October 6, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 17, ISSUE 40	October 6, 2017

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Big-picture pilots

With the run-up and pretakeoff checks completed, a student pilot is about to tell the tower she is ready for takeoff on Runway 33. But first she turns to her instructor and says, "I think the tower will give us an early turn out today." Find out why this observation marks a milestone in her training. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

Giving Kids Wings aviation camp soars

California educator and pilot Dan Mikkelsen, founder of Giving Kids Wings, an aviation camp that teaches high school students to fly gliders, hopes to transform traditional high school curriculum by making "aviation as commonplace as algebra and history." Read more >

CAP logs 100K mission hours

The Civil Air Patrol logged 100,000 mission hours before the end of the group's fiscal year Sept. 30, according to CAP Director of Operations John Desmarais. He noted that the milestone was reached during a flight in Puerto Rico, where the group's aircraft are being used to help with relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Desmarais explained that humanitarian relief flights totaled 2,830 more flight hours in 2017 than in 2016 because of assistance provided after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

Utah university modernizes fleet

Ten fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters were unveiled at Southern Utah University Sept. 30 during a rally that highlighted the delivery of Cirrus SR20 and Robinson R44 aircraft. The Cedar City-based Professional Pilot Aviation Program offers fixed- and rotary-wing training for students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Two training schools make Sun Flyer 4 deposits

Bye Aerospace announced Sept. 29 that it had received 10 deposits for its new electric four-seat, IFR-capable Sun Flyer 4. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology was announced as the first deposit holder in July when the prototype debuted at EAA AirVenture. Academy of Aviation signed on as the tenth deposit holder, with the others being held by individuals. Bye Aerospace said the Sun Flyer 4 has an introductory price of $349,000, and FAA certification is expected to follow that of the company's two-seat Sun Flyer 2.

You Can Fly

AOPA High School Aviation Symposium set for Nov. 6 and 7

Educators should plan to attend the third annual AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium, presented by American Airlines, Nov. 6 and 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. Attendees will share best practices, resources, and strategies to inspire students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts. The event also includes tours of American Airlines and the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center. Register today >

Are you and ATC on the same page?

Will the words "minimum fuel" alert air traffic control that you're experiencing a fuel emergency? Review the AOPA Air Safety Institute's ATC Terminology quiz for the answer, and brush up on other terms used in the ATC system. Take the quiz >

Scholarships

Flamingo Air announces avionics program scholarship

Flamingo Air announced a $6,000 scholarship for women pursuing a program to learn how to perform avionics repair. The Cincinnati-based flight school will award a scholarship to a member of the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance to help cover the cost of Flamingo Air's avionics electronics technician program. Applications are due Nov. 1.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

ATC privatization falsehoods exposed; Go inside Piper's factory

Air traffic control privatization proponents ramp up the falsehoods about the ATC system, and AOPA sets the record straight. Students in Ada, Oklahoma, learn science, technology, engineering, and math skills through AOPA's You Can Fly high school curriculum. Plus, peek inside Piper Aircraft's Vero Beach, Florida, production factory for an advance look at a tour you can take Oct. 27 during AOPA's Tampa Fly-In, presented by Peter O. Knight Airport. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 5 >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Take part in 'CFItoCFI'

While written for flight instructors, all pilots can benefit from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's CFItoCFI newsletter. In the latest issue, flight instructor Mark Henshall recalls an in-flight emergency that taught his student about exercising authority as pilot in command. Also, share thoughts on improving stall awareness training, and find out how a healthy dose of apprehension can make better flight instructors and pilots. Access the newsletter >

Wing strut mount for in-flight cameras

Rock Steady is a wing strut mount designed by FlightFlixAviation for use with GoPro, VIRB, or other types of in-flight cameras. The metal mount "will not move, bend, or fail, unlike plastic mounts," notes Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co. A locking ball and knuckle allow 360 degrees of camera angle adjustment. The mount, which fits a variety of strutted aircraft, is available online for $109.99.

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

Blood flow essential to pilots' health

A pilot flying at average general aviation speeds would need to fly almost 24 hours a day for 2.5 weeks (with aerial refueling) to fly the distance of the human body's arteries, veins, and capillaries lined up end to end, explains Dr. Kenneth Stahl as he offers advice about how to keep blood flowing through all those vessels. Read more >

Member benefit

Understanding your insurance limits

Have you ever stared blankly at your insurance policy, trying to understand all the industry jargon, unsure of how it applies to you? AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar decodes the jargon. Read more >

Blogs

Dragging passengers

After another incident in which a passenger was forcibly removed from an airline flight, Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright explains how the captain might be able to help remedy a situation before it escalates to dragging a passenger off the airplane. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Online resource

Resources to study IFR procedures

Whether you aspire to earn an instrument rating, are currently training for the rating, or have years of experience flying in instrument meteorological conditions, check out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's IFR Procedures Safety Spotlight for links to online courses, quizzes, videos, and other materials that will help you become a better pilot. Learn more >

Plane Spotter

Twisters aloft

Countless scale models of popular or classic aircraft are flying and even entertaining as aerobatic radio-controlled replicas. Once in a while the replication script gets flipped, with a manned aircraft emerging from a radio-controlled design. A case in point from Germany's Silence Aircraft GmbH is the Silence Twister, an aerobatic single-seat, kitbuilt taildragger with elliptical wing and tailplane that immediately call a Supermarine Spitfire to mind. Derived from a radio-controlled airplane called the Twister, a 107-horsepower aerobatic development of the manned model performs with Europe's Twister Aerobatics Team.

Final Exam

Question

I am a student pilot looking at the weather forecast for a solo cross-country later today. The forecast for broken clouds and reduced visibility, although still VFR, gives me concern. What should I do?

Answer

The fact that you are concerned is a good pilot trait, and shows thought and judgment. If you are uncomfortable with anything in the weather reports or forecasts, cancel your flight and wait to fly another day.

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: Instructor, Tarrant County College District

Tarrant County College District is seeking an instructor for its professional pilot program. Duties include teaching classes based on varied schedules, aiding in the development of curricula, and selecting textbooks, among other things. A flight or ground instructor certificate 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 survey analyst/survey researcher, marketing program coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Oct 7-8	Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct 14-15	Nashville, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Oct 21-22	Wichita, Kansas
Nov 4-5	Austin, Texas

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

Oct 9	Mesa, Arizona; and Murray, Kentucky
Oct 10	Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Tucson, Arizona; Germantown, Tennessee; and Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Oct 11	Nashville, Tennessee; Frederick, Maryland; Northglenn, Colorado; and Blaine, Minnesota
Oct 12	Albuquerque, New Mexico; Maryville, Tennessee; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Dodge Center, Minnesota

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Oct 6	Groton, Connecticut
Oct 7	Groton, Connecticut; Russellville, Alabama; Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Greensboro, North Carolina; Stevensville, Maryland; South Saint Paul, Minnesota; Griffin, Georgia; and Watkins, Colorado
Oct 14	New Knoxville, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Iowa City, Iowa; and Maricopa, Arizona
Oct 21	Fremont, Ohio; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Burlington, Washington

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.

This issue of ePilot was created for: INSERT_FIRST_NAME INSERT_LAST_NAME at INSERT_EMAIL

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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

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