AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Custom Content -- Vol. 7, Issue 26

The following stories from the July 1, 2005, edition of AOPA ePilot were provided to AOPA members who expressed an interest in the particular subject areas. Any AOPA member can receive information tailored to their areas of interest by updating their preferences online.

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My ePilot - Renter Interest
GETTING CHECKED OUT IN UNFAMILIAR TERRAIN
Like many pilots, you might do most of your flying in one area-you know the local land and weather like the back of your hand. If you move to another part of the country with different terrain and weather conditions, you might feel like you've entered a different world. When you are getting checked out at a new FBO, talk to the instructor about some of those differences. "Pilots launch to far-flung destinations all the time with little or no local knowledge. But experience indicates that a little instruction can go a long way, especially if you're flying into an area with challenging topography, airspace, or weather," writes Julie K. Boatman in "To New, Blue Skies" in the December 2000 AOPA Pilot.

My ePilot - Turboprop Interest
KEEP YOUR TURBINE OPERATING IN THE GREEN
Pilots closely monitor their engine instruments during start-up and takeoff to make sure all is working as it should. It is particularly important for pilots of turbine-powered aircraft to monitor their engine instruments so they don't let an engine heat beyond its redline. "If you're not careful, it can be very easy to make a turbine engine's hot section (combustion chamber) overheat," explains Thomas A. Horne in "Turbine Technique: Avoiding Redline Fever," in the June 1999 AOPA Pilot. Horne explains why overheating usually occurs during starts, takeoff, and when climbing at high power.

My ePilot - Light-Sport Aircraft Interest
NEW SPORT PLANE TO BE REVEALED AT OSHKOSH
A company called Nexaer (also known as ComposiCraft) based at Meadow Lake Airport near Colorado Springs, will unveil the Nexaer LS1 at Oshkosh this summer. The 120-knot, low-wing, two-place aircraft is priced at less than $100,000, including a parachute recovery system. It won't fly until September, so the speed isn't proven, but the design is by AirBoss Aerospace in Denver, which helped with the designs of several aircraft now reaching the market. The cockpit will be 54 inches wide. Nexaer President Paul Klahn said it is designed to jam as much comfort, style, and performance as possible into the limitations placed on Sport category aircraft.

LEGEND FLOATCUB CONTINUES FLIGHT TESTING
American Legend Aircraft Company's light sport Legend FloatCub has been undergoing flight testing since its first flight in May. During initial flight tests, the FloatCub reached a cruise speed of 71 knots with a climb propeller. American Legend fitted its Legend Cub, which is expected to receive FAA certification in July, with straight Baumann Floats to offer the FloatCub. Floats add $23,500 to the base price of the $67,000 Legend Cub.

My ePilot - Helicopter Interest
SCHWEIZER DELIVERS TENTH NEW 300CBi TO FLIGHT SCHOOL
A Schweizer 300CBi helicopter recently made the 2,400-mile trek from the Schweizer facility in Elmira, New York, to its new home at a flight school in British Columbia. The 300CBi was the tenth such delivery to BC Helicopters of Abbotsford, which uses them for mountain flying training, photography, reconnaissance, and other charter roles. BC Helicopters switched to an all-Schweizer fleet in 2001.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Tips
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
One of a pilot's preflight-preparation responsibilities is to determine whether an aircraft is legal and safe to fly. This, as noted in Area of Operation 1, Task B of the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards, includes being able to locate and explain any airworthiness directives (ADs) that affect the aircraft. Is the aircraft you fly in compliance with applicable ADs? What exactly is an AD?

"According to the 'legal' definition, to be airworthy, an aircraft must satisfy two conditions. First, it must conform to its type certificate, as modified by supplemental type certificates and airworthiness directives, if any. Second, the aircraft must be in a condition for safe operation," wrote Kathy Yodice in "Legal Briefing: Airworthy or Not" in the August 2000 AOPA Flight Training.

If you are not acquainted with the role of ADs, Part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations is a good place to do some reading. That section, not one usually consulted by pilots, is brief and worth scrutiny. It is the place to find the definition of an AD: The FAA's ADs are legally enforceable rules that apply to the following products: aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. "FAR 39.3 provides that 'no person may operate a product to which an airworthiness directive applies except in accordance with the requirements of that airworthiness directive,'" wrote John Yodice in the June 2004 "Pilot Counsel" column in AOPA Pilot.

Regulations require that a record be kept of the current status of all applicable ADs, including the method of compliance. The maintenance records for your aircraft may include a chronological list of applicable ADs. Another way to research the applicability of an AD is to consult the list of serial numbers associated with it. The FAA posts all in-effect ADs on its Web site and will notify pilots of newly issued emergency ADs by e-mail by request. You can search AOPA Online for ADs using their number.

Ask your local aircraft mechanic to discuss AD compliance and record keeping for an aircraft you fly. Learning about this system will also increase your appreciation of the priority that the aviation community places on safety.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Products
GET STARTED ON FLIGHT TRAINING WITH SPORTY'S PILOT KITS
When you embark on a flight-training regimen, you'll need some study materials. Sporty's offers Learn to Fly Here pilot kits that bundle these materials at a 25-percent savings over purchasing them separately. Available for recreational and private pilot students, the kits include the appropriate Complete Pilot Course on interactive DVD, a training course outline, Practical Test Standards Study Guide, Getting Started DVD, graduation certificate, Airplane Flying Handbook, Aviation Weather, Aviation Weather Services, a FAR/AIM, an electronic E6B flight computer, fuel tester, sectional plotter, and a pilot's flight log. Everything is packaged in a black gear bag with the owner's three initials embroidered on it. The recreational pilot kit is $249; the private pilot kit is $299. Order online or call 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.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Final Exam
Question: I'm a CFI training a student for the sport pilot certificate. What are the limitations on the type of aircraft that he can train in?

Answer: A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate may receive flight training in an aircraft that is standard category, or not a light sport aircraft. However, according to 14 CFR 61.89(c), he may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft other than a light sport aircraft. This means that your student may only solo and perform the checkride in a light sport aircraft, or one that meets the definition of a light sport aircraft. See AOPA Online for more information on Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft.