Training and Safety Tip: Lost com


VOL 22, ISSUE 38	September 23, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Lost com

From primary training to flight reviews, pilots are quizzed on air traffic control light gun signals that are rarely used. Modern phones also have radios. Read more >

Technique

Gyro Hero

Controlled emergencies

With such simple systems and relatively low cruise speeds, gyroplanes can be very safe aircraft, and emergencies are where they really shine. Read more >

Flight Training News

Online resource

Recent midair collisions raise concern

Midair collisions involving instructional flights have alarmed the general aviation community. Now is a good time to review procedures and renew focus on situational awareness. Find detailed guidance in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight.

Essential aerodynamics

In this AOPA Air Safety Institute online course you'll learn about aerodynamic principles, gain a better understanding of how your airplane flies, and develop an improved awareness of what could lead to unintended upsets during flight.

Pilot magazine

Mitigating the skill loss to high fuel cost

It's a simple truth that high fuel prices limit hours flown for most of us. There's no getting around that, but there are other ways to keep skills from fading. Read more >

AOPA Pilot Video Producer's Pick

'It always wants to pitch up'

Fokker triplane owner Chris Hill organized a fly-in of rare early warplanes. He relishes his aerodynamically unstable airplane propelled by a piston-powered gyroscope. "You have to be the master of the airplane, or it'll make a fool of you." Watch the video >

Career News

Article

Salukis join United Aviate

Southern Illinois University Carbondale and United Airlines forged a partnership to provide SIU students the most secure and direct path to a United flight deck. Read more >

Article

Cirrus Aircraft expands Duluth operations

Cirrus Aircraft plans to develop a state-of-the-art workspace for an expanded roster of engineering talent. Read more >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Manager of maintenance training, Mountain Air Cargo

This position is responsible for the daily tracking and scheduling of maintenance training for the maintenance department and requires a current FAA certificate with an A rating, a P rating, or A&P ratings. 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

Takeoffs and landings

Because of their close proximity to the ground, takeoffs and landings leave little margin for error. Learn what you need to know in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Center.

Article

Look, listen, speak for backcountry safety

Safe backcountry flying requires more communication than you might think, with a heaping helping of anticipation that you may not be alone out there. Read more >

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

A healthy dose of skepticism

Optimism is a fine quality, but pilots are best served by expecting unwelcome surprises. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Advocacy

FAA launches IFR pilot self-briefing course

The FAA has launched its IFR pilot self-briefing course to help pilots become familiar with performing weather briefings without help from flight service. Read more >

Photo of the Week

King of Diamonds

Time is running out to build your hand for the AOPA Poker Run National Flight Challenge in the AOPA app. Fly the hand you're dealt, even if it isn't this Diamond DA62 captured by photographer Mike Fizer, and collect your cards before the challenge ends September 30. Follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

I am a low-time private pilot who did something dumb this afternoon while departing the pattern. Air traffic control pointed out my mistake and advised me to follow proper procedure next time. I have heard stories of pilots being directed to call a number or being met by someone on the ground at arrival when similar mistakes were observed. None of that happened. I have not been told that the FAA is investigating any kind of violation, but how long will it take until I can be sure that will not happen?

Answer

If ATC was going to report you to the flight standards district office, they would have given you the Brasher Notification advising you to contact a particular facility with a specified phone number. Since they didn't, just remember to fly correctly next time. Pilots concerned about a possible violation should consider filing a NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System report detailing what happened, what was done wrong, and what should have been done. The FAA considers such reports to be a sign of pilot contrition that is likely to be taken into account if the agency is considering enforcement. NASA reports are anonymous, and copies of any that are filed should be kept for six months if the pilot wishes to provide them to the FAA. Regulations preclude enforcement action for violations older than six months. 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

Oct 8	Naples, Florida; and La Crosse, Wisconsin
Nov 5	Tampa, Florida; West Chicago, Illinois; Hayden, Idaho; Aurora, Oregon; and Henderson, Nevada
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

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': 'I'm a choir boy in the church of lean of peak'

'Hangar Talk': Team USA aerobatic soaring competitor Shad Coulson

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Sep 19, 2022

'There I was...': Devin Miller

'Never Again': Into a monster

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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