July 17, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 29

Flight Training News

Article

152 pilot wins second quarter Learn & Earn

California pilot Nathan Parker said he likes AOPA's online courses and quizzes because they "keep my mind in aviation mode." Completing those educational activities had another benefit for Parker in July: a Stratus 2 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver, courtesy of Sporty's Pilot Shop. Read more...  

Flight Training magazine

Mine, all mine

Buying an airplane should be about as complicated as buying a car, but it can tangle you up in a ball unless you do some homework and have a strategy. Get tips for purchasing your dream machine. Read more...  

Article

Visit AOPA at AirVenture

AOPA has nearly four dozen events planned at the association's front-row position on the flight line during EAA AirVenture, July 20 through 26. The AOPA campus is in a prime location for socializing, attending seminars, and viewing the daily airshow performances. Read more...  

Article

CAP flight academy solos cadets

Civil Air Patrol cadet Josh Thompson, 16, could barely contain his pride and enthusiasm after soloing a Cessna 172 during a National Flight Academy camp in July at the Army National Guard's Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia. Read more...  

Advocacy

FAA offers tips for pilots making a switch

Whether you're stepping up to something faster, making the switch to an experimental aircraft, or renting a familiar model airplane with different avionics, transitioning to an unfamiliar aircraft involves risk. The FAA offers tips for mitigating risk during that transition in an updated Advisory Circular 90-109A—"Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft" released June 29. Read more...  

Event

AOPA to host Flight School Business social

Flight school owners, managers, and chief instructors are invited to join the AOPA Flight Training Initiatives staff at the Flight School Business Social sponsored by Jeppesen at the AOPA Activity Tent at EAA AirVenture Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 p.m. The association will welcome representatives from industry leaders, including Jeppesen, King Schools, ASA, MzeroA, and Sportys, for a Q&A on ground school products that are proven to drive revenue. Find out more and register...

Training Resources

Members only

Buying or selling an aircraft? Start here

While many factors determine the value of an aircraft, an aircraft valuation tool from Vref Aircraft Value Reference can be used as a good starting point for determining the general retail value of an airplane. Find out more about this resource for AOPA members.  

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

Frontier widening middle seats

Frontier Airlines is redesigning its seats to make the flight "less uncomfortable" for passengers in the middle, according to USA Today's Road Warrior Voices. The new seats are 19 inches wide, an inch wider than the aisle and window seats, but they also are less padded and don't recline.

'Network connectivity issue' caused United delays

About 3,500 flights were affected July 8 by a computer system problem that caused delays around the world, NBC News reported. United attributed the problem to a "network connectivity issue."

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

Plane Spotter

Taking a stand

Commuter airline passengers might consider it a pleasant surprise, if not a triumph of design, to board an aircraft that lets most of them stand up straight during ingress and egress. That luxury won't come as a surprise to any plane spotter riding along if the aircraft flying the route is a member of the Beechcraft 1900 series, a development of the King Air turboprop family. Only the model 1900D, recognizable on the ramp by its squarish cabin profile, winglets, and enlarged T-tail, permits such posture-preserving pleasures.

Training Products

'Pilot's Guide to Avionics': New units, ADS-B info

EAA AirVenture attendees may pick up a free copy of the Aircraft Electronics Association's 2015-2016 Pilot's Guide to Avionics at AEA's booth in Hangar B at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, show. The latest edition of the annual publication features educational articles and information on new products for 2015, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipage, value-added refurbishments, and more. Pilots also may request a free copy online.

Article

King Schools offers new TSA course

Flight instructors have a new way to comply with the TSA's annual security awareness training requirement with King Schools' new online course. 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

Developing healthier eating habits

Developing healthier eating habits will keep you aloft—and alive—longer. Read more...  

Member benefits

Consider a flexible aviation loan for your next aircraft purchase

Traditional aircraft loans are secured by an aircraft, but a flexible aviation loan may be a better option for you. Before you make that decision, you need to know the differences. AOPA Aviation Finance explains the differences and why amortization matters.

Blogs

The art of being an example

As a founder of two grassroots general aviation service groups, Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas can attest to the fact that being an example for GA is sometimes difficult. Yet she looks to others for inspiration and encouragement and maintains an optimistic outlook. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

What's the window?

A pilot planning a day trip to the coast in the FBO's new IFR-equipped aircraft has more than just weather to consider. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

A few military operations areas (MOAs) lie along your route for a planned cross-country flight. Are you authorized to fly through them unannounced?

Answer

Yes. Although VFR pilots are permitted to enter MOAs, use vigilance to look for military aircraft. You also may contact a flight service station or ATC within 100 miles of the MOA to determine if it is active and to obtain traffic advisories. (Source: Aeronautical Information Manual Chapter 3, Section 4.)

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 graphic design intern; director of media relations; director of regulatory affairs; Northwest Mountain regional manager; AOPA National Aviation Community Center aviation event planner; marketing project coordinator; account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; videographer, Air Safety Institute; and aviation technical specialist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

This issue of ePilot was created for: &fname; &lname; at &*TO;