Training Tips
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Care in the corridor
Strong attendance at the first two AOPA Regional Fly-Ins of 2014 ensures that many pilots are breaking out navigation charts and tablets to plan flights to Plymouth (Mass.) Municipal Airport for the next AOPA Fly-In, on July 12.
For VFR pilots, routing strategies will vary widely depending on the direction from which they approach the destination, located just south of Boston's Class B airspace. Weighing planning options is a great exercise for student pilots entering cross-country training. Attending the AOPA Plymouth Fly-In with your instructor would be even better! Download the AOPA Pilot Information Packet, which includes special procedures and the notam for the event, to start your planning.
A glance at the aeronautical chart reveals that airspace is the overarching influence on planning. In addition to Boston's Class B, the region is dotted with Class C and D airspace areas—in some cases, one overlying the other—requiring pilots to make strategic decisions and follow through with sure navigating. (Keep alternative courses of action in mind in case controller workloads are high or ceilings are low.)
Consider three flights of approximately equal length approaching Plymouth from different directions. A flight inbound from Westerly State Airport in Rhode Island, to the southwest, would progress past the Providence Class C airspace, or through its southern sector, where Quonset State Airport, in Class D airspace, is located. Overflying the Class C airspace—at a directionally appropriate altitude—is one strategy, conditions permitting. Circumnavigating south and east is another plan. Flight above 2,600 feet will keep you clear of New Bedford Regional Airport's Class D airspace.
A VFR flight direct to Plymouth from Worcester Regional Airport confronts fewer airspace changes, but the pilots must keep track of the aircraft's position relative to the Class B airspace shelf from 3,000 feet msl to 7,000 feet msl in the vicinity of Mansfield Airport. (Can you select a prominent visual checkpoint that would help?)
Over, around, or through? That's the decision for a VFR flight from Lawrence Municipal, 51 nautical miles north, almost directly across the Class B airspace from Plymouth. If overflying, how would you plan your climb and letdown to avoid penetrating Class B airspace?
Pilots who planned past flights using sectional charts should remember to procure a valid Boston Terminal Area Chart. The planning exercise is also a prompt to refresh yourself on airspace rules and regulations regarding student pilot operational limitations in Class B airspace.
En route, whether using flight following or "squawking 1200," keep constant watch for traffic in this busy portion of the Northeast Corridor.
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Flight Training News
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Apps of the week
These random apps can help you save on fuel costs, learn tips for safe cross-country flying, and fill downtime with an aviation-related game.
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Article
Since 1934, Plymouth Municipal Airport has been churning out pilots, restoring aircraft, and serving the region as a hub for law enforcement, medical, military, firefighting, mosquito spraying, cranberry picking, fish spotting, whale watching, and charity events. The people who make up this vibrant aviation community look forward to meeting you July 12, when the airport will host an AOPA Fly-In.
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Login required
It's been a long road, but at last the big day has arrived: Your flight instructor has signed you off for the private pilot checkride. Don't get the jitters! Brush up on what can be expected during the practical test, and you'll ace the ride.
Take the quiz...
AOPA Foundation focus
The Duluth Aviation Institute, a 2013 recipient of an AOPA Foundation Giving Back grant, has issued awards to two Minnesota middle school students for academic excellence in aviation.
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Scholarships
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Article
A student pilot with a demonstrated financial need could earn $12,000 to complete his or her private pilot certificate and use any remaining funds for more advanced flight training or to put that new certificate to use. Larry Noe is offering $12,000 through the AOPA Flight Training Scholarship Program in hopes of helping an individual "who has a definite interest" in learning how to fly but wouldn't be able to without the extra funds.
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Article
Aspiring and current pilots can apply for scholarships that offer funding for flight training, maintenance, education, and advanced certification.
Read more...
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Training Resources
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Download products
Take the opportunity to share general aviation safety information at a local community event and download the Air Safety Institute's top-notch Accident Case Studies, Real Pilot Stories, and safety videos. The Air Safety Institute recently added its popular "Chart Challenge-Live" seminar presentation—a great refresher clinic to put your audience's knowledge to the test. New products will be added quarterly.
Download your favorite products...
