Training Tips
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Article
What would make you discontinue a takeoff? Are you prepared to make that decision each time you advance the throttle to commence the takeoff run? Sometimes a decision to abort stems from a gut feeling that something just doesn't feel right, as a student pilot soloing a Cessna 172 learned. Read more...
 
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Flight Training News
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Article
For the fifth year in a row, the Girls in Flight Training (GIFT) Academy in Texas capped a busy week of flying with success stories—this year, one solo and two checkrides. Read more...
Registration
The registration deadline for school administrators, guidance counselors, and aviation program directors to attend the first symposium of the AOPA Aviation Education Leadership Alliance is drawing near. Those planning to attend must register by Nov. 4. The symposium, which will take place Nov. 9 in Lakeland, Florida, is part of AOPA's larger effort to pair the joy and career opportunities of aviation with science, technology, engineering, and math programs in high schools. Register today...
Article
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta will deliver the keynote address at Redbird Flight Simulations' 2015 Migration for flight school educators and instructors in San Marcos, Texas. The event will be held Nov. 2 through 4 and will feature special breakout sessions for attendees. Read more...
Article
A task force will develop particulars for a drone registration requirement to be in place by mid-December. Officials said Oct. 19 that registration of all unmanned aircraft—and the education that goes with this new requirement—will have many benefits, and will not delay efforts to update regulations that will apply more broadly to small unmanned aircraft operations. Read more...
Video
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aviation Weather Center is an excellent source for getting a complete weather picture any time we go flying. Discover some of the many resources available at its revamped website, www.aviationweather.gov, with this three-minute video—the second in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise series focused on practical weather flying. Watch Weather Wise: The AWC Website...
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Tektober 2015
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Flight Training magazine
Apple has sold about 250 million iPads since their introduction in 2010. By some estimates, half of all pilots fly with a tablet, making the devices more prevalent than panel-mounted GPS units. Military, airline, and general aviation pilots use them. Unlike many devices, iPads cross all sectors of aviation. It only makes sense that we start training with them. Read more...
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Scholarships
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Article
The deadline to apply for one or more of 98 scholarships offered by Women in Aviation, International is Nov. 16. Read more...
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
The FAA will soon require drone buyers to register their aircraft, enabling the agency and law enforcement to track down operators who break rules. Paul Bonhomme became the first pilot to win three Red Bull Air Race World Championships despite his second-place finish in the season finale in Las Vegas. Also, AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman explores the many ways to customize your Cirrus. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 22...
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Plane Spotter
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In search of Sierra
The high-end, high-performance, single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza family aircraft are common sights on general aviation airport ramps, with enough variety within the lineage to make identifying one by model designation a pleasant challenge. A related spotting sport is to find a retractable-gear Beech single that does not belong to that distinguished airplane family. With patience, a spotter will eventually happen upon an example of the Beech Model 24 Sierra. The aircraft, which dates to the 1960s, features a fuel-injected 200-horsepower Lycoming engine and serves pilots as a complex trainer.
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Training Products and Resources
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Flash-based; login required
Ever faced a difficult go/no-go decision and needed a second opinion? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Flight Risk Evaluator offers a systematic approach to risk management. Based on your certificate level, flight experience, and environment, the online tool provides objective feedback about the intended flight. Try it now...
Article
Halloween is around the corner and stylish aviators, whether they are adults or children, should be looking for the perfect costume. Read more...
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Member Benefits
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Pilot Protection Services
Dr. Warren Silberman discusses breast cancer awareness as well as when a pilot can apply for a medical certificate after being treated for the disease. Read more...
Webinar
Maintaining your health can help you keep your medical certificate and enjoy flying longer. AOPA's Pilot Protection Services experts will offer tips to help you stay healthy during a webinar Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register today...
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Blogs
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Do you hear your flight instructor's voice in your head when you fly? It turns out most of us do. AOPA Technical Editor Jill W. Tallman collected some of the best CFI sayings from the Flight Training Facebook page. Check out the collection, and share your CFI's sayings as well.
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Final Exam
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Question
What are the proper altitudes for VFR flight below 18,000 feet msl?
Answer
According to FAR 91.159, when on a magnetic course of zero degrees through 179 degrees, fly at an odd thousand foot msl altitude plus 500 feet (3,500 or 5,500 feet msl, for example). On a magnetic course of 180 degrees through 359 degrees, fly at an even thousand foot msl altitude plus 500 feet (4,500 or 6,500 feet msl, for example). These rules apply when flying between 3,000 feet agl and 18,000 feet msl.
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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? We're looking for an account executive; human resources coordinator; legal services plan specialist; payroll technician; database developer; aviation event planner; manager of aviation safety programs; ambassador—Texas; director of aviation security; and director of regulatory affairs.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
Oct 24-25 - Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov 7-8 - Atlanta Georgia; and San Diego, California
Nov 14-15 - Ashburn, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Anchorage, Alaska
Dec 5-6 - Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; and Northbrook, Illinois
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
Oct 26 - Everett, Washington
Oct 27 - Seattle, Washington; and Charlotte, North Carolina
Oct 28 - Portland, Oregon; and Jamestown, North Carolina
Oct 29 - Eugene, Oregon; and Morrisville, North Carolina
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Oct 24 - Santa Paula, California; Swanton, Vermont; and Burlington, Washington
Nov 7 - Auburn, California
Nov 14 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and San Jose, California
Dec 5 - Scottsdale, Arizona; and Winter Haven, Florida
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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This issue of ePilot was created for: &fname; &lname; at &*TO;
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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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