September 16, 2016 - VOL 16, ISSUE 38

Flight Training News

Advocacy

FAA: Speed up slow flight

The FAA has published a new safety alert on maneuvering during slow flight. The Safety Alert for Operators is a reminder to the flight training community that the certification standard for performing and demonstrating slow flight in an airplane has changed and spells out how to set up slow flight maneuvers for training and testing. Read more...  

Video

Avoid stalls in the traffic pattern

The AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at flying the traffic pattern and how pilots' actions or inaction can put them at an altitude where an inadvertent stall or spin may be unrecoverable. In this video, this altitude is described as the "red zone," where pilots must concentrate on keeping the airplane, themselves, and their passengers safe. Please share the video, made possible by The Tom Davis Fund, with others so they, too, can increase safety in the traffic pattern. Watch the video...  

Article

Yingling announces Ascend 172 dealer network

Yingling Aviation in Wichita, Kansas, announced that it has launched a dealer network to sell its remanufactured Cessna 172s. Read more...  

Cirrus CEO to deliver 2016 Redbird Migration keynote

Redbird Flight Simulations Inc. announced Sept. 13 that Cirrus co-founder and CEO Dale Klapmeier will deliver the Oct. 25 keynote during the annual Migration flight training conference in San Marcos, Texas. According to a news release, the Oct. 24 through 26 event "serves as a focal point for flight training professionals to discuss innovative instructional techniques, newly developing technologies, and successful business strategies." Visit Redbird's Migration registration page for more information.

ATP to equip fleet for ADS-B mandate

ATP Flight School is upgrading its fleet in advance of the FAA's Jan. 1, 2020, deadline for installing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) equipment in order for aircraft to continue flying in airspace where a transponder is required today. ATP announced Sept. 8 that it will install L-3 Aviation Products' Lynx NGT-9000 in 100 of its Piper and Cessna aircraft.

Scholarships

Flying Musicians Association opens scholarship nominations

High school juniors and seniors who are active in their school band and want to learn to fly have an opportunity to be nominated for the Flying Musicians Association's 2017 Solo Scholarship. The scholarship will provide funding to take a student from his or her first day of training through solo. In addition, members of the Flying Musicians Association will help mentor the student in aviation and music, the group said in a press release. Students interested in the scholarship can have their band director nominate them before Jan. 31, 2017.

Plane Spotter

Extreme STOL

The acronym STOL, for short takeoff and landing, is applied to numerous aircraft, either as they exit the factory or as modified later for extra performance. A 10-seat turboprop from New Zealand is designed for such high STOL performance that its manufacturer claims that it "demanded a class of its own." Pacific Aerospace has designated this 7,500-pound-maximum-takeoff-weight aircraft the P-750 XSTOL (for extremely short takeoff and landing). Spot the aircraft by its high-lift wing's thick chord, and the visually striking dihedral angle of the wing's outer section.

Training Products and Resources

King Schools offers new instrument course

King Schools' Instrument Practical Test (Oral Exam & Flight Test) instrument checkride course has been restructured to help pilot applicants meet the new airman certification standards (ACS) that went into effect June 15. Mary Schu, the 2015 flight instructor of the year, helps Martha King prepare for a model instrument checkride utilizing seven hours of HD video tips and demonstrations that highlight procedures required by the new ACS. The course is available online or on DVD for PC for $139.

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

Watch out for cyberchondria

Have you ever been tempted to research your symptoms online? Make sure to check your sources for accuracy to help prevent a new phenomenon doctors are noting: cyberchondria. Dr. Jonathan Sackier recommends proactively taking care of your health to prevent many ailments from the start. Read more...  

AOPA Aviation Finance

AOPA member finances 'Texas-built and proven' Mooney

Danny Schnautz turned to AOPA Aviation Finance to finance the purchase of his 2000 Mooney Ovation 2 because he didn't want to be "stuck out there on his own" during the buying process. Read more...  

Member benefit

Senior group term life insurance offers advantages

If you're an AOPA member who is nearing retirement and needs life insurance (or more of it), AOPA offers an economical Senior "50+" Group Term Life Insurance Plan. Read more...  

Blogs

What's a QRH?

Larger airplanes often have a Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) on the flight deck that pilots can consult to deal with certain emergency or abnormal conditions. Airline pilot and Flight Training blogger Chip Wright explains the QRH and reiterates that pilots of all levels must first maintain aircraft control before following emergency checklists. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

Login required

Ready to fly in fog?

Enjoying the fall weather, you plan to fly from Vermont's Burlington International Airport to Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. But you'll have fog to contend with before landing at Nantucket Memorial Airport. With this quiz from the AOPA Air Safety Institute, see how you fare on this instrument flight. Take the quiz...

Final Exam

Question

What should a pilot say on initial contact with air traffic control?

Answer

According to Chapter 4 Section 2 of the Aeronautical Information Manual, "The terms initial contact or initial callup means the first radio call you make to a given facility or the first call to a different controller or FSS specialist within a facility. Use the following format:
(a) Name of the facility being called;
(b) Your full aircraft identification as filed in the flight plan or as discussed in paragraph 4-2-4, Aircraft Call Signs;
(c) When operating on an airport surface, state your position.
(d) The type of message to follow or your request if it is short; and
(e) The word 'Over' if required.

For example,

• 'New York Radio, Mooney Three One One Echo.'
• 'Columbia Ground, Cessna Three One Six Zero Foxtrot, south ramp, I-F-R Memphis.'
• 'Miami Center, Baron Five Six Three Hotel, request V-F-R traffic advisories.'"

For more on radio communication, take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's interactive Say it Right: Mastering Radio Communication and SkySpotter: Pireps Made Easy online courses.

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, account executive, annual giving manager, administrative assistant, donor relations director, development communications director, high school aviation initiative manager, flying clubs initiative senior manager, New York You Can Fly ambassador, aviation technical specialist, product marketing specialist, advertising-marketing coordinator, and member services representative. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.