June 24, 2016 - VOL 16, ISSUE 26

Flight Training News

Video

Steer clear of terrain

For many pilots, accidents involving terrain and obstructions fall into the "can't happen to me" category. But getting caught in a tight situation is easier than you think, and escape can be difficult or impossible. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Look Out! Avoiding Terrain and Obstructions video aims to raise awareness of the risks. Learn to recognize potentially dangerous situations before it's too late. Watch the video...  

Article

Build A Plane winners get to work

The Wisconsin high school winners of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association/Build A Plane 2016 Aviation Design Challenge are in Arlington, Washington, turning wrenches and installing components on a Glasair Sportsman. Read more...  

Video

Flatlander tackles Colorado mountains

During the sixth installment of her 10-part Winging It video series, Redbird pilot Brittney Miculka learns that mountain flying is "not something you can do on a whim." She cautions that before taking off, it's important to understand how weather and high-altitude flying can challenge pilots and their machines. Watch the video...  

Article

New pathway to Frontier right seat

Regional air carrier Great Lakes Airlines launched a career pathway program June 2 to funnel pilots into first officer positions with Denver-based Frontier Airlines. Read more...  

PDF

Use your flying passion—become a volunteer pilot

Being a volunteer pilot is a great way to use your pilot certificate and help others in need. But how do you go about joining a public benefit flying group that shares your passion? Learn more with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Volunteer Pilots: Balancing Safety and Compassion Safety Advisor. Download the PDF...

Scholarships

Aerobatic scholarships awarded

The Figure 1 Foundation awarded its first round of aviation scholarships June 9 to three certificated pilots learning aerobatic maneuvers to increase their situational safety. The winners are Chase Standage, a junior at Moorpark High School in California; Heather Kelly, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student; and Jennifer Bauman, a junior at California Polytechnic State University. The Culver City, California-based foundation says its mission is to "educate, enable, and inspire our community at the grass roots level of general aviation." Applications for tailwheel endorsement scholarships are open through July 15.

Plane Spotter

Flights into history

It was an early single-engine airliner, a speedy racer, a favorite of Amelia Earhart and other celebrated pilots, and the first product of an aircraft lineage still at the cutting edge of aerospace technology development. Only a handful of Lockheed Vegas survive as flyable restorations or museum exhibits, such as this 1933 example flown by World War II hero Jimmy Doolittle during his pre-war days as a Shell Oil executive and now owned by the Jimmy Doolittle Center. The seven-place taildragger was Lockheed Aircraft Company's first offering and dates to 1927.

Training Products and Resources

RAM Mounts products cradle electronic devices

RAM Mounts offers products for pilots to maximize the utility of their handheld navigation, communication, and entertainment devices. The Universal X-Grip fits a variety of gadgets, including many legacy devices. RAM Mounts are available online from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. in a variety of configurations and price points.

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

AOPA helps members through special issuance medical process

If you are one of 30,000 pilots each year whose medicals have been deferred or initially denied, AOPA's medical certification specialists can guide you through the special issuance medical process to get you back in the left seat. Read more...  

Member benefit

Life insurance is a top priority for pilots

Does your family have enough life insurance? AOPA Insurance offers AOPA members a solution with aviation coverage that is affordable. Read more...  

Blogs

Into thin air: A problem even in low country

Flying at lower elevations doesn't exempt you from the effects of high density altitude. High density altitude caused by hot temperatures and high humidity can affect all pilots. Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda shares planning tips to help you cope safely with this condition. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

Advocacy

'Not authorized at night'

A pilot is planning a cross-country flight to a destination likely to have instrument meteorological conditions for the expected nighttime arrival. On reviewing the one-runway airport's instrument approach procedures, the pilot is dismayed to discover notices to airmen advising that the IAPs are "NA at night." Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

What is an MOA and can I fly through it?

Answer

An MOA is a military operations area with specific vertical and lateral limits to its airspace that is established to separate military training activities from IFR traffic. Activities such as formation training; air combat tactics; and low-altitude, high-speed operations are common. No permission is needed to fly VFR through an MOA; however, VFR traffic should proceed with extreme caution. When an MOA is active, non-participating IFR traffic may be cleared through as long as ATC can maintain IFR separation. Otherwise, non-participating IFR traffic will be rerouted around the MOA. It is a good idea to check the status of an MOA with flight service and also contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories before penetrating the airspace. For more information, check out page 9 of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Airspace for Everyone Safety Advisor.

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 an aviation technical specialist, fundraising specialist, government affairs federal and state vice president, Aviation Insurance Services director, member services representative, financial analyst, Great Lakes regional manager, medical certification specialist, 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.