Training and Safety Tip: Coming and going


VOL 22, ISSUE 46	November 18, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Coming and going

Similar to a highway interchange, the traffic pattern has limited entry and exit points, allowing pilots to know where to expect conflicting traffic. Read more and watch a video >

Technique

Article

Skid it on

The power requirement of helicopters is sometimes backward to that of an airplane. Read more >

Flight Training News

Article

'Twas the flight before Christmas

The holidays simultaneously evoke joy and panic, no matter our degree of participation. Read more >

Article

The stuff you keep

New pilots receive a blizzard of ads for products made to seem indispensable—and a few of them really are. Here are some items that earned a place in AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman's flight bag. Read more >

Accident Analysis

It's a jungle out there

The threat of a midair collision strikes fear in the hearts of many pilots, which is understandable when you consider the consequences. Read more >

Online resource

Collision avoidance

Thanksgiving is the year's most traveled day. Before flying this holiday, check out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's new Collision Avoidance Resource Center featuring valuable tips, videos, and podcasts.

Fly with AOPA

Airshow accident in Dallas; Gen Z pilots flip airplanes

Six Commemorative Air Force crewmembers are being mourned after a tragic airshow midair. Also, young pilots buy and sell airplanes, sharing each step of the fun, and we try out a folding bike. Watch Ep. 6 >

Career News

Sponsored by California Aeronautical University

College bound

Interested in earning an aviation degree? The Flight Training College Aviation Directory is the largest, most comprehensive source of collegiate aviation programs available. Search for a school >

Five questions

Chelsea Smith

Chelsea Smith spent her summers in Tennessee with her uncle who introduced her to flying. Read more >

Labor Department proposes redefining 'independent contractor'

The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed rulemaking that would affect the status of many independent contractors, making them employees with more protections under federal law. The change would likely affect flight schools and other aviation operations that utilize independent contractors. Comments are due November 28.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Sheet metal mechanic, STS Technical Services

STS Technical Services is seeking a sheet metal worker to perform internal and external sheet metal repairs and modifications to all aircraft serviced at the facility. 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 data entry/travel products representative, a marketing administrative coordinator, and a vice president of membership and event marketing. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Weather Wise: VFR into IMC

This online course from the AOPA Air Safety Institute covers foundational weather information you need to avoid visual flight into instrument conditions and explores real-life situations that can shape your decision making. Take the course >

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

Can you hear me?

Among all the disciplines of medicine, and there are many specialties and subspecialties, aerospace medicine is one field that really does include a broad cross section of medicine and science. Read more >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Engine failure: The No. 1 rule

What's the No. 1 rule for surviving engine failure? Get the answer, and stories from pilots who walked away from their own off-airport landing, from PilotWorkshops >

AOPA Aviation Finance

Movin' on up

How do you decide what aircraft you really need? This series aims to help answer that question. Read more >

AOPA Pilot Passport

Bingo gets them going

More than 10,000 balls have been drawn so far in the AOPA Pilot Bingo Challenge Sweepstakes, and you have until December 31 if you are not among the 226 pilots who have already completed their cards. Read the rules and details >

Photo of the Week

Simulated flights, real connections

AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis found Natalie Golasa of Brooklyn, New York, trying out a flat panel flight simulator during a field trip to the AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium hosted by FedEx in Memphis, Tennessee, November 14. With an airline hiring frenzy underway, the high school educators were eager to help their students prepare to ride the wave. Read AOPA's story and follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

I am currently in flight training and have several medical issues that are well controlled, along with having taken a prescribed anxiety medication for about a week years ago. Will this combination tank my likelihood of getting my certificate?

Answer

The process of obtaining the medical certificate can be tricky. The key is to provide exactly what the FAA is requesting in a timely manner. Not doing so will only prolong the process. The FAA will require medical evidence to show if the anxiety has since resolved and when any medications were discontinued. The process can indeed be long, and it can be expensive; more often than not the FAA will issue a medical certificate after receiving medical documentation showing that a pilot meets medical standards. AOPA's medical certification specialists can guide you through the process and advise what information the FAA will likely require from you. 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 seminars, webinars, podcasts, and videos.

AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars

Dec 3

Frederick, Maryland; Houston, Texas; and Glendale, Arizona

For a complete schedule, visit our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Dec 8, 12 p.m. EST

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.

Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos

Aviation101's Josh Flowers

Building the aviation community—Vermont Aviators Association

New Aerospace Center for Excellence leader Eric Crump

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Pilot Video YouTube channel.

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'All engines deserve an engine monitor in their Christmas stocking'

'Hangar Talk': Aviation101 founder Josh Flowers

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Nov 14, 2022

'There I was...': Ken Urban

'Never Again': Along for the ride

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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