March 31, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 17, ISSUE 13	March 31, 2017

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

A gripping lesson

While practicing steep turns, the student's flight instructor urged her to "Lose the death grip. Use a light touch." Later in the lesson, the CFI told the student to "Pull, pull!" How does a student know when to use a firm tug or a fine touch on the controls? Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

Confusion over Colorado

The student pilot was headed to Colorado's Pueblo Memorial Airport, a cross-country of nearly 80 miles that might have ended very badly if not for a persuasive controller in Denver. Read more >

Advocacy

American Flyers to exit Santa Monica in April

National flight training chain American Flyers will close its flight school at California's Santa Monica Municipal Airport April 15. The decision will end the flight school's 50-year presence at the airport that is now scheduled to close in 2028. Read more >

You Can Fly

Student pilot solos in AOPA 150 Giveaway airplane

The startup Texas flying club that won AOPA's Flying Club 150 Giveaway last October celebrated another happy milestone March 17 when a member accomplished his first solo in the Reimagined Cessna 150. (Photo courtesy of the Nate Abel Flying Club.) Read more >

Online resource

The ups and downs of touch-and-goes

Should touch-and-goes be practiced solo? Should flight instructors discuss health issues with their students when they start flight training? Join the debate in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's latest CFI to CFI newsletter. See what others think, voice your opinion, and subscribe to this free digital newsletter. Access the newsletter >

Article

Simhawk helps pilots find sim time

A proliferation of flight simulators and training providers inspired a Vermont company to create a platform that connects flight schools, universities, airlines, and individual pilots with a marketplace. Read more >

Delta funds 400 for National Flight Academy

A sponsorship from Delta Air Lines will allow 400 youth to live aboard the virtual aircraft carrier Ambition and attend Florida's National Flight Academy this summer. Students in grades 7 through 12 will learn about science, technology, engineering, and math concepts as they participate in interactive exercises aboard the 102,000-square-foot facility that is part theme park and part educational laboratory. A variety of six-day immersive summer camps and other programs are available for students.

Scholarships

Upwind announces 2017 summer scholarship winners

The Upwind Foundation in San Carlos, California, awarded four summer flight training scholarships March 21. The winners—Giles Beebe, Peter Habelt, Dante Pacini, and Alexandra Strehlow—will begin ground school in April. The Upwind Summer Scholarship Program's class of 2017 will be mentored by other pilots during an aggressive nine-week summer program.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Heavy guns for everyone; AOPA takes NTSB to task

Watch a helicopter gunship built for your bucket list light up targets in the desert. Also this week, AOPA takes the NTSB to task. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 30 >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Safety spotlight pools resources for student pilots

Whether you're ready to venture solo into the practice area or are cramming for your written test, the AOPA Air Safety Institute has your back. From quizzes and online courses to how-to videos, find what you need easily with the Student Pilot Safety Spotlight. Learn more >

S-Biner KeyRack+ organizer available from MyGoFlight

A set of plastic carabiners attached to a larger S-shaped carabiner may help pilots organize small items for quick and easy use in their cockpits. The Nite-Ize S-Biner KeyRack+ features one large aluminum carabiner with a metal clasp that secures six smaller plastic carabiners. The S-Biner organizer is available online from MyGoFlight.com for $7.

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

Contest

Last chance to enter Hidden Gem contest

Time is running out to enter your favorite destination in the Hidden Gem contest sponsored by Aviat Aircraft. Submit photos and a description of your favorite hidden gem before 5 p.m. Eastern on March 31 to enter for a chance to win a backcountry flying experience in Wyoming and Idaho. Learn more >

Pilot Protection Services

Demonstrating compliance with BasicMed

As the May 1 effective date for the FAA's BasicMed regulations approaches, make sure you understand the eligibility requirements for BasicMed that require certain documentation to demonstrate compliance. Read more >

AOPA Aviation Finance

Answers to common aircraft financing questions

From refinancing an aircraft loan for a lower interest rate to applying for an aircraft loan after recently completing a bankruptcy program, AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers some of the questions he's received from pilots. Read more >

Blogs

Tips for dealing with odd behavior

What should a captain or first officer do if he or she believes the other isn't fit for the flight at hand? Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright shares his personal experience and offers advice. Read more >

Plane Spotter

An airplane built by brothers

Can you name two brothers renowned for building a one-of-a-kind airplane that was followed by other innovative designs? (A hint: The brothers appear in a famous photo that shows them with their original creation.) You will earn a plane spotter's approving nod if you respond that the brothers were Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, and their first aircraft was the 65-horsepower P48 Astore. Only one Astore was built, and it flew in 1951. A modern-day light sport airplane manufactured by Tecnam, the company the late Luigi Pascale founded, carries on the Astore name. (Photo courtesy of Tecnam.)

Final Exam

Question

While I was waiting to depart a towered airport, the controller instructed a pilot who just landed to taxi to parking and "monitor ground." Does that mean the pilot is not required to contact ground control?

Answer

Correct. The pilot must tune in to the ground control frequency and listen for any changes or updates, but he or she has already been cleared to taxi and is not obligated to contact the ground controller. This language is typically used when airport traffic is slow or if there is only one controller in the tower at the time.

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: Avionics technician

Epic Aircraft, a manufacturer of high-performance single-engine turboprop aircraft based in Bend, Oregon, is seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking avionics technician to repair, modify, install, troubleshoot, and perform routine maintenance on all avionics systems with accuracy and with minimal assistance. Read more >

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a customer service representative, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, flight training technology senior director, aviation insurance sales director, executive office manager, project manager, UI/front-end developer, public affairs and executive communications manager, communications coordinator, legal services plan attorney, travel and destination products director, insurance program administration manager, donor relations director, lead aircraft maintenance and aviation technical specialist, and part-time administrative assistant. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Apr 1-2	Atlanta, Georgia; Dedham, Massachusetts; Dulles, Virginia; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Tampa, Florida
Apr 8-9	Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Diego, California
May 6-7	Albany, New York; Hollywood, Florida; and Pensacola, Florida
May 20-21	Conroe, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Sacramento, California

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

Apr 3	Seattle, Washington
Apr 4	Burlington, Washington
Apr 5	Portland, Oregon
Apr 6	Eugene, Oregon

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Apr 1	Murphysboro, Illinois; College Station, Texas; Gulf Shores, Alabama; South Portland, Maine; Hayden, Idaho; Mansfield, Massachusetts; Watkins, Colorado; Glencoe, Minnesota; and Aurora, Oregon
Apr 5	Lakeland, Florida
Apr 8	Cleveland, Ohio; Valparaiso, Indiana; Pasco, Washington; Worcester, Massachusetts; Washington Court House, Ohio; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Reno, Nevada; San Angelo, Texas; Chesterfield, Missouri; and Big Bear City, California
Apr 12	Carlsbad, California

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.

Aviation Calendar

Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. You can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. 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 Miller 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:* Gary Brennan, 301/695-2052 Eastern and Central United States and International: Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089 Western United States: Tom Linton, 301/695-2055 AOPA Advertising website
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