Flight Training - February 2013 - 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.

GO AHEAD AND PLAN THAT FANTASY FLIGHT

FLYING THROUGH WINTER

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 Pilot Protection Services Program | 866-213-8777 AOPA Aircraft Financing Program | 800-62-PLANE AOPA Insurance Services | 800-622-AOPA Non-owned aircraft and CFI policies available AOPA Credit Card Program | 800-523-7666 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

t’s easy to fall into the winter doldrums at this time of year— especially if you live in a part of the country where low ceilings, snow, or sleet repeatedly ground your training flights. But if winter is a time for nature to rest and regroup for the
file when you throw in some turbulence, traffic, weather, or an instrument failure. This doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. Get together with a friend and challenge each other to a friendly competition. Doing a little “dream flight” planning can be another good way to practice skills while giving yourself something to look forward to. Think about some of the places you’d like to fly. Maybe you’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon. Perhaps you’re dreaming of an island paradise, a weekend at the beach, a fly-fishing expedition, or a trip to see family. Go ahead and plan that fantasy flight. Think about fuel burn, routes, and baggage. Will you need special equipment such as life rafts? Are you going to have to tackle customs? Putting together a flight plan is not only good practice, it’s also great preparation for when you actually take that trip. Winter is also a great time to invite friends and family to share your excitement about flying. If you’ve got teenagers in your family, invite them to join AOPA AV8RS (www.aopa.org/av8rs). It’s a free membership for people between the ages of 13 and 18, and it comes with a digital subscription to Flight Training magazine as well as special content just for them. Your teen might be the next pilot in the family. Don’t let winter stop you from being part of what you enjoy. There are plenty of ways you can strengthen your skills and your community, even when the weather is keeping your feet on the ground. Then, when spring arrives, you’ll be ready for takeoff.
Email AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa. org.

next growing season, it can be the same for pilots. Since actual flying is limited, the slow winter weeks can be a good chance to focus on some of the other great things about being a pilot—such as the community of like-minded folks who enjoy flying as much as you do. There’s no better time than winter to host a hangar flying session that brings your fellow pilots out to the airport. Sharing stories and learning from one another is a great way to build friendships and keep aviation in your life, even if you’re temporarily stuck on the ground. For something a little more formal, think about hosting a safety seminar or aviation speaker. Anything you can do to bring pilots together will hold off the winter blahs and strengthen the community, too. Perhaps you’ve thought about joining a flying club or even buying your own airplane. Why not use some of the time you’d normally spend flying doing a little research instead? Look for flying clubs in your area and find out more about membership. Or start pricing airplanes and considering insurance options. AOPA’s experts can help you with either project—and the service is free with your membership. A call or email to our Pilot Information Center can get you started. I also recommend simulator time. Whether you have access to a full-fledged simulator, a flight training device, or just a sim game for your laptop or tablet, you can keep your skills and thinking sharp by spending some time behind the yoke (or keyboard). Create a scenario for yourself and then follow exactly the same procedures you would use in the cockpit. See how closely you can follow your flight pro-

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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/av8rs http://www.aopa.org/join http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - February 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - February 2013