Training Tips
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Article
As the student pilot climbs to a higher altitude for air work, he is caught off guard by a strong jolt of turbulence. Winds aloft at this altitude were forecast to be about 30 knots; the turbulence, which is continuing, could indicate that the aircraft has entered a shear zone between the strong winds aloft and the light surface wind. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
Winners of the 2015 Flight Training Excellence Awards, presented by Flight Training magazine, shared aviation training success stories and accepted silver-winged trophies and plaques for their accomplishments during a ceremony at AOPA headquarters Dec. 2. Read more...
Article
Free scheduling software is among a suite of new benefits and tools now available to flying clubs, AOPA announced Dec. 3. Read more...
Advocacy
Pilots may be missing important sounds, including cockpit warnings, when wearing noise-canceling headsets, the FAA warns. Read more...
Georgia school adds new course
An aviation elective is being offered at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove, Georgia, about 20 miles southeast of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Retired Navy Capt. Steve Seal, an FAA-qualified instructor with more than 5,000 hours, teaches students about the importance of aviation in culture and the world. "The atmosphere is positive, the staff is caring and simply great, and it is really a good place for students to thrive," Seal said.
Mentors needed to help restore Jodel D11
The young female students of the Alice Paul Institute in Camden, New Jersey—along with local Girl Scouts—are working together to recover the wing of a donated Jodel D11 aircraft, and they are searching for female aviators who would like to be mentors during the restoration process. The Camden Youth Aviation Program aims to show young people all aspects of aviation. "We hope to give them something to dream about and rise above the limits of their environment," said Ira Weissman, program coordinator. Weissman said the Jodel D11 will become a training aircraft once repaired.
National Flight Academy open house to showcase STEM programs
The National Flight Academy will host a free open house Dec. 5 to showcase how its programs inspire students to develop their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills. The self-supporting academy, located adjacent to the National Naval Aviation Museum at Florida's Naval Air Station Pensacola, invites families to learn about its Ambition program, which provides immersive six-day aviation-themed learning experiences for students, primarily in grades 7 through 12, aboard the academy's simulated aircraft carrier Ambition. The open house will take place Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Scholarships
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Article
Pilot Getaways is publishing a yearly calendar helping to celebrate late co-founder John Kounis's life with proceeds benefiting an AOPA flight training scholarship named in his honor. Read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
AOPA editors pitted a pair of freshly reimagined Cessna two-seaters head-to-head in a fly-off for the bantamweight trainer title. The Cessna 150 and 152 were lined up on the ramp, a coin was flipped, and the drag race began. Flight training excellence is all about the people who make it happen at schools, institutions, and airports across the country. AOPA invited the nation's best to Frederick, Maryland, to honor their achievements with the 2015 Flight Training Excellence Awards. The association also released a number of new resources for flying clubs, including free online scheduling software. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Dec. 3...
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Plane Spotter
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Papa 51
Owner-built aircraft and World War II-era warbirds might seem to belong to unrelated aircraft families—until you spot an airplane with its beginnings in both worlds. Take the Thunder Mustang, a three-quarter-scale, 640-horsepower speed demon based on the North American Rockwell P-51D. It has even taken on its "ancestor" at the National Championship Air Races. With a 3,000-pound-gross-weight climb of 5,500 fpm, and a 75-percent-power cruise speed of 295 knots, the Thunder Mustang is "the fastest piston-powered kit plane ever built," claims the kit's manufacturer.
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Training Products and Resources
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Sporty's updates 'Flying with ForeFlight' course
Aviation apps change quickly, so it's a challenge to keep up with major program revisions without receiving specific training. Sporty's Pilot Shop has significantly updated its comprehensive Flying with ForeFlight video training program for version 7.0. "With so many pilots flying with ForeFlight and iPads, we must keep our training programs current to reflect the latest advances and versions of software. Technology moves fast," said Sporty's Vice President John Zimmerman in a Nov. 24 news release. Flying with ForeFlight is available online for $29.99.
Safety Spotlight
According to the AOPA Air Safety Institute, "the best type of accident is one that's avoided." With that in mind, are you fully prepared to make the right choices for the best outcome the next time you fly? Sharpen your decision-making process with a little help from the Aeronautical Decision Making Safety Spotlight.
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Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.
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Member Benefits
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Pilot Protection Services
Dr. Warren Silberman, former manager of FAA Aerospace Medical Certification, offers advice on what to do if you are charged with a DUI offense. Read more...
Webinar
Learn the steps and procedures for buying and selling an aircraft in an AOPA Pilot Protection Services webinar Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The webinar will include legal and tax tips concerning the pre-purchase inspection of an aircraft, contract review and negotiation, title searches, the bill of sale, sales-and-use tax, and aircraft registration. Register today...
Webinar
Lockheed Martin and AOPA will host a webinar Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to explain the advanced flight planning capabilities available to pilots at www.1800wxbrief.com. Lockheed Martin staff will be on hand to answer questions during the webinar. Register...
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Blogs
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A common question among new airline hires concerns the probationary year. What exactly is probation, and how does it work? Flight Training blogger Chip Wright explains. Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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IFR Fix
With ice accreting, the aircraft no longer able to climb, and peaks of the Sierras nearby, all the pilot wanted was an escape. Read more...
Flash-based; login required
With a new instrument rating in his wallet and his family on board his Cessna 172, Heath Wells expected to comfortably complete a flight across central Pennsylvania. But Mother Nature had other plans that almost spoiled the day. Watch Real Pilot Story: Icing Encounter to learn what Wells found out the hard way...
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Final Exam
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Question
If an in-flight emergency arises while you are receiving clearances from ATC, are you still required to comply with ATC instructions?
Answer
No. A pilot may deviate from ATC clearances in the event of an emergency. (Source: FAR 91.123.)
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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 Flight Training Online or AOPA Online. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
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Career Opportunities
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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a member services representative, legal services plan attorney, legal services plan administrative assistant, Southern regional manager, Western Pacific regional manager, major gift officer, and account executive.To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Dec 5-6 - Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; and Northbrook, Illinois
Jan 9-10 - Spokane, Washington; Charlotte, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; Santa Clara, California; and Ridgeland, Mississippi
Jan 16-17 - Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Elkridge, Maryland
Jan 23-24 - Rockford, Tennessee; Long Beach, California; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jan 11 - Reno, Nevada; and The Woodlands, Texas
Jan 12 - Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 13 - Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan 14 - Santa Rosa, California; and Austin, Texas
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Dec 5 - Scottsdale, Arizona; and Winter Haven, Florida
Dec 12 - Stow, Massachusetts
Dec 16 - Lancaster, California
Dec 17 - Addison, Texas
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse |
Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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