Flight Training - March 2012 - 4

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

By Craig Fuller

AOPA SERVICES
THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION is general aviation's advocate and the largest, most influential aviation association in the world.

JOIN OUR PILOT COMMUNITY

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
f you’re a student pilot, you’re beginning to discover the wonderful things flying can bring to your life. Whether you started flying just for fun, for transportation, or for a career, you’ve probably discovered new things about yourself and your capabilities along the way. If you’re close to earning your certificate, or you’re a newly certificated pilot—and you’re not on a career track—you may be wondering what’s next.
When primary training is over, how will you use your new skills? Are friends lining up to fly with you, or are you searching for like-minded companions with whom to share stories and $100 hamburgers? Will you have ready access to an airplane? Do you know more experienced pilots who can offer guidance and support? Do you have the confidence to visit new airports, explore new environments, and enjoy the journey? There’s no one-size-fits-all model for building a community, and what works in one region may not make sense in another. Fortunately, we’ve got many great examples of successful communities to build on, and build we must. That’s why, this year, all of us at AOPA will be directing more time, energy, and resources to understanding just what makes different pilot communities work. We’ll be gathering more data and taking a

INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO FLY? Visit AOPA’s engaging website for people who want to know more about what’s involved in learning to fly—and what it’s like. www.LetsGoFlying.com RESOURCES FOR STUDENT PILOTS Ask an AOPA CFI | ft.aopa.org/ask Flight Training article archive | ft.aopa.org/archive Aviation library | ft.aopa.org/library Supplemental training information | ft.aopa.org/student Virtual flight bag, including online weather and airport directory | ft.aopa.org/flightbag PILOT INFORMATION CENTER Members can receive answers to flight training and other aviation questions, and join or renew by telephone, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday | 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Via the Internet | ft.aopa.org/ask AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE ONLINE SAFETY CENTER Dedicated to providing general aviation pilot education and safety programs online. Via the Internet | www.airsafetyinstitute.org Call | 800-638-3101 AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS AOPA Aircraft Financing Program | 800-62-PLANE AOPA Aircraft Insurance Program | 800-622-AOPA Non-owned aircraft and CFI policies available AOPA Credit Card Program | 800-523-7666 AOPA Legal Services Plan | 800-USA-AOPA AOPA Foundation | 800-955-9115 Other products | 800-USA-AOPA ONLINE GUIDE TO AOPA MEMBER SERVICES To join or renew, or for information about AOPA membership, e-mail inforequest@aopa.org or Visit the website | www.aopa.org/join NEW ADDRESS? Send your new address and membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701 Fax | 301-695-2375 Via the Internet | www.aopa.org/coa-form.html

I

WE'VE DISCOVERED THAT BEING PART OF A STRONG COMMUNITY OF PILOTS MAKES IT EASIER TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR FLYING.
For a great many new pilots the answer to all of these questions is “no.” But I’d like to see that change, and I’m not alone. We’ve done a lot of research in the past couple of years, and we’ve discovered that being part of a strong community of pilots makes it easier to get the most from your flying. Pilot communities come in many forms, and I’ve seen successful groups nurturing new pilots nationwide. In San Diego, for example, I met with Plus One Flyers, a flying club with dozens of aircraft, four separate locations, and some 900 members. The club makes it easy to get access to airplanes, offers flight instruction, hosts flying events and social gatherings, helps keep the cost of flying down, and provides learning and networking opportunities for its members. It’s a great community, and it’s not the only one. closer look at the trends and patterns we find. Then, as we analyze the research and come to understand the key factors in success, we’ll share what we learn with you. Along the way, we’ll be celebrating excellence in pilot communities and looking for ways to duplicate it. We’ll share inspirational stories and practical tips to help you create or improve your own community of pilots. And I ask you to share your thoughts with us, as well. If you’re part of a vibrant aviation community, tell us your story. I also encourage you to invite other pilots you meet to become part of your group. The more pilots who can count themselves part of a community, the better. After all, in flying, as in life, being part of a supportive group makes everything a little easier.
Email AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa. org.

