Training Tips
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Article
A steady 10-knot wind blowing down the runway increases the student's groundspeed on downwind. Because the student is busy watching for traffic and running the pre-landing checklist, he unknowingly lets the trainer fly considerably farther downwind than usual. The flight instructor reduces the throttle to idle, simulating an engine failure. Can the student make it to the runway? Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
Charter College, with locations in Alaska, California, and Washington, is partnering with several Part 141 flight schools around the country to offer an aviation degree. Read more...
Article
ExpressJet Airlines will partner with JetBlue Airways on a program to offer qualified college students and current pilots a path to a career at JetBlue. Read more...
Article
College students shaking off their winter blues will have an additional spring break option when the first MODAERO fly-in spreads its wings in southeast Texas in March. Read more...
Article
The aviation community will open its wings wide Sept. 26 to welcome girls ages 8 to 16 to the airport or into the cockpit as part of Women in Aviation, International's Girls in Aviation Day. Read more...
Metro State adds two Frasca simulators
Metro State University's Aviation and Aerospace Science Department in Denver has added two Frasca Cessna 172 Mentor advanced aviation training devices. The Mentor is a compact simulator using technology similar to that of the manufacturer's more advanced training devices.
Article
Pilots of Piper's M-series airplanes—the Meridian, Mirage, and Matrix—can now take advantage of new features at Legacy Flight Training's facility at the Scottsdale, Arizona, Municipal Airport. Read more...
Article
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has named Bill Moyle of Waxahachie, Texas, as its executive director. Read more...
Video
Selecting the correct transponder mode can help ATC keep track of your flight. But what happens when you're asked to change codes? Should you turn the transponder to "standby"? See what ATC says...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines flies CNN's aviation correspondent near the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area and explains what temporary flight restrictions for the Pope's visit mean for general aviation pilots. Plus, AOPA pits two Cessna 172s head to head, one with vortex generators and one without—see how they perform. Get a preview of the National Museum of World War II Aviation that you can tour during AOPA's Colorado Springs Fly-In Sept. 26. AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 24...
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Plane Spotter
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One tiny turboprop
What could a canopied, tandem two-seat airplane built from a kit have in common with a turboprop that flies in the flight levels at 350 knots? If you spot a tiny turbine-powered airplane that resembles a micro military trainer on your airport's ramp one day, step outside and take a closer look at a Turbine Legend, which incorporates all the features listed above. The first spotters to notice Performance Aircraft's new product likely were in attendance when the kitplane appeared at the 1998 Sun 'n Fun Fly-In.
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Training Products and Resources
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Webinar
Want to know how to save fuel and flight time before you launch? Ever needed an easy way to determine whether departing just a few hours earlier or later could help you avoid adverse weather or flight restrictions? Learn about the advanced flight planning capabilities available at Lockheed Martin's www.1800wxbrief.com in a free webinar Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. AOPA and Lockheed Martin staff will be on hand to answer your questions. Register today...
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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.
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Member Benefits
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Article
Red Bull Air Race pilots, including U.S. competitors Michael Goulian and Kirby Chambliss, will talk to AOPA members during special behind-the-scenes tours offered at the Fort Worth, Texas, and Las Vegas races. Read more...
Pilot Protection Services
A mechanical issue in flight or otherwise deserves careful attention. If air traffic controllers are aware of an in-flight equipment malfunction, make certain you attend to it before your next flight. Your certificate may depend on it. Read more...
Member benefits
Whether you fly professionally or recreationally, there is a lot to consider when changing jobs. It's important to take a good look at your existing company benefits so that you know what you can take with you and what you'll have to leave behind. Read more...
Member benefits
Thousands of entrepreneurs and small companies use general aviation aircraft to gain a competitive advantage. Check out these five ways a business aircraft could help you...
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Blogs
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Bell Helicopter's new training academy in Fort Worth, Texas, offers basic, recurrent, and advanced training programs for the entire line of Bell models, including some no longer in production, reports Hover Power blogger Scott Hotaling. Read more...
Flight Training contributor Rod Machado has resumed his popular "Since You Asked" column. If you read the digital edition of the magazine, you can participate in an online poll related to the topic Machado discusses. Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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Login required
What will be your game plan flying the LOC/DME approach to Runway 12 at Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport in Blacksburg? Prepare for the challenge and test your knowledge...
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Final Exam
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Question
If you make a cross-country flight and do three touch and goes at an airport along the way, can you count the entire flight time as cross-country time?
Answer
No. Arguably 14 CFR 61.1 could be interpreted to mean that cross-country time is flight time with "the use of dead reckoning, pilotage, electronic navigation aids, radio aids, or other navigation systems to navigate to the landing point." Time spent in the pattern requires none of these items and would not meet the definition of a cross-country flight.
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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.
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
The Transportation Department of the North Central Texas Council of Governments is seeking a mid- or senior-level transportation planner to support and carry out the development, implementation, and long-range planning related to general aviation airports in North Central Texas. This individual will work closely with regional airport managers, elected officials, FAA staff, and others to provide planning assistance for the regional GA system, including developing a robust aviation education network. Apply today...
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a human resources coordinator; legal services plan specialist; payroll technician; 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.
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Sep 26-27 - Sacramento, California
Oct 10-11 - Nashville, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Oct 17-18 - Wichita, Kansas; and Santa Clara, California
Oct 24-25 - Corpus Christi, Texas
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Sep 28 - Mesa, Arizona; Duluth, Minnesota; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Hampton, Virginia
Sep 29 - Tucson, Arizona; Blaine, Minnesota; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Fairfax, Virginia
Sep 30 - Rochester, Minnesota; Reading, Pennsylvania; El Paso, Texas; and Blacksburg, Virginia
Oct 1 - Albuquerque, New Mexico; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Richmond, Virginia
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Sep 26 - Colorado Springs, Colorado; Smithfield, Rhode Island; Stevensville, Maryland; and Orlando, Florida
Oct 3 - Lakeland, Florida; and Prineville, Oregon
Oct 10 - Tullahoma, Tennessee; and Henderson, Nevada
Oct 11 - Middletown, Pennsylvania
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse |
Contributors:
Jill W. Tallman
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
Sarah Deener |
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