Training and Safety Tip: Details matter


VOL 22, ISSUE 28	July 15, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Details matter

One of the first things you learn as a student pilot is how to inspect the airplane before flight. The preflight might seem lengthy, but don't rush it. Read more >

Technique

Article

Fun with a purpose

"Push forward on the yoke and the houses get bigger, pull back and the houses get smaller"—true until you encounter stalls, spins, and unusual attitudes. Read more >

Flight Training News

You Can Fly

Flying with 'Crystal' and 'Leonard'

Cathy Frankel, CFI and owner of Learn to Fly flight school, is bringing her passion for aviation and love of teaching to historic Kingman, Arizona, with help from the AOPA Flight Training Advantage training platform. Read more and watch a video >

Ask AOPA

Clear communication

What does the "English Proficient" limitation on your pilot certificate mean? Read more >

Always learning

Gut check

Aerobatic and upset training allows us to practice what to do when a normal situation turns abnormal. It also addresses potentially dangerous gaps in our understanding. Read more >

Podcast

'There I was...': VFR into a blizzard

While flying his Piper Cherokee 160 VFR from Arizona to Utah, Michael Koury suddenly found himself in zero-visibility blizzard conditions.Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Pilot Video Producer's Pick

One wild ride

Professor H. Paul Shuch, known to most for his work searching for intelligent life on other planets, is also the proud owner of a Bristell TDO that is numerically rarer than known potentially habitable exoplanets. Watch the video >

Career News

Day in the Life

Be your own boss

Want to set your own schedule, work only as often as you like, make good money, have a fulfilling career, and be accountable to no one when you're not working? Contract flying might be a good career option. Read more >

Opportunities abound at AirVenture job fair

JSfirm.com and the Experimental Aircraft Association will once again host a weeklong job fair during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin. The job fair will take place July 25 through 31. Exhibitors include Air Wisconsin Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Flexjet, Envoy Air, Boeing Co., Textron Aviation, and many more.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFIs, Tampa Bay Aviation

Tampa Bay Aviation in Clearwater, Florida, is seeking professional individuals for an immediate opportunity with its flight school team. 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 an exhibits coordinator, a medical certification specialist, a product marketing coordinator, a senior manager of communications, a Legal Services Plan attorney, a Western Pacific regional manager, and a graphic designer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Pilot Magazine

Storm savvy

Those new to flying may not be aware of the wealth of predictive information about thunderstorms that is available. Read more >

Danger of density altitude

Density altitude is about as magical as lift but is a concept all pilots should be familiar with. Get a better grasp of how this unseen danger can affect your flight with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.

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

AOPA aviation finance

What are my options?

Adam Meredith, president of AOPA Aviation Finance Co., answers questions about options for title insurance and financing an aircraft. Read more >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Accident report: Botched go-around

How could a proficient pilot botch a go-around with tragic consequences? This PilotWorkshops video shows a normal situation escalating out of control. Watch the accident analysis for valuable insights.

Pilot protection services

Mental health considerations for pilots

We as a pilot community need to recognize that mental health pathology is very treatable and is by no means necessarily a disqualifying and grounding condition. Read more >

Photo of the Week

Ramp appeal

Kitfox STi

The side-by-side two-seat Kitfox is a stick-and-rudder machine designed for adventures. Most commonly seen exploring the backcountry or competing in short-takeoff-and-landing demos, this experimental aircraft, captured here by AOPA Director of Photography Chris Rose, could be the perfect fit for a pilot looking to get off the beaten path. Follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see more work from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

I am a private pilot with an expired flight review. Do I need a current flight review to take a practical test for a commercial pilot certificate?

Answer

If your flight review is expired, you cannot act as pilot in command for the practical test, and the designated pilot examiner is likely to call you out on that point. According to FAR 61.47(b), the DPE is not the PIC during a practical test, so the applicant must be. DPEs can agree to act in that capacity, but they are not required to do so. In any case, this issue is best addressed before you show up for the practical test. 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. (Log in to the online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to see this discussion.) 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. Have a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

Stay sharp with AOPA's seminars, webinars, podcasts, and videos.

AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars

Jul 27	Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Aug 6	Cleveland, Ohio, and Amarillo, Texas
Aug 13	Nashville, Tennessee, and Rochester, Minnesota
Aug 20	Columbus, Indiana, and Danville, Kentucky

For a complete schedule, visit our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Jul 21, 12 p.m. EDT	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Oh gosh! Oshkosh?!
Aug 24, 12 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

Building the aviation community—Vermont Aviators Association

New Aerospace Center for Excellence leader Eric Crump

'The Aviators'/'The RVers'/'The Boaters' TV shows' Anthony Nalli

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Live® YouTube channel.

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'I'm a reformed shock cooling worrier'

'Hangar Talk': Mooney Caravan leader Chuck Crinnian

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Jul 11, 2022

'There I was...': Michael Koury

'Never Again': Geese on final

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

Flight Training Editors:
Niki Britton
Alyssa Cobb
Lillian Geil
Jim Moore
Jill Tallman

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alicia Herron
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Cayla McLeod
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
David Tulis
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

Advertise in Flight Training:
Initial advertising inquiries:
Donna Stoner, 301-695-2336

Eastern and Central United States, Canada, and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Jonathan Taylor, 301-695-2338

AOPA Advertising website