Training and Safety Tip: Escaping the VFR-into-IMC trap


VOL 22, ISSUE 12	March 25, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Escaping the VFR-into-IMC trap

Student pilots must fly three hours under a hood practicing the lifesaving skill of basic attitude instrument flying. If you find yourself in clouds before you earn an instrument rating, consider at least two options to get out alive. Read more >

Technique

Premium content

The smart way down

Descending from cruise flight to the traffic pattern gets relatively little attention during flight training—but your passengers, and your engine, will appreciate you doing it right. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

Women in Aviation conference inspires, connects

After a two-year hiatus from gathering in person, Women in Aviation International welcomed more than 4,000 attendees to Nashville, Tennessee. Read more >

Always learning

Extra special

One definition of "serendipity" is a 4-G pull through inverted in someone else's airplane that you did not wake up planning to fly that day. Read more >

Article

Flying Coyote

High school student and Eagle Scout Andrew Walker started his Colorado high school's first aviation club, the Flying Coyotes. He hopes others will follow his lead. Read more >

Online resource

Share wisdom, share safety

Whether an active flight instructor, getting back into the cockpit, or simply curious about flight instruction, sign up for the CFI to CFI newsletter. Enjoy the latest edition from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

Ask AOPA

No loose ends

When aircraft change hands, the seller has one more job to do: Return the registration to the FAA. Buyers be advised, that old registration certificate should not pass through your hands. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Wally Funk honored; Gator Fly-In whets our appetite

If you missed the big show, we have highlights of Wally Funk accepting her R.A. "Bob" Hoover Trophy, and a little appetizer to kick off your spring show season in Gainesville, Florida. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Article

Taking STOL by storm

Career-focused pilots might be surprised by how much fun flying can be away from airports and schedules. Meet three women who discovered a passion for short takeoff and landing competition. Read more >

Gyro Hero

Sizing up options

Many professional pilots would fly for fun off-duty if aircraft were more affordable. For some of us, flying is strictly recreation. If you're after a frugal way to get off the ground, a gyroplane is hard to beat. Read more and watch a video >

Article

When to upgrade

Every pilot at every airline eventually has to answer the question: When is it time to upgrade to captain? Read more >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Advanced flight instructor, Republic Airways

This position will provide instruction to first-time flight instructors, conduct stage checks, and assist in mentoring flight instructors. 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 assistant editor, a creative project manager, a staff accountant, a financial analyst, a You Can Fly coordinator, a development operations manager, a front-end developer, a Legal Services Plan attorney, a UX/UI designer, an aviation technical writer, a video editor, a mobile app developer, and Northwest Mountain and Southern regional managers. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Article

Beware of thin air

High density altitude equals degraded aircraft performance, so it's critical to know your airport's values on a standard day. Learn more and order or download the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Density Altitude Poster as a reminder.

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

Hot medical topics

As more and more pilots transition to BasicMed, questions arise about prior medical certificates, vision requirements, and when (or if) the medical certification process might improve. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Video

Green dot on final instrument approach

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman shows a technique for using the flight path marker on your primary flight display to fly a precise approach every time. Watch the video >

Photo of the Week

Flying fox unboxed

Chris Rose caught up with this Kitfox in Florida, an airplane with more road miles traveled than most—having spent much of its life tucked neatly in a trailer. Read the story, and follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

Does AOPA have a supplemental type certificate to operate the Piper PA–32-260 or PA–32-300 under the BasicMed regulations?

Answer

No. An STC is not necessary as long as the Piper seventh seat kit has not been added. If it has been added, it simply needs to be removed and noted in the aircraft logbooks. (This is among many frequently asked BasicMed questions that the FAA answers online). 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 webinars, podcasts, and videos.

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Apr 14, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Air Safety Institute Weather Flying: Safety for all seasons
Apr 21, 12 p.m. EDT	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Now you see, now you don't
May 3, 7 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

First paraplegic Cirrus Vision Jet pilot Clayton Smeltz

Aviation writer Martha Lunken

Kim Kissh: What it's like to be a corporate pilot

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'We don't check the accuracy of your fuel gauges'

'Hangar Talk': Pulitzer-winning author, pilot Beverly Weintraub

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Mar. 21, 2022

'There I was...': Drew Ryan and Potomac Tracon

'Never Again': Nighttime fuel burn

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
Cayla McLeod
Jim Moore
Jill Tallman

Production Team:
Lillian Geil
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Tom Haines
Alicia Herron
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
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