May 18, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot: Flight Training Edition'


VOL 18, ISSUE 20	May 18, 2018

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

How to 'break in' your new instructor

You just got the news from your flight school: The flight instructor you have been working with is leaving for a job with an air carrier. How should you set the stage for your continued training with a new CFI? Read more >

Flight Training News

Flight Training magazine

Avoiding departure stalls

Deficient technique may lead to takeoff or departure stalls. Review recommended takeoff and climb procedures to avoid forcing your aircraft off the ground or climbing at an unrealistically steep angle. Read more >

Texas College adding drone, private pilot tracks

Amarillo College in Texas has teamed up with Route 66 Aviation to offer commercial drone and private pilot programs under the college's professional trades umbrella, which also includes aerospace and aircraft maintenance programs. The new aviation tracks begin in May and early June.

Online resource

Tired of being fatigued?

A lack of sleep and other factors can cause fatigue. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's "Fighting Fatigue" Safety Advisor suggests tips to help you combat sleep deprivation. Read more >

Video

Squawk code versus standby mode

If air traffic control asks you to change the transponder code, should you also switch to "standby" mode? A controller explains ATC's preference in Ask ATC: Transponder Operations. Watch the video >

Scholarships

Massachusetts airport managers group offers two scholarships

Massachusetts-based undergraduates pursuing a career in airport management or another aviation-related field may apply for one of two Crocker Snow Scholarships worth $2,000 awarded by the Massachusetts Airport Management Association in honor of one of the state's aviation pioneers. The application deadline is June 30.

AOPA Live

AOPA Live This Week

Mustang engine-out; Stearmans carry the mail

A pilot who survived a P–51 engine failure discusses lessons learned. One pilot in the legendary short-takeoff-and-landing competition in Valdez, Alaska, lands in less than 10 feet of ground roll. And, vintage Stearman Speedmail biplanes return to action for the U.S. Postal Service to celebrate the airmail centennial. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, May 17 >

Training Products and Resources

Product Brief

A flight bag for grownups

The Bush Pilot Folio flight bag from Flight Outfitters is a functional flight bag that is sharp enough to double as a briefcase or an overnight bag. Read more >

New standards proposed for mechanics

Aviation mechanics can get an advance look at proposed new maintenance certification standards by reviewing a free draft version of the document. The FAA and its aviation community partners will evaluate feedback while the material is further revised. When published in its final form, the criteria will replace the aviation mechanic general, airframe, and powerplant practical test standards with a single airman certification standards document for aviation maintenance technicians.

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

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Back to basics: Improving rudder skills

Hall of Fame CFI Wally Moran explains how good rudder skills can drastically improve your safety and provides simple exercises you can do to improve your rudder proficiency. Access this and 11 other PilotWorkshops training programs (worth $70) when you activate your AOPA member benefit. Watch the video >

Member benefit

Cash now, finance later?

If you purchase an airplane with cash, can you finance it later? In some cases, yes. Here are some important points to consider. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

FAA's proposed sanction under the Pilot's Bill of Rights

One goal of the Pilot's Bill of Rights was that the National Transportation Safety Board would no longer "rubber stamp" the FAA's proposed sanctions. AOPA Panel Attorney Gregory Winton details a case in which it appears the NTSB is not following congressional intent. Read more >

Blogs

Is more legroom coming?

The recent FAA funding bill passed in the House includes a requirement for a greater minimum distance between airline seats. What could this mean for the airlines? Read more >

Instrument Tip

Article

'IFR Communications' manual released

Flying on an IFR clearance demands meticulous technique and crisp communications. PilotWorkshops' new IFR Communications manual offers tips. Read more >

Plane Spotter

A rare vintage

Whether you peg this vintage high-wing, four-place, single-engine taildragger with a distinctive cone-shaped rear fuselage by its military designation of L–13, or by its name, Grasshopper, the utility-liaison-observation airplane manufactured by Stinson Aircraft just as World War II was winding down is a spotting scarcity at airports today. Only about 300 were built—and more seldom seen are variants modified to fit radial engines, which led to an airplane's designation either as a Centaur or a Husky (not to be confused with the modern bushplane produced in Afton, Wyoming).

Final Exam

Question

While monitoring a local towered airport frequency, I heard an air traffic controller instruct a pilot to enter left downwind to Runway 34R, which seemed odd. Is that normal?

Answer

No. Typically, right runways have right-hand traffic and left runways have left-hand traffic. However, it is possible that Runway 34L was closed that day, which could explain it. In any case, it was a towered airport, so ATC had reasons for such an instruction.

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: CFIs, Avel Flight School

Avel Flight School, a busy Part 141 flight school in West Chicago, Illinois, with local and international students, is seeking certificated flight instructors. This position is responsible for conducting flight training for students enrolled in the school's career program, as well as recreational flight training 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, aviation writer, renewals insurance account executive, High School Aviation Initiative manager, Salesforce developer, marketing coordinator, web project manager, contracts manager, and business analyst. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

May 19-20	Sacramento, California
Jun 2-3	Columbus, Ohio
Jun 9-10	Santa Clara, California; and Tempe, Arizona
Jun 23-24	Lake Mary, Florida

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

May 19	Brainerd, Minnesota
Jun 16	Missoula, Montana

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

May 19	San Marcos, Texas; Loveland, Colorado; Burlington, Iowa; Southbridge, Massachusetts; Ithaca, New York; New Roads, Louisiana; West Chester, Pennsylvania; Warrens, Wisconsin; Bethany, Oklahoma; and Idaho Falls, Idaho
Jun 2	Woods Cross, Utah; Selkirk, New York; Vacaville, California; Jackson, Tennessee; Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and Elkhart, Indiana
Jun 9	South Lake Tahoe, California; Palo Alto, California; Wichita, Kansas; and Batavia, Ohio
Jun 16	Englewood, Colorado; Marshfield, Massachusetts; Missoula, Montana; Stevensville, Maryland; and Eastland, 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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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	*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 AOPA Advertising website
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