May 1, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 18

Flight Training News

Article

The big day

Their instructors were silent, hands off the yoke. With only a week's worth of experience in their logbooks, the One Week Ready to Solo participants put their skills to the test. Read more...  

Michigan school adds to sim fleet

The College of Aviation at Western Michigan University has added a new Frasca SR20 Level 5 flight training device to its lineup, and has upgraded two existing FTDs of the same model to match. The systems simulate a Cirrus SR20 aircraft, with high-resolution displays and electronic control loading to replicate the feel of aircraft flight controls. The school also operates a CRJ 200 regional jet FTD.

UAS school approved

Auburn University in Alabama announced April 22 that the FAA has approved the university's new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight School. The university will integrate UAS training with its Aviation Center, offering commercial flight training for unmanned operators. Programs can be run at various locations around Alabama, and the school will administer the written exam and flying test required by the FAA.

Article

Faro offers flight schools, clubs 'old for new' headset deal

Faro Aviation is offering flight schools and flying clubs an "old for new" headset exchange program. Read more...  

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Mountain flying 101

Flying across mountain passes and summits provides spectacular views and an exhilarating experience. But when weather patterns abruptly change—as happens in high terrain—there's little wiggle room for the uninitiated. So before you challenge those peaks alone, get a local mountain flying checkout and prepare with the Air Safety Institute's Mountain Flying online course to discover why weather and aircraft performance deserve your undivided attention. Take the course...

Pilot Flight School orders seven DA40 NGs

Pilot Flight School in Norway has signed a contract with Diamond Aircraft distributor Scandinavian Aircraft for seven new Diamond DA40 NGs, Diamond announced April 24. The school is changing its entire single-engine fleet to DA40 NGs, according to Diamond.

Training Resources

Video

Extra eye in the sky

Flight-following traffic advisory service not only warns of conflicting radar targets, but it also can provide solace to pilots on a lone VFR cross-country trip. However, beware of some limitations and gotchas: For example, are you automatically cleared to enter Class B airspace while receiving flight following? In this segment of the Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC series, air traffic controllers discuss considerations when traversing different airspace areas. Watch the video...  

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

Article

IFR for ATC

Nashua Flight Simulator and Daniel Webster College are collaborating to help future air traffic controllers understand what it's like in the soup. Read more...  

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

Plane Spotter

North American's namesake

Tell a veteran plane spotter you saw a low-winged, high-dihedral, four-seat aircraft with retractable landing gear, and strong hints of the 1940s in its lines. He or she may tell you that the aircraft's name, Navion, can be regarded as a contraction of the name of its original manufacturer, North American Aviation. Powered by 185-horsepower or 205-hp engines, variants of the Navion were constructed into the 1970s, with many active aircraft still to be spotted at general aviation airports today. Tip tanks suggest later models or aftermarket modifications.

Training Products

ASA releases instrument rating syllabus

Pilots may now download the fifth edition of The Pilot's Manual: Instrument Rating Syllabus from Aviation Supplies and Academics Inc. as a free PDF, ASA announced. The syllabus presents flight lessons side-by-side with ground lessons, includes stage exams and a basic aviation training device syllabus, and supplements the instrument flying textbook from ASA’s The Pilot's Manual series.

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

FAA medical application: Visits to health professionals

When you are filling out your medical application, do you know how to fill out the section that asks for a list of the visits to a health professional within the last three years? Dr. Warren Silberman, former manager of FAA Aerospace Medical Certification, walks you through the process step by step. Read more...  

Blogs

What kind of training does your CFI get?

Your flight instructor is charged with teaching you and keeping you safe. Have you ever thought of what your CFI had to do to earn the designation of an instructor? Flight Training blogger Chip Wright takes you behind the scenes and, he writes, it's "a lot of work." Read more...  

Doors-off flying

When you remove the doors from a helicopter, you add an element of risk to the flight, writes blogger Maria Langer. "Fortunately, the risk can be controlled if you fully understand it and do what's necessary to reduce or eliminate it," she adds. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

Aircraft for rent, maybe

In this scenario, a flight school/aircraft rental business has a double scare when two of its aircraft don't show up at two different destinations on separate days. Both flights end safely, but the flight school is debating whether it should impose restrictions to prevent the scenario from happening again. What would you do? Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

How low must the base of a cloud be in order to be labeled as fog?

Answer

To be classified as fog, a cloud must begin within 50 feet of the surface. (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge 11-15.)

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

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Software engineer, Textron Inc.

TRU Simulation + Training, Inc., a Textron company, is looking for a software engineer to design, develop, integrate, and document simulator software for a dynamic range of commercial and military aviation platforms. The successful candidate has the ability to perform in a dynamic prototyping environment and has a strong desire for innovation. Apply for this exciting opportunity today!

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for part time, temporary digital product support; an account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; contractual marketing copywriter; videographer, Air Safety Institute; senior director of government affairs (airport advocacy); director of government affairs (airspace/air traffic); aviation technical specialist; director, pilot community development; vice president, information and technology; senior ambassador, You Can Fly; outreach and events coordinator; vice president for major and leadership gifts; Sitecore developer; director of studies, research, and analysis; and account executive. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.