Training Tips
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Article
A student pilot is taxing a Cessna 152 to the runway when the flight instructor points to a flickering light on the panel and asks the student whether it is cause for concern. "It always does that," the student responds, explaining that the light, a low-voltage warning, may illuminate "during low RPM conditions with an electrical load on the system such as during a low RPM taxi." En route to the local practice area, the student pilot's eye is drawn back to the low-voltage light, now steadily illuminated. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Quiz
How much do you really know about the common and not-so-common parts of an aircraft? AOPA challenges you to test your aircraft parts knowledge with these close-up photos. You have five minutes to complete the 15-question quiz, so open your toolbox and begin! Take the quiz...
Advocacy
The FAA's new website for researching notices to airmen, designed to eventually replace the existing PilotWeb notam page, has received its finishing touches. Read more...
Article
The future for professional pilots is looking up, based on recent hiring trends. An aviation career fair and conference in Orlando, Florida, outlines how professional pilots can make their next move while students learn how to start an aviation career of their own. Read more...
Article
Two Texas colleges have partnered with the McKinney Independent School District to offer college credit courses to high school aviation students, helping jump-start their aviation careers. Read more...
Article
AOPA's first High School Aviation Symposium in Lakeland, Florida, drew more than 150 educators and industry leaders from around the country in support of science, technology, engineering, and math education. Read more...
Flash-based, login required
Volunteer flying is exciting and rewarding, but it also requires a high level of professionalism and responsibility. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Public Benefit Flying: Balancing Safety and Compassion online course profiles real-world scenarios and includes an in-depth review of what it takes to provide patient and non-emergency medical transport, disaster relief, educational flights, and animal and environmental support. Take the course...
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Scholarships
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Article
A legacy of aviation excellence fostered by the husband and wife team of Frederick and Diane Fitts will continue through a new scholarship program funded by a memorial gift to the AOPA Foundation. Read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
Cessna's new turboprop will be powered by GE. We'll show you the details, and what else has people talking in Las Vegas at the National Business Aviation Association convention. Also this week, fly the Griffon Lionheart, a modern kitplane with the classic lines of a Beech Staggerwing and a voice all its own. And watch Jetman fly in formation with one of the largest airplanes in the latest episode of FlyBy, a video feature that aims to inspire the next generation of aviators. Watch AOPA Live This Week, Nov. 19...
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Plane Spotter
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Sikorsky's sprayer
The ranks of "crop dusters"—the aircraft that perform aerial application missions, flying low above fields of crops—are notable for the many low-wing taildragger designs that get the job done from rough and unimproved airstrips. Powerful engines, piston and turbine, enhance their imposing lines and give them the capability to lift large loads in their hoppers. Many also participate in aerial firefighting. One such aircraft, identifiable by its 980-horsepower radial engine and four-bladed propeller, is the PZL Mielec M-18 Dromader. Its Polish manufacturer was acquired by Sikorsky Aircraft in 2007.
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Training Products and Resources
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Article
Lightspeed has decided to tango with other manufacturers already offering cordless aviation headsets for less clutter in the cockpit, offering the Tango headset for $800. The headset uses lithium batteries for 12 hours of performance and is in production. It has active noise cancellation. Read more...
FlightFlix prop filter kit fixes distortion
Flight instructors and students using in-cockpit video to enhance their training scenarios have an inexpensive tool to clear up the picture in front of their windscreen. FlightFlixCameras.com's small stick-on filters affix to video camera lenses and help solve distracting propeller distortion problems on phones and other video devices. A camera filter variety pack is available online for $24.99.
Online resource
Looking for a free safety program to use at your community event, flying club, or flight school? The AOPA Air Safety Institute recently updated its "Safety To Go" download portal, so you can find what you need by category: seminar presentations, safety videos, Accident Case Studies, Real Pilot Stories, Pilot Safety Announcements, and Ask ATC. New products are added quarterly. Check out the portal...
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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 explains the causes, symptoms, and possible complications of hepatitis C, as well as how the condition affects a pilot's medical certificate. Read more...
Article
AOPA members get discounted rates from three car rental brands that rank at the top of the latest J.D. Power survey: Enterprise, National, and Alamo. Enterprise claimed the top spot for the second straight year in a survey that also marked the highest overall satisfaction in more than a decade. Read more...
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Blogs
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First officers are indispensable to a successful cockpit management team, which also includes the aircraft's captain. Just don't refer to them as co-pilots, writes Flight Training blogger Chip Wright. Read more...
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Instrument Tip
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IFR Fix
Unlike in summer when high temperatures create performance-robbing high density altitude conditions, cold air is the villain of this piece, actually impugning an altimeter's credibility. Read more...
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Final Exam
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Question
As a student pilot, you understand your general flying limitations, but you are not sure if en route weather conditions will allow you to fly your planned solo night cross country flight. The weather briefing describes visual flight rules conditions, but the visibility is less than five miles. Can you make your flight?
Answer
No. Limitations restrict student pilots from conducting solo pilot in command operations at night when visibility is less than five miles. (Source: FAR 61.89.)
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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
AAR is a rapidly growing global commercial and defense aerospace services provider that is looking for a talented product line manager. Job duties include P/L responsibility, OEM customer relationship accountability, team management, and identification of market trends to anticipate areas of opportunity. 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 a major gift officer; legal services plan administrative assistant; AOPA Foundation administrative assistant; account executive; and aviation event planner.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 3 - West Windsor, New Jersey
Dec 5 - Scottsdale, Arizona; and Winter Haven, Florida
Dec 12 - Stow, Massachusetts
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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