AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Custom Content -- Vol. 7, Issue 28

The following stories from the July 15, 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 - Piston Single-Engine Interest
SIMULATED ENGINE OUTS: 'CLEAR' THE ENGINE
Practicing simulated emergency procedures can keep your skills sharp and help you stay calm and collected if you ever have to work through a real emergency. While practicing these procedures, it is essential that you properly care for the engine so that a simulation doesn't turn into the real thing. It is important to use carburetor heat and "clear" the engine periodically by adding some power. "This is for two main reasons: To prevent the engine from cooling too quickly-which could damage components, especially cylinders-and also for simple reassurance that the engine is still running and power will be available when needed at the end of the maneuver," explains Dan Namowitz in "Accident Analysis: Engine Out!" in the April 2002 AOPA Flight Training.

My ePilot - Turboprop Interest
FAA TAKES AIRWORTHINESS ACTION ON HARTZELL PROPS
The FAA has adopted a final airworthiness directive for Hartzell propellers installed with certain mounting bolts. The AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections and torque checks and the eventual removal from service of the affected bolts. The propellers are installed on various airplane models including Cessna Caravans, Beechcraft King Airs, Piper Cheyennes, and Aero Commanders. The AD becomes effective July 29, but the FAA is accepting comments until September 12. Download the AD.

My ePilot - Other Interest
SEAWIND REACHES 2,000-HOUR MILESTONE
Seawind Inc. announced last week that its proof-of-concept amphibious aircraft had logged its 2,000th hour. So far, the aircraft has more than 1,300 water landings and more than 1,800 landings on land. The company is working on certification at its Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu facility in Quebec, Canada, and has engaged test pilots and a flight engineer to prepare flight test plans to be approved by Transport Canada. The aircraft also is scheduled to receive a factory-remanufactured engine after EAA AirVenture 2005. For more information, see the Web site.

My ePilot - Light-Sport Aircraft Interest
FLORIDA COMPANY SEEKS TO CERTIFY LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT
Spectrum Aircraft Corporation, based in Sebring, Florida, is working with Aeroprakt, a company from the Ukraine, to offer six light-sport aircraft models in the United States. The company plans to offer four versions of the A-20, with tandem seating and tailwheel configuration, and two versions of the A-22, with side-by-side seating and nosewheel configuration. Spectrum previously sold the aircraft in the United States under the experimental category. The company plans to assemble the aircraft in the United States, certified to meet light-sport aircraft standards, beginning in 2006. Prices range from $52,000 to $65,500. For more information, visit the Web site.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Tips
RATING TURBULENCE
Has another pilot's report of conditions along your proposed route of flight ever helped you to prepare? Turbulence, for example, is especially prone to vary from forecast conditions, and there's nothing like a first-hand account to take the uncertainty out of your planning.

Some of the ways turbulence is manufactured by the weather were described in the February 18, 2005, Training Tips. Pilots encountering turbulence are urged to report it for the benefit of other aircraft. The usual means is by a pilot report, or "pirep." File pireps often during your training, for practice and to share information with your fellow pilots. The desired format of a pirep on turbulence is given in the Aeronautical Information Manual and includes seven items:
1. Aircraft location
2. Time of occurrence in UTC
3. Turbulence intensity
4. Whether the turbulence occurred in or near clouds
5. Aircraft altitude or flight level
6. Type of aircraft
7. Duration of turbulence

Evaluate pireps on turbulence carefully. Ask yourself whether the reported turbulence is consistent with conditions predicted during your weather briefing, and if not, why not? "When you call or visit an FAA flight service station for a preflight weather briefing, the information you receive on current weather should include pilot reports for your route of flight. If the briefer doesn't mention pilot reports, you should ask: 'Are there any pireps along my route?'" advised Jack Williams in his January 2003 AOPA Flight Training column, "The Weather Never Sleeps: Pirep Plea."

The reported intensity of the turbulence is the only truly subjective item on the list, making the type of aircraft important. Turbulence that feels "light" to the crew of a corporate jet may be moderate or worse to a light single-engine airplane. Chapter 7 of the AIM offers useful descriptions of light, moderate, severe, and extreme turbulence. It also explains the difference between turbulence and "chop."

To improve your pirep skills, complete the SkySpotter Program from the AOPA Online Safety Center. When providing your own pireps, don't save your reports for conditions that are as bumpy, or bumpier, than forecast. Surprisingly serene weather is good news that other pilots would love to know about. In-flight weather information is precious. Share the wealth!

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Products
TWO-FOR-ONE OFFER: MACHADO 'PRIVATE PILOT HANDBOOK,' DVD
Aviation humorist and author Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook, a guide to the private pilot certificate, acclaimed as much for its down-to-earth, humorous approach as for its thoroughness, is a staple of many a pilot's personal library. Sporty's Pilot Shop is offering a special package that includes the handbook plus a bonus DVD for one price. The Samurai Airmanship DVD features a Machado presentation in which he explains how the code of the samurai and their discipline can be adapted for risk management and setting personal minimums. The special package sells for $34.95 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.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Final Exam
Question: I rent an airplane from my local FBO for my private pilot flight training. Is it necessary for me to have renter's insurance?

Answer: While your FBO may not require it, having your own insurance coverage is strongly recommended. Here's why: An FBO's insurance policy is designed to protect the FBO, not the renter. You can be held liable for injuries to passengers, damage to property, and even damage to the aircraft itself. What's more, if you damage the aircraft and the FBO turns in a claim for damage beyond its deductible to its insurance company, the insurance company can pay the FBO for the damage, then take action against you to collect the amount it paid to the FBO. This is called "subrogation." But that's not all. You could also be liable for the FBO's deductible, which could cost you thousands. With renter's insurance available for less than the cost of a few hours of flight time, it only makes sense to get covered. To apply for your coverage today, please click here, and for additional information, read AOPA's Guide to Aircraft Insurance .