Flight Training - August 2012 - 14

PREFLIGHT»

Take the T
New routing takes advantage of GPS
DESPITE A SHIFT to GPS as the primary means of navigation for many airplanes, the National Airspace System is still mostly a network of routes defined by radio navigation. That’s changing. Newer T-routes are “airways” in the sense that they go between two points to form a road in the sky, but they are different in that those points exist only on a chart, and are navigated via GPS. T-routes are shown in blue on low altitude en route charts and can be filed just like a Victor Airway. They are often found in busy Class B airspace as a means to more easily transition, but they can also be found where a navaid has been decommissioned and a route is still needed. Above Flight Level 180 you’ll find the same thing, but instead of a T-route, they are called Q-routes.

TECH TIP

Medical exemption petition comments pass 1,250
Proposal would expand ability to fly without medical
HAVE YOU TOLD the FAA that you support the AOPA/EAA medical exemption request? The FAA has received more than 1,250 comments on the request by AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) to provide pilots who fly recreationally the option of becoming educated on medical self-assessment and using a driver’s license as the baseline for their health in lieu of obtaining a third class medical certificate.

AOPA ACTION

TELL THE FAA HOW GRANTING THE REQUEST WOULD POSITIVELY AFFECT YOUR FLYING.
“The continued outpouring of support since the proposal was presented to the FAA demonstrates the importance the general aviation community places on the request,” said Rob Hackman, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs. There is strength in numbers—and this is the time to tell the FAA how granting the request would positively affect your flying or bring you back to the airport. Pilots flying under the exemption would be restricted to day-VFR operations in a single-engine aircraft of 180 horsepower or less, four seats or fewer, fixed gear, with no more than one passenger, among other criteria. To sharpen understanding of what the associations are seeking, and to make NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS the potential effects on pilots’ personal The annual meeting of the Members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will flying clear, the associations recommend be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012, at AOPA headquarters, 421 Aviation that pilots review the complete proposal, Way, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, located on the Frederick Municipal (FDK) airport, for peruse these guidelines for submitting the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly comments, and submit comments online come before the meeting, specifically including the election of trustees, and specifically (www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail; including the adoption of an amendment to the bylaws of the association to expand D=FAA-2012-0350-0001). eligibility for voting membership in the association beyond pilots and owners to indiKeep track of the petition’s progress by viduals who have an interest in advancing the cause of general aviation. signing up for email alerts (https://aopa. —John S. Yodice, Secretary qualtrics.com).
14 / FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2012-0350-0001 http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2012-0350-0001 https://aopa.qualtrics.com https://aopa.qualtrics.com http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - August 2012