Training and Safety Tip: Preflight mindset


VOL 22, ISSUE 40	October 7, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Preflight mindset

Preflight your aircraft like it's trying to kill you, even more so when you're inclined to trust it. Aviation is no place for complacency. Read more >

Technique

Checkride 101

Bring your 'A' game

Instructors and students often ask longtime instructor and FAA-designated examiner Natalie Bingham Hoover where most pilots trip up on checkrides. Without question, she reports, the trouble is in the traffic pattern. Read more >

Flight Training News

Online Resource

Safety in numbers

General aviation accidents declined in number and rate in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available for detailed analysis in the thirty-second Joseph T. Nall Report from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. Read more and view the report >

Road trip

Doing the Dead Cow drag

More than 10 years ago, a group of friends who loved flying in the backcountry banded together to start a fly-in on a high desert lakebed. Read more >

AOPA Pilot Video Producer's Pick

Diversion decision

Running behind schedule on a long cross-country, a check on facilities at the intended destination prompts a change in plan. AOPA Pilot Video Producer Sierra Harrop thinks it through out loud. Watch the video >

Article

Mental health? Check

You are missing a crucial component if you are not incorporating a mental health review into your pre-departure checklist. Read more >

Article

Fall scholarship opportunities in all corners of aviation

Multiple organizations aim to expand aviation education opportunities by offering scholarships for aviation enthusiasts from all backgrounds who plan to pursue careers in different niches of the industry. Read more >

AOPA Pilot Video Producer's Pick

Perfect fit

What do you get when you put a twin-engine Piper Aztec on straight floats? A perfect multiengine seaplane trainer (and cargo hauler) that is an easy transition for seaplane pilots with experience flying float-equipped singles. Watch the video >

Career News

Premium content

Saving fuel

Airplanes are notoriously expensive to operate. One of the biggest costs is the cost of fuel, so as fuel prices go up, costs go up and fuel saving initiatives get, well, reinitiated. Read more >

Article

Festival celebrates Latinas in Aviation

October drizzle did not dampen the spirits of those celebrating pioneering women who are leading the way to a more diverse aviation community. Read more >

Five questions

Meet Mason Rowe

When 17-year-old Mason Rowe spoke onstage in the AOPA Pavilion at EAA AirVenture 2022, the audience couldn't help expressing amazement. Read more >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Instructor, Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chicago

The Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chicago is hiring aviation maintenance technology instructors to train the next generation of A&P mechanics in a new Part 147 training facility. Full-time and part-time positions are available. 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 Aviation Finance account executive, a high school initiative coordinator, a medical certification specialist, and a senior manager of communications. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Aeromedical assessment

Just as we do a thorough preflight of the aircraft, it is as important for us to self-assess our ability to go flying. Learn how to conduct this assessment and more in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Center.

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

How much is your airplane worth? Are you sure?

It may be a good time to refamiliarize yourself with your insurance policy if you haven't reviewed it recently. Read more >

Pilot protection services

The perceived pilot fear

If you ask nonpilots about their three biggest fears, they might say public speaking, death, and flying. What would pilots list? Read more >

Photo of the Week

Hot air and warm smiles

Fifty years ago Sid Cutter, a U.S. Air Force pilot from an aviation family, proposed a balloon rally and race for the 50-year anniversary of an Albuquerque, New Mexico, radio station. Five decades later the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta draws more than 600 balloonists and 810,000 spectators. Read the story and view more photography from AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis and follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

A designated pilot examiner failed a certificate applicant for not following FAA practical test standards, though the pilot's operating handbook called for a different procedure. If there is a conflict, which is the correct guidance to follow?

Answer

The short answer is, follow the regulation, and make sure the aircraft you plan to take the test in can safely follow the regulation, also. FAR 61.45(b) states that an aircraft used for a practical test must have "(i) The equipment for each area of operation required for the practical test" and "(ii) No prescribed operating limitations that prohibit its use in any of the areas of operation required for the practical test," among other requirements. As one pilot suggested, "If you plan on pursuing a procedure during a practical test that might be a problem, the time to address it is during the briefing for the flight." 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

Nov 5	Tampa, Florida; West Chicago, Illinois; Hayden, Idaho; Aurora, Oregon; and Henderson, Nevada
Nov 19	McKinney, Texas
Dec 3	Frederick, Maryland; and Glendale, Arizona

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

Oct 20, 12 p.m. EDT	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Ask an A&P (Getting wrenched)
Nov 15, 7 p.m. EST	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.

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': 'We're card-carrying members of overthinkers anonymous'

'Hangar Talk': Praising the Turbine Otter

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Oct 3, 2022

'There I was...': Devin Miller

'Never Again': Into a monster

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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