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August 7, 2020, issue of 'Flight Training' weekly newsletter

AOPA Flight Training
VOL 20, ISSUE 32 August 7, 2020
Training Tips
Does aviation face a proficiency pandemic?
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
Does aviation face a proficiency pandemic?
Accumulating examples of possible links between the coronavirus pandemic and pilot error have grabbed the attention of safety monitors. Read more >
Technique
How it works
Meet the primary flight display
A primary flight display, or PFD, digitally displays all the data found in a traditional six-pack. Read more and watch a video >
Login required
Feeling off balance
Spatial disorientation can occur when your senses and instruments do not agree on what is happening. Reorient yourself with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz. Test your knowledge >
Flight Training News
Road trip
Fly-in theater
You can combine two passions by flying to Connecticut's Goodspeed Airport to take in a show at the historic Goodspeed Opera House. Read more >
Article
VFR Unleashed: Did I chicken out?
After we make a decision that eliminates or reduces risk and it costs us something, we inevitably wonder if we played it too safe. Read more >
Florida flight training school orders Frasca sim
Sterling Flight Training LLC in Jacksonville, Florida, placed an order for a Frasca International reconfigurable training device to be configured as a Piper Archer G1000 single-engine aircraft. The advanced aviation training device will accommodate Sterling's growing school, which is affiliated with Indiana-based Purdue University Global's distance learning center.
Moon race STEM finalists chosen
Two groups of finalists were chosen from 35 entries that spanned 11 countries during a competition that challenged high school students to use STEM skills to design a virtual lunar race car. Team Atlas, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Team Ilstar, from Shanghai, submitted winning designs that could race on the moon in 2021.
AOPA Live This Week
Aspen changes hands; Sirius sound; New King Air; Mini coach
Aspen Avionics has new owners; AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines gives the SiriusXM Tour a serious listen; a new King Air arrives; a safety expert offers hand-propping tips; and a young co-pilot gives safety advice to Dad. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Career News
Article
Professional pilot planning post-COVID-19
Pilots on a professional career path should stay the course during and after the coronavirus pandemic: Get your ratings, and get your hours. Also start looking at ways to expand both your résumé and your opportunities. Read more >
Oregon flight school offers seaplane pilot pathway
Leading Edge Flight Academy in Bend, Oregon, is offering a pilot pathway to the flight deck of Alaska Seaplanes, a commuter airline based in Juneau. Successful candidates will receive a job interview for a position flying de Havilland Beaver, Cessna 206, and Cessna 208A Caravan seaplanes; and Cessna 208 Grand Caravan and Pilatus PC–12 wheeled aircraft.
OBAP 2020 Virtual Conference includes industry giants
The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is hosting a virtual conference on August 13 and 14. The event will include small group roundtables with the FAA; Lockheed Martin; Netflix; and airline and cargo operators such as American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, FedEx, and UPS. Learn more and register online >
Blog
Summer heat creates additional performance processes
Hotter temps mean higher ground speeds for takeoff and additional attention to single-engine performance figures, writes airline pilot and Flight Training blogger Chip Wright. Read more >
I Hart Flying awards three scholarships
The I Hart Flying Foundation awarded flight training scholarships to Tindall Hutchinson ($5,000), Emmy Dillon ($1,500), and Chelsea Montgomery ($5,000). Hutchinson plans to pursue an airline career; Dillon set her sights on becoming a NASA research pilot; and Montgomery hopes to establish a flight school.
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Maintenance/flight technician, Northrop Grumman
The Northrop Grumman corporate flight department is accepting applications for an experienced aircraft technician at Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia. This is primarily a senior aircraft maintenance technician position, with additional duty serving as a flight technician and cabin attendant on board Gulfstream 550 aircraft. 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 an HR generalist and an airspace, air traffic, and security lead. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Training Products and Resources
Sponsored by California Aeronautical University
Know your systems
Aircraft are extremely reliable when properly cared for and can deliver years of safe flight, but not all pilots know as much as they should. Brush up on aircraft systems with this safety spotlight. Learn more >
ASA releases seventh edition of aviation law resource books
The seventh edition of the Practical Aviation and Aerospace Law textbook by J. Scott Hamilton and Sarah Nilsson and an accompanying workbook cover topics of interest to aviation and aerospace business managers, pilots, maintenance personnel, aircraft owners, drone operators, and others. The books are available from Aviation Supplies and Academics.
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
Member Benefit
Getting financing for an aircraft on leaseback can be difficult
Financing an aircraft that you plan to lease back to a flight school or flying club poses a challenge to lenders because of the higher-than-normal usage on the aircraft. Read more >
Pilot Protection Services
FAA monitors pilots with history of substance abuse
Pilots should be aware that the FAA conducts lifetime monitoring of aviators who have a history of substance abuse or dependence issues. Read more >
Instrument Tip
IFR Fix
An obscure operation
When a Cessna 172 pilot flying in deteriorating conditions observed that the forecast mountain obscuration was concealing the entire ridgeline ahead, it was a prudent call to turn back, land, and take another look at the weather. Read more >
Photo of the Week
A 100-knot closeup
A 100-knot closeup
AOPA Senior Photographer Chris Rose captured AOPA eMedia Associate Editor David Tulis photographing a Van's Aircraft RV–8 flying in formation with a Beechcraft Bonanza A36. Learn the secrets behind AOPA's stunning air-to-air photography in the September issue of AOPA Pilot. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.
Final Exam
Question

If an instrument-rated private pilot has a first class medical certificate with third class privileges, is the pilot required to obtain a new first or second class medical certificate to pursue further ratings and a second career as a flight instructor?
Answer
No. The pilot's medical certificate with third class privileges will suffice for acting as pilot in command for the commercial and CFI practical tests, as well as acting in the capacity of a flight instructor and PIC (see FAR 61.23). Read the full answer and join the discussion >

This discussion is from our online Pilot Information Center, where you can ask questions, contribute answers, earn badges, and join our growing pilot community online. 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
AOPA's in-person educational courses and seminars have been canceled or postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Stay sharp with our webinars, podcasts, and videos.
Upcoming AOPA webinars
Aug. 13, 12 p.m. EDT 'Don't Get Rusty' series: Shtick and rudder
Aug. 13, 3 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug. 19, 9 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug. 21, 12 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
See the full webinar schedule in our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.) View our recently recorded webinars (registration required).
Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos
How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members
'Bachelor' star Peter Weber
DK's Top 5: Everything you've always wanted to ask a controller
Kellee Edwards
High school scholarship recipient Tristan Dawson
Flying to watch the SpaceX launch
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.
AOPA Podcasts
'Hangar Talk': Armless pilot Jessica Cox
'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: John and Martha King
'Pilot Briefing': Week of Aug. 3, 2020
'There I was...': Robert Clark
'Never Again': In a pickle
'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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