Training Tip: Getting to 'No'


VOL 21, ISSUE 29	July 16, 2021

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Training Tip: Getting to 'No'

You called off today's solo because of anticipated high winds. An hour later, there isn't a puff of wind and you're feeling sheepish. Was it wrong to cancel? Read more >

Technique

Article

Time to climb

Pick a speed, any speed. Or, better yet, pick one of two. Read more >

Flight Training News

Advocacy

FAA prosecutes volunteer CFIs

The FAA ordered flight instructors to obtain advance authorization to give compensated instruction in certain categories of aircraft while arguing in court that volunteer CFIs still received "compensation." Read more >

Article

Teen sets solo circumnavigation record

Travis Ludlow, 18, set a Guinness World Record as the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world—and he did it in a diesel-powered Cessna 172. Read more >

Article

GAMA design challenge goes to Seattle STEM students

Raisbeck Aviation High School in Washington took top honors in the 2021 General Aviation Manufacturers Association Aviation Design Challenge. Read more >

Article

Checkrides demystified

Is your checkride on the horizon? Here are some tips from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's flight instructors to help you succeed. Read more >

Webinar

Choose your own adventure

Fly with AOPA Air Safety Institute instructor Jeanné Willerth on a cross-country quest. You will help with her planning and decision making, so have your tablets and iPads ready. The webinar airs July 22 at 7 p.m. Eastern. Register here >

After the checkride

Into the wild

Backcountry and mountain flying can sharpen your flying skills, provide breathtaking views, and help you enjoy some time off the grid. Read more >

Road trip

Go spelunking

If you appreciate Earth's wonders above ground, you should make a point to visit the natural beauty that awaits in tourist-friendly caverns and caves. Read more >

Podcast

'Ask the A&Ps': 'An oil filter inspection is non-invasive, unless you’re an oil filter'

A savvy owner wonders how to trust her airplane with no logbooks; a Cessna pilot is curious if he's getting all the power he paid for; and Ask the A&Ps co-hosts Mike Busch, Paul New, and Colleen Sterling tackle an unruly governor. Submit your questions for the next episode. Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live This Week

Branson rides Rutan rocket; Grass strip revival

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson reached space aboard a Burt Rutan design; young brothers make a vintage turf strip into a destination; and real air traffic controllers serve simulated flights. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Premium content

How it works: Climb and dive

Bet your life on it: The little box called TCAS helps prevent midairs. The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System provides pilots with advance warning of other aircraft that pose a collision risk. Read more >

Blog

Old revisions versus new

The days of lugging heavy books with dog-eared pages covered with notes, comments, and highlights are gone, but is that good or bad? Airline pilot and Flight Training blogger Chip Wright shares his thoughts. Read more >

Aviation Job Board

Job of the Week: Aerospace Center for Excellence executive director

The Aerospace Center for Excellence executive director position is a multi-faceted leadership role. The successful candidate would execute the center's mission to "Engage, Educate and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals." The center is part of Sun 'n Fun Fly-In Inc. in Lakeland, Florida. 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 legal assistant, an email marketing manager, a data analyst, an editorial assistant, and a content producer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Engine failure on takeoff

How would you handle an engine failure on takeoff? Do you have a plan? Get advice from a flight instructor who has done extensive training on this topic. Learn more from PilotWorkshops >

Stalls and spins

It's good to know your airplane's "book" stall speed, but is that enough to avoid an unintentional loss of lift? Take this AOPA Air Safety Institute safety quiz for a spin and test your knowledge.

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

Getting back in the cockpit after heart surgery

Dr. Kenneth Stahl explains why recovery—and returning to the cockpit—after cardiac surgery takes time. Read more >

Member benefit

Do I need title insurance if I don't need financing?

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about whether title insurance is needed when purchasing an aircraft without financing, as well as how to get an aircraft appraisal. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Article

Book review: 'Single-Pilot IFR Pro Tips'

Single-Pilot IFR Pro Tips by Gary Reeves is a lively read full of unconventional wisdom. The points are provocative, well-argued, and backed up with examples from his vast experience. Read more >

Photo of the Week

California sun

AOPA Senior Photographer Mike Fizer captured this photograph of aviation humorist and author Rod Machado flying his 1972 Cessna 150 through sunrays on a flight from California's Chino Airport to Catalina Island. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

What should I do if I realize I made one or more flights as pilot in command after my flight review expired?

Answer

If you have done this, don't go broadcasting the fact, do get a flight review as your next flight, and set reminders so it doesn't happen again. File a NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System report if you are so inclined. If a flight instructor, a designated pilot examiner, or an FAA inspector asks you about the incident, be truthful. 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

Aug 3, 3 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug 20, 11 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Sep 2, 5 p.m. EDT	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

Hartzell President JJ Frigge talks about new products

'A Pair of Wings' author Carole Hopson

Garmin's Cliff Pemble on earning the Collier Trophy for Autoland

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'An oil filter inspection is non-invasive, unless you're an oil filter'

'Hangar Talk': Student pilot, A&P apprentice Meagan Huerta

'Pilot Briefing': Week of July 12, 2021

'There I was...': John Lancaster

'Never Again': Engine out at night

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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