March 21, 2014 - VOL 14, ISSUE 12

Flight Training News

Article

FAA predicts continued GA decline

The FAA's annual forecast of air travel demand predicts steady growth in airline and cargo demand, and a steady decline in general aviation piston aircraft. The 20-year outlook predicts growth in the GA turbine sector that will offset the loss of piston aircraft, with turbine hours flown surpassing piston hours flown for the first time in 2023. Read more... Share:  

Rotorcraft Rookie

Robinson factory tour

Touring an aircraft factory is the only way to see everything that goes into your flying machine. Read more... Share:  

Apps of the week

Flight planning apps offer pilots help

As more flight planning tasks become automated, pilots can choose from dozens of apps to help them prepare for a flight. AOPA highlights five flight planning apps that can help. Read more... Share:  

AOPA awards scholarship

AOPA awarded a flight training scholarship worth $3,000 to student pilot Alyssa Mae Celone during the recent annual Women in Aviation, International conference in Orlando, Fla. Celone was chosen out of 23 applicants who were evaluated on merit, including previous accomplishments, the ability to set and achieve goals, involvement in general aviation, and commitment to flight training. Applicants also were asked to write an essay expressing their views on how general aviation supports local communities and the nation.

Pilot Safety Announcement

Are you a fuel fool or friend?

Do you carry fuel beyond the regulations' required minimums? If not, you may find yourself landing short of your destination. Watch the video... Share:  

UND, Tokai U extend contract

The University of North Dakota and Japan's Tokai University have signed a new four-year extension to a deal that allows Tokai students to attend UND Aerospace for 15 months while training to become commercial pilots. When the students leave UND after 15 months, they have their FAA pilot certificate and their Japan Civil Aviation Bureau credentials.

Video

Ask ATC: Assigned runway

As a student pilot, do you always need to accept the ATC-assigned runway? Know your options before takeoff and landing. Watch the video... Share:  

Article

Wagstaff an AOPA Ambassador

Legendary airshow pilot Patty Wagstaff will serve as an AOPA Ambassador and will meet fans, sign autographs, and speak about the demanding and exciting world of competitive and demonstration flying at AOPA's booths at major airshows and several AOPA Fly-Ins in 2014. Read more... Share:  

Illinois aviation maintenance program expands

The Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) and Rock Valley College (RVC) are teaming up to expand the school's aviation maintenance technology program. As part of the effort, GRAA will lease land to RVC to build a state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot aviation maintenance training facility on airport grounds to house the program.

Training Resources

Video

Ask ATC: Flight following and airspace

Watch this Air Safety Institute video as air traffic controllers discuss what flight following can and can't do for you when you're transiting different airspace. The video was created in conjunction with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Watch the video... 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.

Career Pilot

NetJets employee unions form coalition

Because of what they call minimal progress and unjustifiable demands, the executive boards of the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 284 have launched the NetJets Unions Coalition. NJASAP represents the 3,000-plus pilots who fly for NetJets, while Teamsters Local 284 represents approximately 500 dispatchers, flight attendants, maintenance controllers, mechanics, and stock clerks at the company.

Norwegian Air seeks contract captains, first officers

Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air seeks to hire contract captains and first officers to fly its Boeing 737-800s. Among other requirements, captains need 5,000 hours of total time on aircraft, while first officers must have 1,500 hours.

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

Plane Spotter

Tough enough for two

Tough tandem taildragger: That's a likely first impression for a plane spotter observing a takeoff or touchdown of a two-seat, 180-horsepower Aviat Husky. "Tougher than a tornado" became the nickname of one Husky—the AOPA 2012 Sweepstakes airplane—after it survived a Florida downpour that wreaked havoc on an airport ramp during Sun 'n Fun in 2011. Like the proper bush plane it is, a Husky may be sighted turf-taxiing on tundra tires, or rising spritely onto "the step" for a picturesque water departure. The Husky A-1C has a standard gross weight of 2,250 pounds.

Training Products

Sporty's launches flight instructor rebate program

Sporty's Pilot Shop is giving instructors the chance to earn free pilot supplies by signing up for its new rebate program. Every time a student buys a Sporty's video course, the instructor will earn a $25 gift card. These gift cards do not expire, and they can be used online, in store, or over the phone.

ASA offers seaplane pilot guide

ASA has made the Seaplane Pilot handbook available for pilots adding a seaplane rating to their certificate. Dale DeRemer's book guides pilots through this process with tips, techniques, and advice from a pro. It is also designed to function as a tool for review for those who already have the rating.

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

Webinar

Protect yourself when you rent an airplane

More often than not, FBOs and aircraft owners do not provide adequate coverage (if any) to the renting pilot, putting the renter at huge financial risk. Learn what kind of renter's insurance you need to protect yourself in this webinar with AOPA Insurance Services President Bill Snead, hosted by SocialFlight. Read more... Share:  

Article

Let's not meet in the sky

One simple rule applies to all pilots, in any flying environment, in any aircraft, and it is arguably the most fundamental rule of flying that keeps us safe—see and avoid. It makes simple sense, doesn't it? We're not alone up there. Read more... Share:  

Blogs

The perfect CFI

What makes a really great flight instructor? AOPA editors asked Flight Training Facebook friends to list one thing they love about their CFI. Read more... Share:  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

'Messing with power'

Instrument instructors seeking material to use when administering instrument proficiency checks should note the results of the March 11 poll question. Read more... Share:  

Final Exam

Question

I have never had a problem getting in or out of the Class D airspace that surrounds my airport. The other day the airport was busier than usual, and when I called on my way in from the practice area, the tower responded and told the aircraft inbound from the practice area to stand by. As I got closer to the airspace, my instructor had me fly in a slow circle outside of the airspace because he said we had not established two-way radio communications yet. By the tower acknowledging my call, haven't we established two-way radio communication?

Answer

No. Two-way radio communication has only been established if the control tower uses your aircraft call sign. This applies to any type of airspace that requires two-way radio communications. (Source: Aeronautical Information Manual 3-2-5.)

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

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: 'Barnstormers' display ad account sales

Barnstormers.com, the largest and busiest general aviation online marketplace in the world, is seeking an advertising account executive to join the team. The successful candidate will have two-plus years' ad or Internet sales experience, a verifiable proven track record of meeting sales quota, and GA market experience. See a full job description.

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, director of insurance business operations, and member services representative. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.