Training and Safety Tip: A recipe for success


VOL 22, ISSUE 35	September 2, 2022

Training and Safety Tips

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

A recipe for success

Whipping up a pilot certificate might not be easy, but the process is straightforward: Gather the required ingredients and follow the steps to prepare for your checkride. Read more >

Technique

Article

Familiar concepts in a foreign language

Our Costa Rica correspondent reports on how he prepared for and passed an aeronautical knowledge exam—in Spanish—using study techniques that work in any language. Read more >

Flight Training News

You Can Fly

Let us know how it went

The newly streamlined AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey gives every student a chance to provide feedback that helps instructors and schools make flight training more effective, efficient, and enjoyable. Read more and voice your views >

Day in the Life

Virtual learning

John Martin, who has flown thousands of hours in Pilatus PC–12s and Cessna Caravans, run a banner tow company, and occasionally flown for movies, brings his considerable real-world experience to guiding trainees at SimCom. Read more >

Article

National Flight Simulator buys Redbird FMX

National Flight Simulator has added a Redbird FMX full-motion simulator to its simulator-based training facility in New Hampshire. Read more >

Podcast

'There I was...': Red Bull tunnel flight

The AOPA Air Safety Institute invited Red Bull pilot Dario Costa to detail the painstaking preparation for his 2021 flight through two Turkish highway tunnels. Listen to the podcast >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': STOL competitor Hal Stockman

Veteran short takeoff and landing competitor Hal Stockman shares his secrets just in time for our AOPA Hangout in Spokane, Washington. Hear his insights, and the latest aviation news, on your favorite podcast app, or at AOPA Online.

AOPA Pilot Video Producer's Pick

'Nothing like it'

This online aviation clubhouse was launched by a conversation that revealed a need to help aviators, controllers, mechanics—anyone with passion and purpose related to flight—connect to their community. Watch the video >

Career News

Article

Piedmont Airlines recruits ex-ExpressJet pilots

Regional carrier Piedmont Airlines announced expedited job offers for recently furloughed ExpressJet Airlines pilots under its "distressed carrier" contract terms. Read more >

Article

Civil Air Patrol gets SiriusXM across fleet

A new partnership between SiriusXM and the Civil Air Patrol will provide valuable weather information to CAP pilots. Read more >

Road trip

Carrier landing on a mesa

Whether you visit for the iconic red rocks, world class hiking, local cuisine, or famous off-roading trails, Sedona, Arizona, has something for everyone. Read more >

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Aircraft interior lead, Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd.

Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. in Broomfield, Colorado, is seeking an aircraft interior lead to provide effective leadership, support, and assistance to assigned team members in the fabrication of aircraft cabin interior components according to specifications and approved standards and procedures. 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 an Aviation Finance account executive, a high school initiative coordinator, a customer services representative, a product marketing coordinator, a medical certification specialist, and a senior manager of communications. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Training Products and Resources

Online resource

Collision avoidance

One of the most basic responsibilities of a pilot operating an aircraft in visual conditions is collision avoidance. Prepare against these incidents with this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight.

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

AOPA Fly-In

Much to learn and see in Spokane

Fly in to the historic Felts Field in Spokane, Washington, for our first Hangout and take part in educational seminars and pilot camaraderie. Read more >

Pilot magazine

AOPA launches alliance program

We are gathering general aviation groups together under one big (metaphorical) tent to cross-promote our mutually beneficial goals for the good of our entire community. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Who has the power?

In the event of a showdown between the FAA and the NTSB regarding sanction determinations, one organization now has all the power. Read more >

Photo of the Week

Honky-tonk high life

AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis takes readers on a jam-packed tour of tunes, food, and culture in Nashville, Tennessee. Read the article to take in the sights, and sign up for our AOPA Travel Pilot newsletter for more destinations and travel tips. And be sure to follow @flywithaopa on Instagram to see more photos from AOPA members and staff.

Final Exam

Question

I have a private pilot certificate, and I own and fly an experimental airplane. I am current with training, but I do not have a current medical certificate. Can I legally fly my experimental airplane at night, or in controlled airspace, without a medical certificate?

Answer

If your airplane meets the light sport aircraft criteria, and you hold a U.S. driver's license, you could exercise sport pilot privileges in it, but while that would allow flying into tower-controlled airspace on the strength of your private pilot certificate, it would not include flying at night (see FAR 61.315(c)(5)). To fly at night without renewing your medical certificate, you could go the BasicMed route. And unless your airplane meets the LSA criteria, you cannot legally fly it without either a valid medical certificate or BasicMed. 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

Sep 10	Ronkonkoma, New York; Midway, Arkansas; Downers Grove, Illinois; Spokane, Washington; and Murrieta, California
Sep 24	Battle Creek, Michigan; and Glencoe, Minnesota
Oct 8	Naples, Florida; and La Crosse, Wisconsin
Nov 5	Tampa, Florida; Hayden, Idaho; Aurora, Oregon; and Henderson, Nevada

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

Nov 15, 7 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 (registration required).

Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos

Building the aviation community—Vermont Aviators Association

New Aerospace Center for Excellence leader Eric Crump

'The Aviators'/'The RVers'/'The Boaters' TV shows' Anthony Nalli

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'I don't have a baby monitor on the engine'

'Hangar Talk': STOL competitor Hal Stockman

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Aug 29, 2022

'There I was...': Cody Goodan

'Never Again': That nagging feeling

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

Flight Training Editors:
Niki Britton
Alyssa Cobb
Lillian Geil
Jim Moore
Jill Tallman

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alicia Herron
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Cayla McLeod
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
David Tulis
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

Advertise in Flight Training:
Initial advertising inquiries:
Donna Stoner, 301-695-2336

Eastern and Central United States, Canada, and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Jonathan Taylor, 301-695-2338

AOPA Advertising website