After The Checkride: A spectacular sight

Have you wondered what fireworks are like when seen from an airplane? Some pilots find it disappointing, in part because the sound of the explosions is absent. But others have pronounced an aerial view of a fireworks display to be a “spectacular” sight. Here are a few tips and ideas to make the most of an aviator’s point of view on an American holiday tradition that dates to 1777.

Check around your area to find out where the fireworks displays will be. Some big cities such as New York City have excellent displays but also have airspace restrictions that won’t allow you to fly near the fireworks. If you live along the coast and the weather is good VFR, you may be in luck, as many coastal cities shoot fireworks from barges just offshore. You can position yourself farther offshore and watch the fireworks, from there. Remember to check for TFRs and read notices to airmen. Check these out:

• Bristol Harbor, Rhode Island—This town claims to have the oldest fireworks show in the United States.
• Narberth, Pennsylvania—This well-to-do community typically puts on a lavish show.
• Gorham, New Hampshire—Fireworks over a large carnival site.
• Saratoga Springs, New York—Over Congress Park.
• Corolla, North Carolina—Fireworks over the Outer Banks.
• Hartford, Connecticut—Over the Connecticut River.
• Nashville, Tennessee—Over the Cumberland River.
• Addison, Texas—This small town calls its show “Kaboom Town.” The town goes all-out, and the flat terrain makes the flying/viewing easier.
• Lake Tahoe, California—Over the lake.
• San Francisco Bay—The Bay Area offers great shows.
• Seattle, Washington—Over Lake Union, but a heavy traffic area.
• Laughlin, Nevada—“Rockets Over the River” is held over the Colorado River.

Ask AOPA

It’s complicated

Complex training without retractable gear

By Ferdi Mack

Q: My instructor mentioned that the commercial single-engine practical test no longer requires a complex airplane to be used. Does that mean I can save money by training for my checkride in a fixed-gear airplane such as a Cessna Skyhawk or Piper Archer?

A: Not entirely. The change to the Commercial Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) does not modify the federal aviation regulations. FAR 61.129 requires that an applicant for a commercial single-engine airplane rating must have at least 10 hours of training in an airplane that has, among other things, retractable landing gear. So, you will need complex training hours toward the checkride, but you can show up for the ride without a retractable-gear airplane.

Also note the ACS change eliminates the requirement for retractable landing gear in an airplane single-engine land checkride, but it retains the requirement for multiengine checkrides.

If you have more questions, you can contact AOPA’s Pilot Information Center at 800-872-2672, or email [email protected]. Also, check out AOPA’s podcast in the AOPA app on iOS and Android.

Ferdi Mack is senior manager of the AOPA Pilot Information Center.