May 29, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 22

Flight Training News

Article

AOPA training poll, sweeps open

AOPA announced May 20 that it has opened its popular flight training poll, a survey that allows student pilots at all levels to share feedback on their flight training experiences. Survey results are used to determine the winners of AOPA's annual Flight Training Excellence Awards. Read more...  

Article

Drone school open for business

Auburn University has been granted a waiver to operate a commercial drone school that will be open to the public. Read more...  

Vanderbilt shines in rocket contest

For the third year in a row, Vanderbilt University students have won a NASA rocketry contest that requires construction of scaled-down rockets flown with the same procedures used by NASA for larger models. The NASA Student Launch Challenge comes with a $5,000 prize, though the real payoff may be in what participants learn about 3-D printing, carbon fiber construction, flight procedures, and autonomous systems. Thirty-five teams launched their single-stage rockets at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; weeks of flight data analysis combined with design reviews determined the winner.

Article

Pilot wins water wings

Arizona flight instructor (and newly hired airline pilot) Blake Godfrey won the King Schools Alaska Seaplane Rating Sweepstakes. Read more...  

Contest

Pilatus pilot for a day, or four

If you own or work for a company that would benefit from the use of a business aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-12 NG, seize your chance to fly one in the AOPA Pilot BizAv and You Contest Powered by Pilatus. To enter, send a 300-word-or-fewer description of how your company would take advantage of a turbine business aircraft if you had access to it. The deadline for submissions is June 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern time. See the official rules and enter...  

Flash-based, login required

The ins and outs of ADS-B

Confused about what Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast technology is? Whether you own or rent, explore the Air Safety Institute's ADS-B for General Aviation: The Basics online course for a clear overview of what it means to you. Prepare for 2020...

Facebook chat

Talk to an examiner at the June 'Flight Training' chat

Flight Training "Checkride" columnist Bob Schmelzer will be on deck at the June Facebook chat to answer your questions about prepping for and taking your practical test. Join Flight Training editors Ian J. Twombly and Jill W. Tallman at 3 p.m. Eastern time on June 2. One chatter will receive a $50 Aircraft Spruce & Specialty gift card. Set an email reminder here. Flight Training Facebook chats are underwritten by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty.

Scholarships

Article

AEA, GAMA announce scholarship winners

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association and Aircraft Electronics Association announced the winners of 26 aviation scholarships in May, including a pilot and students pursuing a career in the general aviation maintenance and aircraft electronics industry. Read more...  

Training Resources

PDF

Maintain sunny side up

Visual reference of our position relative to the earth is critical to maintaining spatial orientation in flight. However, it's easy to become disoriented if we lose that reference—a situation that can lead to major problems if left unchecked. Learn how to recognize conditions that lead to such confusion, how to deal with it, and how to avoid spatial disorientation in the first place in this Safety Advisor. Read more...

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

Malaysia Airlines to undergo overhaul

Malaysia Airlines will undergo a complete overhaul, including restructuring into a new company, rebranding, and layoffs, Reuters reports. The changes come in the wake of the disappearance of flight MH370 in March 2014 and the crash of flight MH17 after it was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. New CEO Christoph Mueller told Reuters that the new company will be like a "start-up."

Study: Airlines restrict access to flight information

Efforts by some major U.S. airlines to restrict access to flight information could have a significant impact on consumer costs, according to an economic impact study released by the Travel Technology Association. The study, "Benefits of Preserving Consumers' Ability to Compare Airline Fares," noted that "some airlines are attempting to restrict access to their fare and schedule information, reduce the ability of consumers to easily compare prices, and drive travelers to their own websites, which do not offer price comparisons with other airlines."

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

Plane Spotter

A bear and a bolt

Piper Aircraft built its best-known model, the J-3 Cub, in numbers during the golden aviation era before and after World War II, when everyday people were discovering flight. Now as then, pilots know the Cub by its namesake yellow paint and the black lightning bolt stretching from behind the cowling—through which engine cylinders bulge—to the tail, which, naturally, bears a bear. Total strangers to aviation recognize the name "Piper Cub." In 2014, the low-and-slow flying tandem taildragger was named Pennsylvania's official aircraft, commemorating the state where 20,000 Cubs were constructed.

Training Products

Article

Flight Outfitters intros new bags

When it comes to certain types of gear, aviation has no shortage of choices. Now pilots have two more options with Lift and Thrust flight bags, courtesy of new manufacturer Flight Outfitters. Read more...  

Brush up on chart symbols

The FAA's Aeronautical Chart User's Guide introduces the terms and symbols used on FAA aeronautical charts and publications. Download the PDF as a reference or access a Web-based version here to review symbols for navaids, different types of airports, and 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

Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli explained

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood in a vein becomes stagnant and then clots. Left untreated, it may cause a pulmonary embolus blocking blood flow in the lungs. Learn what to provide to the FAA to get your medical certificate back if you have a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus. Read more...  

Blogs

Advancing an aviation education ... the hard way

Opinion Leaders Rob Mark recounts a lesson he learned the hard way about lift and drag during a go-around in a Cessna 150 shortly after earning his private pilot certificate. Read more...  

Tips for long cross-country flights

Doing a long cross-country flight in a helicopter isn't like those 25-mile jaunts required to get your pilot certificate. There are all kinds of things to consider—and prepare for. Hover Power blogger Maria Langer offers tips from more than 10 years of flying cross-country flights in excess of 500 miles. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

Safety video

Will you fly as filed?

It depends. Ask ATC: IFR Routes explains why you should be extra careful when reading back your IFR clearance. Learn more in this installment of the Air Safety Institute's popular Ask ATC video series. Watch the video...  

Final Exam

Question

When looking at a segmented circle at an airport, you'll find L-shaped traffic pattern indicators. The long leg of the L represents the runway. What does the short leg of the L represent?

Answer

The short leg of the L represents the base leg of the traffic pattern, indicating the direction in which traffic pattern turns to that runway should be made. (Source: Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 7.)

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

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: NBAA event marketing project manager

The National Business Aviation Association, a nonprofit trade association serving a dynamic and growing industry filled with passionate people, has an exciting opportunity for an individual to manage the marketing production for NBAA's events. The job includes a focus on conferences and seminars and driving attendee registration and exhibit sales. An ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree with two years of marketing experience and excellent communication skills. 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 accounting clerk; 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; 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.