June 12, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 24

Flight Training News

Article

Homecoming draws thousands

A steady breeze and partly sunny skies brought welcomed relief to AOPA Homecoming Fly-In attendees from the Mid-Atlantic region who had been deluged with a week's worth of rain. More than 3,300 people attended the Frederick, Maryland, event, with 375 aircraft flying in. Read more...  

Fly like a fighter

Blindfold cockpit check

Use a fighter pilot's tip and close your eyes to visualize locations of key controls and cockpit switches before flight. Read more...  

Air Force Academy adopts summer noise plan

As flying activity ramps up in the summer months, the U.S. Air Force Academy is adopting a noise mitigation plan for cadet training. Flights occurring before 7 a.m. will depart along the I-25 corridor and climb to cruise altitude before turning toward the training area, according to the Air Force Academy. A temporary 6 a.m. start time for the powered flight program is designed to avoid flights in the summer afternoons when cockpit temperatures may exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you 'fly friendly'?

Not everyone enjoys the sound of an aircraft overhead, so many airports adopt noise abatement procedures to maintain a positive relationship with the surrounding community. Are you familiar with noise abatement procedures at airports in your area? Information on these procedures may be found in the airport/facility directory or AOPA's online airport directory, AOPA Airports, under "Airport remarks."

Video

Find your crosswind comfort zone

Do you "crab and kick" or sideslip in a crosswind landing? Every pilot learns the techniques for a proper crosswind landing, but it requires practice and experience to tweak the controls correctly when the winds kick up. Looking for sound advice? Watch the Air Safety Institute's Takeoffs and Landings: Crosswind Landings video...  

Scholarships

Article

Women in Aviation offers seven new scholarships for 2016

Women in Aviation International announced seven new scholarships on June 4, including support for advanced flight training, maintenance training, and academic programs. Read more...  

Training Resources

PDF

Thunderstorms, airplanes don't mix

Did you know there are an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms in the United States each year? These storms may develop quickly, and flying too close to one can pose major trouble. In this Safety Advisor, you'll learn about ATC weather radar services, as well as strategies for dealing with some of nature's most violent storms. Download the Safety Advisor...

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 expands fleet with Airbus order

Frontier Airlines has placed an order for 12 Airbus aircraft, Airbus announced June 2. The new order brings Frontier's backlog of Airbus single-aisle aircraft to 101; the current in-service fleet comprises 55 A320-family aircraft, according to the manufacturer.

Boeing begins assembly of 737 MAX

The Boeing Co. has begun assembling the wings of its first 737 MAX in Renton, Washington, The Seattle Times reports. The new generation of the 737 is scheduled to enter service in 2017, according to the report.

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

Plane Spotter

Sophisticated sport

Light sport aircraft are all about simplicity and fun, but that doesn't exclude pilots with a taste for sophisticated avionics or advanced flight capabilities from the party. The two-seat, high-winged P2008 single-engine airplane from Italy's Tecnam is powered by Rotax engines, available with or without turbocharging. A two-screen display or standard six-instrument panel are among options for the aircraft, which is constructed of a carbon-fiber fuselage and metal wings, stabilator, and landing gear. The Rotax ULS912-powered model cruises at 118 knots at 75 percent power at 6,500 feet.

Training Products

Sporty's sells die-cast model Skyhawk

Many pilots have learned to fly in the ubiquitous Cessna 172 Skyhawk; now Sporty's offers a 1:72 scale die-cast replica of the beloved trainer that may serve as a memento of a pilot's training experience. The replica, which measures four inches long and has a six-inch wingspan, is modeled after Sporty's flight line Skyhawk and sells for $39.95.

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

AOPA Insurance Services

Are you covered for hurricane season?

During hurricane season, you may have to relocate your aircraft. Some insurance policies may cover the expense of relocating your aircraft, including hiring an evacuation pilot and storage. AOPA Insurance Services offers tips to make the process go more smoothly. Read more...  

Pilot Protection Services

High blood pressure doesn't require a special issuance

Hypertension is among the medical conditions deemed Conditions AMEs Can Issue (CACI). Find out what information you need to provide so that your aviation medical examiner can issue you an unrestricted medical certificate. Read more...  

Blogs

Report your position, please and thank you

Judging from feedback during a friendly get-together between control tower personnel and local pilots at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland, pilots need to brush up on communications and directional skills. Tips from Frederick controllers may be relevant to your flying, too. Read more...  

'The aviation community truly cares'

Spencer Rice recently took his private pilot checkride at age 17. He reflects on how a supportive aviation community helped him reach this milestone. Read more...  

Fly like a professional: Talking on the radio

How you conduct yourself on the radio says a lot about you. It may be intimidating for new pilots, but radio-speak is a skill that gets better with practice—and with listening. Get tips for communicating effectively and professionally. Read more...  

Master your environment

Helicopter pilots work in an ever-changing environment. Whatever type of flying you do, writes Hover Power blogger Matt Johnson, you must be fully involved and a master of your environment. The mainstays of a flying environment include aircraft, airspace, weather, and regulations. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

Aircraft operating handbooks provide a variety of performance charts to calculate aircraft performance in atmospheric conditions other than standard. How is standard atmosphere defined?

Answer

Standard atmosphere at sea level is defined as a surface temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit and a surface barometric pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury, which also may be expressed as a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 1013.2 millibars. The International Civil Aviation Organization has established values for standard atmosphere at various altitudes based on standard lapse rates. (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 10.)

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 marketing project coordinator; account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; manager, airport policy; videographer, Air Safety Institute; senior director of government affairs (airport advocacy); director of government affairs (airspace/air traffic); aviation technical specialist; vice president, information and technology; vice president for major and leadership gifts; director of studies, research, and analysis; and account executive. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.