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November 2007 Volume 1, Issue 3 |
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 Welcome
to the third issue of Reach For The Sky, EAA's
monthly e-newsletter for people interested in learning to fly. If you know someone you think would like to receive the newsletter,
please forward your copy. If you
received this from a friend, we encourage you to
subscribe at www.sportpilot.org/learntofly/subscribe.asp.
In
this issue ...
- First
Flight (Part 2) by Steve Krog, CFI,
Editor
- What You're Asking:
Questions for the instructor
- A Personal
View: No Intercom
- No Problem; by Dave Hirschman
- Aviation
Glossary: Learning the language of
flight
- This
Month's Poll - What ground school
subject is most enjoyable for you?
Got a question
about flight-training? Drop us an e-mail
at LearnToFly@EAA.org.
Where
to start
First
Flight (Part 2)
By Steve Krog
When
we left off last month, we were sitting in the
airplane, positioned near the end of the runway.
You had, with the supervision of your
instructor, completed the preflight inspection,
start-up, and taxied to the runway.
 Pre-takeoff
After taxiing to the desired runway for takeoff, you will be directed to stop before
reaching what is called the runway holding
position markings. These markings can be
identified by yellow painted lines, two dashed
lines and two solid yellow lines. Remember,
safety is always first whenever we fly. By
stopping and remaining behind these yellow
lines, we're allowing an adequate safety margin
so as to not interfere with any other aircraft
taking off or landing.
Next, using the printed checklist found in the
aircraft, you'll begin your pre-takeoff check of
all engine and control systems as well as
setting the altimeter and directional gyro. As
you proceed through each item on the checklist,
excitement builds, your palms might begin to
sweat and your knees may have a nervous
tick. But don't be alarmed; these are normal
reactions and will go away soon into the
flight. Read
more
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Q&A:
What
You're Asking
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Common
questions for the instructor from beginning flight students
Q. How long does it take to earn a sport
pilot certificate?
A. That depends on how often you're able
to fly. If your schedule permits two or three
times per week, you can complete the flight
training in about two and a half months.
Q. Flying
looks like it would be a lot of fun but I
don't like heights. What do you recommend?
A. Many beginning student pilots are
apprehensive at first. After all, it will
probably be the first time you've experienced
motion in three dimensions. It is a common
feeling that you will easily overcome as you
gain flight experience and become comfortable in
the airplane.
Q. If I
obtain a sport pilot certificate, can I fly
anywhere in the U.S.?
A. There are two answers to this
question. With a Sport Pilot license you can fly
in any Class E or G airspace within the U.S. If
you want or need to fly in Class B, C, or D
airspace (airspace with control towers), you'll
first need additional instruction and a logbook
endorsement from your flight
instructor. More
questions |
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A Personal
View: "No Intercom - No Problem" |
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By Dave Hirschman
I nearly let an electrical
problem scrub a recent Cub flight - and that
would have been a shame.
You may wonder what kind of electrical problem
an airplane with no electrical system could
possibly have. In my case, it was a dead 9-volt
battery that powered a portable intercom.
I was about to fly with Tyler, a 14-year-old
student who's logged hundreds of hours of
computer simulator time, but only a few flights
at the controls of an actual airplane. The Cub's
65-horsepower Continental is a tiny powerplant,
but it's enough, when combined with the wind
that swirls through the Cub's open door, to
drown out my words of wisdom. I didn't want to
shout, and Tyler surely didn't want to be
shouted at. Read
more
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| Aviation
glossary
ailerons
- An aircraft control surface hinged to the rear,
outer section of the wing for banking (tilting)
the aircraft. A bank or roll causes an aircraft to
turn. Controlled by right or left movement of the
control yoke or stick.
elevators
-
An aircraft control surface hinged to the rear of
the left and right horizontal stabilizer of the
aircraft tail. Changes the aircraft pitch attitude
nose-up or nose-down, as during a climb or
descent. Controlled by pushing or pulling on the
control yoke or stick.
rudder -
An aircraft control surface attached to the rear
of the vertical stabilizer (fin) of the aircraft
tail. Forces the tail left or right,
correspondingly "yawing" the aircraft
right or left. Rudder movement
"coordinates" with the banking of wings
to balance a turn. Controlled by left and right
rudder (foot) pedals.
More
glossary words >>
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This
month's poll
Last
month's poll: Flying
for fun
Last month we asked,
"What sparked your interest in flight
training?" and nearly four out of 10 of
you selected, "Flying looks fun and
adventurous." Another 20 percent voted for
"The challenge" while 12 percent said
they were pursuing a flying career.
View the complete results
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A moment to
join, a lifetime to fly
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 If
you’re preparing to become a pilot, the EAA
community is here for you. Membership gives you
access to the collective passion, knowledge,
experience, and support of 170,000 members
worldwide. You'll get to participate in EAA
events, connect with fellow members, and have
access to the tools and resources to get you
airborne. Join the fun by visiting http://www.eaa.org/membership/benefits.asp
today.
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Reach for the Sky - EAA's Guide to Learning
to Fly and Light-Sport Aircraft
|
 EAA’s
guide to learning to fly and light-sport aircraft
is a resource to help anyone take the first
steps toward becoming a pilot. Whether you want to
have fun in a powered parachute or one day want to
command a Mars mission, Reach for the Sky is a
great place to start. It is
available
as a PDF
that will take a few minutes to download with a
high-speed connection.
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