September 4, 2015 - VOL 15, ISSUE 36

Flight Training News

Article

Saluting America's aviation team

When Danny Croy pulled back on the yoke from his perch in the left seat of a Cessna 172, his face revealed a confidence that often escaped the 19-year-old. Croy, who has autism, is not comfortable with significant changes in routine, but the short discovery flight from the Frederick, Maryland, airport left him beaming. An army of airport employees working behind the scenes keeps the airport running smoothly and helps make experiences like Croy's happen. See how many touch points it takes to pull off a successful flight...  

Article

Think Global Flight spreads education message

California nonprofit Think Global Flight recently completed a "two-month around the world flight of adventure educating and inspiring" more than 20,000 students. Read more...  

WSU, Alaska Airlines promote STEM education

Washington State University and Alaska Airlines are joining forces to support high school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through the Alaska Airlines Imagine Tomorrow Competition. The program challenges students in grades 9 through 12 from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana to develop "enterprising solutions for renewable energy" in four subject areas. Winners determined by a panel of experts can receive up to $70,000 in prizes.

Air Safety Institute seminars pop up at airports and museums

Feed your flying passion this fall and attend the "Cross Country Challenge" Safety Seminar at an airport, aviation museum, or aviation-themed venue near you. It's easy to find your favorite location in the seminar schedule online. Symbols next to the location identify whether the seminar is held at an aviation-themed location, an airport, or both. Check it out...  

Article

North Dakota teacher named Aerospace Educator of the Year

North Dakota teacher Mike McHugh has been named the 2015 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Read more...  

Article

King Schools adds choice to FIRC

King Schools has added a number of new electives to its flight instructor refresher course. Read more...  

Plane Spotter

Short-haul specialist

It has been 30 years since the European aircraft manufacturing partnership ATR introduced the ATR-42. Since that time, the regional airliner and its stretched relative, the ATR-72, have entered service widely as short-haul specialists. How widely? "Every 8 seconds, an ATR turboprop takes off or lands somewhere around the world," the company states on its website. The ATR-42-300 is powered by two turboprop engines each rated at 2,000 shaft horsepower. The other first-generation variant is designated ATR-42-320 and employs engines of 2,100 shp. About 400 aircraft are in airline service.

Training Products and Resources

Facebook chat

How's your weather knowledge?

How sharp are your weather chart-deciphering skills? How will autumn's trends affect your flying? Bring your questions to the September Flight Training chat at 3 p.m. Eastern time on Sept. 8. AOPA Editor at Large Tom Horne will answer your questions and talk about developments in weather technology. Two chatters will receive a $50 Aircraft Spruce & Specialty gift card. Set an email reminder for the Flight Training Facebook chat, underwritten by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty.

Flash-based, login required

Develop your personal minimums checklist

A safe and comfortable flight starts with reviewing your personal minimums checklist, and the Air Safety Institute's Do The Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots online course provides guidance and recommendations for developing one. The course is a great resource with practical advice on how to anticipate and recognize problems and how to avoid circumstances that lead to tough choices. Learn 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

The stress test and the FAA: Part two

Dr. Warren Silberman discusses two more types of stress tests—the pharmacologic nuclear stress test and the stress echocardiogram—airmen might need to perform while applying for their medical certificate. Read more...  

Blogs

Networking 101: A necessary class

"Meeting and staying in touch with the people who can help us personally and professionally—networking—is much like discussing the weather; everyone talks about it, but hardly anyone does anything about it," writes Opinion Leaders blogger Rob Mark, as he shares tips for networking successfully. Read more...  

Mining the message boards

The Airline Pilot Central and Professional Pilots Rumour Network forums can be good sources of information if you're looking into a career with the airlines. However, as Flight Training blogger Chip Wright points out, you have to know how to separate the good information from the bad. Here are some tips...  

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

A threshold question

When an accident claims an experienced pilot flying a familiar mission, other pilots ponder whether they would have been vulnerable to a similar outcome. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

While planning a cross-country flight, a pilot sees that his flight plan will take him through some Class B airspace, which extends to 7,000 feet msl. Because operating in this airspace exceeds his personal limits for single-pilot cockpit resource management, he decides to fly at 8,500 feet msl over the Class B airspace rather than through it. Does he need to have his aircraft's transponder on even though he is not going to penetrate the Class B airspace?

Answer

Yes, the pilot must have the aircraft's transponder on within the Mode C veil up to 10,000 feet msl. (Source: Aeronautical Information Manual 3-2-3.)

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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 database developer; aviation event planner; manager of aviation safety programs; ambassador—Texas; director of aviation security; graphic design intern; director of media relations; and director of regulatory affairs.To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.