January 12, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 18, ISSUE 2	January 12, 2018

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Beyond 'Clear prop!'

Here's a not-unusual sight at a general aviation airport: An airplane taxis up to the terminal, a door pops open, and an occupant hops out of the aircraft with the engine still running. Find out why is this a dangerous practice. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

How much did you pay for your most recent checkride?

The Flight School Association of North America wants to know how much you paid for your most recent practical exam. Read more >

Article

Hoover Academy adds sim training to maximize learning

The Bob Hoover Academy partnered with Redbird Flight Simulations to introduce a full-motion Redbird FMX simulator that will maximize learning for students enrolled in the aviation-based youth empowerment program. Read more >

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Outgoing FAA Administrator Michael Huerta

Outgoing FAA Administrator Michael Huerta's candid talk with AOPA President Mark Baker reveals what Huerta learned about general aviation during his time at the helm of the agency; and catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Daytona Beach museum partners with ERAU for aviation exhibit

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Daytona Beach, Florida's Museum of Arts and Sciences opened a collaborative aviation exhibition Jan. 6 titled, "Milestones in Aviation: From the Collection of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University." The collection includes a next-generation aircraft known as the Embry-Riddle Eco Eagle, "the world's first direct-drive, hybrid-gas/electric aircraft."

Roger, wilco, over and out

Whether you want to get better at talking to other pilots or to air traffic control, the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Say It Right: Mastering Radio Communication online course explains what to say and when to say it. Take the course >

Scholarships

EAA offers bounty of scholarships

The Experimental Aircraft Association is offering 11 scholarships valued between $500 and $10,000 for those pursuing aviation, aerospace, and related college degree programs. Application deadlines are Jan. 31.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Canyons and decisions; SiriusXM partnership

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman takes you for a tour of Alaska's mountains and canyons, and offers tips to explore this terrain safely. AOPA Air Safety Institute programs get a boost from a new strategic partnership with SiriusXM, and Liberty University reflects on the growth of a program that builds character and leadership along with pilot skills. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Jan. 11 >

Training Products and Resources

Cockpit carbon monoxide monitor

Winter flying brings challenges such as cold temperatures that necessitate using cockpit heat. The portable TOCSIN 3 Cockpit Monitor alerts pilots to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide with three different types of alarms, a backlit screen that displays parts per million, and user-customizable alarm points. The monitor is available online from Sporty's Pilot Shop for $169.95.

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

Pilot Protection Services

Certain medications studied at high altitudes

Acetazolamide, ibuprofen, dexamethasone, and inhaled corticosteroids have been shown to help "people who have gone to altitudes from 10,000 feet up to 18,000 feet." Read more >

Member benefit

How TBO affects insurance premiums

Time between overhaul has no impact on insurance premiums, but premiums are only half of the story: TBO can have a significant effect on claim payouts. Read more >

Blogs

Are buddy passes worth the hassle?

Buddy passes are a great perk of working for the airlines, but they come with a few catches. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Departure diligence

Do you need an air traffic control clearance to fly a published obstacle departure? What's the difference between an ODP and a SID? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's "IFR Quiz: Obstacle Departure Procedure" explains the reasons why these procedures provide important safety guidance for IFR and VFR pilots. Take the quiz >

Plane Spotter

The Liberty Plane

The DH–4 was a two-seat, open-cockpit biplane conceived by British aircraft designer Geoffrey de Havilland that first flew in 1916, serving as a bomber and observation aircraft in World War I. A version built in the United States, powered by a 400-horsepower liquid-cooled Liberty V-12 engine, became known as the Liberty Plane, and was the only American-built airplane flown in combat by American flight crews. After the war it became the primary aircraft for mail transportation, and found use on fire patrols above the western woodlands. (U.S. Air Force photo.)

Final Exam

Question

I recently flew with a friend who owns a Cessna Skyhawk. He had to hand-prop it to start it because the battery was dead. The flight went fine, but was that a wise decision?

Answer

Very likely not for at least three reasons: First, hand-propping a nosewheel airplane is not a safe procedure. Second, there is no guarantee the alternator will charge the battery even though everything appears fine. Third, because the Skyhawk has an electrical system, which obviously wasn't working properly, the airplane was unairworthy before you left the ground.

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: Flight instructor, Avel Flight School

Avel Flight school in Chicago is seeking a full-time certificated flight instructor. Primary duties include conducting ground, flight, and other various training when assigned. In addition, this role is responsible for helping to maintain the highest quality of flight instruction to ensure the success of Avel's local and international students. 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 medical certification specialist, writer/editorial long-term temp, insurance account executive, High School Aviation Initiative manager, accounting clerk, legislative affairs vice president, aviation program operations coordinator, and Salesforce developer. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Jan 13-14	Portland, Oregon; Costa Mesa, California; Alcoa, Tennessee; and Renton, Washington
Jan 20-21	Jackson, Mississippi; Frederick, Maryland; and Romulus, Michigan
Jan 27-28	San Antonio, Texas
Feb 10-11	Louisville, Kentucky; Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Fairfax, Virginia

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

Jan 15	Reno, Nevada; and Houston, Texas
Jan 16	Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 17	Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan 18	Santa Rosa, California; and Austin, Texas

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Jan 13	Stevensville, Maryland
Jan 20	Bartow, Florida; and Fort Worth, Texas
Jan 26	Sebring, Florida
Jan 27	Waco, Texas

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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301/695-2375 Fax

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

Advertise in ePilot:
Gary Brennan, 301/695-2052

Eastern and Central United States and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089

Western United States:
Tom Linton, 301/695-2055

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