Training Tips
|
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
A Cessna 152 commences its takeoff run on a paved, 5,000-foot runway with the soloing student pilot at the controls working to maintain directional control while concentrating on holding the upwind wing down in a mild crosswind. A quick glance at the panel reveals a problem: zero indicated airspeed. This may or may not be reason enough to abort the flight, and the decision requires a calm, clear head. Read more...
 
|
|
Flight Training News
|
Article
Sporty's Pilot Shop reports several encouraging developments for general aviation. The company's annual trend report notes interest in flight training, excitement about the prospect of installing lower cost non-certified avionics in certificated aircraft, and an influx of remote pilots. Read more...
|
|
Article
Brian Gustin has a colorful way of describing how he felt when he took off on the short hop from Prosser, Washington, to Hermiston, Oregon, where a designated pilot examiner awaited his arrival for a private pilot checkride. Read more...
Login required
From a cranky engine to slick runways, the winter season can serve up plenty of challenges. Warm up to cold weather with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Cold Weather Ops safety quiz. Test your knowledge...
|
Scholarships
|
|
Article
The new year brings new opportunities. Students and pilots seeking financial help to boost their aviation careers may benefit from a handful of scholarship programs that have opened applications. Read more...
|
Plane Spotter
|
Built for the bush
A burly taildragger that flies from unimproved airstrips or on floats hauling loads weighing up to 1,800 pounds would seem to have little in common with a kitbuilt aircraft you can construct in a two-car garage. But that's where you might first spot a Murphy Moose after delivery to its owner/builder from the Chilliwack, British Columbia, factory, and before it enters service in the backcountry. Some Moose aircraft are powered by larger Lycoming piston engines. But when a 360-horsepower M-14P radial engine is installed, a distinct resemblance to a de Havilland Beaver becomes evident.
|
Training Products and Resources
|
Flight Gear HP bags updated
Sporty's Pilot Shop gave the Flight Gear line a complete makeover to better accommodate the electronics that pilots bring into their cockpits. From the slender Tailwind Backpack to the enormous Captain's Bag, the new high-performance bags include smart pockets and pinch openings for cords and gadgets, pass-through iPad pockets, reinforced handles, and streamlined shapes that are lighter than their predecessors. All four Flight Gear HP designs are available online from $49.95 to $99.95.
|
|
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 happens if you receive an unexpected letter or call from an FAA inspector about a pilot deviation? Sometimes an inspector will contact a pilot about a flight that occurred weeks or months earlier that was completely uneventful from the pilot's perspective. If that happens to you, here are some tips to follow. Read more...
Answers for Pilots
More than 200,000 members contact AOPA's Pilot Information Center every year about a wide variety of topics. Answers to common questions are available through a series of two-minute videos on AOPA's website and YouTube channel. Read more...
|
Instrument Tip
|
|
Video
Ask ATC: IFR Routes explains why you should be extra careful when reading back your IFR clearance. Learn more in this installment of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's popular Ask ATC video series. Watch the video...
IFR Fix
Wouldn't it be something if the FAA notified you any time a change is made to an instrument flight procedure you rely on, like that familiar ILS approach you usually fly to your home airport after a long, tiring journey? Read more...
|
Final Exam
|
Question
I'm building an experimental aircraft. It looks like it might meet the light sport aircraft rule, but I'd like to add more useful load. What are my options regarding weight limits?
Answer
As the builder of an amateur-built airplane that has not yet received its experimental airworthiness certificate, you may decrease or increase the weight as necessary to have the airplane meet the LSA definition in 14 CFR Part 1. The aircraft can have a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds if it is not intended for operation on water. The weight limit is increased to 1,430 pounds for water operations. However, once a weight limit has been set as part of the airplane's experimental amateur-built certification, the original builder, future owners, and repair personnel are prohibited from making any modifications to the weight for the purpose of meeting LSA requirements. For more information, read this AOPA advocacy brief.
|
|
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
|
|
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an aviation event operations senior manager, flying clubs initiative director, travel and destination products director, insurance program administration manager, account executive, donor relations director, aviation technical specialist, aviation financial analyst, production specialist, and part-time administrative assistant. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
|
 Education and Seminars
|
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Jan 7-8 - Charlotte, North Carolina; Rockford, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
Jan 14-15 - Bellevue, Washington; Elkridge, Maryland; and Ridgeland, Mississippi
Jan 21-22 - San Antonio, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Long Beach, California
Feb 11-12 - Fort Worth, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Kenner, Louisiana
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
|
Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jan 9 - Reno, Nevada
Jan 10 - Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 11 - Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan 12 - Austin, Texas; and Santa Rosa, California
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
|
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Jan 14 - Bucyrus, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Stevensville, Maryland; Fort Myers, Florida; and Columbus, Georgia
Jan 21 - Fort Worth, Texas; Lufkin, Texas; and Keene, New Hampshire
Jan 27 - Sebring, Florida
Jan 28 - Las Cruces, New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; and Greencastle, Indiana
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
|
Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
|
|
|
|
|
|
