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News & Media October 13, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'

October 13, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'

AOPA
VOL 17, ISSUE 41 October 13, 2017
Training Tips
AOPA
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
A word about plateaus
In a flight training context, "plateau" is a polite way of saying that progress toward a student pilot's goals has stalled. Here are tips to overcome a plateau. Read more >
Flight Training News
Article
ERAU students practice in real-world ATC environment
State-of-the-art en route and terminal hardware and software teach air traffic control students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus how the systems work in a real-world ATC environment. Read more >
Regionals begin for SAFECON 2018 competition
The road to the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's aviation championship began Oct. 9 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ten regional events testing the skills of college aviators are planned through Nov. 18. Winners of regional competitions will advance to the NIFA SAFECON 2018 championship April 30 to May 5 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Article
Space council targets moon, Mars
The National Space Council, dormant since the 1990s, has been revived with a fresh focus on public-private partnerships; science, technology, engineering, and math education; and aspirations for Americans to return to the moon "within five years" as a stepping stone to Mars. Read more >
Podcast
Hangar Talk: Former astronaut, adventurer Scott Parazynski
Hear former space shuttle astronaut Scott Parazynski, an author, adventurer, medical doctor, and instrument-rated commercial pilot, describe how aviation paved the way for his summit of Mount Everest, and catch up on the latest aviation news with this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >
Video
Say again
What should you do if an air traffic controller rattles off instructions so fast that you can't comprehend what was said? In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Fast Talkers, air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten explains the best way to handle the situation. Watch the video >
Scholarships
Article
UND introduces freshman scholarship
For the first time, a freshman at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will soon have the opportunity to earn a scholarship to the world-renowned school at the University of North Dakota. Read more >
Business aviation scholarship deadline Oct. 31
The National Aircraft Finance Association will award scholarships between $1,000 and $5,000 to students seeking a corporate aviation business career in the aircraft finance, legal, and insurance fields. The application deadline is Oct. 31.
AOPA Live
AOPA Live This Week
Bizav in focus; Going big in Groton
The National Business Aviation Association paid tribute to the strength and resilience of Las Vegas, where the business aviation world gathered this week, and continued an all-out, all-hands effort to save air traffic control. Also from NBAA, progress on the XTI TriFan 600. Then revisit the highlights of another successful AOPA Fly-In, one that drew some head-turning arrivals to Groton, Connecticut. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 12 >
Training Products and Resources
Login required
Keep your airport safe
As members of the general aviation community we can help ensure the safety and security of our airports and aircraft. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's recently updated General Aviation Security online course offers guidance to protect airport property, identify and report suspicious activity, and stay safe. Take the course >
Heated wool pop-top mittens helpful for fall, winter
With fall and winter weather approaching, a pair of pop-top wool mittens with slots for chemical heat packs can help make preflights more comfortable on cold days. They may be quickly converted to fingerless gloves. The mittens are available online from PilotMall.com for $29.99. One pair of heat packs is included, and additional heat packs are available 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
FAA using new stroke risk assessment
The FAA is using a new scoring system for stroke risk assessment when evaluating pilots who have a history of atrial fibrillation and are using some form of anticoagulants. Read more >
AOPA Day at Sporty's coming up
Sporty's has been a proud supporter of AOPA for more than 50 years, and on Oct. 18, we're celebrating: AOPA members will receive free shipping on every product at Sporty's that day. Enter promo code AOPA1017 and your member number when you check out. If you're not already an AOPA member, Sporty's will be extending an attractive signup offer.
Blogs
The jet-setting life
One of the perks of airline employment is the ability to travel for free. Airline pilot and Flight Training blogger Chip Wright offers some tricks and tips to maximize flight benefits. Read more >
Instrument Tip
IFR Fix
The drone factor
The sightings are split-second events, and the objects spotted don't always appear where you'd expect during an instrument approach. Unmanned aircraft underscore the need for pilots flying IFR to perform the required scan for traffic. Read more >
Plane Spotter
AOPA
King of Diamonds
If a clearly composite, strikingly stylish T-tailed twin taxies onto your fixed-base operator's ramp, shuts down, and discharges seven occupants through gull-wing forward doors and a large rear door, go ahead and add a manufactured-in-Canada Diamond Aircraft DA62 to your plane-spotting list of sighted species. Log that entry in the new-models-spotted column, because Diamond's line-topping design, featuring 180-horsepower "jet fuel piston engines" driving three-blade, advanced-geometry propellers, earned FAA certification in February 2016. It boasts a 5,071-pound maximum takeoff/landing weight, and a 159-knot published economy cruise speed at 12,000 feet. (Photo courtesy of Diamond Aircraft.)
Final Exam
Question

My flight review expired at the end of last month. Can I make a solo flight or two, with no passengers, to brush up for the flight review?
Answer
No. Without a current flight review, you cannot legally fly solo or act as pilot in command, even to practice for a flight review. You can make training flights with an instructor before taking the flight review.

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
Join the AOPA team
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an operations clerk, administrative clerk, survey analyst/survey researcher, marketing program coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, and legal services plan attorney. Learn more about AOPA career opportunities >
Education & Seminars
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Oct 14-15 Nashville, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Oct 21-22 Wichita, Kansas
Nov 4-5 Austin, Texas
Nov 11-12 Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anchorage, Alaska; and Atlanta, Georgia
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 16 Garden City, New York
Oct 17 Poughkeepsie, New York
Oct 18 Albany, New York
Oct 19 Milan, Illinois; and Brockport, New York
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Oct 14 New Knoxville, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Iowa City, Iowa; and Maricopa, Arizona
Oct 21 Fremont, Ohio; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Burlington, Washington
Oct 27 Tampa, Florida
Oct 28 Tampa, Florida; Pacoima, California; and La Crosse, Wisconsin
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
AOPA
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
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Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
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