Training Tip: Just a routine training flight


VOL 21, ISSUE 17	April 23, 2021

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Just a routine training flight

Sometimes you hear about a dramatic or unexpected event occurring during a "routine" training flight. News flash: There is no such thing as a routine training flight. Read more >

Technique

Video

Tailwheel signoff

The tailwheel endorsement opens a new world of airplanes you can fly. Watch AOPA eMedia Associate Editor David Tulis face the moment of truth on his journey to earning a tailwheel endorsement. Watch the video >

Flight Training News

Article

ATP to take delivery of 25 Piper trainers in 2021

The first of the 25 Piper Archer TX aircraft to be delivered in 2021 to ATP Flight School was recently displayed at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Read more >

Article

King Schools releases new video course

King Schools unveiled a video course about aircraft marshalling and awarded the 2021 National Association of Flight Instructors and King Schools Scholarship during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. Read more >

Podcast

'There I was...': Warbird engine failure

Warbird pilot and former aircraft racer John "Pappy" Mazza shares his engine failure experience in a Grumman FM–2 Wildcat in the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast.

Article

Friends promote STEM careers for youth

Four like-minded friends pooled their diverse work experiences to establish a foundation that introduces young people to aviation careers. Read more >

Always learning

Good stress

The windsock is dancing in a gusty direct crosswind. You desperately want to fly, but you're feeling a little stressed. What's the thought process behind your go/no-go decision? Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Capital aerials; Flying club on campus; First flight on Mars

Retired air traffic controllers made aerial photography of Washington, D.C., their new business. Also, a flying club created by University of Georgia students, and a Wright brothers moment on Mars. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Article

Introducing Flyjets founder and CEO Jessica Fisher

Jessica Fisher is the entrepreneur behind Flyjets, which works to provide low charter rates by taking advantage of "empty leg discounts." Read more >

Blog

Professionalism includes sterile flight decks

Maintain a sterile flight deck environment below 10,000 feet and treat every mic as if it were hot to avoid embarrassment—or worse—counsels Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright. Read more >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: AMT instructor, Aviator College

Aviator College is hiring instructors for its Kissimmee, Florida, campus, who have a vision of excellence in instruction and a commitment to employing a variety of formats, settings, and styles to lead students to successful completion of their FAA aircraft mechanic certificate and associated airframe and powerplant ratings. 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 specialist, an office coordinator, and a customer service representative (legal services). To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Do the right thing

Get practical advice to develop your aeronautical decision-making skills and create your own personal minimums in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight.

Taildragger, twin instructional e-books available

Aviation Supplies and Academics is making two popular print-only instructional books available as e-books. Conventional Gear for pilots seeking a tailwheel endorsement and Transition to Twins for pilots pursuing a multiengine rating are available for purchase online in a variety of formats for $14.95 each.

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

Join or renew your membership for special offer

In recognition of the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, we are offering an exclusive $10 discount and complimentary 2021 AOPA pilot cap when you join or renew before April 30! Use promo code AOPASNF2021. Call AOPA Member Services at 800-872-2672 or visit AOPA's website.

Pilot Protection Services

Here comes the sun

Sunlight is one source of vitamin D, which "has an influential role in osteoporosis and may have a role in preventing heart failure and enhancing mood," writes pharmacist Larry Diamond. Read more >

Member benefit

Top 4 light jet/turbine aircraft financed in 2020

The Daher TBM 850, Cessna Citation Mustang, Piper Meridian, and Beechcraft King Air were the four most popular light jet/turbine aircraft financed by AOPA members through AOPA Aviation Finance Co. in 2020. Find out why >

Instrument Tip

Premium content

Charting your progress

Instrument flying means knowing several specialized tasks, and one of them is making efficient use of the instrument approach plate. Read more and watch a video >

Photo of the Week

Sunset at Sun 'n Fun

This picture of a Vought F–4U Corsair and a North American P–51 Mustang flying into the sunset at the night airshow at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo is one of our favorites from photojournalist Phelan M. Ebenhack. Check out this image gallery to see which is your favorite. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

What does "cleared for the option" mean?

Answer

When a pilot is cleared for the option by air traffic control, the pilot may make a low approach or a missed approach, or a touch-and-go, stop-and-go, or full-stop landing. It is great for training because it gives the instructor and student the flexibility to simulate a wide range of scenarios. 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

Apr. 28, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
May 1, 10 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Kenosha, Wisconsin)
May 6, 3 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
May 12, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Spring, Texas)

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

Simon Caldecott on his retirement from Piper

AOPA General Aviation Town Hall

John Mohr, Piaggio Royal Gull

CST Flight Services COVID-19 travel guides

Earthrounder, crash survivor, and public speaker Ryan Campbell

George Antoniadis - PlaneSense

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'I don't see anything that makes me want to attack the engine with tools'

'Hangar Talk': Mentor pilot Neil Singer

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Jamie Patterson-Simes

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Apr. 19, 2021

'There I was...': John 'Pappy' Mazza

'Never Again': Night fright

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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