Training Tips
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Article
Temporary flight restrictions can pop up on very short notice in unexpected places, making it a bad idea to launch without checking for any TFR activity first. TFRs can be activated for a variety of reasons, from VIP travel and national security to keeping airspace clear for firefighting operations. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
The latest release of the AOPA Flight Planner, powered by Jeppesen, adds four new features to ease flight planning and improve safety, including a unique fuel-warning system and the ability to send the flight plan to ForeFlight Mobile and WingX Pro7. Read more...
Article
Aircraft misfueling continues to be a problem in general aviation even though it is preventable. The AOPA Air Safety Institute looks into the issue and provides simple tips to prevent it from happening to you. Read more...
Article
As flight schools struggle to hire and retain CFIs, flight instructor compensation packages might have to become more creative, according to the results of a compensation trends survey conducted by the Flight School Association of North America. Read more...
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Article
Liberty University beefed up its ground-based realistic flight training by ordering two Frasca flight training devices, one each to simulate a twin-engine Piper Seminole and a single-engine Cessna 172 aircraft, according to a Feb. 10 news release. Read more...
Member benefit
Preflighting an aircraft during the winter can be a shiver-inducing experience, but the benefits of increased visibility and better aircraft performance that come with cold temperatures make winter an enjoyable time to fly. Here are six tips to keep your winter flying safe. Read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
User fees, private ATC, and medical reform continue to be the focus as AOPA works to shape the proposed FAA reauthorization bill. Col. Charles E. McGee was among 900 fighter pilots who trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, in the 1940s, and he spoke to a crowd at the AOPA National Aviation Community Center about his distinguished military career that spanned three wars, included 409 combat missions, and helped end segregation. Also this week, cool updates to the AOPA Flight Planner, powered by Jeppesen. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Feb. 18...
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Plane Spotter
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Ultra-new Mooneys
The 11,000 aircraft that have been produced at Mooney Aircraft's Kerrville, Texas, factory have long been recognized by their visually distinctive designs, just as they have been sought after for their speedy performance. Production stopped in 2010 during an industrywide downturn—then resumed to great acclaim in 2014 with production of the top-of-the-line M20 Acclaim and Ovation. Evolution of those designs continues. The new turbocharged M20V Acclaim Ultra and the normally aspirated M20U Ovation Ultra include a pilot-side door, a new feature that should make spotting easy.
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Training Products and Resources
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Video
Did you know the AOPA Air Safety Institute's videos are also available on its YouTube channel? Join more than 13,000 subscribers and explore additional videos, such as Runway Safety: Over the Line, excerpted from the Runway Safety online course. Join, watch, and give the videos a thumbs up!
ASA offers free commercial/CFI syllabus
Aviation Supplies & Academics' free combined commercial and flight instructor syllabus, available as a PDF download, helps pilots who are seeking their initial commercial or flight instructor certificates by highlighting flight proficiency skills and requirements for both certificates.
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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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Article
Flying clubs help lower the cost of flying and offer social benefits. Invite your friends into the AOPA membership community so they can connect with flying clubs in their area and start flying affordably. Read more...
Online resource
Learn the basic tax issues you need to know as a general aviation light aircraft owner and pilot. The AOPA Pilot's Guide to Taxes is broken into three sections: income tax, sales and use tax, and personal property tax. Find out what you can and cannot deduct...
Pilot Protection Services
Atrial fibrillation can be treated in different ways. The treatment option a pilot receives determines how long he or she must wait before applying for a special issuance medical certificate. Read more...
Member benefit
If you wait until a week or two before closing on an aircraft to secure financing, you will limit your options, and you may not be able to get the paperwork done in time. Read more...
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Blogs
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Flight Training blogger Chip Wright says the data he gets from using electronic flight bags for his preflight planning sometimes borders on information overload as he balances flight itineraries with weather and fuel conservation options. Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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IFR Fix
IFR flight planning has a new wrinkle during the first winter of mandatory procedures in effect at cold temperature restricted airports. Read more...
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Final Exam
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Question
While flipping through my logbook, I realized I had forgotten to log a few flights. Am I required to log every flight?
Answer
No. The FAA requires you to log flight time only as proof of currency or to meet the hour requirements for an additional certificate or rating. You are not required to record all of your flight time; however, doing so is recommended if you plan to make a career of flying, or need to qualify for insurance minimums. Check out AOPA's subject report on logbooks and logging time.
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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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Aviation job board
The Web project manager is a key member of AOPA's user experience team, managing the entire life cycle of projects from initiation to completion. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring timely and quality delivery of projects; providing effective communication to team members and stakeholders throughout the project life cycle; and identifying, communicating, and mitigating possible risks along the way. Application of current project management standards is expected. Read the full job description and apply today!
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an aviation technical specialist, social media evangelist, Flying Clubs Initiative manager, marketing copywriter, Web project manager, member services representative, and Legal Services Plan attorney. 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
Feb 20-21 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Sacramento, California
Feb 27-28 - Kenner, Louisiana; and Melbourne, Florida
Mar 5-6 - Ontario, California
Mar 12-13 - Phoenix, Arizona; Burlingame, California; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Virginia Beach, Virginia
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
Feb 20-21 - Puyallup, Washington
Feb 23 - Germantown, Tennessee
Feb 24 - Nashville, Tennessee
Feb 25 - Alcoa, Tennessee
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Feb 20 - Vero Beach, Florida; and Chickasha, Oklahoma
Feb 21 - Puyallup, Washington
Mar 5 - Helena, Montana; Lakeland, Florida; Elkhart, Indiana; Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Burlington, Washington; and Lawrenceville, Georgia
Mar 11 - Nashville, Tennessee
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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