AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Custom Content -- Vol. 7, Issue 36

The following stories from the September 9, 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 - Instrument Interest
HANDLING THE MISSED APPROACH
Many instrument pilots file IFR flight plans in VFR conditions or fly in light IMC. But when was the last time you shot an approach at an airport that was exactly at minimums? Can you swiftly execute a missed approach? "There's no time on the missed approach to muck about in the cockpit, trying to figure out where to go next," explains Marc E. Cook in "Missed Approaches and Holding," part of the "Instrument Insights: Techniques for Precise Flying" series in the April 1998 AOPA Pilot. Cook provides some techniques to help you feel more confident executing the missed approach.

My ePilot - Professional Pilot Interest
FAA EXTENDS COMPLIANCE DEADLINE FOR SIC RATING
The FAA has extended the compliance deadline for the new second-in-command type rating until June 6, 2006, to give pilots more time to prepare. The rule was drafted to allow U.S. flight crews to continue flying in international airspace without the threat of being grounded because they do not have the appropriate type ratings under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Pilots flying in the United States currently do not need the new SIC pilot type rating.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Tips
CLEARING THE RUNWAY
You landed at your destination and are slowing to taxi speed at the tower-controlled airport when the tower controller says: "Piper Two-Seven-Bravo, turn right next taxiway, ground point nine when clear."

What did she say? You are trying to make sense of the transmission as another question pops into your mind: Where should you stop after clearing? On this side of the hold line painted across the taxiway or the other side? There sure is more to landing on and vacating a runway than it seems.

Your controller was referring to frequency 121.9 MHz. In giving the runway clearance instructions, the controller was using a form of verbal shorthand; it has to do with the fact that the ground control frequency used at this airport is in the 121-MHz bandwidth (most are). Chapter 4 of the Aeronautical Information Manual explains: "A controller may omit the ground or local control frequency if the controller believes the pilot knows which frequency is in use. If the ground control frequency is in the 121 MHz bandwidth the controller may omit the numbers preceding the decimal point; e.g., 121.7, 'Contact ground point seven.' However, if any doubt exists as to what frequency is in use, the pilot should promptly request the controller to provide that information."

What about that hold line facing you across the taxiway? Should you cross it? You should. But when you're taxiing out again for takeoff, don't do it. How the line is painted will help you remember. "If the solid line is facing you like a wall, with the dashed lines behind, then you cannot cross them without permission. You have 'hit the wall.' If the dashed lines are facing you and you can taxi 'through' the breaks in the lines, then you can cross without permission. In fact, this will be the case and the expectation when clearing the runway," wrote Charles Wright in the February 2003 AOPA Flight Training feature "Taxi Tips."

So that's what to do if the tower controller says nothing as you slow to taxi speed and contemplate the taxiways along the runway. If there is any doubt as to how to proceed, ask the tower for assistance. And before your next flight, review the chapter on runways and taxiways in AOPA's Handbook for Pilots for safety and confidence and download a copy of the Operations at Towered Airports Safety Advisor from the AOPA Online Safety Center.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Products
LATEST VERSION OF 'ANYWHERE MAP' NOW AVAILABLE
Control Vision has released version 1.7 of its "Anywhere Map" moving-map software for PocketPC, which transforms a personal digital assistant into a GPS. The updated, tabbed Airport Information Screen features large buttons for easy access to airport data, and a new online fuel service provides fuel prices that can be uploaded to the PDA. A one-year subscription for first-time customers is $289; current subscribers can download the latest version for free. For more information or to order, 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.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Final Exam
Question: While preparing for my private pilot checkride, my instructor asked me to find the regulation that requires me to fly with current charts. Can AOPA help me find this?

Answer: The term "current charts" is not found in Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, but FAR 91.103, preflight action, states that each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. An expired chart will not show new frequencies or recently constructed structures, some of which could be tall enough to be obstacles. To ensure that a chart is current, check the next scheduled edition date printed on its cover or see the Dates of Latest Editions on the NACO Web site. For more information on this topic, visit AOPA Online.