Summer airshows—or a well-timed visit to an airport—can reward you with incredible views of a dazzling aerobatic display. Before you decide this kind of flying isn’t for you, consider the benefit of learning precise aircraft control, and of increased situational awareness. You’ll be better able to recover if you ever encounter unseen wingtip vortices from a large, heavy jet. But be warned: This kind of flying is addictive.

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WHAT: Pitts Special S-1S
WHERE: Eldersburg, Maryland
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Rose

Poll probes students’ flight training experiences

Your input could win your school an award

AOPA announced an online poll April 10 that will be the basis for its 2013 Flight Training Excellence Awards.

“Our awards program, and this unique pilot poll, will give people a great opportunity to share feedback on their flight training experiences,” said Shannon Yeager, vice president of AOPA’s Center to Advance the Pilot Community. “The awards shine a spotlight on the best practices among flight instructors and flight training centers, encouraging new students to enter flight training and experienced pilots to pursue advanced ratings and improved proficiency.”

This year, anyone who has had a recent (within the last two years) flight training experience is encouraged to go online and complete the poll. Participants will be able to share feedback about a flight school and individual flight instructors.

Apart from asking participants to nominate a flight school and instructor, the poll asks students to rate their learning experience. Questions include the condition of the rental aircraft, quality of ground and flight instruction, the attitudes of the instructors and schools, and the methods used to set goals and mark progress.

The deadline to complete the poll is August 9. Participants do not have to be AOPA members.

AOPA first launched its Flight Training Excellence Awards in 2012, and winners were announced at last year’s AOPA Aviation Summit in Palm Springs, California. The 2013 winners will be recognized during AOPA Aviation Summit October 10 through 12 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Last year, the awards competition drew more than 2,400 nominations and resulted in 11 awards to individual flight instructors and flight schools and manufacturers. In addition, 50 more made a flight training honor roll.

Press here and learn something

New touchscreen trainer gains acceptance

The training department at Cirrus recently put its stamp of approval on the FlyThisSim’s TouchTrainer, a touchscreen flight simulator.

By making the endorsement official, the Cirrus training department is saying that it approves the TouchTrainer for training and currency, and will sell the device through its catalog, Cirrus Connection. According to a news release, the department has been testing the simulator since last summer. “We believe that this device can improve Cirrus pilots’ proficiency in the aircraft even if they are not able to fly as often as we flight instructors would like,” they said.

FlyThisSim’s TouchTrainer is a desktop simulator that includes the computer, monitors, software, and flight controls for a starting price of $4,400. A main display includes the normal cockpit layout that can either mimic a standard panel or act as a touchscreen. The smaller secondary screen includes all the touchscreen functionality under all parameters.

Other available airplanes include the Diamond DA40, and Cessna 172, 182, and 206. Because there is no hardware for the instrumentation, the simulator can be configured with either a Garmin G1000 or analog panel.

Welcome to the big time

New program provides a direct path to airlines

It’s a flight instructor’s dream. American Eagle Airlines recently launched a program that provides an opportunity for instructors at certain flight schools to be hired with the airline while they continue to build hours. It’s called the Pipeline Instructor Program, and unlike most programs that guarantee only an interview, this opportunity provides a secured position with American Eagle while the instructor is working toward the mandated ATP minimums. US Aviation Academy, based in Denton, Texas, was the first school to participate in the program. “This is the first coordinated initiative of its kind to address the worldwide pilot shortage and we are excited to be on the frontlines with American Eagle,” said Mike Sykes, CEO of US Aviation Academy. Although the program won’t be open to all instructors currently teaching at all schools, getting a job at one of the partner schools will result in a more direct path to the right seat of a regional jet.