January 10, 2014, AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition

January 10, 2014

January 10, 2014 - VOL 14, ISSUE 2

Training Tips

Rough but ready

An aircraft established in its flight attitude with power and pitch, followed by careful trimming, will maintain its set flight condition—whether level flight, a climb, or descent—with no need for the pilot to hold pressure on the yoke or stick. The trimming takes a fine touch. Then the pilot should resist temptation to fuss with the trimmed condition during flight in choppy air, or after making minor power adjustments.

Mastering this task is a sure sign you are developing a knack for aircraft control. But that's not the whole story of trim: During rapid changes of power setting or configuration (gear/flaps), it is often necessary to overpower trim momentarily to prevent unintended pitch changes.

The pilot needs to do what's known as rough trimming. It can be critical to aircraft control. For example, during a go-around from a power-off glide, adding climb power may induce an excessive nose-up response as the aircraft attempts to maintain its trimmed airspeed.

In that scenario, the pilot may have to apply strong forward yoke pressure to control the pitch attitude—perhaps more forward pressure than the pilot can deliver. Trimming toward a more nose-down attitude can relieve some of that physical burden and avoid an extreme nose-up condition. In this case, the goal of trimming is simply to help the pilot maintain a safe angle of attack during the rapid transition from gliding descent to power-on climb. Fine trimming of the aircraft for the climb back to pattern altitude awaits stabilization of the climb at the intended airspeed.

A similar but opposite use of rough trim to effect a quick transition may be appropriate during a simulated (or real) engine failure during cruise flight. In this situation, the pilot's goal is best-glide airspeed and reaching an off-airport landing site. Usually that pitch change and rough trimming will be toward a more nose-up condition. Again, fine trimming follows when glide airspeed stabilizes.

"Don't waste time. Rough-trim the elevator as necessary and move to the next step while airspeed is decreasing toward the speed that these attitudes will generate," advises this Flight Training article on forced landing techniques.

Practice go-arounds and engine-out scenarios frequently! Doing so will save you time during quick transitions, and enhance safety by teaching you to anticipate—not just react to—your aircraft's responses to big power changes.

Flight Training News

Article

Regional events bring AOPA to members

AOPA has announced dates and locations of its seven 2014 Fly-Ins, which will include an "AOPA Homecoming" to mark the return of the popular AOPA headquarters fly-ins and celebrate the association's seventy-fifth anniversary. The association hopes the events will give more members the opportunity to connect with one another and their association. Read more... Share:

Article

Air Race Classic accepting entries for 2014

The Air Race Classic, an annual all-women's cross-country race, is accepting entries for its June event. Read more... Share:

Advocacy

'Did you preflight yourself?'

On one day during each medical-certificate cycle, Richard Smith, a 40,500-hour pilot, spends about a half-hour undergoing an aviation medical examination that determines if he is fit to fly. Then comes the rest of the cycle. "The rest of the time it's up to you to decide whether you're fit to fly," he said. Read more... Share:

NJ community college signs transfer agreement with Embry-Riddle

Bergen Community College in Paramus, N.J., and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have signed an agreement that will enable Bergen students to transfer more easily to ERAU. Read more... Share:

Safety seminar

'Accident Case Study: Live'

Help the presenter unravel several compelling real-life accidents—starting at the crash scene and working backward through physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and other leads to figure out exactly what went wrong, and why. The seminar "Accident Case Study: Live" debuts Jan. 13. Visit the website for dates and locations near you. Share:

Students build Vietnam-era Huey helicopter

Students at the Balsam, N.C.-based Academy at SOAR have rebuilt a Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter that was originally flown during the Vietnam War, reports the Asheville Citizen-Times. The project was part of an effort by the academy, which works with students who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to teach teambuilding skills.

PPG donates $5,000 to Frontiers of Flight Museum

The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $5,000 to the Dallas-based Frontiers of Flight Museum to support its aviation and space-flight education programs for preschool through tenth-grade students. The museum uses these topics to encourage and promote student excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects.

Digital newsletter

Sneak a peek at CFI newsletter

What's it like to become a CFI? Where do flight instructors teach their students to go for a weather briefing? From "The journey to becoming a CFI" to "What's the weather really like?" you'll find thought-provoking articles and videos in the Air Safety Institute's free flight instructor newsletter. Not a CFI? No problem. You can benefit from valuable tips and links to online safety courses and quizzes. View the newsletter... Share:

Apps of the week

Radar apps for winter weather

As most of the country experiences a full blast of winter, here are five radar apps that can help you track the weather. Read more... Share:

Training Resources

AOPA offers Field Guide to Flight Training

AOPA's flight training field guide for flight students is an insider's guide to what it takes to become a pilot, how to choose the optimal instructor, and how to make the most of your investment to learn to fly. Download a free copy... Share:

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.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

AOPA coming to you; classic craftsmanship

AOPA President Mark Baker discusses new regional fly-ins including the return of the AOPA Headquarters Fly-In. Also this week, a look at rare craftsmanship in restoring classic aircraft, and big changes at a storied airport. AOPA Live This Week®, Jan. 9. Share:

Career Pilot

Prospects brighten amid looming pilot, mechanic shortages

Young people with a dream of flying or fixing aircraft have brighter prospects for careers in those fields thanks to a looming pilot and aviation mechanic shortage, writes Forbes contributor and aviation safety consultant John Goglia. As a result, pay and benefits in these fields will also rise, he added.

