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May 15, 2020, issue of 'Flight Training' weekly newsletter

AOPA Flight Training
VOL 20, ISSUE 20 May 15, 2020
Training Tips
The seat of learning
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
The seat of learning
Anyone with access to pencil and paper, a swiveling chair, and a toy airplane can keep learning pilot skills at home. Read more >
Technique
Article
Weather: May gray, June gloom
Southern California pilots enjoy great flying weather most of the year, but in spring and summer they must contend with a weather phenomenon known as the marine layer. Read more >
Flight Training News
You Can Fly
Celebrating resiliency in a time of turmoil
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, AOPA's You Can Fly program is celebrating the flight training community with a new project this year instead of its annual Flight Training Experience Awards. Read more >
Article
Colleges collaborate on return to flight training
Collegiate flight programs are sharing techniques to help get flight training off the ground as coronavirus pandemic restrictions begin to ease. Read more >
Sponsored by Hartzell Propeller
Safe summer flying
Learn the challenges of summer flying from three accident case studies during the AOPA Air Safety Institute's second webinar in the Seasons of Safety series, "105 Days of Safe Summer Flying," on May 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Article
VFR Unleashed: 500 miles and beyond
A VFR-only pilot certificate doesn't have to limit you to $100 hamburger flights. Expand your horizons and face weather, terrain, air traffic control, and complex decision making with confidence. Read more >
Accident Report
Cantankerous components
Two incidents involving ailing ailerons illustrate that it is good practice for pilots to have some awareness of the maintenance status of the aircraft they fly. Read more >
Ramp appeal
Maule M–9
Maule aircraft are meant to carry heavy loads to and from short, rugged airstrips. The company's top-of-the-line M–9 can get off the ground in just 400 feet at full gross weight while carrying a load of more than 1,000 pounds. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
Ragwood craftsmanship; Will fly for food
Whether your ideal airplane is a show-stopping beauty or toughened up to play in mud, Kyle Bushman can make it happen at Ragwood Refactory. Also, meet the pilots who help growers keep California rice coming. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Career News
Blog
Prepare for the post-COVID-19 jobs world
Low-time pilots seeking airline careers should fly as often as possible, look for teaching opportunities, and update their job application tools to prepare for the post-COVID-19 air travel environment, writes airline pilot and Flight Training blogger Chip Wright. Read more >
Article
Flight simulation innovator Rudy Frasca dies
Frasca International announced May 11 that founder, pilot, researcher, and flight simulation engineer Rudy Frasca has died. Read more >
Five questions
Hawaii helicopter instructor Nick Moran
Nick and Megan Moran grew up in the Pacific Northwest and took their love of adventure first to New Zealand, where they perfected their kite-flying skills, and then to Maui, Hawaii, to start a helicopter flight school. Read more >
Texas A&M adds online aviation maintenance degree
Texas A&M University-Central Texas will offer a new online Aviation Management–Maintenance Concentration bachelor's degree for the fall 2020 semester to A&P certificate holders who are pursuing management and leadership skills.
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': Wayne Phillips, ATOP jet sim training
Airline Training Orientation Program founder Wayne Phillips says you don't have to be a professional pilot to "test drive" a jet aircraft simulator for a weekend, and the experience is bound to make you a better pilot. Listen to the podcast >
Aviation job board
Job of the week: AOPA associate developer of safety programs
The associate developer of safety programs supports the AOPA Air Safety Institute online and in-person CFI renewal programs through customer service, content development and editing, and administration of CFI renewal documentation. 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 member experience senior manager, data analyst, and government affairs (regulatory) vice president. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Training Products and Resources
Article
Boost confidence with 'Private Pilot: The Missing Lessons'
Take what you learned in private pilot training to the next level with PilotWorkshops' newly released video training program, Private Pilot: The Missing Lessons. Read more >
Article
6 cool features of Garmin Pilot you may not know
Garmin recently hosted a webinar highlighting tips and tricks for its Garmin Pilot app. Here are six things we learned. Read more >
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
Calling all graduates!
Send us your favorite picture of a graduating high school, college, or graduate student who is a pilot in front of an aircraft (or with a drone) so that we can honor the class of 2020 together.
Member benefit
How is the coronavirus affecting the closing process?
Municipal shelter-in-place mandates and state lockdowns have complicated aircraft purchases. Read more >
Member benefit
What type of rate should I expect right now?
Looking to finance an aircraft loan during the coronavirus pandemic? AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about rates. Read more >
Pilot Protection Services
Small businesses and COVID-19
If your small business has been affected by the pandemic, here are tips for applying for assistance. Read more >
Instrument Tip
Login required
Stay out of the trees
Obstacle departure procedures straddle the line between IFR and VFR flying. Test how much you know about what they are and when you should fly them with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.
Photo of the Week
Backcountry adventure
Backcountry adventure
Clouds, a rocky landscape, and a taildragger lead to some serious adventure flying in a photo posted to Instagram by @STOLpilot Kevin Quinn, one of the Flying Cowboys. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.
Final Exam
Question

What happens if I declare an emergency?
Answer
An emergency is defined as a distress or an urgency condition. Air traffic control staff will give you their full attention and offer any assistance needed to get you on the ground safely. FAR 91.3(b) states, "In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency." Additionally, FAR 91.123(d) reminds "each pilot in command who...is given priority by ATC" to "submit a detailed report of that emergency within 48 hours to the manager of that ATC facility, if requested by ATC."

For more information, see this discussion in 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 educational courses and seminars have been canceled or postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
AOPA Courses and Seminars
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses Canceled through June
Safety Seminars Canceled indefinitely
Rusty Pilots Seminars Canceled through June
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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
Erick Webb
Melissa Whitehouse
Contributors:
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Sarah Deener
Chris Eads
Tom Haines
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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