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Training and Safety Tip: A place for everything

AOPA Flight Training
VOL 22, ISSUE 11 March 18, 2022
Training and Safety Tips
A place for everything
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
A place for everything
Pack your flight bag with care, organize your aircraft before flight, and you may never fail to find anything essential once you're in the air. Read more >
Technique
Article
Do the right thing
There will always be some risk in flying, and it's possible to encounter a problem that you could not have foreseen. Read more >
Flight Training News
Article
Teens solo eight airplanes on back-to-back birthdays
Lifelong friends James Frank and Adam Sarsfield celebrated their sixteenth birthdays by soloing an assortment of aircraft, four airplanes each—including a warbird and touchy taildragger not known for being kind to pilots. Read more >
Road trip
Stay jazzy, New Orleans
Rarely does one need an excuse to visit New Orleans, but here are two (you can count that incredible food as a given): the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and because the people of New Orleans really, really need you to visit. Read more >
Premium content
Constant-speed propellers
During primary training, the propeller control is the missing "P" we've dutifully repeated but wondered about when reciting the GUMPS prelanding check (gas, undercarriage, mixture, propeller, safety belts). Read more >
Sponsored by Aviat Aircraft Husky
Heading into the backcountry?
Check out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's new Backcountry Resource Center to help you safely experience the ultimate feel of freedom.
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': Pulitzer Prize-winning author, pilot Beverly Weintraub
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and instrument-rated private pilot Beverly Weintraub talks about the trailblazing U.S. Navy female pilots profiled in her book, Wings of Gold. Plus, get caught up on the latest general aviation news. Listen to the podcast >
AOPA Live This Week
Coalescing around unleaded fuel; Eight times a charm
The coalition formed to speed arrival of unleaded fuel moves forward, and we watch two families of close friends orchestrate a pair of ambitious quadruple solos. We also visit the Ohio cycle shop where aviation began. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Career News
Article
Into the wild
Bush pilot Paul Claus, born in Alaska before it was a state, welcomes adventurous visitors. Read more >
Article
What else do we do?
It's easy to assume that a pilot gets hired just to fly airplanes. While that is often true, there are far more professional opportunities for pilots than that. Read more >
Future flight
United Airlines operates first SAF passenger flight
Traditional petroleum-based jet fuel is so yesterday. The airlines and corporate jets of tomorrow will operate entirely on sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. Read more >
Article
ATP, United Aviate Academy choose Frasca
United Aviate Academy and ATP Flight School both announced purchases of brand-new advanced aviation training devices from Frasca Flight Simulation. Read more >
Aviation job board
Job of the week: AOPA aviation technical writer
The aviation technical writer writes and coordinates general aviation safety content across all AOPA and AOPA Air Safety Institute media channels including print, online, video, and social media. Read the full description and apply today >
AOPA career opportunities
Join the AOPA team
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a senior social media marketer, a You Can Fly coordinator, a creative project manager, a development operations manager, a front-end developer, a Legal Services Plan attorney, a UX/UI designer, an aviation technical writer, a video editor, a mobile app developer, and Northwest Mountain and Southern regional managers. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >
Training Products and Resources
Podcast
ATC to the rescue
In the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast, Drew Ryan describes his encounter with a snowstorm while flying from New York to Virginia. Listen to the podcast >
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
Fly the airplane
Here are some tips for training your brain to focus on the task at hand. Read more >
Instrument Tip
AOPA Premier Partner created content
Approach lighting for instrument pilots
This PilotWorkshops video clearly explains and demonstrates the different systems and what to expect so you can fly a safe visual transition.
Photo of the Week
Serious fun
Serious fun
James Frank soloed a North American T–6 Texan along with three other taildraggers on his sixteenth birthday at the Peach State Aerodrome in Georgia. See more of AOPA Digital Media Assistant Editor Cayla McLeod's photos in the story, and follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.
Final Exam
Question

Where can I find an accurate, updated list of airports of entry in Mexico?
Answer
CST Flight Services supports international operators with various services, including an app that calculates fees assessed when aircraft transit Mexican airspace without landing in Mexico. The company offers membership options with additional benefits including a complete list of airports of entry for Mexico. Airport data is arranged by city and state, including international designator. It is updated regularly including the most recent fuel prices. 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. (Log in to the online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to see this discussion.) 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. Have a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Education & Seminars
Stay sharp with AOPA's webinars, podcasts, and videos.
Upcoming AOPA webinars
Mar 24, 12 p.m. EDT 'Don't Get Rusty' series: Ask a CFI...almost anything
Apr 21, 12 p.m. EDT 'Don't Get Rusty' series: Now you see, now you don't
May 3, 7 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
First paraplegic Cirrus Vision Jet pilot Clayton Smeltz
Aviation writer Martha Lunken
Kim Kissh: What it's like to be a corporate pilot
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Live® YouTube channel.
AOPA podcasts
'Ask the A&Ps': 'We don't check the accuracy of your fuel gauges'
'Hangar Talk': Pulitzer-winning author, pilot Beverly Weintraub
'Pilot Briefing': Week of Mar. 14, 2022
'There I was...': Drew Ryan and Potomac Tracon
'Never Again': Nighttime fuel burn
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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Flight Training Editors:
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