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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
Fly along with AOPA as Snoopy 2 tucks in "tight" on Snoopy 1 and find out what it's like to fly a blimp. Plus, visit a New England airport restaurant with chowder worth the flight; get updates on the avgas and medical certificate issues; and watch a tribute to your freedom to fly.
AOPA Live This Week®, July 3...
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Career Pilot
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Delta says no to A380, yes to pilot hiring
There is not a place for the world's largest airliner, the Airbus A380, in Delta Air Lines' current network, Steve Dickson, senior vice president for flight operations, told Reuters on June 16. He cited the efficiency and reliability of smaller twinjets. In early June the carrier ordered 15 narrow-body Airbus A321 jets, for delivery beginning in 2018, which will replace less efficient aircraft. Delta is not seeing a pilot shortage and will continue to hire 50 per month for the foreseeable future—most of them replacing pilots who are retiring, Dickson added.
MPL training concerns international airline pilots' group
The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) recently issued a position paper sharing concerns that the more than 1,000 multi-crew pilot license (MPL) graduates to date have not received adequate training, AIN Online reported. A competency-based training license, the MPL is focused on training new first officers. The paper cited areas that need improvement: "Specifically, they are basic flying skills, airmanship, CRM (cockpit resource management), and ATC situational awareness." The association's main concern is that the program relies much more on simulation in comparison with commercial pilot certificate training.
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For more aviation career news, see the Flight Training website.
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Plane Spotter
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Slat happy
If you believe that slow is the way to go when it comes to an aircraft design,
you are either a flight instructor drilling a student pilot on minimum controllable airspeed, or someone else with a specialized flying agenda. The latter case may present an opportunity for spotting a Helio Courier, a Kansas-built, short-takeoff-and-landing taildragger in service for aerial photography, law enforcement, and bush operations. Built to fly slowly, a Courier goes even slower when high-angle-of-attack flight automatically activates full-span leading-edge wing slats. Some Couriers were converted to tricyle gear.
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Training Products
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Gleim offers airspace course
The Gleim Security-Related Airspace Course is a recurrent ground training course designed to increase a pilot's safety, knowledge, and abilities in regard to flying in and around the various security airspaces in the United States. The course covers subjects like the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area, flying internationally, and procedures for military aircraft interception.
Book covers flight simulators for pilot training
Sporty's is offering its Flight Simulator Training Guide, created to show student pilots how to use home sims for real-world training. The guide includes instructions on how to set up a home flight simulator system and 14 detailed lesson plans to do serious training at home.
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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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Blogs
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Blog
Jack Wiegand's flight around the world in a Mooney is a "blueprint for following your dreams, supporting worthy causes, being fiercely optimistic and drawing on your strength of character," writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas.
Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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IFR Fix
The trip's unraveling began when approach control called with an amended IFR clearance, producing instant pandemonium in the complacent cockpit.
Read more...
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Final Exam
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Question
My instructor has been placing emphasis on things such as positive exchange of controls and risk management, saying that I will be tested on those items. I understand their importance, but these items aren't tasks in the practical test standards, so I'm not sure what other topics to expect. Is there a place I can find a list of important areas that aren't listed as practical test standard tasks?
Answer
The "Introduction" section of any practical test standards has valuable information for any applicant, including a list of special emphasis areas.
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Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
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Career Opportunities
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Purdue University-Aviation Technology is seeking a qualified flight operations instructor to provide flight, simulation, and ground instruction for the professional flight plan of study. Instruction is in the Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft and flight training device.
Apply today.
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an administrative assistant for communications, aviation technical specialist, Air Safety Institute intern, member services representative, major gift officer, AOPA Live producer/videographer I, and account manager II. 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
July 12-13 - Memphis, Tenn.; and Pittsburgh, Pa.
July 19-20 - Jacksonville, Fla.; and Newark, N.J.
Aug 2-3 - Fort Worth, Texas.
Aug 9-10 - Reno, Nev.; and Allentown, Pa.
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
July 31-Aug 2 - Oshkosh, Wis. Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
July 9 - Naples, Fla.
July 11 - Plymouth, Mass.
July 12 - Terre Haute, Ind.; and Perry, Ga.
July 16 - Independence, Ore.
July 19 - Englewood, Colo.; Hillsboro, N.D.; and Burlington, Wash.
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar
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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
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.
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ePilot Flight Training Editor:
Benét Wilson
Production Assistant:
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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