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Training Tip: Who's in charge here?

AOPA Flight Training
VOL 21, ISSUE 19 May 7, 2021
Training Tips
Who's in charge here?
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
Who's in charge here?
The phrase "falling behind the airplane" conjures up the image of a pilot who is being overtaken by events in flight and needs to do something about it—and fast. Read more >
Technique
Sponsored by AssuredPartners Aerospace and USAIG
Tips for avoiding hard landings
This AOPA Air Safety Institute video examines causes of hard landings and suggests tips for smooth touchdowns your passengers—and your pocketbook—will appreciate.
Article
Roller coaster ride
Aerobatic flight training builds and refines skills that can benefit every other aspect of a pilot's repertoire. Read more >
Flight Training News
You Can Fly
AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey opens May 15
On May 15, AOPA will begin seeking out flight training excellence with the 2021 Flight Training Experience Survey. Read more >
Digital edition
Dreaming of becoming a pilot?
In this You Can Fly special edition of Flight Training magazine, we explain what you can expect on your journey to become a pilot—from your introductory flight through initial training. Read more >
Accident Analysis
Maydays
Declaring an emergency too late is far worse than declaring it too early, or even unnecessarily. Read more >
Article
Explore the West during ForeFlight Fly-Out
Fly to certain airports in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah in May to take part in the ForeFlight Fly-Out. Read more >
Webinar
Enhance your backcountry experience
Join industry leaders who are working to ensure that your backcountry flying experiences are fun, safe, and sustainable for a webinar on May 11 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Register now >
Article
Leonardo unveils new training academy
Leonardo unveiled its latest training facility in Philadelphia, the first in the United States, on April 29. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
Earthrounding mentor; Local aviation; Back to face-to-face
Friendship and teamwork overcome circumnavigation challenges, NASA envisions expanded role for general aviation airports, and old friends emerge from lockdown to gather again. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Career News
Five questions
Meet Shinji Maeda
A motor vehicle crash that blinded Japanese-born Shinji Maeda in one eye at age 18 nearly extinguished his dream of becoming a professional pilot. Now, he's on a mission to fly a Bonanza solo around the world. Read more >
Blog
Preparation behind the scenes
Flight Training blogger and airline pilot Chip Wright gives you a behind-the-scenes look as the airlines prepare for the summer travel season and begin to order supplies for next winter. Read more >
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Aviation maintenance technician, California Aeronautical University
California Aeronautical University in Bakersfield, California, is hiring an aviation maintenance technician to perform repairs and scheduled maintenance on aircraft. 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 services representative, a digital media specialist, a marketing specialist, and a customer service representative (legal services). To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Training Products and Resources
Article
Trescott releases G3000, G5000 book
Max Trescott, author of popular books on the Garmin G1000 and GPS/WAAS, recently released a new book dedicated to the Garmin G3000 and G5000. Read more >
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
Reasons to consider an asset-based loan
In some cases, a loan based on assets rather than credit might be preferable. Consider these five examples. Read more >
Instrument Tip
IFR Fix
Approaches, badly missed
Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed when a pilot flying an RNAV instrument approach to a coastal Massachusetts airport missed the approach for an unusual reason. Read more >
Photo of the Week
Ramp Appeal: Ercoupe
Premium content
Ramp Appeal: Ercoupe
Ercoupe owners typically budget a few extra minutes of time after landing to explain to curious onlookers the nuances and the allure of the two-seat, twin-tail, spin-proof, pre-World War II budget buy. Read more >
Final Exam
Question

Are pilots required to monitor 121.5 MHz (also known as "Guard") while in flight?
Answer
Yes. The legal requirement to monitor 121.5 MHz at all times during flight in the U.S. national airspace system if capable was promulgated as an FDC notam. FDC notams are regulatory, so this requirement has the force of law. If you have only one com radio and are actively using it for other communications, then you are excused. But if you're motoring along not talking to anyone else, by this rule, you must have it on 121.5 MHz. Likewise, if you have two radios, the second one must be on 121.5 MHz unless you're using it to get other information. 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
May 11, 8 p.m. EDT Enhancing your backcountry experience
May 12, 7 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Spring, Texas)
May 13, 12 p.m. EDT 'Don't Get Rusty' series: Technically tech savvy?
May 15, 12 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Redding, California)
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
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.
AOPA podcasts
'Ask the A&Ps': 'Heavy detonation is normally a self-correcting event'
'Hangar Talk': Apache helicopter pilot Jason Hedrick
'Pilot Briefing': Week of May 3, 2021
'There I was...': John 'Pappy' Mazza
'Never Again': What doesn't kill us
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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