September 29, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 17, ISSUE 39	September 29, 2017

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

A skeptical reception

You are up and out early to fly a solo cross-country, but thick fog is covering the field longer than forecast. After waiting 30 minutes, the ceiling is still down, and the pilot who scheduled to use the trainer after you has shown up early, figuring you must have canceled. Should you? Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

AOPA's 2018 Fly-Ins: Gateways for exploration

AOPA's 2018 Fly-In locations are gateways to explore the mountain northwest, the high desert mountains, a cutting-edge center for the automobile and aviation industries in the Midwest, and a relaxed beach town along the Gulf Coast—all great family vacation destinations strategically located within easy flight for tens of thousands of AOPA members. Read more >

Article

Youth flock to annual Girls in Aviation Day

Nearly 10,000 youth attended Women in Aviation International programs at airports, museums, and education centers in the United States and 12 other countries during Girls in Aviation Day Sept. 23. Read more >

Video

Do you have traffic in sight?

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Traffic Alerts video explains VFR and IFR traffic separation. This second installment in the updated Ask ATC series was produced in partnership with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA. Watch the video >

Migration attendees to learn about AOPA's high school curriculum

Flight school professionals attending Redbird Migration in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Oct. 16 to 18 will learn about AOPA's new four-year high school curriculum and how they can increase education outreach in their local communities. AOPA also will announce the winners of the 2017 AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey.

Scholarships

Member benefit

Scholarship winner credits AOPA with enhancing his aviation experiences

Andrew Treulich, an AOPA member and 2016 AOPA High School Scholarship winner, has already earned his private pilot certificate and will be working on his instrument rating. After receiving a boost from AOPA to make his dream of flying come true, he safeguards his flight activities with AOPA's Pilot Protection Services and renter's insurance. Read more >

Flying Musicians Association scholarship winner solos

William Knauth, an 18-year-old Pennsylvania violinist who was awarded a 2017 Flying Musicians Association solo scholarship, recently completed his first solo flight at historic Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven. Knauth was the first of four 2017 scholarship recipients to solo, the organization announced Sept. 16. Nominations for the 2018 scholarships are open through Jan. 31, 2018.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Lawmakers pass FAA extension; Next stop AOPA's Groton Fly-In

Legislation that would reauthorize the FAA and keep the air traffic control system intact passed the House and Senate just days before the Sept. 30 deadline. Also this week, get ready for the AOPA Fly-In presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales on Oct. 6 and 7 in Groton, Connecticut; and watch the AOPA chapter of Women in Aviation International spend a day inspiring girls. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 28 >

Training Products and Resources

Tackle airspace like a pro

Do you need a clearance from air traffic control to enter a terminal radar service area? Can you fly through special-use airspace? Find the answers in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace online course, which offers practical advice to help you fly from point A to point B. Take the course >

Electricity manual for AMTs available

Practical Electricity for Aviation Maintenance Technicians, published by Aviation Supplies and Academics, is designed to help aspiring AMTs become familiar with the electronics found in modern cockpits. The illustrated textbook includes review questions for classroom and self-study. The manual is also useful for high school science, technology, engineering, and math curricula. The textbook is available online in a variety of formats from $44.95.

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

Member benefit

Back to basics: Improving rudder skills

In this video, Hall of Fame CFI Wally Moran explains how good rudder skills can drastically improve your safety. He also provides simple exercises you can do to improve your rudder proficiency. Access this and 11 other PilotWorkshops training programs (worth $70) when you activate your AOPA member benefit.

AOPA Aviation Finance

Tax documents needed for aircraft loan approvals

Pilots planning to buy an airplane will need to provide two consecutive years of filed tax returns so that a lender can verify income and check cash flow, among other things. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Online resource

Ready for the instrument?

Pilots often train for the instrument rating for one of three reasons: It's a good skill set to have; it's the next step toward an aviation career; or it would increase your utility of business or personal flying. Whatever your reason, check out the training requirements on this AOPA Pilot Information Center resource page. Learn more >

Plane Spotter

Speedy survivor

Sometimes an aircraft comes along that is so well made that it becomes a victim of its own success, resulting in its becoming, or remaining, scarce but always beloved by its core devotees. For example, the speedy 1960s-era four-place, low-wing, retractable-gear, single-engine Meyers 200 derived its admirable characteristics from manufacturing techniques that did not lend themselves well to mass production. In 2016, a 1964 Meyers 200C won the Sunshine Express air race. In 2017, this 1959 Meyers 200A was spotted at EAA AirVenture.

Final Exam

Question

I just bought a Cessna 172. The previous owner removed the wheel pants, but I have them. Is there any advantage in leaving them off rather than reinstalling them?

Answer

Leaving the wheel pants, also called wheel fairings, off allows easier access to the tires and brakes for preflight, and takes less maintenance time during inspections, although aesthetics suffer a bit. Flight schools typically remove them for that very reason, as well as for their tendency to get damaged during student training. Reinstalling them can improve the appearance of the airplane, and give you a few extra knots cruising speed, but the fairings add a bit to the aircraft's weight.

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 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 2	Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Tampa, Florida
Oct 3	Independence, Ohio; Fort Myers, Florida; and Fort Worth, Texas
Oct 4	Columbus, Ohio; Hollywood, Florida; and Addison, Texas
Oct 5	Batavia, Ohio

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Sep 30	Weslaco, Texas; Kissimmee, Florida; and Millington, Tennessee
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

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.

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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa J. Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
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Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
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Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

Advertise in ePilot:
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