Training Tips
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Article
What would you do if you lost radio communication during a solo at a towered airport? How would ATC instruct you to reverse your taxi direction after the communications failure? You would receive a flashing white light that means, "Return to starting point on airport." What if the controller gave you a flashing green light to continue taxiing? How would you decline so that you could return to the ramp? Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Advocacy
The FAA has published a final rule that changes the way student pilot certificates will be issued and withdraws plans to require photos on all pilot certificates, a proposal AOPA vigorously opposed. Read more...
Article
It's never too early to set your sights on a great flying adventure. Why not make one of the four AOPA Regional Fly-Ins an adventure in your logbook this year? Read more...
Video
Midair collisions are far less common than we may think, but while the risk of having one is low, the consequences are not. In this new video, the AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at some of the commonalities among midair collisions, and offers strategies for minimizing your chance of being involved in one. Watch the video...
Article
New private pilot Stephanie Stechschulte says she was a panicky passenger before she earned a pilot certificate. Read more...
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Scholarships
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Article
A pair of scholarships sponsored by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association is available to high school seniors or college students pursuing aviation as a career, the association announced Jan. 8. Read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
General aviation remains on the NTSB's Most Wanted list, even though GA accidents are at or near all-time lows. Flying clubs are about more than airplanes, and the people in those clubs may be just the thing to rekindle your love of flying. Also, find out how good guys with drones might capture drones flown by bad guys, and get a look at a drone you can actually ride in. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Jan. 14...
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Plane Spotter
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Slings from South Africa
A plane spotter learning the lengthening list of light sport aircraft (LSAs) may find his or her way to Johannesburg, South Africa, and a place called the Airplane Factory. Here, a low-wing, canopied aircraft that goes by the name of Sling is manufactured, either as a kit or a ready-to-fly aircraft. Fully loaded, the two-seat Sling 2 weighs in at 1,320 pounds—the maximum for an LSA under U.S. rules. The Airplane Factory also manufactures the Sling 4, a heavier four-seat aircraft. The Slings are powered, respectively, by 100- and 115-horsepower Rotax engines.
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Training Products and Resources
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Quantum Eye offers carbon monoxide detector
The last thing pilots need to worry about on a long winter flight is undetected carbon monoxide seeping into the cockpit from a cracked exhaust or heater muff. This silent killer can be detected with Quantum Eye's chemical cockpit card that provides peace of mind for less than $10. New technology has extended its warning life to more than a year, but it's a good idea to set a personal calendar reminder for protection.
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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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Member benefit
AOPA Aviation Finance can secure a loan for members for engine overhauls, avionics upgrades, paint, interior, and more. Read more...
Pilot Protection Services
Many aircraft owners and pilots are fretting about the Jan. 1, 2020, mandate to equip with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out in order to continue to access certain airspace. However, Director of AOPA's Legal Services Plan Mike Yodice points out that the sky is not falling—it's just shrinking. Read more...
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Blogs
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One important safety practice students should commit to is being with the aircraft while it is being refueled to help ensure that the wrong fuel isn't put in the tanks. Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch explains what happens if an aircraft is misfueled, how to remedy the situation, and how to test fuel samples for contamination. Read more...
Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright looks at the increase in pay at the regional airline level over the past 18 months and writes, "If you've been on the fence and are at all qualified, this is a great time to give some serious thought to making the leap." Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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Flash-based; login required
With cold weather overspreading many regions in the country, it's time for a brisk refresher on how to avoid conditions conducive to icing. While you may already take time for a thorough weather briefing, there's more you can do to stay safe and be properly prepared for winter flying. Take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise: Precipitation and Icing course before your next flight.
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Final Exam
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Question
You rented a Cessna 172 to take your friends on a short flight, and you want to maximize your time in the air. Can you start taxiing while they get situated in their seats, as long as you, the pilot, have your seat belt fastened?
Answer
No. According to 14 CFR 91.107, "each person on board...must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt...properly secured about him or her during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing."
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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 navigation and guidance commercial sales manager will develop strategies for OEM pursuits; pursue global airline opportunities; and secure opportunities in the commercial OEM and aftermarket arena to meet operating plan, margin expansion, and long-term growth goals for the product line. Read the full job description and apply today!
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a marketing copywriter; Web project manager; AOPA Aviation Finance account executive, analyst I, and loan processor; High School Aviation Initiative senior director; member services representative; Legal Services Plan attorney; major gift officer; and insurance account executive.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
Jan 16-17 - Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Elkridge, Maryland
Jan 23-24 - Rockford, Tennessee; Long Beach, California; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
Feb 6-7 - Las Vegas, Nevada; and Louisville, Kentucky
Feb 20-21 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Sacramento, California
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
Jan 18 - Mesa, Arizona
Jan 19 - Tucson, Arizona; and Fort Worth, Texas
Jan 20 - El Paso, Texas; and Addison, Texas
Jan 21 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Jan 16 - Lebanon, Tennessee
Jan 20 - Racine, Wisconsin
Jan 21 - Sebring, Florida
Jan 23 - Tulsa, Oklahoma; Carson City, Nevada; Houston, Texas; Sebring, Florida; and Brunswick, Maine
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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