Training Tips
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Article
There's a high overcast with declining visibility as a warm front approaches. According to the forecast, low ceilings and murky conditions characteristic of this type of weather are still hours away, but a light rain is falling, ahead of schedule. Many student pilots ask: Is precipitation a no-go item for VFR flight?
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Flight Training News
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Article
Delta State University in Mississippi has placed an order for a Level 6 Diamond DA42 flight training device from Frasca International, to be delivered in the spring of 2016.
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Video
Follow the One Week Ready to Solo students through their training in episodes three and four of AOPA's five-part series. In these installments, Harley-Davidson engineer Chris Graves learns a mischievous trick involving toilet paper that has a serious purpose in building confidence and aircraft control. Former Navy corpsman Nik Oekerman gets a lesson from an airshow legend, and General Motors global advertising executive Sherry Rosenkranz learns how to handle an engine out.
Watch the episodes...
Article
Ten young aviators learning about aviation from the Lakeland AeroClub in Florida flew two Pipers and three Cessnas to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from their home base at Central Florida Aerospace Academy on the grounds at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
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Flash-based, login required
Can you fly through a prohibited area if air traffic control clears you to "proceed on course" or assigns a heading that would take you through the area?
Test your knowledge on special-use airspace operations with this Air Safety Institute quiz...
Facebook chat
Get club resources at August 'Flight Training' chat
Flying clubs can be an affordable—and fun—way to get your aviation fix. Kelby Ferwerda, manager of AOPA's flying club initiative, will be the guest at the August Flight Training chat to talk about joining a club, starting your own, and much more. Join the discussion at 3 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 4. One chatter will receive a $50 Aircraft Spruce & Specialty gift card. Set an email reminder here. Flight Training Facebook chats are underwritten by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty.
Slideshow
As the last of the airshow performers flew over Wittman Regional Airport, EAA Chairman Jack Pelton said EAA AirVenture 2015 was a smashing success with record attendance early in the week.
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Cessna sells trainers to China
Shandong Hairuo General Aviation Co. Ltd. in China has ordered six Cessna Skyhawk 172s, Cessna Aircraft announced at EAA AirVenture July 24. The Chinese general aviation operator had previously announced an order in April for two Skyhawks to be used for pilot training.
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Scholarships
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Article
Sarah Wilson, the former corporate pilot turned open-cockpit barnstormer, initiated the $5,000 Jimmie Allen Flying Club Scholarship to encourage future pilots who also are looking for something different from their flying. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Aug. 9.
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Article
Wipaire now offers the Aurora interior for Cessna Caravans to include divans and cabinets. The company also announced a seaplane scholarship.
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Training Resources
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Pre- and post-flight resources for students
A successful flight begins before you even start the engine. Access resources to help you conduct safe operations on the ground and prepare for a safe flight with Flight Training Online. A pre- and post-flight procedures resource page and other resource pages in the Students section of the website cover tasks you'll be expected to perform to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency to a designated pilot examiner.
Video
ATC's flight following service can be a huge benefit in helping pilots see and avoid. But when air traffic controllers are busy, pilots may hesitate to request it. Learn why you should not be afraid to key the mic in this installment of the Air Safety Institute's popular Ask ATC series.
Watch the video...
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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. If you're not already a member, join today and get the pilot's edge.
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AOPA Live
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AOPA Live This Week
AOPA continues to push hard for medical reform, working through some unexpected roadblocks. The advocacy team provides a briefing on the latest developments from Washington, D.C. Also this week, the painstaking creation of a vintage Junkers F-13, considered the world's first airliner, along with a crowd-pleasing demonstration of a much more modern airliner as AOPA Live® wraps up its coverage of EAA AirVenture from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Watch AOPA Live This Week, July 30...
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Career Pilot
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Fees bring airline revenue, passenger frustration
While high fees, more fees, and poor disclosure of fees frustrate some airline passengers, the practice of garnering additional revenue through these tactics has helped airlines become more profitable, according to a report in The New York Times. The article cites an analysis of 63 airlines by IdeaWorksCompany that found that the airlines studied earned $38.1 billion in revenue from nonticket sources in 2014.
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For more aviation career news, see the Flight Training website.
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Plane Spotter
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Firefighter's friend
Few aircraft designs are more distinctive than a high-wing twin turboprop with engines mounted on elongated booms. Now add an elevated horizontal tail to the blueprint and you are probably in the presence of a North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco that has flown military missions or fought wildfires since its 1960s rollout. In California, where they know something about firefighting, the 10,500-pound OV-10A appears in Calfire's Firefighting Aircraft Recognition Guide as a command and control aircraft. The agency acquired 16 OV-10As in 1993, praising the aircraft's size, speed, and maneuverability.
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Training Products
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2016 FAR/AIM series available
Pilots, crewmembers, and maintenance technicians may now purchase the 2016 edition of relevant federal aviation regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual through ASA. The collection of books, e-books, and apps includes indexes and clearly marks changes since the last release. The FAR/AIM includes full-color graphics and a suggested study list, the company said.
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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
A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis raises many questions for a pilot. If you have this condition, what does the FAA want and what treatments are acceptable?
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Blogs
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When was the last time you really made an effort to see how much fuel your airplane burns? Blogger Chip Wright explains some tactics that may reduce your fuel burn—and save you money.
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EAA AirVenture gives attendees a chance to intersect and study a broad cross-section of the aviation industry. There are ultralights and sailplanes, balloons and blimps, military and commercial jets, and helicopters and fixed-wing general aviation aircraft. Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda reflects on the 2015 show.
Read more and share your thoughts on AirVenture...
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Final Exam
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Question
While you are filing your flight plan with your instructor, you obtain a standard weather briefing. During the call, the briefer says, "VFR flight not recommended." Does this mean that instrument conditions prevail and that you cannot conduct the flight under visual flight rules?
Answer
No, this is a recommendation and is advisory in nature. The briefer is saying that flight in VFR would be doubtful. The final decision as to whether the flight can be conducted safely rests solely with the pilot. See Aeronautical Information Manual 7-1-4 (b)(2) for more information.
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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 a graphic design intern; director of media relations; director of regulatory affairs; Northwest Mountain regional manager; AOPA National Aviation Community Center aviation event planner; marketing project coordinator; account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; videographer, Air Safety Institute; and aviation technical specialist. 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
Aug 1-2 - Long Beach, California
Aug 8-9 - Atlanta, Georgia; and Allentown, Pennsylvania
Aug 15-16 - Reno, Nevada; and Fort Worth, Texas
Sep 12-13 - Colorado, Springs, Colorado; Elkridge, Maryland; and Sandston, 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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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Aug 1 - Bulverde, Texas
Aug 8 - Apopka, Florida; Gainesville, Florida; and Chesterfield, Missouri
Aug 15 - Fort Wayne, Indiana; Penn Yan, New York; and Lakeland, Florida
Aug 22 - Blaine, Minnesota; Mitchellville, Maryland; Tucson, Arizona; and Lebanon, Ohio
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar
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Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. Now you can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.
To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, including FBO fuel prices, see AOPA Airports.
AOPA Featured Events
Aug 22 — Minneapolis, Minnesota. Anoka County-Blaine Airport (KANE). AOPA Fly-In.
Sep 26 — Colorado Springs, Colorado. Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (KCOS). AOPA Fly-In.
Oct 10 — Tullahoma, Tennessee. Tullahoma Regional Airport (KTHA). AOPA Fly-In.
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ePilot Flight Training Editors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse |
Contributors:
Jill W. Tallman
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz |
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