AOPA Online Members Only -- AOPA ePilot Custom Content -- Vol. 8, Issue 47

The following stories from the November 24, 2006, 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.

---

My ePilot - Personal/Recreational Interest
WINTER ESCAPES
Where can you fly over snow-capped mountains, land on a frozen lake, and go dog sledding-east of the Mississippi? Vermont. Read Chris Hawley's February 2005 AOPA Pilot article " The Gods of the Hills: Winter flying in Vermont" for details on landing on frozen Lake Champlain, touring Burlington, and finding the best places to ski or dogsled in southern Vermont. His article also includes handy links to bed-and-breakfast Web sites, the New England Maple Museum, ski resorts, and more.

My ePilot - Renter Interest
FEARFUL FLYERS
Have a loved one who will walk by your side right up to the FBO but refuses to set foot in the airplane? You're not alone. Many pilots have spouses, family, or friends who are supportive of their flying-and even proud of their accomplishment-but are terrified of going up for a flight. Read Jill W. Tallman's " For love of flying" article in the August 2004 AOPA Flight Training to learn what to do, and what not to do, to help that uneasy someone understand flying. More information is available in AOPA's fear of flying subject report.

My ePilot - Piston Single-Engine Interest
FIGHT FATIGUE
Most pilots have flown while fatigued-pushed through that final leg to get home after a full day or headed to a destination after getting little sleep the night before. Many fatigue studies focus on business and airline flying, but GA pilots are just as susceptible to this condition that can lead to an accident. "Fatigue leads directly to impaired performance-forgetfulness, poor decision making, slowed reaction time, reduced vigilance, poor communication, fixation, apathy, lethargy, a bad mood, and nodding off," Mark Twombly explains in " Fatigue and the Single Pilot" in the June 2000 AOPA Pilot. Read his article to learn what you can do to battle fatigue.

My ePilot - Light Sport Aircraft Interest
A NEW BREED OF CUBS
The light sport movement has given pilots and aircraft a second chance. Those who let their medicals expire years ago can now use a driver's license to get back in the left seat. Those aircraft that seemed to be only a memory-like the J-3 Cub-received new life. Alton K. Marsh details the new light sport aircraft Cubs offered by American Legend Aircraft Co. and Cub Crafters Inc. in his article " Cubs For a New Generation" in the May 2006 AOPA Pilot.

My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Tips
ALCOHOL OFFENSE REPORTING
Alcohol and piloting don't mix. Student pilots learn operating rules like the "eight hours from bottle to throttle" mnemonic to help remember minimum required intervals. Other details of this subject on which you may be tested include how and when pilots must report alcohol-related motor vehicle violations to the FAA. There are two reporting requirements. Complying with one does not satisfy the need to make the other report-nor are they made to the same FAA officials. Do you know the requirements?

One report is made on an application for an airman medical certificate ( download a copy that you can review). See the instructions page for "convictions or administrative action history."

A less-understood reporting obligation appears in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). It requires reporting a "motor vehicle action" not later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action is taken. "One of the distinctions is that this notification must be made to the FAA within a short time after the event occurs and may not wait until your next medical examination. In addition, the notification must be made to the FAA's security office, not the medical office; thus, disclosing this information on the medical application form, which you may have to do also, does not discharge your responsibility to report the information under FAR 61.15," Kathy Yodice explained in the July 2001 AOPA Flight Training's " Legal Briefing" column. See the column for a definition of a "motor vehicle action."

What happens after a report? "The effects of a report, or a failure to report, are serious. If a pilot does report a motor vehicle action, it will automatically trigger a review of the pilot's file to determine if the pilot continues to be eligible for his or her airman certificate (two or more in a three-year period and you are out) or medical certificate (a history of alcoholism). If a pilot fails to report even one conviction or administrative action, that is grounds for suspension or revocation of any pilot certificate or rating he holds. It is also grounds for denial of an application for a certificate or rating for up to one year after the date of the motor vehicle action," John Yodice said in the May 2002 AOPA Pilot column " Pilot Counsel: Flying and Driving."

My ePilot - Training Product
SHOP FOR YOUR FAVORITE PILOT AT ASF ONLINE STORE
Avoid the crowds and get your student pilot (or flight instructor) a holiday gift. Visit the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's online store, where you can purchase DVDs on a variety of topics, including weather, single-pilot IFR, and others. You can also purchase flight planning forms, the "Pilot's Checkride Guide," and much more.

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: Is there an easy memory aid that can help me deal with an in-flight emergency?

Answer: It's as easy as ABCDE. The "A" stands for airspeed to pitch for best glide speed; "B" is used to identify the best place to land and fly to it; "C" stands for cockpit checklist to cover restart procedures and securing the aircraft; "D" is used to declare your situation to air traffic control/FSS on frequency 121.5 and transponder code 7700; and "E" stands for execute the emergency landing. When faced with an impending emergency landing, you should repeat the term MAYDAY three times to the air traffic controller or over the emergency frequency 121.5. This is because distress communications have absolute priority over all other communications, and MAYDAY commands radio silence. For additional insight, review the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's online course, Say Intentions-When You need ATC's Help and the AOPA Flight Training magazine article " Legal Briefing: Reporting Emergencies."