Training Tips
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Student pilots hear constant reminders to verify that the navigation charts and flight publications being used in training have not expired. And it's an important preparatory task for an upcoming flight test to check expiration dates, and order new editions of any publication scheduled to expire before checkride day.
It's just as important to be watchful for alerts about changes to the expiration dates themselves—such as the recent change in the expiration date of the Green Bay Sectional Chart, about which AOPA advised members on Nov. 12.
But don't just make note of the chart's revised expiration date; find out why the decision was made to extend the chart's life beyond the published Dec. 12 expiration to Jan. 9, 2014, when the next edition would be released.
This was a case where the chart's life was extended so that the next edition's effective date would coincide with the effective date of changes made by the FAA to Class B airspace centered on Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, a portion of which appears on the western edge of the Green Bay Sectional Chart. Had the chart expired as originally scheduled, the following edition would have presented an inaccurate depiction of the Class B airspace less than a month into the publication cycle—not an ideal scenario.
The FAA safety alert about the change reminded pilots to check the Aeronautical Chart Bulletin section of the airport/facility directory periodically for updated information between publication dates of chart editions.
"The general policy is to include only those changes to controlled airspace and special use airspace that present a hazardous condition or impose a restriction on the pilot, and major changes to airports and radio navigational facilities, thereby providing the VFR pilot with the essential data necessary to update and maintain chart currency," the publication explains.
One recent example of a change published in the Aeronautical Chart Bulletin dealt with an airport's common traffic advisory frequency published in the ninetieth edition of the Kansas City Sectional, valid May 30. "Change CTAF 122.8 to 122.9 at ST CLAIR arpt," said the note, which included the airport's coordinates.
Knowing that your charts are unexpired before you fly is part of a job that also includes noting any changes taking effect before the new chart comes out—and sometimes, changes to the publication schedule itself.
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Flight Training News
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Article
Amanda Rodelander deferred her dream of learning to fly after an ATV accident in June 2001 seriously damaged her left arm. But she persevered, earning her private pilot certificate in June 2013.
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Instrument flight instructor Jason Miller, best known for his weekly aviation podcast, has launched a live online class for instrument pilots.
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Rotorcraft Rookie
Airplanes are made to fly. For helicopters it isn't so easy. Robinson Helicopter uses a number of creative and inexpensive features to make the most of the Robinson R22.
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Rotorcraft Rookie
Learning how to hover a helicopter, or how to fly on a balance beam.
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Article
The pilots of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Commissioned Corps fly missions that mix science and adventure, taking pilots from the North Atlantic to the edge of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, and toward the edge of the Twin Otter's envelope.
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Flash cards
The Air Safety Institute is proud to present updated airspace flash cards, now optimized for your mobile device. Designed to help new and experienced pilots alike keep the different types of airspace and symbols straight, each card includes a color depiction of the airspace as seen on navigational charts, a description of its characteristics, and a discussion question. Access your free set today, or download the PDF.
Kansas State University Salina's 2013-2014 flight team has become the first in university history to win the Safecon VI regional competition. At the Stillwater, Okla., event, K-State Salina's flight team members earned 26 top-20 finishes, 13 top-five finishes, and two first-place finishes. A team member earned the Top Pilot Award, and the team placed first overall in ground events and second in flight events. The team will compete at the national Safecon competition, May 12 through 16, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio.
Digital edition
Whether you're an active CFI, getting back into instructing, or have an interest in flight training, the Air Safety Institute recommends its free CFI to CFI newsletter, optimized for PCs and tablets. You'll find tips on stall recovery, staying healthy while instructing, and helping restore a student's confidence. Use the "Leave a Comment" tab to exchange ideas with other CFIs, and share videos, safety quizzes, and courses with your students. Sign up now for your free quarterly issue.
Read this issue…
Apps of the week
This week, AOPA highlights another five instrument simulator apps: Radionav Sim, ADFVis, Aircraft Altimeter, iHUD, and GPSCockpit.
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Training Resources
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What happens when a newly rebuilt engine loses power at 200 feet? Lincoln, Neb., physician Ron Craig is glad to be here to tell you in this presentation from the Air Safety Institute. The Real Pilot Stories series features pilots telling their own stories and what they learned from the experience.
Watch the presentation...
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Did you know that student pilots who join AOPA are three times more likely to complete their flight training? Membership includes unlimited access to aviation information by phone (800/USA-AOPA, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time) or from Flight Training Online or AOPA Online. If you're not already a member, join today and get the pilot's edge.
