December 2, 2016 - VOL 16, ISSUE 49

Flight Training News

Article

ForeFlight for simulators

An Atlanta company that makes flight simulation software and components has released a free application that allows ForeFlight Mobile to link with simulators powered by Microsoft Flight Simulator X or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D. Read more...  

Article

PistonFly takes off

A business born in a dorm room at Western Michigan University College of Aviation has begun to take off. A group of college-aged flying enthusiasts merged their individual talents into a cohesive unit and founded PistonFly, which has three divisions—aerial filming, aircraft marketing, and web design. Read more...  

Article

Cessna selects 2017 Top Hawk schools

Cessna Aircraft Co. has selected five new schools to take part in the Top Hawk program, which supplies each university with a custom-branded Cessna Skyhawk and internship opportunities for students. Read more...  

Video

'See, Sense, Separate'

In addition to "see and avoid" there are other tools to help pilots look for conflicting traffic. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Collision Avoidance: See, Sense, Separate video recommends ways to make your aircraft more visible and to improve your listening and scanning techniques. The video also explores ATC assistance and limitations—even at towered fields—in a nonradar environment. Watch the video...  

Flash-based; login required

GPS for VFR 101

While GPS units require model-specific knowledge and practice, it also helps to have an elementary understanding of how the Global Positioning System works. Get GPS basics with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's GPS for VFR Operations introduction course. Safety tips and advice will help you avoid common mistakes. Take the course...

Plane Spotter

General aviation gyrocraft

A plane spotter spies an unusual-looking aircraft 1,000 feet above the approach end of the runway. It descends vertically to about 300 feet, then completes a landing using about 500 feet of runway. The aircraft is a gyrocopter, an aircraft that gets its thrust from an engine-driven "pusher propeller," and lift from an overhead rotor that begins to spin when the aircraft starts moving forward. Also known as autogyros, gyrocopters make up a tiny fraction of general aviation in the United States, but are more plentiful in Europe, like this ArrowCopter from Austria.

Training Products and Resources

'Checklist for Success' assists career pilots

Aspiring career pilots can head into their professional interviews with confidence after gleaning a multitude of tips from author Cheryl Cage's Checklist for Success: A Pilot's Guide to the Successful Airline Interview. The 136-page sixth edition guidebook steers pilots in the right direction and makes interviewing a snap. Advance preparation means fewer surprises as pilots are counseled with proven techniques. The book is available from Aviation Supplies & Academics in a variety of formats starting at $24.95.

Cessna 140 is Sporty's 2016 holiday ornament

The 2016 Sporty's Pilot Shop Christmas ornament depicts a classic Cessna 140 flying low over hills and valleys. The Sporty's holiday tradition has delighted aviation enthusiasts since 1985. The etched crystal ornament is available online for $24.95.

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

High blood pressure? AME could still issue your medical

If your doctor suggests medications to control your high blood pressure, start taking them sooner rather than later, recommends AOPA Director of the Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section Gary Crump. You don't need to worry about losing your medical certificate. In many cases the aviation medical examiner can go ahead and issue a medical certificate to you during the physical exam. Read more...  

Blogs

Declaring an emergency 'no big deal'

Declaring an emergency is "really and truly no big deal" for the average general aviation pilot, and should be properly used as a tool to maximize pilot resources when needed, according to Flight Training blogger Chip Wright. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

A friend is taking an initial remote pilot course and seems to be confused about recurrent training requirements. Where can you find these requirements?

Answer

You can find the requirements for remote pilot recurrent training in 14 CFR 107.65. There are two ways to meet the requirement depending on the pilot qualifications: A remote-only pilot must take a written test every 24 months. A person who holds a pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 61, other than a student pilot, can complete a flight review as defined in 14 CFR 61.56. The areas of knowledge specified in 14 CFR 107.74(a) and (b) are covered in an online course on the FAA Safety Team website.

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 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? AOPA is looking for a Great Lakes regional manager, account executive, donor relations director, New York You Can Fly ambassador, aviation technical specialist, UI/front-end developer, and aviation financial analyst. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.