March 2, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 18, ISSUE 9	March 2, 2018

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Congested and confused

Navigating various airspace types and handling radio communications are manageable tasks separately, but combine them, throw in a dash of unruly weather or a system failure, and "routine" flies out the window. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

Career fair is Sun 'n Fun's 'best kept secret'

Aviation job seekers at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida, can explore "one of the best kept secrets" during a free career fair April 11. Read more >

Article

Southern Oregon aviators plan youth event

More than 1,500 youth and their parents are expected at Oregon's Grants Pass Airport on March 15 for two presentations that will showcase aviation careers, camps, and learning opportunities for students. Read more >

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Tips for flying with children

Instrument-rated private pilot, mother, and AOPA Pilot Managing Editor Sarah Deener and her husband, Matt, share tips for flying with children; also, catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Video

Get a grip on runway surface codes

You may have heard of TALPA, RCAM, and FICON. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's new safety tip breaks down these acronyms to help you understand runway conditions in bad weather. Watch the video >

Scholarships

Article

Helicopter foundation awards 18 scholarships

The Helicopter Foundation International has announced 18 scholarship recipients for 2018. Read more >

Hudson 'Excellence' scholarship grows to $50K

Since their rollout in 2017, the Hudson Group's Mario DiDomizio Excellence in Education scholarships doubled in scope and value to include $50,000 available to 10 of the travel retailer's employees or their children. The application deadline is May 1.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

ATC battle over for now; Adventure on ice

The leading proponent of separating air traffic control from the FAA said he won't pursue the controversial proposal, and AOPA sees opportunity for long-term stability. Also this week, when pilots gathered in Michigan for a weekend of flying on skis, a lack of snow made tundra tires the landing gear of choice; and the new Vashon Ranger combines backcountry capability, economy, and ease of use. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 1 >

Training Products and Resources

Foldable Bluetooth keyboard fits in pocket

MyGoFlight introduced a 6.5-ounce foldable Bluetooth keyboard that is compatible with portable Android, iOS, and Windows devices. The ultra-slim keyboard folds up to fit in a pocket and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, which provides more than 60 hours of usage and standby power for up to 120 days. The device is available online for $49.99.

Cleared for takeoff

When told to "maintain runway heading after takeoff," are you expected to track the extended runway centerline or the runway heading, regardless of drift? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's quiz about towered airport operations explains. Take the quiz >

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

Inoperative anticollision lights: Go or no go?

If your aircraft's anticollision lights include a red rotating beacon and white strobe lights, can you operate in day VFR conditions if one of those is inoperative? Read more >

Member Benefit

Preparing for tax season

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith tackles tax questions about aircraft financing. Read more >

Instrument Tip

IFR Fix

Spring training

Regaining instrument proficiency after a winter of hibernation involves finding out what has changed. Start by becoming familiar with new weather resources. Read more >

Plane Spotter

The tiniest twin

Look, up in the sky. It's a bird. It's a drone. No, it's a Cri-Cri, the smallest twin-engine airplane in the world, designed in the 1970s by an aeronautical engineer from France named Michel Colomban. Charming among the littlest angels in the sky, Cri-Cris are a delight for ramp-side plane spotters on both sides of the Atlantic, but they also have been air-launched on a mission to cross the English Channel, and were used to test green propulsion technology. The name Cri-Cri reportedly replicates the nickname Colomban gave his daughter Christine.

Final Exam

Question

This tax season, I am looking into deducting some training I took in 2017. Can AOPA advise members about tax deductions?

Answer

No. AOPA does not offer tax or financial advice. However, AOPA can help you understand the tax codes for flight training deductions and provide you with some information you can take to your accountant, if needed. You may find this guide to taxes helpful. If you need to consult with an attorney, you might consider AOPA Pilot Protection Services.

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: Lecturer, engineering technologies

Bowling Green State University in Ohio is seeking a full-time instructor, lecturer, or senior lecturer to teach and develop undergraduate-level courses for its aviation program and department of engineering. This position also will serve as safety coordinator for the flight technology and operations specialization and provide quality assurance of flight training performed by Bowling Green Flight Center. Potential candidates must hold at least a master's degree and an FAA commercial pilot certificate with single- and multiengine ratings, and be a CFI, CFII, and MEI. 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 facilities technician, High School Aviation Initiative manager, aviation program operations coordinator, Flying Clubs Initiative intern, Air Safety Institute intern, Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Salesforce developer, information technology intern, marketing coordinator, and business analytics intern. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Mar 3-4	Tempe, Arizona
Mar 10-11	King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Ontario, California; and Santa Clara, California
Apr 7-8	Atlanta, Georgia; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Diego, California
Apr 14-15	Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dedham, Massachusetts

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

Mar 5	Bedford, Massachusetts
Mar 12	Jacksonville, Florida; and Fresno, California
Mar 13	Melbourne, Florida; and Concord, California
Mar 14	Daytona Beach, Florida

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Mar 3	Henderson, Nevada; Kissimmee, Florida; Houston, Texas; Scottsdale, Arizona; San Diego, California; and Valparaiso, Indiana
Mar 10	Tuskegee, Alabama; Chickasha, Oklahoma; and San Antonio, Texas
Mar 13	Fort Myers, Florida
Mar 17	Searcy, Arkansas

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
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:
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