April 28, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 17, ISSUE 17	April 28, 2017

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Two takes on trim

A student pilot is setting up a Cessna 172 for cruise flight. She lowers the nose, patiently lets the aircraft accelerate before reducing power to the desired cruise setting, then nudges the trim wheel forward until she no longer must hold forward pressure on the yoke to maintain the pitch attitude. Read more >

Flight Training News

Video

Remove control lock—Check

Before taking off, pilots should confirm the flight controls move freely and operate as expected. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's ASI Safety Tip: Box the Controls video offers a practical, quick way to do this. Watch the video >

Article

Young Aviators STEM camp turns 10

A summer camp that teaches science, technology, engineering, and math concepts began with a chat between friends, and it will celebrate its tenth anniversary in August. The five-day Young Aviators Program for Wisconsin youth combines hands-on aircraft fabrication with daily doses of flight training. (Photo courtesy of Phil Fountain, Young Aviators Program.) Read more >

Article

NASA looks to universities for 'transformative' innovations

NASA has tapped five universities for what it calls "transformative system-level aviation innovations" that could change the future of aviation. The schools could receive millions of dollars in potential research awards. (Photo illustration courtesy of NASA.) Read more >

Scholarships

Article

Aerospace professionals group announces 37 scholarships

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is continuing its trend of advancing minority hires for career pilots, technicians, and dispatchers by making 37 scholarships available for minority students and professionals pursuing college degrees or science, technology, engineering, and math training. Read more >

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

BasicMed arrival; Channel Islands adventure

With BasicMed ready to take effect May 1 and the pieces now in place, we'll get you lined up and ready for takeoff. Also, as AOPA members and friends converge on Camarillo, California, we take you on a scenic side trip for one of general aviation's best-loved island hops. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 27 >

Training Products and Resources

Download the FAA 'Pilot/Controller Glossary'

Brush up on the meaning of hundreds of terms, such as "ATC advises," "NORDO," and "Wilco," by downloading the free FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary. Did you know that "ATC advises" means information is relayed by someone other than an air traffic controller? Or that "NORDO" is shorthand for "no radio"? Download the free glossary to find out more.

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

Member benefit

Insurance marketplace embraces BasicMed

AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar has good news for pilots who plan to fly under BasicMed: Renters and aircraft owners can be covered, and rates shouldn't increase because of BasicMed. Read more >

AOPA Aviation Finance

What you need to apply for an aircraft loan

Applying for an aircraft loan is more like getting a loan for a home than for a car. Find out what documents you'll need to provide when applying. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Take note of aircraft condition notices

FAA inspectors issue aircraft condition notices on aircraft when potentially unsafe conditions are observed. Find out when inspectors typically tag aircraft and what to do if you receive a notice for your aircraft. Read more >

Blogs

Airlines and buddy passes

One of the rewards of working for an airline is the buddy pass for friends and family. But, that employee benefit comes with rules, including a dress code, explains Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Video

Flying IFR practice approaches

Can the control tower accommodate multiple practice instrument approaches to an airport? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: IFR Practice Approach video clip offers recommendations for requesting them. Watch the video >

Plane Spotter

Comfort on command

Which airplane would you prefer if the choice were between speed and payload in one, and comfort and dependability in the other? If still undecided, add looks that were smartly modern in the 1970s and remain eye-catching to this day, and you may well come down on the side of the 200-horsepower, low-wing, retractable-gear Rockwell Commander 112. You can confirm spotting one on the ramp by its empennage: The horizontal tail is mounted midway up the vertical stabilizer. A refurbished 1974 Commander 112A was AOPA's Commander Countdown Sweepstakes airplane in 2005.

Final Exam

Question

I hold a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft and instrument ratings, but I don't have any airplane time. How many hours would I need to add an airplane single-engine land rating at the private level?

Answer

You must obtain all of the hours specifically noted as "in a single-engine airplane" under 14 CFR 61.109(a). (This is referenced in 14 CFR 61.63(a) and (b) as an additional category rating.) The required hours include three training hours each of cross-country, night, instrument reference, and practical test prep. Lastly, you need 10 hours of solo flight time. Flight time to solo has to be figured as well, but there is no minimum required for that.

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: GTA Air captain

GTA Air is seeking pilots who meet 14 CFR Part 135 IFR single-pilot minimums to be based in Oklahoma City and various cities in Texas including Addison, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Austin. Applicants must be willing to relocate to their base city and be eligible to work in the United States. Flight time meeting 14 CFR 135.243 IFR minimums is required (1,200 total hours, 500 point-to-point cross-country, 100 night, 75 instrument). Read the full description and apply today >

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, project manager, UI/front-end developer, and legal services plan attorney. 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

May 1	Hampton, Virginia
May 2	Tampa, Florida; and Brandy Station, Virginia
May 3	Blacksburg, Virginia; and Fort Myers, Florida
May 4	Hollywood, Florida; and Richmond, Virginia

Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Apr 28	Camarillo, California
Apr 29	Blaine, Minnesota; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Live Oak, Florida; Longmont, Colorado; Savoy, Illinois; Stevensville, Maryland; Camarillo, California; Corvallis, Oregon; and Chamblee, Georgia
May 6	Cincinnati, Ohio; Renton, Washington; Tampa, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Appleton, Wisconsin; Groveland, California; West Chicago, Illinois; and Gypsum, Colorado
May 7	Anchorage, Alaska

For a complete schedule, visit the AOPA Hangar. (Log in to the AOPA Hangar using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)

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; include an event; or search all events in the calendar. (Log in to the AOPA Hangar using your AOPA website username and password to search the events or to add an event.) Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

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.

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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
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Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
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Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

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