This may be a good boost for GA as many pilots have stopped flying due to a loss of their medical. If the General Aviation Community can experience a burst of interest and participation from former pilots, we may just stop feeling like a dying breed. Here’s the full article put out by AOPA on the FAA’s announcement:
Many of you already are aware that AOPA is beta testing their new site. It certainly is a nice face lift to the original version. The drop down tabs make it easier to navigate or even “pre navigate” a category without actually leaving the page you are on. I’m a big fan of this feature as I get rather impatient when I go to a new page only to have to go back and keep searching for the desired link.
Flight planning tools are well organized and easy to find. Keep in mind that some links will take you into the original website format. I found a few glitches when I did this such as screens not loading, which by the way, they’d like you to squawk any flaws. Overall I think it will make navigating their site more friendly and if nothing else more pleasing to the eye. Have fun and explore.
I recently read a refreshing article regarding Piper getting more involved in the training and flight school market. I know that’s hard to believe they could get more involved as most of us have all flown a Piper aircraft of some sort in our current or past training career. However if you look at how dominant Cessna has been with their 172 series and 152’s of the past, it makes sense for Piper to want to step up. I love flying so whether I’m in a 172, Archer, Warrior etc, it really doesn’t matter to me. For training purposes, as a CFI, I will say the 172’s are very forgiving, but there is something to say about a training in a low wing Piper. I found with past students it simply came down to what was available, cheap and preference, in that order.
Piper does seem to have a few training markets cornered such as with their twin Seminole and it would be interesting to know if we will see “Piper Training Centers” competing with Cessna Training Centers. Anything to keep future pilots interested, engaged and excited will only benefit the aviation community. Here’s the link to the full article put out by AOPA: http://bit.ly/Yh92Ju
Ok, so this is not new news. Aviation apps have been around a while and more and more keep exploding on the market. I re-visited an article I read this past summer about some of the best apps available on the aviation market and wanted to share those with you.
Aside from the awesome world of digital chart applications that allow us to leave the 3-ring binders and hoards of paper at home, there are some fantastic applications available for your Apple and Android device. Keep in mind as the article states, not every pilot needs every app. Some of the apps are free, some a small fee. Also, some are only available for iPhone or iPad devices, sorry Android users.
One of my favorites is the E6B from Sport’s that is compatible with both Apple and Android platforms. I couldn’t imagine even going back to the old manual E6B after taking this for a spin. Best of all it’s cheap and with the holiday’s upon us, this would be a great gift for your pilot or in my case, myself. Of course some of the apps are so awesome that it may be encouragement enough to go buy yourself an iPad if you don’t have one yet, just to be able to access some of these wonderful apps.
Here is the link to the full article: http://www.flyingmag.com/avionics-gear/pilot-supplies/8-great-aviation-apps?page=0,0
It’s hot and DA is up! Plan to lighten the loads on those hot summer months. We are hitting density altitudes of 8,000ft from a 4,200 field elevation here in the Salt Lake City area. Ouch! Ask your self a few questions; “Do I need to take that? Do I need full tanks? Should I schedule morning flights vs mid day flights?” As the density altitude climbs, our air craft’s performance declines so consider all of the factors of performance and weight before you make a “go” decision.
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