November 6, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 45

Flight Training News

Article

AOPA honors top trainers

AOPA has named the winners of its 2015 Flight Training Excellence Awards based on more than 7,100 responses to the AOPA Flight Training Poll. "This year's winners represent the very best in flight instruction, offering their students high-quality training that helps them achieve their aviation goals," said Chris Moser, AOPA manager of flight training initiatives. Read more...  

Article

CFIs gather at Redbird's Migration

Now officially known as Redbird Flight, the simulator and technology company has held its three-day Migration gathering in San Marcos, Texas, for the past five years. And while no two events have been the same, each is a little bit customer meeting, flight training symposium, and creative workshop. This year's event featured tuxedos, Cheez Whiz, and high-profile speakers. Read more...  

Article

Illinois program rallies

Parkland College aviators rallied from the closure of their fight training program at the University of Illinois to post a third-place finish in a regional competition and earn a spot in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's 2016 Safecon. Read more...  

Video

Ready to land?

A good landing starts with a good approach. In Takeoffs and Landings: Stabilized Approaches, the AOPA Air Safety Institute unveils the finer points of making each approach the foundation of a smooth landing. Watch the video...  

ERAU offers Florida students a discount

Florida high school graduates applying to the Daytona Beach campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University can plan on receiving a 5-percent tuition discount beginning in August 2016. Dr. Mori Hosseini, the university's chairman of the board of trustees, said in an Oct. 30 news release, "As the world's largest and oldest institute focusing on aviation and aerospace—we are global, but it is a priority to provide access to a quality education for qualified students in our own community." In other news, Frasca International said it would upgrade the university's two DA42 Level 5 flight training devices to accurately simulate Diamond Aircraft's Garmin-equipped DA42-VI twin-engine aircraft.

Scholarships

Article

Flying Musicians scholarship winner solos

Vero Beach, Florida, high school senior and jazz musician Drew Medina completed his Oct. 11 solo flight in a Piper Archer thanks to financial assistance from the Flying Musicians Association's first scholarship. Read more...  

Plane Spotter

Meet the Breezy

The RLU-1 Breezy seems the epitome of open-air aviation, and the 1964-vintage pusher-prop airplane has clad itself in homebuilt history since first giving rides at the 1965 Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in. Its model designation incorporates the last-name initials of designer/builders Charley Roloff, Bob Liposky, and Carl Unger. The Breezy prototype is preserved as an exhibit at the EAA Museum, which notes that the 698-pound empty-weight aircraft "was one of the most universally recognized aircraft to emerge from the EAA movement." More than 1,000 sets of Breezy plans were sold.

Training Products and Resources

Sporty's updates iPad Air, Mini bifold kneeboards

A welcome update for Sporty's convenient iPad Air bifold kneeboard and iPad Mini bifold kneeboard includes additional hook-and-loop fabric for enhanced device security and a more rigid kickstand for better viewing. Contoured backs with sturdy elastic straps stabilize the kneeboards, and pockets hold charts and charging cords. The kneeboards cost $39.95 each.

Pilot Safety Announcement

Don't fly like this!

Flying VFR into instrument conditions makes as much sense as flying blindfolded. You'll get the idea when you watch this Pilot Safety Announcement from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. Watch the video...  

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

Use common sense with supplemental oxygen

Pilot Protection Services medical expert Dr. Jonathan Sackier uses supplemental oxygen when flying at 5,000 feet and above during the day, and he dons it at night prior to takeoff. Find out why he feels so strongly about supplemental oxygen use. Read more...  

Blogs

Say again?

The noise from flying airplanes and being around them on the ramp can take a toll on pilots' hearing. Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda explains why it's important to use a good headset. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

Finish the approach with a safe landing

The last thing an instrument pilot wants to do after flying an approach in weather, or at night, is the missed approach. But, as two NTSB cases illustrate, forcing the approach and landing instead of going missed can lead to runway overruns. How often do you land when practicing approaches to get the full effect? Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

What should you do if carbon monoxide is detected while the cabin heater is in use?

Answer

According to Aeronautical Information Manual 8-1-4, "A pilot who detects the odor of exhaust or experiences symptoms of headache, drowsiness, or dizziness while using the heater should suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, and immediately shut off the heater and open air vents."

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. 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 major gift officer; legal services plan administrative assistant; AOPA Foundation administrative assistant; account executive; aviation event planner; and director of aviation security.To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.