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April 21, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'

AOPA
VOL 17, ISSUE 16 April 21, 2017
Training Tips
AOPA
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
Flight in a curved universe
A page of handwritten notes from a long-ago flight lesson in a Cessna 152 contains the airspeed and engine-power data gathered that day to create a power curve graph for the aircraft. Learn how a similar exercise can help you become more familiar with your trainer. Read more >
Flight Training News
Video
Focus on fuel management
With nearly 70 fuel-related general aviation accidents per year, fuel mismanagement warrants concern. To help promote best practices in fueling, the AOPA Air Safety Institute's new Fuel Management Made Easy video, brought to you by Air BP, explores how to prevent fuel contamination, monitor fuel consumption, and manage fuel systems. Learn to combat unsafe mindsets and habits. Watch the video >
Article
Gleim introduces virtual cockpit home simulator
For those who want to practice flying at home, Gleim Aviation recently announced the Gleim Virtual Cockpit all-in-one simulation platform. Read more >
Advocacy
AOPA offers flight school certification improvements
The FAA could make the certification of Part 141 pilot schools more efficient, AOPA said, offering recommendations to a draft update of an FAA publication on flight school certification. Read more >
Western Michigan's Florida campus approved
Western Michigan University aviation program leadership and Punta Gorda, Florida, officials officially launched WMU's Florida campus April 13. The university received its Higher Learning Commission approval in March and is on track to enroll students for the 2017 fall semester.
Scholarships
Article
Hayward Air Rally awards scholarships
The Hayward Air Rally has selected two California teenagers to receive fully paid scholarships to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association's Advanced Air Academy program this summer. Read more >
AOPA Live
Island hop, Red Bull race party in San Diego
AOPA members partied by the bay as the Red Bull Air Race World Championship returned to San Diego; fly along on a short hop across the water to Catalina, a destination to top off your experience at the first AOPA Fly-In of 2017 at California's Camarillo Airport. Also this week, watch an affordable autopilot recover from an inverted attitude. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 20 >
Training Products and Resources
Video
Staving off stalls
Would you like a precise way to gauge when a wing is about to stop producing lift? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Margins of Safety: Angle of Attack Indicators video explains how an angle of attack indicator can help. Watch the video >
Online tool helps pilots select right headset adapter
What can pilots do if they need to adapt a military headset to a general aviation aircraft, a fixed-wing headset plug to a helicopter intercom, or vice versa? The free Pilot USA Headset Adapter Wizard includes a drop-down menu to help pilots identify the exact aviation plugs they need for each application. The wizard is available online from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty. Prices for individual adapters start at $28.95.
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
What does BasicMed mean for pilots with certain medical conditions?
The top question on many pilots' minds is what BasicMed means for them, with their special circumstances or combination of medical conditions. Gary Crump, director of the AOPA Pilot Information Center's Medical Certification Section, explains the conditions that will require a one-time special issuance. Read more >
Blogs
'Fly Like a Girl': Inspiring a new generation
Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas goes behind the scenes of the Fly Like a Girl documentary that's in the works to inspire girls and women to become pilots. Read more >
Plane Spotter
AOPA
Know when to fold up
Light sport aircraft offer pilots many choices when deciding what to fly. Aeropro CZ included quick-folding wings in the design of its 100-horsepower-Rotax-engine-powered Aerotrek A220 taildragger and A240 tricycle-gear airplanes, allowing them to be stored in the family garage while the owners wait for their names to move toward the top of the airport's hangar waiting list. Specialized trailers can be used to transport the aircraft or even provide "portable storage" if that hangar waiting list is a particularly long one.
Final Exam
Question

I've been hearing a lot about BasicMed, set to begin May 1. I am a new student pilot and I don't have a medical certificate yet. I am interested in flying under these regulations. How should I proceed?
Answer
Because you have never held a medical certificate, you will need to obtain an FAA-issued medical certificate, any class, before you can fly under BasicMed regulations. After that, you may choose to fly under the provisions of BasicMed. For details, see AOPA Online.

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
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Aviation maintenance technology instructor
Portland Community College in Oregon is looking for an aviation maintenance technology instructor at its Rock Creek Campus. The successful candidate will be able to teach a broad range of aviation maintenance technology courses, mentor part-time faculty in the department, and demonstrate a commitment to the college's mission. This position will start in the fall 2017 term. Read more >
AOPA career opportunities
Join the AOPA team
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a legislative affairs vice president, temporary UAS program coordinator, safety program coordinator, director of philanthropy, customer service representative, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, flight training technology senior director, aviation insurance sales director, executive office manager, project manager, UI/front-end developer, legal services plan attorney, travel and destination products director, and part-time administrative assistant. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Education & Seminars
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
May 6-7 Albany, New York; Hollywood, Florida; and Pensacola, Florida
May 20-21 Conroe, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Sacramento, California
Jun 3-4 Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; and Tempe, Arizona
Jun 10-11 Lake Mary, Florida; and Santa Clara, California
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
Safety Seminars
Apr 25 Zionsville, Indiana
Apr 26 West Lafayette, Indiana
May 1 Hampton, Virginia
May 2 Tampa, Florida; and Brandy Station, Virginia
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Apr 22 Oakland, California; Trenton, New Jersey; Melbourne, Florida; Morristown, Tennessee; Evansville, Indiana; Bessemer, Alabama; and Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania
Apr 28 Camarillo, California
Apr 29 Stevensville, Maryland; Camarillo, California; Corvallis, Oregon; Chamblee, Georgia; Blaine, Minnesota; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Live Oak, Florida; Longmont, Colorado; and Savoy, Illinois
May 6 Renton, Washington; Tampa, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Appleton, Wisconsin; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Groveland, California; West Chicago, Illinois; and Gypsum, Colorado
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Aviation Calendar
Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. You can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.
To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, including FBO fuel prices, see AOPA Airports. AOPA does not endorse or assume responsibility for the events submitted and listed in the calendar.
AOPA
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