April 8, 2016 - VOL 16, ISSUE 15

Flight Training News

Article

Club to get Reimagined 150

AOPA will give a Reimagined Cessna 150 to a flying club that is just starting out on its mission of making flying fun and affordable for its members. Read more...  

Article

Piper scores with UND contract

The University of North Dakota selected Piper as its next training airplane, an order worth more than 100 Archers and Seminoles. Read more...  

Article

CFI spots fire, alerts authorities

A Maryland flight instructor and his student spotted a fire and used a Bluetooth-enabled headset and ForeFlight to contact emergency crews and give them information on the location. Read more...  

Video

A glimpse into weather's future

We're living in the golden age of weather flying—and things are only going to get better. So what can we expect in the years to come? This final installment of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise video series gives you a look at how technology will change the experience of weather planning and flying. Watch the video...  

Article

Tips to advance to the airlines

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate and Horizon Air first officer Anna Chrzanowski offers tips for aviators who want to become airline pilots. Read more...  

Article

Van Nuys Airport hosts career day

The Van Nuys Airport hosted more than 1,200 high school students from California's San Fernando Valley for a career day event. Read more...  

Scholarships

Article

Able Flight awards record number of scholarships

Able Flight, the North Carolina-based organization that supports flight training for people with disabilities, has entered its tenth year and has awarded a record-setting eight scholarships for 2016. Read more...  

Plane Spotter

'Two weeks to taxi'

Whether your favorite brand of flying is cross-country, aerobatics, or touring backcountry strips, Glasair Aviation has an airplane for the mission. For those bent on building a backcountry aircraft, Glasair offers a "Two Weeks to Taxi" program for building a carbon-fiber, four-seat Glasair Sportsman, which can be configured as a taildragger, or with tricycle landing gear. Choose among horsepower options, or build an aircraft powered by a Continental CD-155 diesel engine like the Glasair Sportsman Diesel shown here. A diesel spotting hint: Look for cowling modifications that aid engine cooling.

Training Products and Resources

ASA updates pilot endorsement labels

Aviation Supplies & Academics updated its endorsement labels to reflect current regulations and student pilot certificate application process changes that went into effect April 1. The free, downloadable labels are formatted for printing on peel-and-stick stock for easy transfer to logbooks.

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.

Member Benefits

Member benefit

Get the best deal when financing a turboprop or light jet

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith provides three tips for securing the best loan for your aircraft purchase: Pick the right aircraft, be flexible, and use an aircraft finance broker. Read more...  

Pilot Protection Services

FAA paperwork requirements for common medical conditions

Throughout the year, many pilots encounter a variety of illnesses that require a visit to an urgent care center, the emergency department, or another health care provider. What should you report to the FAA on your medical application, and what documentation does the FAA need from you? Read more...  

Blogs

Learn like you are going to live forever

Veteran aviator and AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Seminar presenter Mark Grady shares tips for pilots of all levels about aviation safety and ongoing training. Grady tells Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas what advice he would give his younger pilot self after decades of flying. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

Login required

The GPS 'minimums' alphabet

Which types of RNAV (GPS) minimums are equivalent to the straight-in or circling minimums shown on GPS procedures? Do abbreviations like "LNAV" and "LPV" confuse you? You're not alone! Lift the veil on different types of GPS approach minimums with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's "IFR Quiz: GPS Approaches." Take the quiz...

Final Exam

Question

I have heard that a famous theme park purposely builds structures under 200 feet agl to avoid having to put a flashing red light at the top. Where can I find information about required lighting for tall structures?

Answer

Obstruction marking and lighting standards are detailed in FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L. Chapters 3 and 4 detail the various options available to builders and architects when it comes to marking or lighting their facilities. In general, all structures taller than 199 feet agl must be marked or otherwise lit in accordance with the advisory circular.

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.

Career Opportunities

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a communications director, pilot community development coordinator, Great Lakes "You Can Fly" ambassador, donor relations director, AOPA Foundation communications director, aviation technical specialist, Flying Clubs Initiative senior manager, marketing copywriter, interactive project manager, and member services representative. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.