December 8, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 17, ISSUE 49	December 8, 2017

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

How bad leads to worse

Maybe climbing on top of this supposedly localized cloud deck en route to your cross-country destination wasn't such a great idea. Find out why. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

UND pilots bound for border patrol

Fifteen University of North Dakota sophomores and juniors will be placed in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection pathway program and taught how to "detect, sort, track, intercept, and apprehend criminals," according to a Nov. 29 news release. Read more >

Advocacy

GA groups oppose funds cap on veterans' flight training

A bill to improve educational assistance to veterans in flight training programs contains needed measures to streamline the funding process, but also mandates a payment cap that could leave veterans without enough funds to complete training. Read more >

NetJets donates seven Skyhawks to Ohio State

Ohio State University will soon have seven Cessna 172s to add to its fleet. Fractional jet aircraft ownership pioneer NetJets announced the donation Nov. 28. The company has donated to the school in the past to support aviation studies and research.

Largest GAMA Build-A-Plane competition yet

A record 130 schools from 34 states entered the General Aviation Manufacturers Association 2018 Aviation Design Challenge, a competition that encourages U.S. high school students to design a virtual Cessna 172SP to be as fast and as fuel efficient as possible. The winning team will receive assistance from Click Bond Inc. in June to build a Sportsman 2+2 at the Glasair Aviation facility in Washington.

PDF download

Cessna 150/152 series reviewed

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's new Safety Highlights: Cessna 150/152 report examines how the popular two-seat airplanes' accident records differ by patterns of use. It looks at personal versus instructional accidents and how they compare to similar models. Download the report >

Video

Best practices for requesting traffic advisories

After tuning in to a busy frequency, what's the most important thing to tell air traffic control? In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Calling Up a Busy Controller, Indianapolis Center Air Traffic Control Specialist Bob Obma offers advice for VFR pilots. Watch the video >

Scholarships

NATA Business Scholarship encourages skill building

The National Air Transportation Association Business Scholarship for continuing education allows employees of member companies to further the skills needed to work at a fixed-base operation, charter company maintenance facility, or flight school. The financial awards are available to individuals pursuing aviation maintenance training, a pilot certificate or rating, or higher education in an aviation-related college degree program.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Inside SpaceWorks; Spreading holiday cheer

Tour the Cosmosphere in Kansas and see how SpaceWorks experts build precise replicas of spacecraft to be used in Hollywood. Also this week, fly along on a time-honored tradition—ferrying holiday cheer to Tangier Island in Virginia. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Dec. 7 >

Training Products and Resources

Online contest

Enter AOPA's ultimate holiday aviation wish list contest

If a portable aviation satellite link receiver, headset, flight bag, portable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast weather and traffic receiver, iPad or iPad Mini mount, or personal locator beacon is on your aviation wish list, vote for your favorite in AOPA's gear contest to enter for a chance to win them all! A winner will be announced Dec. 17. Enter today >

Belt buckle transforms into multi-tool

The SOG Sync II Wearable Belt Buckle/Clippable Multi-Tool might be the handiest wearable device for pilots. The tool can free stuck oil filler doors, tighten loose screws, pry up fuel tank cap levers, and more. A detachable base allows users to wear the tool as a belt buckle that is sized for belts up to 1-3/4 inches wide. The tool includes a knife, pliers, wire cutter, screwdriver, and other items and is available online from PilotMall.com for $59.95.

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

20 reasons to keep an eye on your skin

Skin problems can hint at internal diseases. Dr. Jonathan Sackier lists 20 skin issues that point to more serious problems, and counsels pilots who might have any of those ailments to visit their doctor. Read more >

Member benefit

Buyer's or seller's market

Is it time to buy or sell a used turboprop or light jet? Find out what makes a buyer's market and what signals a seller's market, and see the ebb and flow between each that occurred in 2017. Read more >

Blogs

A pilot's best friend

Of the top questions corporate pilot and Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp receives about his job, his favorite is whether flight attendants are on board corporate flights. Find out how flight attendants help the crew and passengers and are what he calls the "forgotten soldiers of the business aviation industry." Read more >

Plane Spotter

Snap-happy Sukhoi

In the two years from 1984 to 1986, the Soviet-built Sukhoi SU–26 single-seat aerobatic airplane went from its maiden test flight to world aerobatic championship aircraft, and would go on to become a mainstay of aerobatic competitions and airshow performances. The canopied taildragger is recognizable by a nine-cylinder, 360-horsepower radial engine, and wings mounted at the mid-level to the SU–26's composite fuselage. From 1994 to 2011, the SU–26 was the airplane exclusively flown by the two pilots of the Matadors Aerobatic Team, based in the United Kingdom.

Final Exam

Question

I am a flight instructor. My student is ready to begin night training, and now that it is getting dark earlier, it is an ideal time. I have not flown at night since last spring. Am I required to complete three night takeoffs and landings to teach my student at night?

Answer

No. On an instructional flight, your student is not considered a passenger, so the requirement to complete three takeoffs and landings does not apply in this case. However, although the regulations do not require the three takeoffs and landings, it may be a good idea to gain more recent night-flying experience. Learn more in this Flight Training magazine article.

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: Corporate pilot, Corning Inc.

Corning Inc. is seeking a full-time first officer located in Horseheads, New York. Duties include working with other flight-crewmembers and assisting with aircraft handling. Potential candidates must be willing to relocate to within one hour of Elmira/Corning Regional Airport and possess a positive and professional manner when interacting with customers. Extensive domestic and some international travel is required. 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 medical certification specialist, aviation safety analysis manager, insurance account executive, High School Aviation Initiative coordinator, customer service representative, accounting clerk, administrative clerk, legislative affairs vice president, and airports and state advocacy vice president. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Dec 9-10	Lake Mary, Florida
Jan 6-7	Charlotte, North Carolina; and Santa Clara, California
Jan 13-14	Portland, Oregon; Costa Mesa, California; Alcoa, Tennessee; and Renton, Washington
Jan 20-21	Jackson, Mississippi; Frederick, Maryland; and Romulus, Michigan

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.

Safety Seminars

Jan 10	Fairfax, Virginia
Jan 15	Reno, Nevada; and Houston, Texas
Jan 16	Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 17	Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Dec 9	Murrieta, California; Scottsdale, Arizona; West Chicago, Illinois; Mineola, Texas; New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and San Diego, California
Dec 16	Oxford, Iowa; and Middleton, Wisconsin

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:
Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089

Western United States:
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