Training Tip: Struck by lightning, again


VOL 20, ISSUE 50	December 11, 2020

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Struck by lightning, again

Static electricity is an aviation hazard made more prevalent in winter by the insulating nature of air. Read more >

Technique

Video

Best glide best practices

Your engine just quit. What now? Use this tip for establishing best glide speed quickly. Watch the video >

Flight Training News

Webinar

The year in aviation safety

Join AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden for a review of general aviation safety in 2020, and what we can tell about 2021. The webinar airs December 17 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Register here >

Alsim develops Cirrus SR20 simulator

Alsim expanded its range of simulator products with the launch of the ALSR20, a replica of the Cirrus SR20 with a Garmin GDU 1050A display and GFC 700 autopilot. The training device joins a lineup of simulators based on the cockpits of a Cessna 172, and a Diamond DA40 and DA42.

F–4 Phantom II cockpit on the prowl

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation plans to tour a fully instrumented mobile McDonnell Douglas F–4 Phantom II fighter jet cockpit in 2021 to raise awareness among youth of aviation opportunities and science, technology, engineering, and math programs.

Flight lesson

All shook up

If bad weather is in the forecast, remember that it is better to be a chicken than a cooked goose. Read more >

#BeKind flight training effort surpasses expectations

Commercial pilot, social media influencer, and AOPA supporter Savannah Raskey was ecstatic after a social media campaign for a $1,000 "mini" flight training scholarship open to all genders and ages morphed into two $1,500 scholarships. Raskey reminded participants, "In a world where you can be anything ... Be Kind."

Road trip

'It's a Wonderful Life'

This holiday season, fly to Indiana, Pennsylvania, the hometown of Jimmy Stewart, the World War II veteran and star of It's a Wonderful Life. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Operation Good Cheer pilot Dean Greenblatt

Dean Greenblatt is a leader of Operation Good Cheer, an organization that uses aircraft to deliver tens of thousands of presents to children in the Michigan foster care system every year. Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live This Week

Flights against the virus; HondaJets by slice; Flight unseen

Pilots rose to the coronavirus challenge in many ways. Also, fractional HondaJet opportunities, and a blind preteen's Cirrus experience. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Article

AOPA Air Safety Institute will not offer in-person FIRCs in 2021

Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the AOPA Air Safety Institute will not offer in-person flight instructor refresher courses in 2021. Instructors are encouraged to complete the tablet-friendly eFIRC instead. Read more >

Career spotlight

Brain power

Aeronautical engineers combine a love of flight with intellectual curiosity to build careers with six-figure earning potential. Read more >

Piper opens applications for 2021 apprentice class

Applications are open for the third group of 10 paid Piper Aircraft apprentices, a two-year program that began in 2019 and allows participants to shadow aircraft assembly workers at the manufacturer's Vero Beach, Florida, headquarters.

New York college, US Aviation Academy partner

New York-based Dutchess Community College is partnering with US Aviation Academy to begin flight training operations as part of an associate degree program. Students will attend class at the Poughkeepsie college campus and participate in flight training with US Aviation Academy instructors and aircraft at Hudson Valley Regional Airport.

New student fellowship encourages minority aerospace participation

The Zed Factor Fellowship is working to broaden minority participation in aerospace by providing a more inclusive environment for students. The fellowship is accepting applications through January 4 for internships, learning opportunities, and relationships with mentors within the industry.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of flight instruction, California Aeronautical University

California Aeronautical University in Bakersfield, California, is seeking a director of flight instruction to manage CFIs and overall quality for the university's flight lab courses. Read the full description and apply today >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Learn from new 'CFI to CFI'

In this issue of CFI to CFI, review lessons learned from 2020, discover tips to avoid paperwork hiccups during a practical test, and more. The newsletter is packed with information for all pilots—not just CFIs!

ASA releases 2021 catalog

Aviation Supplies and Academics released a 48-page printed or downloadable catalog highlighting the 2021 product line of more than 700 instructional, educational, and practical aviation publications and pilot supplies.

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

Pilot magazine

Wear your pride

Show that you're proud to be an AOPA pilot by wearing our T-shirts, hats, jackets, or other branded apparel. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Practical considerations for ASRS reports

There are many reasons to file an Aviation Safety Reporting System report, including the waiver of sanction in FAA enforcement cases and to alert others to safety issues. Read more >

Member benefit

2020 questions: Year in review

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about using an airplane as security for a loan, interest-only loans, securing financing versus paying cash, and purchasing an aircraft as a student pilot. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Online resource

Stretch goals

If you already have your private pilot certificate, set a stretch goal for 2021: How about earning the instrument rating? Find out what will be required. Learn more >

Photo of the Week

Santa flies GA to Sun 'n Fun

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at the Sun 'n Fun Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show in Lakeland, Florida, in a Stearman PT–17 to collect Christmas wish lists from children. AOPA Senior Director of Outreach and Events Chris Eads captured the children's mix of expressions of skepticism and excitement after Santa's nonstandard arrival (what happened to Rudolph?). Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA staff and members.

Final Exam

Question

My flight instructor certificate with airplane single- and multiengine and instrument airplane ratings has expired. Can I have my flight instructor certificate with all the ratings reinstated by just taking the practical test? Would the flight test have to be in a multiengine airplane or include all the items in the CFII flight test guide?

Answer

Nonmilitary instructors whose certificates have expired can take a practical test for one of the ratings they already hold on their expired certificate or take a practical test for an additional rating (FAR 61.199). Passing either of the test options above will reinstate your instructor certificate with all the ratings that you currently have. The practical test that you use to reinstate is up to you, and does not have to be in a multiengine airplane. To determine the required tasks for the practical test you will need to refer to the appropriate task table in the respective practical test standards for the rating you choose. 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

Dec. 17, 7 p.m. EST	2020: The year in aviation safety with Richard McSpadden
Jan. 14, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Wait! Are we in balance?
Jan. 19, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Jan. 27, 7 p.m. EST	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

John Mohr, Piaggio Royal Gull

CST Flight Services COVID-19 travel guides

Earthrounder, crash survivor, and public speaker Ryan Campbell

George Antoniadis - PlaneSense

You Can Fly Champions

How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'I went to the church of lean of peak'

'Hangar Talk': Operation Good Cheer pilot Dean Greenblatt

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: John Zimmerman

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Dec. 7, 2020

'There I was...': Todd Clark

'Never Again': I knew I was rusty

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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