Training Tip: 'Drag is free'


VOL 21, ISSUE 2	January 8, 2021

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

'Drag is free'

Keep the yoke back after touchdown to enjoy the benefits of aerodynamic braking—reduced wear and tear on brakes and tires. Read more >

Technique

Article

Chilling adventures

Rod Rakic, a flight instructor and aviation consultant based in Chicago, knows a thing or two about flying in frigid temperatures. He shares tips for preparing yourself and your airplane for cold-weather flying. Read more >

Flight Training News

After the checkride

Fly in the new year

AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines typically takes his Bonanza A36 for an early morning flight each New Year's Day. Read more >

MIT's free online ground school debuts January 11

Join Massachusetts Institute of Technology instructors January 11 to 15 at 11 a.m. Eastern time for a free virtual private pilot ground school. Zoom sessions include interactive discussion, review, Q&A, assignments, and more.

Webinar

Proficiency 101

Join two of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's flight instructors on January 14 at 7 p.m. Eastern time for guidance on creating a proficiency plan for 2021. FAA Wings credit and an AOPA Pilot Passport badge are available. Register now >

Fargo museum offering youth camps, flights

Fargo Air Museum in Fargo, North Dakota, is partnering with local aviation companies to offer introduction to aviation camps for area youth every other month. The first camp begins January 23 and is focused on drones; a second camp in March will cover principles of aviation and include local flights in general aviation aircraft. Additional learning opportunities are scheduled.

Podcast

'Did you float the dog?'

Ask the A&Ps podcast hosts Mike Busch, Paul New, and Colleen Sterling revisit sticky valves, diagnose shimmy dampers, give a bit of career advice, and talk about throttle response. Plus, silly pilot tricks with animals! Submit your questions for the next episode. Listen to the podcast >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Aviation stories with the most impact in 2020

Join a special year-end discussion about the top aviation news stories of 2020 and predictions about what could affect pilots in 2021 and beyond. Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live This Week

TBM technique; Biplanes, burgers in Battle Creek

AOPA Editor at Large Tom Horne practices precision landings for prop-strike prevention; a once-rusty pilot takes his dad for a flight; and Waco Aircraft Corp. launches its first Michigan-made taco. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Article

So you want to be a bush pilot

If you think flying general aviation aircraft into areas such as remote Alaskan villages, missionary camps in rainforests, and wildlife habitats in developing nations sounds like fun, you might want to become a bush pilot. Read more >

Five questions

Meet 'airplane whisperer' Kyle Bushman

Kyle Bushman started Ragwood Refactory in Creswell, Oregon, when he was just 25 years old. Bushman shares how he got his start in aviation and why STOL flying is such a passion. Read more >

Advocacy

Remote ID will not require internet

Most drones will be required to broadcast remote identification data by 2023, but the FAA opted not to require internet connections. Flights over people and at night will also be allowed without waivers. Read more >

Frasca delivers Cirrus sim to US Air Force

Frasca International Inc. delivered a Cirrus SR20 flight training device to the U.S. Air Force Academy for use in the Airmanship Next program, a 10-lesson class that serves as a steppingstone in military flight training.

Training Products and Resources

Video

Ground control

Consistently practicing the proper control placement in crosswinds on the ground builds an excellent habit that will kick in when the winds kick up and help avoid ground loops. Watch the AOPA Air Safety Institute video >

Sporty's releases new 'Multiengine Training Course'

Sporty's Pilot Shop released a new Multiengine Training Course that includes video demonstrations of VFR and IFR maneuvers required for the checkride, discussions about multiengine systems, and interactive quizzes. The $99.99 course is available online, through an app, or via Roku and Apple TV products.

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

Pilot Protection Services

What to expect from a traffic stop

Two attorneys with backgrounds in law enforcement and criminal defense offer advice on how to handle yourself during a traffic stop. Read more >

Photo of the Week

Sporty getaway

AOPA Senior Photographer Chris Rose caught this beautiful scene of a Piper Super Cub and an Aeroprakt A22LS on Maine's Moosehead Lake. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA staff and members.

Final Exam

Question

Can student pilots qualify for and fly under BasicMed?

Answer

Yes, if they have held a medical certificate. A new student pilot must obtain a medical certificate prior to solo. However, a student pilot who has obtained a medical certificate and has not completed training by the time the medical is about to expire can choose to obtain a new medical certificate or qualify for and fly under BasicMed. For an in-depth look at BasicMed, please see AOPA's online guidance. 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

Jan. 14, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Wait! Are we in balance?
Jan. 14, 7 p.m. EST	Proficiency 101: Create your personalized plan for safe flight
Jan. 19, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Jan. 27, 7 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': 'Did you float the dog?'

'Hangar Talk': Aviation stories with the most impact in 2020

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Jan. 4, 2021

'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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