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Soaring is a special kind of flying that doesn't require a medical so it can be a less-expensive way to get into the air. Without an engine there's less noise to distract you and—best of all—every landing is an engine-out, so every landing is within your comfort zone. You'll search for lift that can keep you aloft for hours.

What: Blanik L-23
Where: Grand Teton mountains, Wyoming
Photographer: Mike Fizer

Microsoft takes ‘Flight’ with new sim

Game to be released this spring

A few years ago the future of Microsoft’s flight simulator franchise seemed all but over when the company axed the entire staff associated with the popular game. But things are looking up for flight sim fans. The company announced recently that the latest iteration, called Microsoft Flight, will be released this spring.

Clearly aimed at a wider audience, Flight will feature more of a gaming experience than previous flight sim editions. According to Microsoft, Flight will give players “the freedom to fly the skies...complete a variety of exciting missions, test their skills in flying challenges, or find hidden aerocaches.” However, the company was quick to point out that “accomplished PC pilots” will find Flight to be fun and useful as well.

The game will be a free download, presumably with additional aircraft or challenges at a cost. The first and default airplane is Icon’s A5, which means that, ironically, everyone will “fly” the airplane before almost anyone can actually do so

New NAFI insurance option available for CFIs

Avemco selected to provide coverage

Flight instructors who instruct in aircraft they don’t own have a new insurance option from the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and Avemco Insurance Co. The two organizations announced the NAFI CFI Insurance Program on January 1.

NAFI Executive Director Jason Blair said the plan would apply to the overwhelming majority of the association’s 4,000 members who teach in non-owned aircraft. He pointed out a highlight of the plan was professional liability for instructors that includes coverage for liability claims from past instruction given as long as the instructor has a current policy. A change from the previous policy NAFI offered is that now instructors can select the type of aircraft for which they want coverage, like single- or multiengine land, seaplane, experimental, and light sport aircraft. It also offers 19 limit options for aircraft damage liability coverage and up to 10 percent annual premium credit with the Avemco Safety Rewards Program, according to a joint NAFI-Avemco announcement.

Blair said that the program is available in most states; however, it is still pending approval in Minnesota, California, and New York. He said that NAFI members in that state could purchase an Avemco policy and then transfer to the NAFI program once it is approved in that state. NAFI members can contact Avemco for policy details and rates.

Training Product: Sporty’s solo course

Go from zero to hero in no time

For some people, the entire goal of getting into aviation is simply to fly an airplane solo one time. For others, solo is an elusive and frustrating hurdle. Get beyond it, and the training often accelerates thanks to a newfound sense of optimism.

That’s why Sporty’s Pilot Shop developed its new Solo Course on DVD.

The Solo Course includes information targeted to get prospective pilots from zero time to solo in the most efficient way possible. It includes six hours of video on three DVDs. Topics include takeoffs and landings, basic regulations, and pretty much everything else you need to know prior to solo.

For a flight school looking to add to its flight training offerings, the solo course is a great support tool. For beginning students, it’s a good buy. That’s because if you decide to go beyond solo, the course includes a coupon for $65 (the cost of the course) toward the purchase of the complete private pilot kit.

Price: $65
Contact: www.sportys.com