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
There's no evidence of a problem, but the FAA has decided to solve it: Get the scoop on a new sleep apnea policy. Plus, AOPA Pilot Senior Editor Al Marsh flies the "Harley of the sky," the Super Legend Cub. And find out what these National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association pilots say is their favorite airplane—it's not the P-3 Orion.
AOPA Live This Week®, Nov. 21.
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Career Pilot
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Kansas' Dodge City Community College, which offers a two-year college degree in applied science utilizing rotorcraft, boasts of zero unemployed graduates since the program began five years ago. The college's flight training is done under contract by Universal Helicopters.
Florida Institute of Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding with CommutAir/United Express, to provide a development and bridging program for qualified aeronautics program students. Student internships and employment opportunities will be provided for juniors, seniors, and graduates seeking to become airline pilots or dispatchers.
Article
To help pilots focus on learning the avionics, Garmin on Nov. 12 launched an interactive online training course for the G5000 integrated flight deck. Garmin plans to expand its eLearning Training courses to additional products in the future, a company spokeswoman told AOPA.
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For more aviation career news, see the Flight Training website.
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Plane Spotter
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No matter how many different aircraft a plane spotter learns to spot, there remains one that you most enjoy pointing out to the airport crowd. That one is the trainer in which you logged your first hour, or soloed, or flew on checkride day. Maybe it was an orange-and-white Cessna 152, or a venerable PA-28-140 (the kind with the overhead crank for a trim wheel), a Cub, an Aeronca Champ, or something sleek and new. Doesn't matter—it's still the most special aircraft in the world.
What was yours?
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Training Products
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ASA has released the eighth edition of the Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide, by Michael D. Hayes. The guide will help prepare applicants for their commercial oral exam and checkride with FAA examiners. Using a question-and-answer format, this guide lists the questions most likely to be asked by examiners and provides succinct, ready responses. The cost is $12.95.
Helicopter instructors can now take an online flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) from King Schools. King Schools has partnered with the Helicopter Association International to provide thought-provoking, scenario-based videos to illustrate key points on helicopter risk management. The new helicopter FIRC includes iPad support and the King QuikRenew service for an entirely online, paperwork-free renewal process with nothing to be notarized or mailed in. The cost is $99 without CFI renewal processing or $124.95 with processing included.
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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.
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Member Benefits
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Member benefit
The lending institution that helped fund your aircraft purchase wants to ensure that your loan will be repaid in the event of an accident in which your insurance company denies the hull claim. The most common example of such a violation would be a loss arising when your aircraft is being operated by a non-approved pilot.
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Members only
The Aviation Safety Reporting System is a voluntary safety reporting program that allows airmen to make anonymous reports to the government about issues encountered in aviation, with anonymity allowing the airman to be candid—even when his or her actions may have been a violation of the regulations.
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Blogs
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Are you prepared if you suffer an electrical failure that forces you to reduce electrical loads and rethink your routing mid-trip? How long has it been since you thought about the no-radio procedures if your VHF communication fails and you need to shoot an IFR approach?
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Instrument Tip
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IFR Fix
After prolonged flight by instrument references, any chance to return to visual flying will be a strong temptation. But will it be the safe call?
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Final Exam
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Question
As you approach Runway 26 for a landing you notice that the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) is a single unit emitting an amber color. What is your position relative to the glideslope?
Answer
You are above the glideslope. A tri-color VASI is a single light source that emits three colors: amber for above the glideslope, green for on the glideslope, and red for below the glideslope. (Source: Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook, Chapter 7 Figure 41.)
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Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
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Career Opportunities
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Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a financial analyst. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Nov 23-24 - Albuquerque, N.M.
Dec 7-8 - Denver, Colo.; Orlando, Fla.; and Northbrook, Ill.
Jan 4-5 - Ypsilanti, Mich.; Portland, Ore.; San Jose, Calif.; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan 11-12 - Knoxville, Tenn.; Jackson, Miss.; Seattle, Wash.; and Charlotte, N.C.
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jan 13 - Mesa, Ariz.; and Reno, Nev.
Jan 14 -Tucson, Ariz.; and Sacramento, Calif.
Jan 15 - Milpitas, Calif.; and El Paso, Texas
Jan 16 - Albuquerque, N.M.; and Santa Rosa, Calif.
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Flight Training Editor:
Benét Wilson
Production Team
Katie Richardson
Lezlie Ramsey
Melissa Whitehouse |
Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Jill W. Tallman
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz |
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