April 20, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 18, ISSUE 16	April 20, 2018

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

The Siren and the Sphinx

A longtime local working pilot had a colorful way of griping about a colleague he would fly with when the need arose. The fellow was amiable, the pilot admitted, "but he can talk the ears off a cast-iron pot." What should you do if your flight instructor is annoyingly chatty? Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

GIFT on the road

Girls in Flight Training Academy, a nonprofit that helps women succeed in flight training, is expanding its 2018 offerings. Read more >

UND, Sundance Helicopters create pilot pathway

The University of North Dakota and Las Vegas-based charter and tour company Sundance Helicopters Inc. have created a pilot pathway program for students. The SkyPath program announced April 17 trains helicopter pilots and places them in full-time jobs with the company, similar to programs some regional air carriers have established for fixed-wing pilots.

Article

King Schools goes online

After evolving its content delivery for more than 40 years—from in-person delivery using chalkboards to CDs and DVDs—King Schools now delivers all of its pilot courses online. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar flying' with Michael Goulian

In this episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast, well-known U.S. airshow performer and aerobatic pilot Michael Goulian shares interesting situations and lessons learned during his flying career. Listen to the podcast >

You Can Fly

AOPA, CAU renew partnership

AOPA and California Aeronautical University have renewed a Supporting Sponsor agreement to work together to reach a new generation of pilots. Read more >

Article

Sun Flyer 2 prototype marks first test flight

The Sun Flyer 2, a prototype electric airplane from Bye Aerospace, took to the air on April 10 for a "fantastic first flight," the company said. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Backcountry flying with 'SkyChick'

Ramona "SkyChick" Cox is an aviation adventurer who has taken her Cessna 206 to scores of remote airfields. She shares tips you can use for a successful off-airport journey; plus, catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Scholarships

Santa Rosa Ninety-Nines scholarship deadline nears

California's Santa Rosa chapter of The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots will award a flight training scholarship to a local female pilot pursuing additional training or an aviation career. The application deadline is May 1.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

MiG master; AERO on location

Randy Ball has logged more than 1,000 airshow performances in Russian-made jet fighters. We catch up with him and his MiG–17F crew chief, Erin Kelley. Also this week, we check out electric aircraft showcased at European general aviation's main event, and long-term FAA reauthorization is finally on the table. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 19 >

Training Products and Resources

New edition of 'Commercial pilot oral exam guide' released

The ninth edition of the Commercial pilot oral exam guide by Michael D. Hayes is an indispensable tool for preparing for the commercial pilot-airplane checkride. The Aviation Supplies and Academics publication "lists the questions most likely to be asked by examiners and provides succinct, ready responses" with updated material from the airman certification standards. The guide is available in a variety of formats from $5.96.

Survey

AOPA Air Safety Institute needs your help!

Remember to take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's user survey to help improve our safety programs and enhance your experience. Thanks for your help! Take the survey >

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

Does my down payment affect my interest rate?

Find out how the amount you put down on your aircraft purchase can affect your interest rate. If it's your first aircraft purchase, take a look at AOPA's First Time Buyers resource page. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Food fads debunked

Dr. Jonathan Sackier debunks three popular food fads and encourages pilots to focus on eating "a well-balanced diet, rich in fresh and not processed foods." Read more >

Article

Pitch us your airport

AOPA Regional Fly-Ins have grown since 2014 into one of our most successful efforts, drawing members together for events hosted at the airports where we love to fly. We'd love to have you add your favorite airport to our list. Read more >

Blogs

After an accident or incident

An accident or incident is never pleasant to think about, but it could happen. Pilots, especially professionals, need to be prepared because they will get more scrutiny. Read more >

Plane Spotter

Romanian rare bird

If a plane spotter catches sight of a low-wing, single-engine airplane with its vertical fin formed to suggest a militarized Mooney, it's a sure sign that a truly rare bird—and not one built in Kerrville, Texas—is making an appearance. More likely, it's a 1970s-era IAR–823, a 290-horsepower military and civilian trainer built in Romania that served into the 1990s, when many of the 78 aircraft manufactured found their way into private ownership.

Final Exam

Question

I am not interested in logging my flight time. Is logging required? If so, what must I log?

Answer

The FAA requires pilots to record or log training time used to meet the aeronautical experience requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review, as well as time required to meet recent flight experience requirements, such as takeoffs and landings to carry passengers (see 14 CFR 61.51). The logging or recording of all other time is not required.

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: Hillsboro CFI program chief instructor

Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon is one of the largest multicampus airplane and helicopter flight schools in the United States. The chief instructor is responsible for management of the CFI program and its instructors, and will assist in operational aspects of the Part 141 pilot training school in accordance with FAA regulations. 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, UI front-end developer, business analyst, member services representative, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

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
Jun 2-3	Columbus, Ohio

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 23	Dodge Center, Minnesota
Apr 24	Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Cheektowaga, New York
Apr 26	Milan, Illinois; Moffett Field, California; and Ithaca, New York
May 1	Tampa, Florida; and Stevensville, Maryland

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

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
May 6	Anchorage, Alaska

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

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