August 22, 2014 - VOL 14, ISSUE 34

Flight Training News

Article

Successful in Spokane

"I want to spend every day here!" cried a small boy as the fourth 2014 AOPA Regional Fly-In in Spokane, Washington, came to a close at Felts Field Aug. 16. Read more...  

School offers glass transitions

A new flight training venture at New Jersey's Monmouth Executive Airport, Glass Panel Training, is helping pilots transition to technically advanced aircraft. It's also helping with high-performance endorsements and instrument training. The training is done in either a Cessna Skylane or one of the company's two flight training devices. Time in the Skylane, including fuel, is $180 an hour and instruction is $50 an hour, while simulator dual is $100 an hour and simulator solo is $60 an hour, according to the company's website.

Apps of the week

Aviate, navigate, communicate—and calculate

With all of the calculations pilots are required to do for every flight, here's a look at five apps that can help with that process. Read more...  

Flying Tiger announces move, expansion

Louisiana-based Flying Tiger Aviation has announced plans to expand in the northeast region of the state by building a flight training center for aerial applications in agriculture and other industries. As part of an $847,000 capital investment, Flying Tiger Aviation will relocate from Rayville, Louisiana, to Morehouse Memorial Airport in Bastrop. It will build 20,000 square feet of hangar space, a 5,000-square-foot maintenance hangar, and a 150,000-square-foot expansion of the ramp. The company will also partner with Louisiana Delta Community College to create the Louisiana Aerial Application Center of Excellence, which will offer aerial application flight training.

Embry-Riddle Prescott partners on aircraft training program

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott's Robertson Safety Institute and Mojave, California-based Flight Research Inc. have signed a deal to provide training and curriculum programs for aircraft loss-of-control situations. Embry-Riddle and Flight Research will evaluate and offer recommendations on training curricula. Flight portions of courses will generally take place at the Mojave facility, while ground-based courses will be held at both Flight Research Inc. and Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus. Future projects include joint professional workshops that would be open to the public.

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Flying to help others

Are you a volunteer pilot, or have you considered becoming one? Whether you're curious about what it takes or want to brush up on safety guidelines and passenger comfort recommendations, check out the Air Safety Institute's Public Benefit Flying: Balancing Safety and Compassion online course. Immerse yourself in the world of giving through flying—the reward is priceless. Take the course...

Training Resources

Video

Takeoffs and landings: Determining an abort point

When it comes to making a safe takeoff, we can all live by simple rules of thumb. Learn one for how to choose an abort point if your takeoff roll isn't going as planned in this Air Safety Institute video. Watch the video...  

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.

Career Pilot

Airways Aviation starts pilot training program

London-based Airways Aviation has launched its Pilot Training Foundation program in the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Jordan, and Lebanon. New aviation theory classes will provide help to students interested in becoming commercial pilots. Classes will start in the fall, using a curriculum based on both European and Australian requirements in subjects including aviation English, aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, human performance, flight rules and air law, aircraft general knowledge and operations, performance, and planning.

Spirit flight attendants reach tentative agreement

Spirit Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, announced a tentative agreement with management Aug. 7 on a new contract that includes immediate pay increases, protection of health care, and quality-of-life provisions. The agreement, reached with the assistance of the National Mediation Board, would cover nearly 1,400 flight attendants at the airline. It was unanimously approved by AFA's Spirit Airlines leadership and will be sent to the membership for ratification. Full details of the tentative agreement will not be made public until union members have had an opportunity to review the terms. Flight attendants at the carrier rejected an earlier management offer.

For more aviation career news, see the Flight Training website.

Plane Spotter

Lighter than air

It's an early summer morning. A plane spotter is picking dew-covered tomatoes in the garden when voices and laughter are heard nearby—but not to the left or the right. Look up! It's a hot-air balloon floating along in the stillness of dawn. See them flying alone or in large groups; in either case, practitioners of ballooning revel in "the sport and science of lighter-than-air aviation," says the Balloon Federation of America. Remember, when flying a powered aircraft, that a balloon enjoys the right-of-way over any other category of aircraft.

Training Products

Sporty's now sells satellite hotspot

Sporty's is now selling the Iridium GO! Satellite Hotspot, which allows users to send messages and make phone calls anywhere in the world, even at 10,000 feet. Flip up the Iridium GO! antenna and connect your iPhone or Android phone via Wi-Fi. Download the free Iridium GO! app to send and receive text messages, make phone calls, and send tracking updates to friends and family. The cost is $875.

Headset head pad now available

ASA is taking orders for its new AirClassics Headset Head Pad. The soft, padded, microfiber fleece cover is a great way to increase comfort and bring new life to an old headset. The Headset Head Pad fits ASA headsets as well as most other models. It is designed to fit spring steel headbands up to five eighths of an inch wide, but may be modified to fit slightly larger headbands. The cost is $19.95.

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.

Member Benefits

Attention members: Is your member profile up to date?

In order to ensure we are giving you what you need and to better develop our benefits and services, we want to make sure we have your most up-to-date information. Update your contact and aircraft information, view your Air Safety Institute transcripts, set your home airport, update your proxy status, update your credit card information, and more! Update your profile...

Member benefits

AOPA Insurance Services welcomes new partner Liberty Mutual

AOPA Insurance Services has partnered with Liberty Mutual Insurance to provide AOPA members with an auto and home insurance benefit program. Read more...  

Members only

Select your AME carefully

AOPA is actively pursuing the relaxation of third class medical requirements for pilots flying recreationally. For now, though, pilots still have to undergo medical examinations, and choosing an aviation medical examiner can be an important part of your FAA medical certification renewal experience. Read more...  

Blogs

The cover letter

What to include—and what not to include—in the cover letter has become something of a lost art. As Chip Wright explains, it's your chance to talk about what's not in your résumé. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

Coded weather? GMAB!

If it's been a while, try starting your next proficiency session by getting the weather with a pad, not the iPad. Read more...  

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A tale of two ILSs

If you think shooting any old ILS to minimums is straightforward, think again. Fly into the mountainous and foggy Southern Vermont Regional Airport and learn why there's a lot more to it than just following a glideslope to minimums. Take the quiz...

Final Exam

Question

What are the three different types of emergency landings outlined in the Airplane Flying Handbook?

Answer

1) Forced landing—A landing necessitated by an event that does not permit the flight to continue, such as an engine failure or fire.
2) Precautionary landing—A controlled landing made by a pilot in a situation where continuing the flight is possible, but not advisable. These situations include becoming lost or deteriorating weather.
3) Ditching—Either a forced or precautionary landing made on water.
Learn more about these about these types of scenarios and other emergencies in Chapter 16 of the Airplane Flying Handbook.

Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Assistant chief flight instructor, LETU

LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, seeks an experienced flight instructor to serve as assistant chief flight instructor. This is a year-round position with responsibilities including classroom teaching, flight instruction, course material preparation, mentorship, and other responsibilities. Read full job description here.

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a financial analyst, contract Air Safety Institute presenter, major gift officer, AOPA Live producer/videographer I, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.