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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
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Copyright � 2002 AOPA. | Training Tips
| UNPLANNED DIVERSIONS
Few tasks are more challenging for a new pilot than the need to carry out a sudden in-flight change of plans, such as a diversion from the plotted route of flight. The need to divert comes up quickly, always with some measure of surprise. It may call into question the go/no-go analysis made by the pilot before launch. (See how an experienced cross-country flier makes such decisions in the September 2000 AOPA Flight Training). Or it may highlight a failure to obtain the most recent weather information for the route of flight or the destination. Before scheduling a flight test for the private pilot certificate, a student pilot should be thoroughly proficient in Task C, Area of Operation VII of the practical test standards ( click here to download a copy). Note that one of the objectives of the diversion task is to select "an appropriate alternate airport and route." This implies both that the weather conditions will be acceptable for visual flight on your new course, and that you will not violate any airspace rules along the way. Click here to review airspace requirements using the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Airspace 2002 slide presentation.
The usual reasons for diverting are unexpected weather deterioration along the planned route, or mechanical problems. But there can be other causes such as a sudden illness of a pilot or passenger, or fuel shortages brought on by mismanagement or unforecast headwinds. If the flight was well thought out, however, the diversion to a nearby alternate airport will follow a route that was contemplated during the flight's planning stages (see "Having an Out–and Using It" from the July 1993 AOPA Pilot).
On any long flight in a light aircraft, or a trip of more than a day's duration, the possibility of diversion should be considered real. See how one pilot in a Cessna 150 managed the decision-making in the February 2000 AOPA Flight Training. Master these skills and you will avoid the kinds of problems encountered by those unprepared for diverting situations as described in the April 2000 AOPA Flight Training.
Enjoy your checkride preparations, but don't be distracted from your diversion planning.
| Your Partner in Training
| Learning to fly is an exciting adventure and is easier than you may think. AOPA's Guide to Learning to Fly and the FAA Student Pilot Guide ( click here to download) are two good resources to help educate you on the process of learning to fly, and to answer many of the questions you'll have. Still have questions? Call our aviation experts at 800/USA-AOPA weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time.
As an AOPA Flight Training Member, you have access to all of the features within AOPA Online. For login information click here.
| Flight Training News
| PILOT HIRING CONTINUES SLOW RECOVERY
A total of 485 pilots were hired last month, according to airline career consulting firm AIR Inc. Of that total, 38 pilots were hired by major airlines, 138 by national airlines, and 100 by operators of fractionally owned business jets. The company said that 81 of 199 pilot employers were hiring in May. AIR Inc. will hold an airline pilot career seminar and job fair in Atlanta from July 12 through 14. For more information, visit the Web site.
WINNER EARNS CITATION TYPE RATING
Beth Harris of Fayetteville, Arkansas, earned a Cessna Citation II aircraft type rating after successfully completing CAE SimuFlite's 13-day initial training course for the business jet. Harris won a scholarship for the type rating at the 2002 Women in Aviation International convention, which took place in Nashville, Tennessee, in February. For more information on the training course, see the Web site.
| Inside AOPA
| FAA ISSUES FLURRY OF FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR HOLIDAY
The FAA has issued additional temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) over national landmarks in response to security warnings about possible terrorist activities during the July 4 holiday. The new TFRs cover the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. "The new TFRs, along with the 20-plus existing TFRs, must be taken seriously by pilots," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The stakes are very high. General aviation cannot afford the fallout resulting from airspace violations." Pilots should specifically query the flight service briefer for notams when flying close to any monument or symbolic structure. To help pilots avoid TFRs, AOPA has updated its security notam page with TFRs broken down by geographic regions. See AOPA�Online.
...AND PILOTS SHOULD AVOID SENSITIVE FACILITIES, AOPA WARNS
AOPA also reminds pilots to comply with the FAA's advisory to avoid overflights or "loitering" near nuclear and conventional power plants, dams, refineries, industrial complexes, military facilities, and similar structures.
INHOFE PUSHES NEW AOPA-SUPPORTED RELIEF BILL
AOPA member Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) plans to introduce new legislation in the Senate next week that would pay reparations to general aviation businesses that suffered losses as a result of the FAA's post-September 11 GA shutdown. This bill is a scaled down version of House aviation subcommittee Chairman Mica's legislation (H.R. 3347) and Inhofe's companion legislation (S. 2007) previously introduced. That $5.5-billion bill is being opposed by the Bush administration and stands little chance of passage. Inhofe's new bill would total $25 million and is more directly targeted to the FBOs, flight schools, and GA manufacturers most affected by the government's airspace closure.
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| Training Products
| PRIVATE PILOT FLASHCARDS TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Above It All Aviation recently released its latest installment of F.A.S.T. flashcards for those pursuing a private pilot certificate. The cards are color-coded by topic and ask open-ended questions easily tailored to your aircraft and operations. Topics covered include those on both the knowledge and oral exams and help the applicant prepare for the practical test. The set retails for $31.95. For more, see the Web site.
| Final Exam
| Question: On my sectional charts, I sometimes see the letter "H" or "T" inside a blue circle in the upper right-hand corner of a VOR identifier box. What do they mean?
Answer: The "H" stands for Hazardous In-flight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS). A "T" stands for Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB). HIWAS is a continuous broadcast of in-flight weather advisories that is transmitted over selected VORs. They cover a relatively broad geographic area and inform pilots of any hazardous weather such as icing, thunderstorms, or strong winds, and include airmets, sigmets, urgent pilot reports, etc. TWEB is a continuous broadcast of weather and aeronautical information, generally covering an area approximately 25 miles either side of a specified route, such as a Victor airway. These prerecorded broadcasts include in-flight advisories, winds aloft, weather reports, and notams. For more information on TWEB or HIWAS, take a look at the AOPA Flight Training article "In Flight Weather Information" or sections 7-1-8 to 7-1-9 of the Aeronautical Information Manual .
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? E-mail to [email protected] or call 800/872-2672.
| Picture Perfect
| Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area. See AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| Getting ready to take an FAA written exam? AOPA Online has updated its bank of Airman Knowledge Test questions for most certificates and ratings. See AOPA�Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA�Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Homestead, Florida. The Light Aircraft Flyers Association Sixth Annual Air Fair takes place July 6 and 7 at Homestead General Aviation Airport (X51). Displays, exhibits, aircraft rides, food, and fun for everyone. Contact Ron Andersen, 954/721-2373.
Grass Valley, California. Nevada County AirFest 2002 takes place July 6 at Nevada County Air Park (O17). All-day event, featuring antique, classic, and experimental aircraft. Contact Tim O'Brien, 530/273-1972, or visit the Web site.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see Aviation Calendar of Events
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Portland, Maine and Memphis, Tennessee, July 13 and 14. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground Schools will take place in Jacksonville, Florida, and San Diego on July 28. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 24 through 27. The topics vary. For the complete schedule, see AOPA�Online.
To make submissions to the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For comments on calendar items, e-mail [email protected].
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