AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2015 - 85

LIVE

Help for learning avionics

Check online to see if the manufacturer has a downloadable simulator
for its avionics products. There may
also be online training, or even classroom training at the manufacturer's
headquarters or at flight schools.
Owner manuals often can be downloaded.
-AKM

choosing a major in college. Choices
include not only moving up, but moving down. Some of the biggest transition
problems in the past decade have occurred
when pilots of heavier aircraft move down
to the Light Sport aircraft category. The
tendency is to overcontrol, especially during landing. Other choices including a
move sideways to a similar aircraft, but
built by a different manufacturer. A final
choice is "avionics."
Quite often the attitude is one of overconfidence when addressing the transition
to avionics. Learn the basics of the new
avionics system first, and add bells and
whistles later. Just turning on an avionics system can result in a checklist twice
as long as that for an analog system. Don't
try to figure out the avionics system while
moving. Stop, enter the information, and
then move the aircraft.
The course tells a frightening tale of
the pilot of a Van's RV-10 aircraft who
asked his friend to be pilot in command
under instrument conditions. The aircraft crashed after several failed attempts
at making an instrument approach. The
aircraft should not be flown under instrument conditions until there has been time
to explore the avionics system in good
weather.
Read the airplane's pilot operating
handbook cover to cover, and then work
out a proficiency schedule so that practice
is periodically performed. When you think
you are ready, consider asking yourself the
ultimate question-and it's not, "Do you
feel lucky, punk?" The course instead suggests you consider whether you are ready
to fly with family members aboard. AOPA
EMAIL alton.marsh@aopa.org

www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 85

ADVENTURE
AWAITS

You're a pilot. This is your Personal Credit Card.

The Phillips 66® Aviation Personal Credit Card is designed with recreational pilots in mind.
It combines convenience features for daily travels and added versatility for weekend excursions.
Plus, it provides a variety of opportunities for earning rewards and other perks.

Earn 10¢ per gallon for the first 90 days and
5¢ per gallon after that*
Double points when used with your
WingPoints® Rewards Card†
Young Eagles Volunteer Pilots get a $1/gallon
rebate on all avgas purchases‡
No annual fee**
Accepted at hundreds of FBOs and
thousands of gas stations

*Subject to credit approval. Savings are provided as a fuel statement credit when you purchase 45 gallons or more per month. Savings apply to the first gallon up
to 110 gallons every qualifying month. Total annual credit not to exceed $99. If you reach the $99 maximum for the 12-month period following your December
billing cycle date, no further Fuel Statement Credits will be earned until the next 12-month period starts. See Reward Program Terms for details. †See WingPoints®
Rewards Program Terms for details. ‡See Young Eagles Terms and Conditions for details. Offer valid through 12/31/15. **For new accounts: Purchase APR
is 26.99%. Minimum interest charge is $2.00. WingPoints® Rewards Program is administered by KickBack Rewards Systems on behalf of Phillips 66® Company.
Phillips 66® Wings logo and WingPoints® are trademarks owned by Phillips 66 Company. The Phillips 66® Aviation Personal Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank.
© 2015 Phillips 66 Company. All rights reserved.

Apply at Phillips66Aviation.com

http://www.Phillips66Aviation.com http://www.Phillips66Aviation.com http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2015