August 11, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 17, ISSUE 32	August 11, 2017

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Beating the bumps

You carefully planned the altitude for your cross-country flight. But now as you bump along in thermally induced fair-weather turbulence, you are berating yourself about the choice, and about not launching earlier when the air was calm. What can you do to find smooth air? Read more >

Flight Training News

AOPA Foundation focus

AOPA Foundation awards 2017 Flight Training Scholarships

Eighteen scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 were awarded to individuals nationwide who will now be able to fulfill their dream of completing flight training. Through the support of generous donors, the AOPA Foundation awards scholarships annually to assist flight students who may otherwise struggle financially to complete their training for a pilot certificate. Read more >

Video

'Behind the Logbook': Manipulating the flight controls

The flight training journey continues for AOPA staffers and student pilots Emily Ramsay and Brittany Krop. Follow along in this episode of Behind the Logbook, supported by Sporty's Pilot Shop, as the two get more comfortable taking to the skies and manipulating the flight controls. Watch the video >

Western Michigan University boasts busy summer

The Western Michigan University aviation program has had a busy summer. The school added two Piper Seminole twins to its fleet of seven Seminoles and 33 single-engine aircraft. Students flew the Air Race Classic; hosted two weeks of aviation camps; traveled to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and plan to attend the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals' national convention in Orlando, Florida, before fall classes begin.

Video

Tackling the touchdown

Having trouble gauging your touchdown point on the runway? Check out this handy trick to help you stay on target during short final. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety Tip: Aiming Point teaches a simple technique for touching down at the right place at the right time. Watch the video >

Survey

Last chance to rate your flight training experience

AOPA's 2017 Flight Training Experience Survey closes Aug. 14, so be sure to share what your training has been like during the past 12 months. Survey results are used to honor the best flight instructors and flight schools in five regions and nationwide. Just for completing the survey, you are eligible to enter to win one of six prizes. Award winners will be announced at Redbird Flight Simulations' annual conference in October. Take the survey >

Scholarships

Flying Musicians Association scholarship winner solos

Sarah Coffelt, who was awarded a 2016 Flying Musicians Association solo scholarship, completed her solo flight Aug. 3. The French horn player from Tennessee shared airspace with sailplane pilots and skydivers and remained calm despite the traffic and a go-around. The association began the program in 2015 and currently awards four scholarships annually.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Into the heart of storm prediction; BasicMed thrives

With the Norman, Oklahoma, AOPA Fly-In less than a month away, we tour the National Weather Center, where watchful eyes follow storms across the country and the science of future forecasting is developed. Also this week, BasicMed is thriving, and ride with a popular airshow act. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Aug. 10 >

Training Products and Resources

Airspace 101

Do you need an air traffic control clearance to fly through complex airspace using a published VFR transition route? Find the answer and learn other airspace tidbits in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Airspace quiz. Take the quiz >

'Everything Explained' for pilots

The twelfth edition of Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot contains 430 pages of useful information and rules of thumb for fixed-wing and rotorcraft pilots. The reference book is available online from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. for $52.95.

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

AOPA Insurance Services

Life-saving training

Step inside an altitude chamber with AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar and learn about the effects of hypoxia. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Don't miss a beat

Palpitations, although usually innocuous, can be the early warning sign of a problem that needs to be treated so you can continue flying. Read more >

AOPA Aviation Finance

Avoid common mistakes that can delay an aircraft purchase

Buying and selling an aircraft can be a lengthy process. Learn from AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith how to avoid four common mistakes that could delay the transaction. Read more >

Blogs

Non-memory-item memory items

All pilots have checklists that include certain memory items, but are there items not included that pilots really should commit to memory? Airline pilot and Flight Training blogger Chip Wright shares a few to consider. Read more >

Plane Spotter

Graceful warriors

A plane spotter naming the iconic fighter aircraft of World War II will not get far before adding the Supermarine Spitfire to any list of honorees. In all, there were 20,351 of the legendary British airplanes built. Flying examples can still be found, such as this award-winning Mk XIV, a plane-spotting favorite owned by the Commemorative Air Force's Southern California wing. "Even people with absolutely no interest in aviation can usually recognize the graceful form of the Supermarine Spitfire," according to the unit's website.

Final Exam

Question

If I have an engine failure and land at a towered airport without a clearance, because I couldn't find the frequency to call the tower, will I be in trouble?

Answer

If you do not know the tower frequency, remember that most civil air traffic control towers monitor the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz. According to 14 CFR 91.3, a pilot "may deviate from any rule" in "an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action."

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: Citation Excel captain

Meridian Air Charter, a Teterboro, New Jersey-based aircraft charter and management company, has an immediate opening for an experienced Citation Excel captain in Hayward, California. The successful candidate must be highly motivated and organized, and must exhibit strong leadership skills. The captain will be responsible for conducting Part 135 charter flights in accordance with Meridian Air Charter policy and procedures and within FAA regulations and guidelines. 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 Flying Clubs Initiative manager, graphic designer, video producer, research and analysis director, operations clerk, copy editor, marketing project coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Aug 12-13	Atlanta, Georgia; and Costa Mesa, California
Aug 19-20	Allentown, Pennsylvania
Sep 9-10	Elkridge, Maryland; and Sacramento, California
Sep 16-17	Sandston, Virginia

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

Sep 9

Norman, Oklahoma

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Aug 12	Atlanta, Georgia; Ronkonkoma, New York; Medford, New Jersey; Huntingburg, Indiana; Greeley, Colorado; Novato, California; Waterford, Michigan; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Bennington, Vermont; and Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
Aug 19	San Antonio, Texas; Marion, Iowa; Renton, Washington; and Plant City, Florida
Aug 26	Jacksonville, Florida; Albany, Oregon; Lawrenceville, Georgia; Muskegon, Michigan; and Allentown, Pennsylvania
Sep 8	Norman, Oklahoma

AOPA Rusty Pilots Seminars are sponsored by Sporty's. 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, add 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 J. Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

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

Advertise in ePilot:
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Eastern and Central United States and International:
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Western United States:
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