Training Tip: Preflights heard 'round the world


VOL 20, ISSUE 39	September 25, 2020

Training Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Preflights heard 'round the world

There are two ways pilots may come to appreciate a good preflight inspection: Uncover a glitch that could have created a headache, or miss it and get the headache. Read more >

Technique

Video

Flying the Hudson River corridor

Looking for a new view of New York City? AOPA Senior Content Producer Ian Twombly has some tips for flying the Hudson River corridor. Watch the video >

Flight Training News

Article

Sibling rivalry? Not for these sisters

The sky's the limit for sisters Aushpreet and Jauslein Brar, who received their private pilot certificates just two days apart. Read more >

Accident Analysis

On the spot

Putting the wheels down squarely on a chosen target is one of the more perishable skills in a pilot's repertoire. Read more >

Always learning

Knock down

Sound decisions by instructor and student are essential to a successful first solo. AOPA Vice President of Publications/Editor Kollin Stagnito watched that apply to crowd control. Read more >

FAA adds schools to drone training initiative

Fifteen institutions of higher learning were added to the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative, bringing the total to 41. See the full list of approved institutions.

AOPA Live This Week

Safe travel; Turtles in a Tecnam; Air and Space overhaul

PlaneSense adapts fractional ownership for pandemic safety, AOPA marks a flying club milestone, toting turtles in a Tecnam, and relocating priceless aircraft. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Career News

Video

Hero at 19

Ashli Blain, 19, already has two seasons of firefighting in Chinooks and Black Hawks under her belt. Read more and watch a video >

Podcast

Instructor gives insight into flight training process

Zoan Harclerode, AOPA's Best Flight Instructor of 2017, discusses mountain and night flying as well as her passion for teaching in the Flight Time series from the Hangar Talk podcast. Read more and listen to the interview >

Online resource

'CFI to CFI': Checkride success

In this issue of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's CFI to CFI newsletter: Checkride advice from designated pilot examiners, online resources for proficiency, and technique tips for students and instructors. Learn more >

Boeing scholars announced

Thirteen students pursuing degrees at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in aeronautical science, aircraft maintenance, and other fields will receive scholarships from the Boeing Co. ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually, for two years.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Survey pilot-captain, Dynamic Aviation

Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater, Virginia, seeks a captain to operate as pilot in command and oversee the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft and the safety of all persons on board. Read the full description and apply today >

Training Products and Resources

How it works

How's your O₂?

A pulse oximeter is a convenient way to determine the saturation of oxygen in your blood, and you can easily use it even while flying. Read more >

Article

Airplane engines demystified

Piston aircraft engines are such strange, complex, and mysterious creatures, they can perplex student and veteran pilots alike. Airplane Engines, a new pilot-friendly manual from PilotWorkshops, demystifies the engines we use. Read more >

Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by Flight Training editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.

Member Benefits

Pilot Protection Services

Logbook inspection considerations

Here is some practical advice for keeping your logbook ready for review if requested. Read more >

Member benefit

Loan service and DTI

Assessing the debt-to-income ratio for many borrowers is straightforward, but for those whose income is unpredictable, lenders may consider a "debt service coverage approach," writes AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more >

Instrument Tip

Video

From the archives: IFR on your own

While instrument flying has modernized since 1992, the principles of successful single-pilot resource management, thorough preflight planning, and sound decision making remain unchanged. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute video.

Photo of the Week

Little airplane, big plans

Learn what it takes to cross the border when flying to Baja—everything from air traffic control communications to clearing customs. Some of the paperwork might be a hassle, but the trip is worth it with views like this one that AOPA Senior Photographer Mike Fizer captured. Follow @flywithAOPA on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

Can we burn 94UL in IO-360 or IO-540 engines?

Answer

A number of Lycoming engine models can safely use 94UL, as well as other unleaded and leaded fuels. Lycoming Service Instruction 1070AB, updated earlier in 2020, lays out the details. As indicated in the document, be sure to read all the requirements because simply adding the fuel is probably not an approved procedure by itself. Airframe approvals, as well as the Lycoming oil additive, or equivalent, may be needed. Join the discussion >

This discussion is from our online Pilot Information Center, where you can ask questions, contribute answers, earn badges, and join our growing pilot community online. 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 AOPA Online. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

AOPA's in-person educational courses and seminars have been canceled or postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Stay sharp with our webinars, podcasts, and videos.

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Sep. 30, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Oct. 3, 11 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Oct. 6, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Oct. 7, 9 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition

See the full webinar schedule in our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.) View our recently recorded webinars (registration required).

Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos

You Can Fly Champions

How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members

'Bachelor' star Peter Weber

DK's Top 5: Everything you've always wanted to ask a controller

Kellee Edwards

High school scholarship recipient Tristan Dawson

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': I'm upside down and there's no oil in my engine!

'Hangar Talk': Hollywood stunt pilot JW 'Corkey' Fornof

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Zoan Harclerode

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Sep. 21, 2020

'There I was...': Loren Kopseng

'Never Again': Deadly decisions

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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