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

AOPA ePilot Flight Training Edition
VOL 19, ISSUE 51 December 20, 2019
Training Tips
Frozen: A tale of winter flight training
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
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:
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Jim Moore
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Jill Tallman
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