Military mindset. Once used as military trainers, the aircraft pictured here are still sought after by civilian pilots who value their history, durability, and flying characteristics. The Nanchang CJ–6 (foreground) was produced in China and is often mistaken for a Russian-built Yak–18, the design on which it was based. The Beech T–34 Mentor has its roots in the civilian Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. Both trainers feature tandem seating and a bubble canopy. An unusual feature of the CJ–6 is that it uses a pneumatic system to operate the starter, brakes, and flaps, and to retract the landing gear.
WHAT: Nanchang CJ–6 (foreground), Beech T–34 Mentor
WHERE: Frederick, Maryland
PHOTOGRAPHER: Chris Rose
Rocky Mountain kids learn about flying
Aspen's school system teaches aviation
By Alton K. Marsh
Whether you are in kindergarten or a high school senior, if you attend school in the Aspen, Colorado, school district, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about aviation. Greg Roark’s Aero AV8R program is designed to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM. Roark’s program, based in a room in an Aspen middle school, uses four Redbird AOPA Jay simulators—soon to be seven—and a Redbird FMX full-motion flight simulator. Twenty-two students and teachers have completed his ground school, and 11 of those are ready to pass the private pilot knowledge test. Seventeen of the group are ready to start flight training.
Negotiations are in progress to acquire a Diamond DA-40. In the fall of 2014 Roark hopes to have in place a program to build a Velocity XL four-seat pusher-propeller kit.
The goal is to make it possible, as the program grows, for high school seniors to graduate with a private, instrument, multiengine, and commercial certificates.
Roark sees 350 kids per week, and he estimates one-third to one-half will want to learn to fly. The younger students build model airplanes and fly model helicopters through an obstacle course they make. At the high school level, students apply for an elective aviation course. Fifty have applied for the next class. Roark launched a similar program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, although that program did not include assembling a kit aircraft.
There are efforts by Aspen school officials to link the aviation course to other subjects, such as geography, world history, art, and architecture.
Join AOPA in Plymouth
Event is one of many this year
Northeast pilots, plan to join AOPA on Saturday, July 12, for our regional fly-in at Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM). This is your opportunity to take in a seminar, stroll our static display, and check out the latest products in our exhibitor tent. The fly-in is free to all. We’ll have food, and plenty of it: a pancake breakfast for early birds, and a free lunch for AOPA members.
Please let us know you’re coming by submitting your RSVP online (www.aopa.org/Community-and-Events/AOPA-Fly-Ins/Plymouth.aspx). Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up, parking aircraft and cars, and much more. Each volunteer receives a free T-shirt, a free hat, and a free lunch. Find out more on the website.
AOPA Flight Training Poll to open June 9
Share your insight in the 2014 AOPA Flight Training Poll—participate in the poll and share your recent training experience (positive or negative). Identify flight training providers who help new pilots succeed and give the flying community the best chance to create lifelong passionate aviators. Tell us about a school and/or an individual instructor from your training. The 2014 AOPA Flight Training Poll is open June 9 through August 23, 2014 (flighttraining.aopa.org/poll).
Join the July Flight Training chat
What's up with the weather?
Summertime weather brings all kinds of flight planning considerations—everything from thunderstorms and high density altitude to hurricanes. Join us at 3 p.m. Eastern time July 1 when Editor at Large Tom Horne will discuss which weather tools can help you stay safe. Join the conversation—one chatter will receive a $50 Aircraft Spruce gift card. Sign up for an email reminder (www.aopa.org/facebook/flighttraining/livechat.html).
Flight Training Facebook chats are sponsored by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty (www.aircraftspruce).
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