Training Tips
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Article
Air traffic control changes the landing clearance for a student pilot and flight instructor who are inbound in a Cessna 182. The two must fly a different traffic pattern to a different runway than what was initially assigned, and conduct a land and hold short operation (LAHSO). After landing long, the aircraft skids across the hold-short line before coming to a stop. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Advocacy
AOPA and six other general aviation groups sent a joint letter to House leaders opposing legislation that would make it harder for veterans to pursue aviation careers. Read more...
Article
The National Air Transportation Association teamed with the AOPA Air Safety Institute and other organizations to offer a free online course to help prevent aircraft misfueling accidents. The course targets pilots, line service personnel, FBO managers, and customer service representatives. Read more...
Video
Pilots are usually able to make solid go/no-go decisions when the weather is good or bad. But when conditions are marginal, the decision to launch, postpone, or cancel can be tricky. In this Weather Wise video, the AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at factors to consider when the weather complicates your plans. Watch the video...
Experts from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide are offering a series of free monthly webinars to help aviation students. The 50-minute online presentations will discuss project management, effective writing, and resumé pointers. Attendees don't have to be enrolled to participate, and sessions will be archived. See the webinar schedule...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
AOPA was on the scene in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10 when the General Aviation Manufacturers Association released its annual report on worldwide aircraft sales; find out what those numbers mean. Also this week, some airports have temperatures so cold that aircraft altimeters won't read correctly. AOPA explains the altitude-correction procedures that have been established for these airports to prevent terrain-clearance hazards for aircraft on instrument approaches. And, take a look back at one of pilots' favorite (if fleeting) moments of Super Bowl 50—the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flyover. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Feb. 11...
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Plane Spotter
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Born to teach
As you spot airplanes and talk to the people who fly them, the chances are ever increasing that the next pilot you meet will have taken training in a light sport aircraft. LSAs are becoming more common in flight school fleets, and the low-wing, two-place, Rotax-powered, Czech-built Evektor SportStar RTC has found its way into that niche. The view from its deeply canopied cockpit is almost 360 degrees. A ground-adjustable, three-bladed propeller helps give the SportStar a 108-knot cruise speed. A parachute rescue system is a safety option.
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Training Products and Resources
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King Schools releases nontowered airport communications video
John and Martha King are at it again. The first couple of flight training are offering a free course to pilots learning or brushing up on their nontowered airport communication. The 13-minute online video teaches how to use skillful communication during arrival and departure to mitigate collision risk and maintain situational awareness.
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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
Whether you have friends who aren't flying as much as they'd like or know pilots who have stopped flying for a while, you can help them get back in the air as active pilots by bringing them into the AOPA community. Just for sharing AOPA with those friends, you can earn points toward Amazon gift cards. Read more...
Member benefit
Edward Gaven Givens III was born into an aviation family, flew in the Air Force, and now flies for Southwest Airlines and owns a 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearman. He turned to AOPA Insurance to insure his piece of flying history. "The older I get," Givens said, "the more I realize what a blessing this all has been and how fortunate I am to partner with organizations like AOPA." Read more...
Pilot Protection Services
Dr. Warren Silberman, former FAA manager of aerospace medical certification, explains the types of medication used to treat atrial fibrillation and the tests pilots will need to undergo to keep their medical certificate. Read more...
Member benefit
Turbine aircraft ownership comes with new and unique maintenance and management considerations. Among them: engine programs. Essentially a contract engine reserve fund, engine programs enable you to reduce risk, spread out big maintenance bills, and potentially simplify engine maintenance with a regular payment schedule. An engine program can be a good thing, but these programs aren't for everyone. Read more...
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Blogs
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A pilot sitting jumpseat on your flight doesn't mean he or she has flown with you and can provide a job recommendation, and spending five minutes at lunch with someone does not qualify that person to endorse you. Check out these common pitfalls of networking that airline pilot Chip Wright says to avoid.
Thousands of pilots fell in love with One Six Right, the documentary filmed at California's Van Nuys Airport that captured the passion of aviation. Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas says the recently released tenth anniversary Blu-ray Disc version features sharper colors and images, includes 10 minutes of never-before-seen footage of 12 different airplanes, and more. Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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Login required
How sharp is your knowledge of notations on instrument approach charts? For example, will you need distance measuring equipment (DME) to fly the ILS or LOC RWY 27 approach into Wyoming's Cheyenne Regional/Jerry Olson Field? Can you explain which holding pattern applies to you and what the "ASR/PAR" notation below the nonstandard alternate minimums symbol means? Test your knowledge in this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz...
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Final Exam
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Question
I understand that I need a flight review every two years to remain current as a pilot. I recently passed my private pilot practical test. Do I also need to complete a flight review to maintain my currency?
Answer
Because you have successfully passed a practical test within the past two years, you do not need to complete a flight review. For more information about the requirements for a flight review, see 14 CFR 61.56.
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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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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an aviation technical specialist, social media evangelist, Flying Clubs Initiative manager, marketing copywriter, Web project manager, member services representative, and Legal Services Plan attorney.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
Feb 20-21 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Sacramento, California
Feb 27-28 - Kenner, Louisiana; and Melbourne, Florida
Mar 5-6 - Ontario, California
Mar 12-13 - Phoenix, Arizona; Burlingame, California; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Virginia Beach, Virginia
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
Feb 16 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Feb 17 - Wichita, Kansas; and Frederick, Maryland
Feb 18 - Rogers, Arkansas
Feb 20-21 - Puyallup, Washington
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Feb 13 - Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Scottsdale, Arizona
Feb 20 - Vero Beach, Florida; and Chickasha, Oklahoma
Feb 21 - Puyallup, Washington
Mar 5 - Helena, Montana; Lakeland, Florida; Elkhart, Indiana; Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Burlington, Washington; and Lawrenceville, Georgia
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:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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