January 27, 2017 - VOL 17, ISSUE 4

Flight Training News

Piper trainers certified with G1000 NXi

Piper Aircraft announced the certification of its twin-engine Piper Seminole and single-engine Archer trainers equipped with Garmin's new G1000 NXi avionics platform, making them "the most advanced piston training aircraft available on the market today." The University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences ordered more than 100 airplanes from the manufacturer in 2016.

Article

Delta internships pay off

The budding relationship between San Diego Miramar College and Delta Air Lines has landed four maintenance students internships with the air carrier, and the initiative is picking up steam. The school placed its first paid intern at the airline in December 2015 and is now on pace for two internships per year, said Lonny Bosselman, the school's aviation maintenance technology director. Read more...  

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Going global

Every pilot dreams of flying around the world, but few have done so. Award-winning mechanic Adrian Eichhorn describes his solo flight around the world in a Beechcraft Bonanza. Listen to the podcast...  

Video

Tackle tricky weather planning

In Weather Wise: VFR Flight Planning, the AOPA Air Safety Institute offers strategies to get the big weather picture before flying and when confronted with weather that isn't obviously excellent or terrible. Learn how to reach the right go/no-go decision, especially when assessing marginal or changing conditions. Watch the video...  

Scholarships

Air Academy camp scholarship deadline nears

California's Hayward Air Rally is offering scholarships for the Experimental Aircraft Association's Air Academy camp July 28 to Aug. 5 during part of EAA AirVenture. Teenagers ages 16 to 18 can immerse themselves in aviation at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, event. Attendees stay overnight in the rustic Air Academy Lodge, which is close to the action at Pioneer Airport and a short walk from show center. Scholarship applications are due Feb. 1.

Plane Spotter

Easy ranger

To spot the aircraft from which the homebuilt canard-configured, composite-construction Rutan Long-EZ was derived, stop by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, where an example of Burt Rutan's predecessor design, the VariEze, resides. The larger Long-EZ's standard power is produced by a 115-horsepower Lycoming engine, giving the single-seat, 1,325-pound-gross-weight aircraft a top speed of 185 mph and a range of more than 2,000 miles. Tappahannock, Virginia-based pilot Dave Harvey has owned various airplanes, but says of his Long-EZ, shown here, "I found the airplane I should have had all the time."

Training Products and Resources

Robinson helicopter mount keeps devices at eye level

MyGoFlight's new articulating arm for Robinson helicopters attaches mobile devices to the center windshield spar, keeping them within easy reach and at eye level. Robinson R22, R44, and R66 helicopter pilots have little time to fumble with gadgets while controlling the aircraft, navigating, and communicating, so an extra hand is a welcome addition. The adjustable metal mount secures to the vertical beam with a sturdy mounting clamp and lever. A Sport Adapter disk cradles devices and adds adjustability. The Robinson Helicopter Mount is available online from MyGoFlight for $149, with specific adapters sold separately.

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 part of your health don't you understand?

Pilots comply with air traffic control clearances, but they aren't always as good at listening to doctors. Dr. Jonathan Sackier offers advice to help you take better control of your health and comply with doctors' orders. Read more...  

AOPA member benefits

Instrument rating helps decrease insurance rates

Earning an instrument rating can help reduce your insurance rate, but how much? AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar explains. Read more...  

AOPA Aviation Finance

Tips to get aircraft financing

If you are interested in buying your first airplane or obtaining aircraft financing, Adam Meredith, president of the AOPA Aviation Finance Co., explains the paperwork you'll need to provide to apply for financing as well as other information to help you through the process. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

Login required

Turn, time, twist, throttle, and talk

Whether you are in training or already instrument rated, you'll appreciate the AOPA Air Safety Institute's IFR Insights: A Practical Approach online course. Bolster your knowledge beyond the "Five Ts" and discover tips, techniques, and procedures that seasoned pilots, instructors, and air traffic controllers use to reduce workload in IFR flying. Take the course...

Final Exam

Question

What is high density altitude, and how does it affect an airplane's performance?

Answer

High density altitude is a condition resulting primarily from hot temperatures and/or high altitude. Air pressure decreases as temperature and/or altitude increases. The result is reduced aircraft performance, which can lead to longer takeoff and landing distances, reduced climb rates, and lower service and absolute ceilings. Humidity also is a factor in density altitude; its effect is primarily related to engine power and secondarily related to aerodynamic efficiency. A pilot should check the airplane's operating handbook for performance considerations and calculations prior to any flight. For more information, see AOPA's "Understanding Density Altitude" article and the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Mastering Takeoffs and Landings Safety Advisor.

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: Field service tech/pilot

Chattanooga, Tennessee-based T. J. Snow Co., a manufacturer of resistance welding machinery for more than 53 years, is seeking another field service tech/pilot to handle its expanding welder and control service installation business. This is an ideal job for an experienced pilot who is skilled in troubleshooting and repairing electro-mechanical machinery. The company, which has 95 employees, will train the right applicant. 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, account executive, donor relations director, aviation technical specialist, and aviation financial analyst. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.