December 20, 2019, issue of 'Flight Training' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 51	December 20, 2019

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Frozen: A tale of winter flight training

From frigid preflights, frost, and "ficons" to fickle freezing levels, winter flight training offers a new perspective on flying. Read more >

Technique

Illustration

Heading home

After practicing steep turns and stalls, it's time to head back to the airport—an important skill not to overlook. Read more >

Flight Training News

Learn about changes coming to FAA knowledge testing

Starting January 13, anyone taking an FAA knowledge test will need to have an FAA tracking number. That's just one of the changes and enhancements coming to the testing process. The FAA is hosting two webinars January 8, one at 10 a.m. Eastern time and the other at 3 p.m. Eastern time, to walk you through the changes.

Youth sailplane program counts milestones

Giving Kids Wings Flight Academy, a seven- to nine-day residential aviation camp founded by teacher Dan Mikkelsen, celebrated its tenth year by graduating its first flight instructor and delivering its 101st flight lesson. The Santa Barbara, California-based initiative uses gliders to keep the cost down for students experiencing their first flight.

Podcast

'There I was...': Julie Clark

Living Legends of Aviation member Julie Clark shares experiences and lessons from more than 40 years as a solo aerobatic pilot in the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Flight Lesson

Whoops, wrong airport

A pilot enjoying his first cross-country in a Cessna 172 discovers flight following isn't leading him to the correct airport, and air traffic control is not happy about the mix-up. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': NORAD Santa reveals secrets

Canadian Army Maj. Andrew Hennessy reveals some of NORAD Santa's secrets as a team of military defense personnel works behind the scenes to help track the merry-making wanderer's global journey. Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live This Week

Best scenes of 2019

Strap in for the ride of a lifetime with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, fly a seaplane with a reality show celebrity, join a desert party, reflect on the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day, and more as AOPA Live This Week® producers share their favorite stories of the year. Watch AOPA Live This Week >

Career News

Alsim sending sims to Poland

Alsim, an FAA- and European Union Aviation Safety Agency-certified flight simulation company celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, announced the sale of two reconfigurable AL250 and ALX flight simulators to Poland's Royal-Star Aero Training Center, which uses a fleet of Cessna, Piper, and PZL aircraft.

Career Pilot

Pilots and substance abuse

If airline pilots succumb to drugs and alcohol, most airlines have programs to get pilots help, and the FAA has a program to help them navigate back on track. Read more >

Video

Day in the life of an aircraft assembly specialist

Go behind the scenes to see how Embraer Aircraft Assembly Specialist Sherry Genovese installs wire harnesses in jet fuselages and cockpits for avionics and other components. Watch the video >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Flight instructor, AeroVenture

AeroVenture in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is seeking talented CFI candidates to lead its incoming classes of Zero-to-Hero Airline Track students. AeroVenture provides modern, well-maintained aircraft and simulators combined with an excellent salary for the right candidate. 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 marketing coordinator (membership), You Can Fly coordinator, government affairs (regulatory) vice president, and High School Aviation Outreach director. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Video

Safety Tip: Runway conditions

Pilots should be familiar with the reporting language used to describe a runway's condition. In this AOPA Air Safety Institute video, learn how the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix can help you anticipate your airplane's braking performance in bad weather. Watch the video >

ASA's Remote Pilot eKit updated

Aviation Supplies and Academics updated its selection of e-books, online software, and FAA reference material to assist potential and current drone pilots preparing for Part 107 currency. The Remote Pilot eKit is available online for $89.95.

Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by Flight Training 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

Takeoff over max weight?

Is an aircraft's maximum gross weight a manufacturer's guideline or a number that should never be exceeded? See PilotWorkshops.com for the discussion and poll results from 15,000 pilots.

Pilot Protection Services

Altered states

Attitudes toward cannabis products have shifted over the years, but they are still prohibited by the FAA for all classes of medical certification. Read more >

Member benefit

Buying a turbine aircraft

If you are looking to finance a turbine aircraft purchase, here are four things to consider. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Article

New IFR video series offers practical tips

AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops has released a new video program that demonstrates techniques and procedures to make instrument flying easier and safer. Read more >

Photo of the Week

Cessna 172

AOPA Senior Photographer Mike Fizer captured this night photo of a Cessna 172 in Frederick, Maryland. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

Can the three night takeoffs and landings required for passenger-carrying privileges be used for day currency as well?

Answer

Yes. There isn't a specific "day" takeoff and landing requirement—just three takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days. The regulations single out night takeoffs and landings as an extra requirement; however, three night takeoffs and landings are three takeoffs and landings, so they qualify you for day currency as well under FAR 61.57.

This question and answer were provided by the aviation experts in AOPA's Pilot Information Center. 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.

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Jan. 4-5	Charlotte, NC; Spokane, WA; and Costa Mesa, CA
Jan. 11-12	San Antonio, TX; Portland, OR; and Alcoa, TN
Jan. 18-19	Bellevue, WA; and Elkridge, MD
Jan. 25-26	Jackson, MS; and Romulus, MI

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. 20	Houston, TX
Jan. 21	San Antonio, TX
Jan. 22	Austin, TX

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Jan. 11	Gordonville, TX; Nashville, TN; and Inverness, FL
Jan. 18	Stevensville, MD; Bethany, OK; Eden Prairie, MN; and Woodland, CA
Jan. 25	Fredericksburg, TX; Gulf Shores, AL; Clinton, IA; and Carlsbad, CA
Feb. 8	Plant City, FL; California, MD; and Corpus Christi, TX

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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Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
Jill Tallman
David Tulis

Production Team:
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Kristy O'Malley
Melissa Whitehouse

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Sarah Deener
Tom Haines
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

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