The AOPA App, the award-winning mobile application that allows members and aviators to stay up to date on the latest AOPA news, videos, podcasts, and events, will soon feature a check-in functionality. Going flying today? Check in on the app. Stopping at an airport for a $100 hamburger or to play a round of golf? Check in on the app. Planning on visiting several airports in one day and want to brag about it? Check in on the app. Found a cool airport on your vacation? Check in on the app.
The feature—called Pilot Passport—encourages you to seek out and keep track of the interesting and exciting details on the places you fly. You can share this information with others (Ask for Stan at the FBO), add photos (We saw the coolest old Stinson on the field), give advice to other pilots (That’s a great patty melt at the on-airport restaurant), and even assign a rating (I’m putting this on my top 10). Pilots will be able to earn digital badges, encouraging some competition—let’s see who can visit the most airports this month!
Enhancements to Pilot Passport also include the rewarding of badges for different airports and entry into competitions for prizes such as AOPA Pilot Gear. Stay tuned for continuing updates.
The free app also gives users news stories and features from AOPA Pilot and Flight Training magazines, shows AOPA Live video segments, and has four different podcast series. Users can add or search events in the aviation calendar. Based on the phone’s geographic location, pilots will be notified of temporary flight restrictions within their vicinity. To get the app, search AOPA on iTunes or Google Play.
Tips from PPs
Awareness training
Flight instructors and the TSA
By Jared Allen
If you’re a flight or ground instructor, keep in mind the Transportation Security Administration’s requirements for initial and recurrent Fight School Security Awareness Training. These rules are applicable to all current and active instructors, including independent or solo instructors as well as those at flight schools.
Found at 49 CFR. 1552.21-.25, these rules require instructors and certain flight school employees to receive training, such as AOPA’s online course, covering issues such as recognizing suspicious client behavior or activity around aircraft, as well as security measures and procedures.
Initial training must be completed within 60 days of being hired, and with some exceptions, it must be completed annually in the month the initial training was received.
Recordkeeping required to demonstrate compliance with these rules is addressed by TSA Rule 1552.25, which also provides for inspection of certain records by the TSA and the FAA during reasonable business hours. An individual’s failure to comply with any of these rules could result in a civil penalty up to $11,000.
Jared Allen is an in-house attorney for the AOPA Legal Services plan, part of the Pilot Protection Services.
Ask AOPA
Tailwheel time
Can I fly that, too?
By Ferdi Mack
Q: I’m currently training in a Piper Warrior, which has tricycle landing gear. My flight school has a Piper Super Cub that people say is fun to fly. Can I also train in the Super Cub?
A: Yes, you can receive training in any single-engine airplane and log that training time toward your private pilot certificate. You should talk with your instructor about your goals as a student pilot, including that you are interested in flying the Super Cub, and why. You should discuss whether you are looking to obtain solo privileges in the Super Cub during your training, or if you’d simply like to get a taste of tailwheel flying. This conversation will ensure that your instructor will appropriately tailor your tailwheel training to you, as well as ensuring that the training is logged correctly.
If you do not solo in the Super Cub before you pass your private pilot practical test, you can subsequently obtain the endorsement required to fly a tailwheel aircraft on your own. You also can acquire additional endorsements to fly as pilot in command of high-performance, complex, and high-altitude aircraft. Your instructor can likely provide training and the accompanying endorsement for many of those additions to your certificate if a representative aircraft is available.
For more information, check out AOPA’s webinar on tailwheel flying (http://tinyurl.com/aopa-tailwheel-web). You can also contact AOPA’s Pilot Information Center for more answers at 800-872-2672 or [email protected].
Ferdi Mack is senior manager of the AOPA Pilot Information Center.
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