The following stories from the July 13, 2007, 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 - Helicopter Interest
HIT TV SHOW 'AMERICAN CHOPPER' FINDS A WAY TO FLY
Have you seen The Learning Channel's American Chopper series where Paul Teutul Sr. and his sons, Paulie and Mikey, of Orange County Choppers argue their way through building exotic-looking motorcycles? Now the chopper boys have a different kind of chopper under an agreement with Silver State Helicopters of Henderson, Nevada. Silver State has painted a helicopter in the shop's scheme while Orange County Choppers is building a two-wheeled chopper for the helicopter company. The latter will be sold at auction. The helicopter is available for commercial charter trips. You will see both choppers on a future episode.
My ePilot - Professional Pilot Interest
CONNECT TO YOUR PASSION WITH AOPA CAREER PILOT
As you build time to land that dream airline job, visit the AOPA Career Pilot Web site, which features updated content including tips on career development, professional training (crew resource management in the cockpit), and information to help you understand sophisticated jets and turboprops. Perhaps you'd like to fly some of the most luxurious airplanes for CEOs. For the aspiring Career Pilot, AOPA offers success stories to motivate you plus weekly industry news updates highlighting new regulations and the airlines—like who's hiring or ordering new aircraft—to give you the needed edge to beat out the competition.
My ePilot - Student Interest, Training Tips
FLIGHT IN THE VEIL
Studying your cross-country destination on an aeronautical sectional chart, you see that it lies within the ring of airspace extending 30 miles from an airport at the center of Class B airspace. Your destination airport is outside the Class B airspace but inside the ring on the chart-the so-called Mode C veil. What does this mean for your flight?
You'll find the answer in two paragraphs from Chapter 3 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): "The airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in Appendix D, Section 1 of 14 CFR Part 91 (generally primary airports within Class B airspace areas), from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having Mode C capability.
"However, an aircraft that was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with a system installed may conduct operations within a Mode C veil provided the aircraft remains outside Class A, B, or C airspace; and below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport or 10,000 feet MSL, whichever is lower."
Now suppose you come to the airport for your flight and learn that your regular trainer, which has Mode C capability, is not available, but another, which lacks Mode C, is. Or that the Mode C function of your trainer is not functioning. Must you scrap your planned flight? Not necessarily. The words "unless otherwise authorized by ATC" in the language given above offer a solution. In such a case, you must contact the ATC facility with jurisdiction over the destination airport. How to find that contact information was the subject of the Quiz Me question and answer of the June 10, 2005, edition of AOPA ePilot. Note also that the ATC-authorized deviations referred to above must be made in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation 91.215, which sets out different time periods for making the request for transponder-equipped aircraft and those unequipped.
Plan ahead, know the rules, and work with ATC to get where you need to go!
My ePilot - Training Product
KING SCHOOLS COURSE DELVES INTO WAAS CAPABILITY
Pilots who fly airplanes equipped with Garmin 430/530 with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability can learn how to use WAAS effectively with a newly updated interactive course from King Schools. Flying the Garmin 430/530 now includes full video lessons that demonstrate how to best use the WAAS 430/530. The lessons are followed with interactive questions that let you practice what you have learned. Topics include best practices, WAAS, moving maps, flight plans, "Direct-To" usage, page groups, nearest airport, navigation aids, departures and arrivals, and more. The course contains seven CD-ROMs and runs approximately four hours before interactive questions. It sells for $249 and may be ordered online or by calling 800/854-1001.
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 am interested in flying professionally once I earn my wings. Can AOPA provide career information that will help me decide how best to pursue my interest?
Answer: AOPA Flight Training magazine has a Career Pilot section that offers articles on aviation career specialties and personal success stories, as well as a look at who's hiring. The "Career Advisor" pairs questions posed by aspiring pilots with answers from pilots already working in the industry, and "Career Tips" offers advice on how to stand out from the crowd. The Career Pilot Web section allows you to participate in a mock interview session and chat with pilots already working in your dream job. Also see AOPA's Guide to Flying Careers .
