April 13, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 18, ISSUE 15	April 13, 2018

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Remarkable conditions

You are leaving work on a fine spring afternoon when a message from your flying club scheduler notifies you that someone canceled a flight, and you're at the top of the waiting list. A quick weather check confirms VFR conditions, so you head for the field. But dark clouds are rolling in. Read more >

Flight Training News

You Can Fly

AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey opens

AOPA has a question or two for anyone who has flown with a flight instructor in the past 12 months: How would you rate the experience? Read more >

Article

Tecnam teams with new collegiate program

International Aero Academy and Central Christian College teamed up with Tecnam U.S. to establish a new, four-year aviation degree program based in Lakeland, Florida, that aims to slash the cost of an aviation education and replenish the career pilot pipeline. Read more >

Article

Piper inks 100-aircraft deal with ATP

Building on a prior relationship, Piper Aircraft and ATP flight schools announced an order for 100 Piper Archer TX models at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Read more >

Online resource

Guide your flight

The flying season is open—are you ready? Review your personal minimums with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's VFR personal minimums and IFR personal minimums contracts for guidance.

Article

Flying over Hawaii makes 'Top 50 Adventures' list

Flight training in a Cirrus single-engine airplane above the sea cliffs and mountains of Hawaii—even overflying an active volcano— makes Elite Traveler's "Top 50 Adventures." Read more >

Wayman Academy adds diesel Skyhawks

The 31-aircraft fleet of Florida's Wayman Aviation Academy is bigger, and greener, with two new diesel-powered Cessna 172s. The academy, based at North Perry Airport and Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, emphasized the importance of preserving Florida's environment.

Article

Massachusetts flight school cuts back, cites CFI shortage

A Massachusetts flight school will close one of its two locations in April because it cannot find enough qualified instructors. Read more >

Scholarships

Civil Air Patrol offers cadet encampment assistance

The Civil Air Patrol's summer encampments help cadets build leadership and aviation skills through mentorship and aeronautical activities. The organization makes scholarships available to cover encampment fees and uniforms, with an emphasis on serving economically disadvantaged cadets. Multiple encampments are held throughout the United States, and application deadlines are 30 days prior to a state's summer camp.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Sweeps Super Cub debuts; High-tech airshow

AOPA's Sweepstakes Super Cub debuts at Sun 'n Fun, and we give you an up-close look. Also this week, new technology puts airshow spectators in the middle of the action, and Bob Carlton wows crowds in a SubSonex microjet. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 12 >

Training Products and Resources

Bug season relief for aircraft

Battle the bugs with a complete aircraft cleaning kit from Sporty's Pilot Shop. Aircraft owners and renters can win the war against smashed insects with a host of products designed to keep aircraft interiors, exteriors, and windscreens clean. The Complete Aircraft Cleaning Kit is available online for $139.95

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

Article

New AOPA Destinations platform inspires, informs

Pilots love to visit new and exciting destinations. AOPA aims to feed that need by providing more travel tools and ideas about new places to fly. Read more >

AOPA Premier Partner Created Content

Free guide to nontowered airport comms

If your radio work around nontowered airports could use polishing, PilotWorkshops' free Quick Reference Guide to Non-Towered Airport Communications provides clear guidance on what to say and when to say it. Illustrations, sidebars, and helpful tips make this an indispensable resource for students or rusty pilots, and a great review for any pilot. Download the guide >

Member Benefit

Tax time is here

Pilots often have questions about the best time to buy an airplane and how financing an aircraft can affect their taxes, or how taxes can affect financing applications. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Drug test refusal

Pilots and mechanics must appreciate the requirements of the drug testing program and the serious ramifications of a failed drug test. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Instrument chart cues

What does the "A" inside a black triangle on an instrument approach chart's upper left corner denote? This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz explains. Take the quiz >

Plane Spotter

Consolidated's patrol bomber

With its boat-hull fuselage and engines mounted atop its high wings, the Consolidated PBY Catalina's form speaks to its function as a flying military watercraft especially revered for its wartime search-and-rescue missions. Admiring one up close is when a plane spotter gets a true sense of the imposing size of a PBY, such as this model 5A that weighs in at 34,000 pounds gross, and is powered by two 825-horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-1830-58 radial engines. As for the designation, the "PB" in "PBY" signified patrol bomber; the "Y" designated the manufacturer.

Final Exam

Question

Do Class B, C, and D airspace all require a clearance from air traffic control before entering?

Answer

No. To transition through Class C and D airspace, you are required to establish two-way communications with ATC before entering that airspace, and maintain communications while within that airspace. However, Class B airspace requires a specific ATC clearance prior to entering. You must receive that clearance before penetrating any depicted ring of the Class B airspace, either horizontally or vertically. You may fly under any ring without a clearance because you are not in Class B airspace when flying below the vertical boundary.

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: Director of instruction/aviation flight, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is seeking a director of instruction/aviation flight. The director serves as the chief flight instructor for the ENMU-Roswell flight school. Responsibilities include the safe day-to-day operations and oversight of the 14 CFR Parts 61 and 141 aviation flight program, ensuring compliance with federal aviation regulations, and communicating with the flight standards district office and Roswell fixed-base operations. 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 High School Aviation Initiative manager, Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Salesforce developer, Web project manager, business analyst, member services representative, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Apr 14-15	Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dedham, Massachusetts
Apr 21-22	Aurora, Colorado; Dulles, Virginia; and Tampa, Florida
May 5-6	Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas
May 19-20	Sacramento, California

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

Apr 17	Hartford, Connecticut
Apr 18	Waltham, Massachusetts; and West Lafayette, Indiana
Apr 19	Nashua, New Hampshire; and Zionsville, Indiana
Apr 23	Dodge Center, Minnesota

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Apr 14	Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Henderson, Nevada; Mansfield, Massachusetts; Chesterfield, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Redding, California
Apr 21	San Jose, California; Lima, Ohio; Montgomery, Alabama; Greeley, Colorado; Moody, Texas; Williamstown, West Virginia; and Live Oak, Florida
Apr 28	McKinney, Texas; Montgomery, New York; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Blaine, Minnesota; Roanoke, Virginia; and Statesboro, Georgia
May 5	Conroe, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho

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:
Elizabeth Linares
Kristy O'Malley
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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Eastern and Central United States and International:
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Western United States:
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