August 14, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 33

Flight Training News

Fly like a fighter

Free and correct

Preflight tasks admittedly aren't nearly as exciting as flying itself. But doing—or not doing—certain things before flight can have significant consequences, writes retired Air Force fighter pilot Larry Brown. Read more...  

Video

Ask ATC: Student pilots

Should you let ATC know you're a student pilot upon first contact? Find out what air traffic controllers think and how they can help you. Watch this episode of Ask ATC...  

Article

Aviation for a new generation

"We want kids to learn, but we want them to be passionate, so it has to be fun for them," says flight instructor MayCay Beeler of AeroCamps offered by Triad Aviation Academy of Greensboro, North Carolina. Read more...  

Fantasy Flight Camp returns

The Experimental Aircraft Association's Fantasy Flight Camp, which allows participants to learn about and fly EAA's Consolidated PT-3 and North American T-6 military trainers, will return Sept. 11 through 13. The weekend program provides ground instruction on both aircraft and a 30- to 35-minute flight in both. The experience costs $1,500 including room and board, ground schools, instructional materials, and the flights.

Article

Volunteer pilots needed for weather decision-making study

A Georgia Tech research project on thunderstorm avoidance needs 300 pilots to contribute one hour each by Aug. 31. Read more...  

Training Resources

Login required

Don't get shaken up

You're flying at a towered airport. Ultimately, who is responsible for ensuring appropriate wake turbulence separation—you or ATC? Find the answer to this and other questions in the Air Safety Institute's Wake Turbulence safety quiz. Test your wake turbulence savvy...

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 6 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

Aviation career fair to be held in Albuquerque

The New Mexico Aviation Aerospace Association has partnered with the New Mexico National Guard to host a Career Expo Sept. 24 at the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. The event, aimed at middle-school-age through college-age participants, is meant "to educate, motivate and provide each attendee with the latest information on what it takes to begin a career in the aviation and aerospace industry." Find more information and sign up online.  

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

Plane Spotter

Meeting Merlin

Aviation gatherings provide fine opportunities for plane spotters to do advance work, checking out aircraft that will populate general aviation ramps (and skies) in the future. Such an opportunity occurred recently at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where spotters enjoyed a first public showing of Glasair's Merlin special light sport aircraft. The composite, high-wing, two-place aircraft is powered by a Rotax 912 iS engine and will cruise at 105 knots, stall at 39 knots, and hold a useful load of 530 pounds. The Merlin will be Arlington, Washington-based Glasair's first factory-built aircraft.

Training Products

Article

Best airport restaurants named

If you live in one of 15 states you have a good shot at visiting one of the "Best of the Best" airport restaurants in the country. If not, that $100 hamburger is going to cost a bit more. Read more...  

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

Pilot Protection Services

Two ways to healthier aviation

After two recent flights in which Dr. Jonathan Sackier experienced different atmospheres at general aviation airports, he reflects on the health of the aviation community and of individual pilots. In this Pilot Protection Services column, Sackier offers tips to help protect both. Read more...  

Blogs

GIGO

The principle of "Garbage in, garbage out" is a very real concern in flying, particularly when it comes to programming a GPS. Read more...  

The love of honor

Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas reflects on a lesson she learned from the late Pilot Getaways co-founder and editor John Kounis and his family: "Imagine if our moral code was to embody honor, love, obligation to others, self-respect, and teamwork? How would we protect our airports, how would we welcome nonpilots to our events? Would selflessness impact the way that we inspire flight in the next generation?" Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

You are training for your airplane sport pilot certificate because you currently don't have your medical certificate, but it's likely you'll be able to get your medical very soon. You like flying light sport aircraft but would like to fly something larger and faster. When you transition to private pilot training, you're concerned you may lose all of your hours of training in light sport aircraft. Can you count all of your hours of training in LSAs toward your private pilot certificate?

Answer

According to FAR 61.413, a standalone sport pilot instructor may give training only for sport pilots and nothing else. However, the total flight time is not restricted by this rule, and thus you could use the total flight time toward the 40-hour total time requirement under FAR 61.109. Furthermore, the total flight time and training would be allowed if you received training in a light sport aircraft from a standard (non-light-sport-only) CFI.

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

Career Opportunities

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a director of aviation security; graphic design intern; director of media relations; director of regulatory affairs; AOPA National Aviation Community Center aviation event planner; and marketing project coordinator. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.