Training Tip: In a class by itself


VOL 21, ISSUE 6	February 5, 2021

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

In a class by itself

A pilot receiving flight following service from air traffic control was handed off to the control tower of an airport in Class D airspace but penetrated the airspace before radio communication was established. What happened? Read more >

Technique

Article

Autorotations

Flying an emergency landing in a helicopter is a completely different experience from flying one in an airplane. Whereas an airplane will glide for miles, a helicopter will come down fast. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

Scholarship opportunities for students to professional pilots

AOPA, Piper Aircraft, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and Female Aviators Sticking Together are offering scholarships ranging from primary training to jet type ratings. Read more >

Article

Participate in Redbird flight training survey

Redbird Flight Simulations hopes to tailor flight training based on results from a State of Flight Training Survey it is asking pilots to complete. Read more >

Article

From the Flight Deck series keeps runway operations fresh

Watch taxiway and runway operations from the pilot's perspective at some of the nation's trickiest airports in the FAA's From the Flight Deck video series that identifies hot spots and other safety-sensitive areas. Read more >

Flight lesson

Chased down final

The traffic pattern of a general aviation airport, especially on a sunny weekend, can be a symphony of beauty. It can also be a madhouse! Read more >

Online resource

Aging aircraft

Whether you own or rent, you should consider factors that influence an aircraft's health and aging process beyond its factory age. Learn more in this new Safety Spotlight from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

AOPA Live This Week

Sweepstakes reboot; Training in a classic; Hoover recap

Meet the AOPA Sweepstakes Grumman Tiger, learn how to earn a seaplane rating in a Beech 18, and watch highlights from a night of AOPA honors bestowed on Burt Rutan and retired Brig. Gen. Charles McGee. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Article

Checkride 101: Professionalism

Are you, as the applicant, going to show up prepared and professional for your checkride, or are you going to make the evaluator search for evidence that you are a competent pilot? Read more >

Advocacy

Aviation workforce grant applications available online

The FAA is accepting online applications for grants to support educating pilots and aviation maintenance technical workers. AOPA supports the initiative funded by Congress. Read more >

Article

Fashion, flying, and freedom

Morgan Johnson was the first woman to earn her private pilot certificate through the historic Red Tail Scholarship Foundation and is leading the way for others. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Katie Writer explores the environment

Alaska aviator, artist, and AOPA Pilot contributor Katie Writer explores how general aviation pilots can help scientists studying environmental and weather changes. Listen to the podcast >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Cabin interior specialist, Nicholas Air

Nicholas Air in Oxford, Mississippi, is seeking a cabin interior specialist to assess the cabins of aircraft upon arrival, determine restoration needs, and restore cabins to service-ready condition. Read the full description and apply today >

Training Products and Resources

Video

Ambushed by ice

A familiar route, a trusted airplane, and a lack of serious weather in the forecast didn't keep Dean Clark from picking up enough ice to nearly bring down his Cessna 182. Hear what happened in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story.

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

AOPA Aviator Showcases planned for Virginia, Texas

Explore new products and aircraft at AOPA's one-day 2021 Aviator Showcase events in Manassas, Virginia, and Fort Worth, Texas. Read more >

Article

It's February, love must be in the air

If you love flying as much as we do, simply share your February flying experiences on social media through the AOPA app's Pilot Passport feature. The participant with the most social shares will snag a prize. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Correcting your medical application

What should you do if you realize you made a mistake on your FAA medical application? Read more >

Member benefit

Aircraft loan demand-side primer

A drop in interest rates set by the Fed doesn't always mean lenders are eager to make aircraft loans. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Pilot magazine

Coordinating chaos

Air traffic controllers ask, "How will this approach terminate?" to coordinate departures and arrivals at an airport. One FAA examiner asks herself the same when the outcome of the practical exam is in question. Read more >

Photo of the Week

On the wing

AOPA Technical Editor Mike Collins documents a race between a Cessna CitationJet equipped with Tamarack's ATLAS Active Winglet system (N44VS) and an unmodified, "flat-wing" Cessna CitationJet. Read the story to find out which aircraft won and follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA staff and members.

Final Exam

Question

Did the FAA extend the special federal aviation regulation that provides pilots additional time to get recurrent because of the coronavirus pandemic?

Answer

No. The most recent extension of pilot currency was released in early October and granted relief to pilots whose currency was set to expire through January 31. Since no further SFAR extensions have been published, all currency items henceforth will expire at their normal date of expiration, including flight reviews, instrument currency, medicals, knowledge test reports, and CFI certificates, among others. This article contains more details. 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

Feb. 11, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Ace your next checkride
Feb. 18, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Feb. 24, 6 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Mar. 6, 6 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': 'We just saved your engine'

'Hangar Talk': Alaska Pilot Katie Writer explores environment

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Feb. 1, 2021

'There I was...': Dennis Martin

'Never Again': Pop quiz

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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Flight Training Editors:
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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
Jill Tallman
David Tulis

Production Team:
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Kristy O'Malley
Melissa Whitehouse

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

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