incorrect because it only requires 30 minutes (which is correct for a day VFR flight), but short of the 45-minute requirement for night VFR.
5. The correct answer is B. The airplane flight manual or pilot’s operating handbook (POH) is the required official handbook for an individual airplane that includes specific information such as its actual weight, installed equipment list, and the procedures for safely operating the aircraft. The airworthiness certificate, while required, does not contain operating limitations. Airframe and engine logbooks contain maintenance records, not operating limitations or procedures.
6. The correct answer is A. According to FAR 91.117(c), you may not fly faster than 200 knots below the airspace underlying Class B. Answer B is incorrect because there is no mention of 230 knots in this regulation, however, it does mention a speed of 230 mph—the equivalent of 200 knots. Answer C is incorrect because 250 knots is the maximum speed for operating below 10,000 feet msl, allowed within, but not below Class B airspace.
AOPA members can discuss these or any aviation questions with Pilot Information Center staff by calling 800-USA-AOPA or sending an e-mail.
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