November 11, 2016 - VOL 16, ISSUE 46

Flight Training News

You Can Fly

STEM symposium inspires

Nearly 200 educators shared their passion for teaching students about aviation during the second annual AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium at Seattle's Museum of Flight Nov. 6 and 7. The symposium brought together educators, aviation pioneers, and business leaders, paving a path of study for future aviators, mechanics, engineers, and more. Attendees experienced the excitement for aviation programs firsthand when students from nearby Raisbeck Aviation High School gave them high fives during a tour of the facility. Read more...  

Advocacy

Student pilot certificate system revised

An update of the FAA's web-based Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system should reduce the processing time involved in acquiring a student pilot certificate from two weeks to less than a week by making a temporary, printable certificate available after a short interval for security vetting. The temporary ticket will be valid for 120 days, during which time the permanent student pilot certificate should arrive. Read more...  

Article

ERAU student 'in it to win it'

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student Jackson Wieland—the third quarter winner in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's "Learn & Earn Safety Challenge"—started flight training when he was 16. Wieland's active participation in the 2016 challenge won him a Garmin GDL 39 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver for the iPad. He shares about his studies, school, and future aviation endeavors. Read more...  

Archer TX delivery kick starts UND's fleet upgrade

A Piper Archer TX recently delivered to the University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is the first of 100 singles and twins that the school ordered from Piper in April. The university, which has had a 30-year relationship with Piper, will receive 80 Archer TX and 20 Seminole aircraft to upgrade its fleet. The Archer TX features a 180-horsepower, fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-B4A engine and Garmin G1000 avionics suite.

Article

Cessna 150 raffle benefits youth

Build A Plane, in conjunction with Fort Worth, Texas-based Eagle Flying Museum, will raffle off a refurbished red-and-white Cessna 150J to fund youth aviation education programs, the nonprofit announced Oct. 24. Raffle tickets are $50, and sales will end Dec. 24. Read more...  

Scholarships

AOPA Foundation focus

Flight training scholarship recipient logs first solo

Kristen Dwiggins knew that this might be the day as she practiced takeoffs and landings with her instructor at Sanford, North Carolina's Raleigh Executive Jetport on an October morning following a short flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The AOPA Flight Training Scholarship winner soloed in a Liberty XL2 and is transitioning to a Piper Archer. Read more...  

Plane Spotter

A new Vision

In 2017, plane spotters should make a note to watch for an entirely new spotting opportunity: a single-engine jet designed for civilian use by a company already known for state-of-the-art piston aircraft. You'll recognize Cirrus Aircraft's SF50 Vision Jet on sight. The low-wing, seven-seat, largely composite aircraft has its Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine mounted atop the rear fuselage just ahead of its prominent V-tail. With 600 of the 300-knot airplanes on order and production ramping up, a new era for general aviation—and plane spotting—may be about to begin.

Training Products and Resources

FAA releases updated 'Airplane Flying Handbook'

The FAA announced Nov. 4 the release of a new version of its Airplane Flying Handbook. The reference book, which covers ground operations, flight maneuvers, takeoffs and landings, airport operations, night operations, specialized aircraft operations, and emergency procedures, is available as a free PDF download on the FAA website, either as a full version or by chapter.

Pilot magazine

Gear for the mission: Students

Flight training students quickly learn they need a whole new set of gadgets and study materials to help them make the most of their lessons. Casey Jung, 18, graduated from high school this year with 50 hours of flight training, all ready for the private pilot practical test. See what gear helped her through flight training, and get ideas for ways to support the student pilot in your life. Read more...  

Video

Fly the airplane, not the panel!

Regardless of how advanced the panel may be, aircraft need a pilot mentally aboard. Enjoy riding along with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's iPanel Pilot Safety Announcement, which takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the modern electronic cockpit's endless opportunities for distraction. Watch the video...  

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

AOPA Aviation Finance

Aircraft loan structures, partner buy-outs explained

Is it possible for an aircraft loan to be structured like a second home mortgage? How should a pilot go about financing the purchase of a partner's half of the airplane? AOPA Aviation Finance President Adam Meredith explains. Read more in this installment of Adam Answers...  

Member benefit

AOPA Insurance covers building aircraft, flying drones

Not sure when to buy coverage for an aircraft you are building? Dabbling in flying drones under Part 107 of the federal aviation regulations? Find out how AOPA Insurance Services can get you the coverage you need. Read more...  

Pilot Protection Services

'Speculator'

Dr. Jonathan Sackier offers a peek into the new novel Speculator and draws parallels to aviation and today's political climate. Read more...  

Blogs

Where to live?

Commuting is a challenge, but being selective about where you live can make a huge difference in your potential airline career progression as well as in the amount of money you have left over after expenses, explains Flight Training blogger Chip Wright. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

When landing at a towered airport, what taxiway should I use to exit the runway, and when should I contact ground control?

Answer

The Aeronautical Information Manual provides some specifics, but you should use your best judgment as to when it's safe to exit the runway (see Chapter 4-3-20). If ATC assigns you a taxiway, acknowledge the instruction and expeditiously exit per the instruction. However, if you feel you're going too fast, say "Unable." Usually the first available taxiway will be the best, but do not exit at a crossing runway. You should taxi clear of the landing runway (with the entire aircraft beyond the hold short line) and stop, waiting for ATC to change you to ground control frequency. You may request progressive taxi instructions if you are unclear with the taxiways. For more information, see the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Operations at Towered Airports 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 a government affairs federal and state vice president, Central Southwest regional manager, Great Lakes regional manager, account executive, annual giving manager, donor relations director, high school aviation initiative manager, New York You Can Fly ambassador, aviation technical specialist, UI/front-end developer, and marketing specialist. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.