February 5, 2016 - VOL 16, ISSUE 6

Flight Training News

Article

12 hours, two tickets

Here's a fun way to spend your next birthday: Get up early, drive three hours, and spend the rest of the day until past dark taking tests. That's what high school student Isaac Wilson from Ramah, New Mexico, did on his seventeenth birthday to earn his private pilot certificate (rotorcraft) and instrument rating on his very first day of eligibility. Wilson used the $12,000 Noe-Singer Flight Training Scholarship through the AOPA Flight Training Scholarship Program to help pay for the ratings. Read more...  

Article

'Aircraft carrier' teaches teens STEM

A full-immersion spring break program in Florida allows science, technology, engineering, and math students to experience life aboard a virtual aircraft carrier that is the closest thing to enlisting, without the service commitment. Read more...  

Article

'Flying to my heart's content'

Less than one year after attending an AOPA Rusty Pilots seminar and receiving 34 hours of instruction, William Buchanan is an aircraft owner and active pilot with a new tailwheel endorsement and fresh flight review: "And now I'm flying to my heart's content." Read more...  

PDF

Best glide vs. minimum sink speed

In the latest edition of FAAST Blast, the FAA explains the difference between best glide and minimum sink speeds, as well as how to find the speeds for your aircraft, and tips for when to use which airspeed. The agency also encourages students and instructors to practice both during dual instruction lessons simulating emergencies. Download the fact sheet...

Scholarships

Upwind opens airplane, helo scholarships

High school students interested in earning a pilot certificate in an airplane or helicopter can apply for scholarships through the Upwind Foundation. The California-based group is offering scholarships that will cover ground and flight training, study materials, and flight planning tools. The scholarships target students who can begin ground training in April and flight training this summer between their junior and senior years of high school. The organization also is offering a Youth Training Initiative scholarship for a youth or young adult to continue flight training toward another rating or certificate. The scholarship application deadline is Feb. 26.

Plane Spotter

Backcountry Bearhawks

From four-seat utility aircraft to a quick-build light-sport model, the high-winged, single-engine taildraggers of Bearhawk Aircraft based in Austin, Texas, offer choices to fit the needs and wants of many pilots. One interest most of those pilots have in common is a taste for backcountry-style airstrips. Bearhawk's website notes, "the Bearhawk can operate safely from most any field that is called an airport." A Bearhawk LSA demonstrated its short-takeoff-and-landing capabilities at EAA Airventure 2014 with a takeoff roll of 94 feet and a landing roll of 140 feet during a STOL competition.

Training Products and Resources

Safety Spotlight

Polish your airport etiquette

Depending on whether you learned to fly at a towered or nontowered airport, you may feel anxious to self-announce on the unicom or communicate with air traffic controllers. Whether you're new to these environments or just need a refresher, prepare with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Operations at Airports Safety Spotlight to operate effortlessly at any field. Take a look...  

CFI postcard system tracks students' progress

A postcard tracking system could help instructors increase communication with their students, Matt Van Wolput, a New Jersey pilot and certificated flight instructor candidate, believes. "Generally, students don't quit on us, we get fired," he said. Van Wolput, who is also a martial arts instructor, adapted his martial arts postcard tracking system for flight training. The printed cards and an efficient filing system help instructors track students' milestones and significant renewal dates. Download the free tracking system or purchase a package of 25 themed flight training postcard reminders for less than $10.

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

Article

Get rewarded for recruiting new AOPA members

Invite your friends into the AOPA community and give them a lift in their personal flying. Just for sharing AOPA with them, you will get rewarded too. Read more...  

Member benefit

Understand your insurance liability limits

The last thing you want to deal with after an accident or incident is an undue financial burden. That's why you need to understand your insurance liability limits. Your lender will want to know too. Most loan documents will require proof of proper coverage, and failing to comply could put you in default of your loan agreement. Read more...  

Instrument Tip

Flash-based; login required

Real-world road map for IFR rules

If the prospect of wading through the FAR/AIM to study and interpret instrument flight rules is daunting, you might welcome some practical guidance from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. The IFR Insights: Regulations free online course connects the rules to the real world of instrument flying to help you stay legal and safe. Take the course...

IFR Fix

'Maintain VFR'

With clouds close above and a populated marina below, a pilot departing VFR in expectation of receiving an IFR clearance found only disappointment, not vectors. Read more...  

Final Exam

Question

While practicing pattern work at a nontowered airport, you notice a helicopter in the opposite traffic pattern. You recall that the helicopter is the more maneuverable aircraft, so its pilot must give way to you in the airplane. You both call your base leg at approximately the same time; however, the helicopter pilot flies a tighter pattern and calls final first. Who has the right of way?

Answer

In this scenario, the helicopter pilot has the right of way. According to 14 CFR 91.113(g), "When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft."

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 social media evangelist, Flying Clubs Initiative manager, marketing copywriter, Web project manager, High School Aviation Initiative senior director, member services representative, and Legal Services Plan attorney. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.