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

AOPA Flight Training
VOL 22, ISSUE 12 March 25, 2022
Training and Safety Tips
Escaping the VFR-into-IMC trap
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
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.
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