Training and Safety Tip: More than a feeling


VOL 22, ISSUE 19	May 13, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

More than a feeling

Unintentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions remains a leading factor in weather-related fatal accidents. When visual references are lost, loss of aircraft control soon follows if pilots fall victim to spatial disorientation. Read more >

Technique

Checkride 101

No Googling allowed

Do you remember back in school when the teacher would say a test was going to be open book? Read more >

Flight Training News

Podcast

'There I was...': Training flight trouble

During a training flight in Southern California, CFI Trevor Peterson and his student found themselves dealing with a rough running engine and loss of oil pressure in their Cessna 172. Listen to the podcast >

Always learning

Landing frenzy

Stunningly clear Saturday afternoons often lead to busy airport traffic patterns. This day proved exceptional, and landing was a real challenge even with controllers directing traffic. Read more >

What am I

Speed with sophistication

Our aircraft operate in an environment that is inherently unkind to performance. Turbonormalizing improves performance with fewer pitfalls. Read more >

Article

Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

Take it from a longtime, old-school flight instructor: Far too often students don't ask questions when they should. Read more >

Article

GIFT Academy on the West Coast

Girls in Flight Training Academy, a week of immersive, intensive flight training for women, will bring its program to the West Coast in 2022, along with sessions in Wisconsin and Texas. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': WASP advocate Erin Miller

Celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, advocate Erin Miller shares what it took for WASP members to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Plus, catch up on the latest aviation news. Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live® Producer's Pick

The new Daher TBM 960

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Tom Horne takes you along for a flight in the most sophisticated TBM yet. Watch the video >

Career News

Instructor report

Mix it up

Seeing, hearing, doing, and reading are all valid ways to learn, though they don't all work equally well for every lesson. Read more >

Five questions

Mars pioneer Håvard Fjær Grip

One year ago, Håvard Fjær Grip became Earth's first pilot to fly an aircraft on another planet. Read more >

Podcast

'Ask the A&Ps': 'Use the TLAR system. That looks about right'

From the seemingly benign—what tire ply to use—to the extreme—hitting 500 degrees on a cylinder—hosts Mike Busch, Paul New, and Colleen Sterling face it all on this month's Ask the A&Ps. And we mean all, like Ron's 172 that produces a loud bang exactly two minutes after shutting down. Listen to the latest episode and submit your questions.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of operations, CB Aviation

The director of operations at CB Aviation in Salt Lake City, Utah, is responsible for operational performance, ensuring each flight is conducted with the highest degree of safety and in compliance with FAA regulations. 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 editorial assistant, a Legal Services Plan attorney, a graphic designer, a staff accountant, a financial analyst, a development operations manager, and an aviation technical writer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Emergency procedures

There's no way to be totally prepared for every emergency. But practice, planning, and good judgment can help. This AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight looks at ways to handle those critical situations.

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

Operational control and aircraft leasing

It is important to understand which party is exercising operational control in an aircraft leasing transaction to ensure compliance with FAA regulations. Read more >

Photo of the Week

WASP homecoming

Women Airforce Service Pilots member Shirley Chase Kruse, who flew test flight missions during World War II, greets National WASP World War II Museum volunteers and their families during the eightieth anniversary reunion of the female World War II pilots. Read AOPA's story and see more photos by AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis. Follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to check out more work from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

I've been using a Lightspeed Sierra active noise reduction headset since I got my certificate in 2018 with good results. However, I've recently been diagnosed with minor to intermediate hearing loss in some high-frequency ranges. My problem dates back prior to flying, but it's getting worse and I want to do everything I can to keep what hearing I have. Even with the Sierra headset I've noticed my ears ringing after a recent 2.5-hour flight. Has anyone else encountered a similar situation? What helped?

Answer

One pilot suggested wearing earplugs as well as a headset, citing his personal hearing preservation even after repeated 100-plus hours per month in the cockpit as a CFI. 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

May 21	Midland, Michigan; Buffalo, Minnesota; and La Porte, Indiana
Jun 4	Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Miami, Florida
Jun 11	Greenville, South Carolina; and Las Cruces, New Mexico
Jul 9	Medford, Oregon

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

May 19, 12 p.m. EDT	'Don't Get Rusty' series: FAA regs ... we know, but we're still going to do it.
May 26, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Air Safety Institute NTSB Insider: Finding the golden BB
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

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

Bernd Junkers

First paraplegic Cirrus Vision Jet pilot Clayton Smeltz

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'Use the TLAR system. That looks about right'

'Hangar Talk': WASP advocate Erin Miller

'Pilot Briefing': Week of May 9, 2022

'There I was...': Trevor Peterson

'Never Again': Thunderstorms in the vicinity

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