Training Tips
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Article
Inbound to a nontowered airport, you tune in the common traffic advisory frequency hoping to hear which runway local traffic is using. Someone advises that Runway 17 is in use. You enter the pattern, but you get an uneasy feeling as you turn from the base leg to final. Did you really turn base so close that the 5,000-foot runway's threshold now appears much nearer than expected? Could you have a tailwind?
Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pilots Emmy Dillon and Abbie Pasmore took first place overall, and first place in the collegiate division of the 2016 Air Race Classic. The overall win was a first for their school. The Riddle Racers Gold team was among more than 50 teams of pilots, all of them women, who completed the 2,716-mile winding route between two Embry-Riddle campuses.
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Video
How should you request and receive a clearance for "VFR on top," and what is expected from you and air traffic control?
Watch this installment of Ask ATC...
Article
A California dream became a reality for a former actor, Hollywood movie set photographer, and career pilot who established a safe haven for teens struggling in life. A Different Point of View Founder Lynn Houston said her life was in shambles when she was their age, too.
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Webinar
Remember the exciting adventures you've had exploring new areas in airplanes? AOPA's new Rusty Pilots 2.0 seminar will walk you through a fun cross-country trip with the family to satisfy the ground portion of the flight review, making getting back into the left seat fun and easy. Learn more about the program and the new Rusty Pilots Resource Guide during a webinar July 12 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Register today...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
Go inside the Boeing factory for an exclusive look at how the behemoth airliners are built—and learn how you can have this and other cool experiences during the AOPA Fly-In at Bremerton, Washington, in August. Also this week, we get "trapped" on the USS George Washington and honor those who are serving our country; pay tribute to a legendary aviation journalist and former AOPA employee; and host a group of Cub Scouts excited about aviation.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, June 30...
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Plane Spotter
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The newest M-bird
From the PA-46 Malibu through the Matrix to the turboprops of the M-Class, Piper Aircraft has steadily expanded its top-line offerings of single-engine airplanes. Plane spotters can soon transfer their gaze from websites and forward-looking magazine reports to the ramp of the local airport in search of the newest member of the M-Class, the 600-shaft-horsepower M600 that debuted to fanfare in June. Piper added fuel capacity (in a new wing) and payload to the new release while improving on the predecessor M500's maximum cruising speed and range.
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Training Products and Resources
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Children's headsets now include audio input
Pilots can protect their child passengers' hearing and keep little ones informed and occupied with updated headsets from SoftComm. Red, black, or purple ear cups with audio jacks for music or games help make family flying vacations a breeze. These foldable, noise-reducing headsets include "no squeeze" plastic headbands and gold-plated connectors. The headsets are available through Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. for $88.75 to $129.95.
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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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Pilot Protection Services
Check out some of the common questions AOPA's medical experts receive and learn how their advice could help you with your medical certification.
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Member benefit
How do you get the best value for your insurance dollar and find out whether you are still covered if your medical has expired? Are you covered when flying from the right seat or landing at backcountry airstrips? What are the most common reasons for insurance claim denials? AOPA Insurance Services provides answers to these most-asked questions.
Read more...
AOPA Aviation Finance
If you've got your eye on an older jet, but you know you will need bank financing—shop wisely.
Read more...
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Blogs
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Most aspiring career pilots want to fly for the major airlines, but that job is hard to land. Once the requisite ratings are acquired, there is the matter of building overall time, jet time, and hopefully some turbojet pilot-in-command time. Are there any shortcuts or other options? According to Flight Training blogger Chip Wright, there might be.
Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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Login required
Take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise: VFR into IMC course to learn why it's best to stay on the ground when the weather is not on your side. Find out how you can avoid getting wedged between terrain and lowering ceilings, and get the weather facts that will guide your decisions when the lines are blurred.
Take the course...
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Final Exam
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Question
I've always wanted to pursue my dream of flying; however, I'm a little concerned about passing the airman medical examination because I'm currently taking hypertension medication. How can I find out if the medicine is allowed by the FAA?
Answer
The FAA currently allows most FDA-approved anti-hypertension agents. (Check out this list of most FAA-accepted medications as well as AOPA's subject report about hypertension.) Before visiting your aviation medical examiner, fill out AOPA's internet-based, interactive TurboMedical tool to guide you while you fill out the form. Then you can complete the FAA online medical application, MedXPress.
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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 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, fundraising specialist, government affairs federal and state vice president, member services representative, Great Lakes regional manager, communications director, donor relations director, AOPA Foundation communications director, and marketing copywriter. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Jul 9-10 - Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; and Elizabeth, New Jersey
Jul 23-24 - Jacksonville, Florida; and Memphis, Tennessee
Aug 6-7 - Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Worth, Texas; and Long Beach, California
Aug 20-21 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Reno, Nevada
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
Jul 9 - Alpine, Wyoming
Jul 27-30 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Sep 6 - Wichita, Kansas; Madison, Wisconsin; and Seattle, Washington
Sep 7 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Jul 9 - Savannah, Georgia
Jul 16 - San Marcos, Texas; and West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Jul 27 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Aug 13 - Fort Worth, Texas
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
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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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