February 10, 2017 - VOL 17, ISSUE 6

Flight Training News

You Can Fly

Scholarship winner solos

Florida high school senior David Lyon said he was surprised when his flight instructor asked him to produce his logbook on the downwind leg for Runway 25 at Orlando Executive Airport. "I'll always remember that moment," said Lyon, who was a recipient of an AOPA High School Initiative Flight Training Scholarship in December. Read more...  

Article

Auburn expanding aviation program

Students entering Auburn University's aviation program have a lot to cheer about: A new 23,000-square-foot Airport Aviation Education Facility was approved Feb. 3 by the university's board of trustees, and the building should be ready in 2018. Read more...  

Article

Film 'Hidden Figures' inspires

A Memphis, Tennessee, screening of the Academy Award-nominated film Hidden Figures inspired youth who learned the little-known story of a team of African-American women working for NASA during the 1960s space race. The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals recently invited dozens of aviation-minded middle- and high-school students to view the biographical drama. Read more...  

Online resource

AOPA Fly-In registration opens

With two days of activities planned for AOPA's 2017 Fly-Ins, you will want to mark your calendar and plan to attend and take part in hands-on workshops, social gatherings, aircraft displays, and exhibits. The popular fly-ins have been expanded to two-day events to give you more of what members have been asking for—more of everything! AOPA has launched a special web section detailing the activities at each of the four fly-in locations. Learn more and RSVP today.  

Video

Cleared to land

In Takeoffs and Landings: Base-to-Final Turn, the AOPA Air Safety Institute guides pilots through the process of thinking through the setup for final approach. Make every turn to final the foundation of a smooth landing. Watch the video...  

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Drones on the farm

Tune in to this week's Hangar Talk podcast and hear AOPA Senior Features Editor Julie Walker speak with a third-generation pilot and a fourth-generation farmer who embraced drone technology to boost the harvest from Idaho's golden fields. Ag pilot Robert Schoepflin and farmer Robert Blair describe how they use a computer and a fixed-wing drone to manage crops and cows. Listen to the podcast...  

Scholarships

Clay Lacy awards 22 scholarships

Los Angeles-based Clay Lacy Aviation awarded 22 scholarships totaling $10,200 to A&P students learning mechanic skills at the Los Angeles Unified School District's North Valley Occupational Center. The firm, known for its extensive jet center operation, also offers a Professional Pilot Scholarship through the University of North Dakota. A&P applications for the 2017 Clay Lacy Aviation Mechanic scholarships open Sept. 1.

Plane Spotter

'Wilbur' and 'Orville'

Nothing welcomes a student pilot into the general aviation community better than attending fly-ins, airshows, and other pilot gatherings, where future plane spotters discover aircraft of all descriptions. They may even witness an aerobatic display featuring an airplane closely resembling their trainer. The Cessna A152 is a structurally beefed-up variant of the ubiquitous Cessna 152. Two well-known examples are Wilbur, flown by Catherine Cavagnaro of Ace Aerobatic School, and the matching Orville, long flown (and spun) at the school by noted instructor and author William K. Kershner, and now on museum display.

Training Products and Resources

Flash-based; login required

The ABCs of ADS-B

Learn about Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and what it means to you. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's ADS-B for General Aviation: The Basics online course explains the ins and outs of ADS-B. Take the course...

Pilot microphone light has military specs

Pilots flying with Bose, David Clark, or Lightspeed headsets can use military technology to help light their cockpits at night. FLITELite's GEN II headset microphone flashlight can point an 11-degree light angle where it's needed most. Pilots can activate the miniature LED with a touch of their lips. The illumination also is dimmable. FLITELites are available online in white, red, green, blue, or night vision from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty beginning at $44.95.

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 aircraft can be flown under BasicMed?

If you are trying to figure out whether you can continue flying the aircraft you typically fly under BasicMed, you might need to look at the type certificate data sheet for the number of occupants and takeoff weight for which the aircraft is certificated to determine whether it qualifies. Read more...  

Member benefit

10 things to know about AOPA Insurance

Did you know that you can earn accident forgiveness if you complete certain AOPA Air Safety Institute programs every six months? Learn more about this and other services and coverage from AOPA Insurance. Read more...  

AOPA Aviation Finance

Tips for purchasing an airplane with a partner

When you purchase an airplane with a partner, you can share expenses—that means you'll be able to afford to fly more. Read more...  

Blogs

Airline pilot offers advice for conducting yourself in public

Whether on a trip, at dinner after a flight, or going to or from a hotel, pilots should remember that others are watching their actions and should conduct themselves appropriately. "It's important to remember that no matter who you work for, when you work for a public company such as an airline, you are always representing your employer—even if you don't want to be," counsels Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

Is special training required to fly to Winchester, Virginia, which is outside the 30-nautical-mile Mode C veil for Washington, D.C.?

Answer

Yes. Pilots must complete a training course before conducting VFR operations within 60 nautical miles of the DCA VOR/DME (see 14 CFR 91.161). Although the training is not required for IFR operations, the course would be of benefit to all pilots. Surprisingly, pilots continue to penetrate the special flight rules area without permission. The course is available on the FAA Safety Team website. If you do not have a FAAST account, you can create one.

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: Aircraft engineer

The aircraft structures engineer position, part of Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering within UPS Airlines, is focused on providing structures engineering support for Airbus A300; Boeing 747, 757, and 767; and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft. The engineer will work primarily in an office environment with some tasks at aircraft maintenance facilities and other locations as required to support project activity and for hands-on interfacing with aircraft and maintenance personnel. The position requires skills and experience in project development and management as well as structural repair design and approval. Read the full job 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 legal services plan attorney, accountant, graphic designer and digital asset manager, aviation event operations senior manager, flying clubs initiative director, travel and destination products director, insurance program administration manager, donor relations director, aviation technical specialist, part-time administrative assistant, public affairs and executive communications manager, and communications coordinator. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.