Training Tip: Reflections on perfection


VOL 21, ISSUE 1	January 1, 2021

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Reflections on perfection

The way you cope with difficult flight conditions leading up to the checkride says more about your piloting than things going off without a hitch. You might think you performed poorly, but your instructor might think otherwise. Read more >

Technique

Online resource

Proficiency check

Review your personal minimums and see if recent proficiency (or lack thereof) calls for a reset. Fill out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's personal minimums form and hold yourself accountable for safe flying this year!

Flight Training News

Article

Make a New Year's resolution to visit distinctive airfields

A New Year's resolution to broaden your horizons by flying to airports that you haven't visited before might be rewarding in more ways than one. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA: Expect ATC delays in Florida and along East Coast

Top FAA air traffic officials warned pilots of expected air traffic delays in Florida and up the East Coast this holiday weekend. Read more >

Article

AOPA scholarship recipient shares application strategy

AOPA scholarship recipient Madison "Maddy" Seymour shares advice to help your scholarship application rise above the rest. Read more >

Unusual attitude

Short takes

AOPA Editor at Large Dave Hirschman shares tidbits from his flying experience, such as why it's OK to drive a crappy car so that you can fly a cool airplane. Read more >

Article

Expand your horizons with VFR Unleashed series

VFR-only pilot Chris Eads, AOPA senior director of outreach and events, offers tips for visiting fascinating destinations, making memories, and flying across the country in his 12-part VFR Unleashed series. Read more >

You Can Fly

Top 5 'Don't Get Rusty' webinars

If you didn't fly as much as you wanted in 2020, check out these popular Don't Get Rusty webinars to keep your head in the game. Read more >

Career News

Podcast

What it means to be the best

Learn what it takes to run a flight school in Alaska from Jamie Patterson-Simes, owner of SkyTrek Alaska, AOPA's Best Flight School of 2017. Listen to the podcast >

Pilot magazine

The pursuit of proficiency

Reinstating a flight instructor certificate requires more than brushing up on maneuvers and reviewing the federal aviation regulations. Read more >

Jet Linx hires first cadet out of pathway program

Private jet management company Jet Linx hired Destination 225° pilot pathway program participant Cameron Hise as second in command of a Learjet 45XR based in Chicago. The career program began in August 2019 as a pipeline among Southwest Airlines, Part 135 operators, and others.

AVIATION JOB BOARD

Job of the week: CFI/co-pilot, Lyddon Aero Center Inc.

A flight instructor/co-pilot is needed for a busy Part 135 operation in Liberal, Kansas. The position includes co-piloting three Beechjet 400As, as well as some turboprops. Read the full description and apply today >

Training Products and Resources

Caring for your airplane

Learn how to refresh your tired, dirty aircraft with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz about preventive maintenance.

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

Member Benefit

2020 election result will have impact on aircraft market

Who is in office as of January 20 will affect tax policy and, in turn, people's appetite for purchasing airplanes. The tax policy will also affect the stock market, which will have a direct impact on the aircraft market. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Should pilots take dietary supplements?

Pharmacist Larry Diamond reminds pilots that the FAA discourages flying while using certain dietary supplements that are purchased over the counter. Read more >

Photo of the Week

Pilot magazine

Cub's competition

The Aeronca Champion addressed the shortcomings of its rival, the iconic Piper J–3 Cub. AOPA Senior Photographer Mike Fizer captured this photo of a Champ. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA staff and members.

Final Exam

Question

How do I get current after an extended break from flying?

Answer

All you need to get legal and current is a medical certificate or BasicMed (if eligible) and a flight review. The regulations require that the flight review consist of at least one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight time. Depending on how long you have been away from flying, you may need more. 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

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
Jan. 30, 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': 'I went to the church of lean of peak'

'Hangar Talk': iFlightPlanner founder Andy Matthews

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Dec. 28, 2020

'There I was...': Doug Stewart

'Never Again': Smoke in the cockpit

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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