January 10, 2020, issue of 'Flight Training' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 2	January 10, 2020

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Control (of the roll) is the goal

The snowstorm has passed; the long, paved runway is plowed; and it's time to get back in the air. But take care—the snow is not finished shaping the airport environment. (Getty Images/iStock photo.) Read more >

Technique

Premium content

Salvaging imperfect landings

When airplane tires hop, skip, or jump off the runway, each rebound requires a different pilot response. Learn the differences and how to know when it's time to go around. Read more >

Flight Training News

You Can Fly

AOPA flight training scholarships open

More than 100 AOPA flight training scholarship opportunities are available to high school students, teachers, primary flight training students, and pilots pursuing advanced ratings or certificates. Read more >

How It Works

A pilot's guide to magneto P-leads

A student pilot learns that magnetos are driven by the engine and operate independently of the electrical system. But do you really understand the role of the P-leads? Read more >

Checkride

Common checkride errors

Certain procedures—such as the simulated engine failure—tend to trip pilots up on the checkride. Read more >

Care for your airplane

Is your aircraft tired, dirty, and rough around the edges? Take this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz to learn how to give it some TLC!

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Angle of Attack's Chris Palmer talks training

Alaska-based Angle of Attack founder, pilot, and podcaster Chris Palmer talks about teaching techniques and finding amazing aviation opportunities. Listen to the podcast >

Article

Survey seeks pilot input on FAA tests

AOPA is encouraging pilots to take a survey by January 30 that will be used to help update the content of private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and airline transport pilot knowledge and practical tests. Read more >

AOPA Live this week

Sweeps checkout; Electric future

Watch one of our anchors borrow your 2020 Sweepstakes RV–10, and a smiling new face joins the team. We also welcome fresh arrivals to electric vertical takeoff and landing, and review newly effective ADS-B rules. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Career Pilot

Getting to the coveted 1,500 hours

How can an aspiring commercial pilot bridge the gap between 250 and 1,500 hours aside from logging time as a certificated flight instructor? Read more >

Blog

New Year's resolutions for career pilots

Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright suggests a few New Year's resolutions that prospective career pilots should consider when pursuing a position. Read more >

ERAU graduates largest class yet

A record 967 students graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's campuses during a December 16 commencement. The number of graduates has increased for three consecutive years as demand for aviation and aerospace professionals continues to surge worldwide.

Frasca's Bell 407 helicopter sim to train Life Flight pilots

Life Flight Network, which operates life-saving missions throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West, chose Frasca International's Bell 407 GXi Advanced Aviation Training Device for initial, recurrent, and mission training.

United Flight 93 Homer scholarship deadline approaching

LeRoy W. Homer Jr. was killed on September 11, 2001, when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside during the terrorist attacks. A scholarship for training toward the private pilot certificate was named in Homer's honor. The application deadline is January 31.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: AOPA High School Aviation Outreach director

AOPA is looking for a High School Aviation Outreach director to oversee our High School Aviation STEM initiative. 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 Legal Services Plan paralegal, front-end developer, communications senior director, government affairs (regulatory) vice president, and You Can Fly coordinator. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Video

Diving away?

In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety Tip: Taxi Controls video, learn how consistently practicing proper control placement in crosswinds on the ground builds an excellent habit that will kick in when the winds kick up. Watch the video >

Space pen commemorates MyGoFlight's tenth anniversary

A commemorative chrome Fisher Bullet Space Pen with a pressurized ink cartridge that writes in any temperature or at any angle celebrates MyGoFlight's tenth anniversary. The pen is similar to versions that have traveled with NASA astronauts since 1968 and is available for $29.

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

Article

New year, new Pilot Passport challenges

Escape the winter doldrums with a getaway to warmer climates in January and February, and you could be rewarded in more ways than one. Here are 10 destinations from our travel writers to get you started. Read more >

Member benefit

Deposits: Trust, but verify

When buying an aircraft, you may be asked to secure the deal with a deposit. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

'The future ain't what it used to be'

We may not be able to predict when an accident will occur, but we can identify conditions that increase the risk and guard against errors that could lead to adverse outcomes. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Article

Over and out: Flying a visual climb over airport

The visual climb over airport can be a way to depart an airport you wouldn't otherwise be able to leave by allowing the pilot to visually circle above the departure point until reaching a "climb to" altitude. Read more >

Photo of the Week

Central Maryland sunset

AOPA photographer David Tulis captured this sunset in a Cessna 172 over central Maryland in pursuit of a spot in the Top 100 check-ins for the AOPA app's Pilot Passport feature in 2019. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

I remember acronyms for runway braking reports like BRAG (good) and BRAN (nil) from many years ago. Are these acronyms still in use?

Answer

No. Today there is a runway condition code matrix paired with a corresponding pilot reported braking action. Numbers range from 6 for a dry runway and good braking to 0 for an ice/slush/snow-covered runway with braking action reported as nil. For more information, see the Aeronautical Information Manual's sections 4-3-8 and 4-3-9.

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. 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
Feb. 8-9	Louisville, KY; and Sacramento, CA

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
Feb. 10	McKinney, 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:
Elizabeth Linares
Kristy O'Malley
Melissa Whitehouse

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

Advertise in Flight Training:
Dan Justman, 301-695-2182

Eastern and Central United States and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Tom Linton, 301-695-2055

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