Michigan aviation high school plans expansion

West Michigan Aviation Academy has announced plans to expand its campus in Grand Rapids to handle another 600 students, reports MBiz.com. The 15,000-square-foot expansion will include a new aircraft hangar, classrooms, and labs.

University receives flight simulator

Minnesota State University, Mankato's College of Education, working with its flight training partner, North Star Aviation, will have a new flight simulator for a jet training program installed on its campus. The Aerosim CRJ700 flight training device is expected to be in place by Feb. 14 for spring semester aviation classes.

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

Plane Spotter

Descended from Adam

Almost any plane spotter can name a piston twin with its engines mounted fore and aft—one pulling, the other pushing—in a configuration known as centerline thrust. Fewer can name a second (in addition to the Cessna Skymaster). Spotting one may require an online image search, which is likely to turn up a picture of an Adam A500, of which only seven were built by the original manufacturer, Adam Aircraft. That could change; Triton Aerospace, now the developer of the 7,000-pound-gross, five-passenger aircraft, has outlined turboprop and single-engine offspring.

Training Products

New flight training paper released

Boosting flight training that can reduce fatal aircraft accidents and conserve fuel is the goal of a new study published by Jacksonville University Davis Aviation Center Director Dr. Juan Merkt. "Flight Energy Management Training: Promoting Safety and Efficiency" identifies a gap in civilian pilot training and proposes solutions. It was published by Purdue University Press's Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering (JATE).

Gleim offers 2014 edition of sport pilot knowledge test

Aircraft Spruce is now selling Gleim's Sport Pilot FAA Knowledge Test 2014 for passing the FAA knowledge test. Gleim Knowledge Transfer Outlines at the beginning of each study unit concisely present the relevant material needed to answer questions selected from previously released FAA test banks as well as questions that have been developed from current FAA reference materials.

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

Member benefits

Resolve to review your insurance

This is a time for reflecting, organizing, and preparing for the year to come. A lot can happen in a year, and your insurance coverage needs may have changed. Read more... Share:

Members only

The case of the airman with colon cancer

You should know how important it is to get regular colon cancer screenings when you reach the age of 50. One airman with a family history of colon cancer discovered cancer from a screening and turned to AOPA for help getting back into the air. Read more... Share:

Blogs

The best and worst of 2013

Which events had the greatest impact on flight training in the past year? Flight Training Technical Editor Jill Tallman cites items including federal budget cuts and hiring by the airlines. Read more... Share:

Six favorite AOPA Online stories in 2013

As the newest member of AOPA's editorial team, AOPA Social Media and eNewsletters Editor Benét Wilson had the chance to interview some amazing people. She lists her six favorite stories from 2013, in order. Read more... Share:

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

Next exit 4,000 feet

Hitting your touchdown spot just right and exiting the runway promptly at a safe taxi speed brings appreciation from the tower. Read more... Share:

Final Exam

Question

Which frequency has been designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to be used by private fixed-wing aircraft for air-to-air communications?

Answer

122.750 MHz (Source: 2014 Aeronautical Information Manual; 4-1-11, Table 4-1-3.)

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

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Manager of static displays at NBAA

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has an exciting opportunity for an organized individual with a background in business aviation to manage all NBAA static displays at business aviation conferences and exhibitions around the world, including NBAA's Regional Forums. This position is responsible for all planning and logistics. Learn more or search for other exciting career opportunities.

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an account manager II, event planner, aviation insurance agent, aviation technical writer contractor, coordinator of pilot community and development, director of insurance business operations, and Web graphic designer I. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Education and Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Jan 11-12 - Knoxville, Tenn.; Jackson, Miss.; Seattle, Wash.; and Charlotte, N.C.

Jan 25-26 - Baltimore, Md., and Long Beach, Calif.

Feb 8-9 - Fairfax, Va.; Nashua, N.H.; New Orleans, La.; and Louisville, Ky.

Feb 15-16 - Melbourne, Fla.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Fort Worth, Texas

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.

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.

Aviation Calendar

Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. Now you can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, including FBO fuel prices, see AOPA Airports.

AOPA Featured Events

Apr 26 — San Marcos, Texas. San Marcos Municipal Airport (KHYI). AOPA Fly-In.

May 31 — Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis Regional Airport (KMQJ). AOPA Fly-In.

Jul 12 — Plymouth, Massachusetts. Plymouth Airport (KPYM). AOPA Fly-In.

Aug 16 — Spokane, Washington. Spokane Felts Field (KSFF). AOPA Fly-In.

Sep 20 — Chino, California. Chino Airport (KCNO). AOPA Fly-In.

Oct 4 — Frederick, Maryland. Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK). AOPA Homecoming.

Nov 8 — Brunswick, Georgia. Malcom McKinnon Airport (KSSI). AOPA Fly-In.

Picture Perfect

AOPA's online photo gallery allows you to upload your own aviation photography as well as view, rate, and comment on others' photos. Take a look, and submit your own photos!