It’s great fun to explore the flight envelope of a different airplane that offers new and exciting experiences and stretches our horizon—and done right, the experience will help make us safer and more capable pilots.
The first step to doing it right is to recognize that whether you’re an experienced ATP or a freshly minted sport pilot, when flying equipment that is different from what you’re accustomed to, it’s important to get a thorough understanding of the new handling characteristics, systems, operating environments, avionics, cockpit layout, and other variations to ensure your safety and that of your passengers.
The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Transitioning to Other Airplanes online course offers straightforward, important insights on what to expect before, during, and after the transition—and how to remedy unsafe situations, whether shifting from a Boeing 747 to a Piper J-3 Cub or a 1971 Bonanza to a 2013 model.
The course offers five study tracks for transitions not requiring an FAA checkride: transitioning up, down, sideways, to experimental amateur-built aircraft, and to new avionics. Only one track is required to earn a completion certificate, but you can take as many tracks as you like.
California pilot first Learn and Earn Safety Challenge winner
Stratus 2 among prizes for completing courses
Michael Campolo learned he had won a Stratus 2 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver, courtesy of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, for actively participating in the Air Safety Institute’s Learn and Earn Safety Challenge. Campolo has been brushing up on his skills with ASI’s award-winning courses, videos, and case studies.
Campolo became a certificated pilot in 1991, but stopped flying in 1995. An avid online learner, he decided the best way to get back into the cockpit safely would be with the help of the ASI’s free online courses and multimedia programs. “The programs are structured so you can focus on the subject matter and complete them in a timely manner,” said Campolo. The Sporty’s Stratus 2 ADS-B receiver “will be a perfect companion in the cockpit, taking my situational awareness to the next level,” he said.
Are you up for having some fun, brushing up on safety, and getting rewarded, to boot? Enter the Learn and Earn Safety Challenge for a chance to win each time you complete a free online safety course, Real Pilot Story, or Accident Case Study—so take more courses to earn more chances to win. Visit the website for complete rules.
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