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FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG


http://www.LetsGoFlying.com http://ft.aopa.org/ask http://ft.aopa.org/archive http://ft.aopa.org/library http://ft.aopa.org/student http://ft.aopa.org/flightbag http://ft.aopa.org/ask http://www.airsafetyinstitute.org http://www.aopa.org/join http://www.aopa.org/coa-form.html http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - March 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - March 2012

Flight Training - March 2012
President’s Perspective
Right Seat
Letters
The Quiet Ride
How It Works
Success Stories Training Products
After the Checkride
News ASI News Abeam the Numbers
Since You Asked
News
Tech Tip AOPA Action
Unusual Rental Aircraft of the Month Final Exam
Flying Carpet
MOUNTAIN DREAMING
RADAR TO THE RESCUE
TRADING PLACES
TECHNIQUE
Weather
Checkride
Flight Lesson
The Age-Old Old-Age Question
Career Advisor
Tech Talk
Good From the Start
It's Not Only About You
Look Out!
Advertiser Index
Debrief
Flight Training - March 2012 - Flight Training - March 2012
Flight Training - March 2012 - Cover2
Flight Training - March 2012 - 1
Flight Training - March 2012 - 2
Flight Training - March 2012 - 3
Flight Training - March 2012 - President’s Perspective
Flight Training - March 2012 - 5
Flight Training - March 2012 - Right Seat
Flight Training - March 2012 - 7
Flight Training - March 2012 - Letters
Flight Training - March 2012 - 9
Flight Training - March 2012 - The Quiet Ride
Flight Training - March 2012 - 11
Flight Training - March 2012 - How It Works
Flight Training - March 2012 - Success Stories Training Products
Flight Training - March 2012 - After the Checkride
Flight Training - March 2012 - News ASI News Abeam the Numbers
Flight Training - March 2012 - Since You Asked
Flight Training - March 2012 - 17
Flight Training - March 2012 - News
Flight Training - March 2012 - Tech Tip AOPA Action
Flight Training - March 2012 - Unusual Rental Aircraft of the Month Final Exam
Flight Training - March 2012 - 21
Flight Training - March 2012 - Flying Carpet
Flight Training - March 2012 - 23
Flight Training - March 2012 - MOUNTAIN DREAMING
Flight Training - March 2012 - 25
Flight Training - March 2012 - 26
Flight Training - March 2012 - 27
Flight Training - March 2012 - 28
Flight Training - March 2012 - 29
Flight Training - March 2012 - RADAR TO THE RESCUE
Flight Training - March 2012 - 31
Flight Training - March 2012 - 32
Flight Training - March 2012 - 33
Flight Training - March 2012 - TRADING PLACES
Flight Training - March 2012 - 35
Flight Training - March 2012 - 36
Flight Training - March 2012 - 37
Flight Training - March 2012 - TECHNIQUE
Flight Training - March 2012 - 39
Flight Training - March 2012 - Weather
Flight Training - March 2012 - 41
Flight Training - March 2012 - 42
Flight Training - March 2012 - Checkride
Flight Training - March 2012 - 44
Flight Training - March 2012 - 45
Flight Training - March 2012 - Flight Lesson
Flight Training - March 2012 - The Age-Old Old-Age Question
Flight Training - March 2012 - Career Advisor
Flight Training - March 2012 - 49
Flight Training - March 2012 - Tech Talk
Flight Training - March 2012 - Good From the Start
Flight Training - March 2012 - It's Not Only About You
Flight Training - March 2012 - Look Out!
Flight Training - March 2012 - Advertiser Index
Flight Training - March 2012 - 55
Flight Training - March 2012 - 56
Flight Training - March 2012 - 57
Flight Training - March 2012 - 58
Flight Training - March 2012 - 59
Flight Training - March 2012 - 60
Flight Training - March 2012 - 61
Flight Training - March 2012 - 62
Flight Training - March 2012 - 63
Flight Training - March 2012 - Debrief
Flight Training - March 2012 - Cover3
Flight Training - March 2012 - Cover4
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