Tag: aviation community

Hot Spots

Hot Spots

Here’s a great reminder about “hot spots” at busy airports. And no I’m not talking about free wi fi in the terminal. As a local flight instructor that has been training primarily out of my Class E airport that underlies Class B airspace, it’s easy for me to forget that a short distance away lies a very bust Class B International airport, complete with tower, lots of runways and lots or airplanes. Not to mention a busy Air National Guard as well (don’t accidentally taxi into their ramp, they tend to great with armed MPs).

This article courtesy of AOPA outlines the importance of referencing your airport diagrams carefully, especially at busy airports and making note of any “hot spots” that may be present. The FAA’s definition of a hot spot is “A runway safety related problem area on an airport that presents increased risk during surface operations.”

Enjoy: http://bit.ly/1udokM5

Spacing

Spacing

We’ve all been in the air on a busy Saturday morning or when the winter weather turns to a nice spring day. It certainly can be frustrating, intimidating and sometimes scary when we’re “bumper to bumper” or nose to tail in the traffic pattern.

I really liked this article put out by AOPA this month in their ‘Training Tips’. It’s called Proper Spacing is Critical and you need to read it. Enjoy!

Proper Spacing is Critical

Face lift for AOPA’s website

Face lift for AOPA’s website

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.

http://beta.aopa.org/

Pilot Training with Piper

Pilot Training with Piper

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