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Renew Your CFI Via Webinar?

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So it’s that time again…Time to renew your CFI certificate.  Should you go to a refresher clinic?  What about those home study online tests?  Enter CFI renewal by webinar, the most recent addition to the seemingly endless ways in which to renew that coveted certificate.

Here’s the concept: it’s very similar to a weekend refresher clinic where you typically spend 2 full days in a conference room listening to some mindless presentation.  Now I know not all refresher clinics are that dull, but let’s be honest, it’s not exactly an experience to jump up and down for joy about.  Well, the webinar option is LIVE, just like an in-person refresher clinic, except all the training occurs over the internet.

How does this differ from the other online CFI renewal processes, you ask?  Simply this – the webinar allows for one-on-interaction with the presenter.  So instead of spending the weekend in a conference room, you spend it at your computer, learning the same things you would as if you were in person INCLUDING the ability to ask questions and interact with the other attendees and the presenter.

In fact, webinars are an all-around cool way to experience most presentations and the like.  I, however, personally prefer the AOPA CFI Renewal program for one reason and one reason alone – you can complete it at your own pace.  Meaning, you are not required to sit in front of the computer for 16 hours and keep your screen active by moving the mouse around to log your full training time requirements.

The AOPA renewal process ROCKS for that reason.  I just log in, read the study guides, take the tests, and *tadah* I’m done in no time.  But hey, people like options right?

So if you’re interested in this new webinar CFI renewal process, check out: CFI’s Can Renew Online Through Webinar Program from Aero-News.net.

Clear Skies and Calm Winds,

Len @ ThePilotReport.com

iPad 3G ForeFlight HD Test Video

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For those of who’ve been following along with the status of ForeFlight Mobile 3 HD on the iPad, then you should have received (and hopefully installed) the version 3.5 update a few days back.  Version 3.5 brings us a new moving map feature complete with heads up display showing aircraft groundspeed, GPS altitude, track, and a RAIM like accuracy prediction.

A few weeks before this killer-features upgrade, a blog post was put out by the folks at ForeFlight where they went flying in a Cirrus SR22 to test, what we now know to be, the version 3.5 features.  During the flight, app developer Jason Miller recorded a demonstration video where an in-flight comparison was documented between the heads up display on ForeFlight for iPad and the data provided by a Garmin 296 handheld aviation GPS.

The results were pretty astonishing to say the least! To watch the original video recorded by Jason Miller and his dad, check out iPad 3G Flight Test and First Impressions by blog.foreflight.com.

Clear Skies and Calm Winds,

Len @ ThePilotReport.com

Clarity Aloft Aviation Headset Video Review

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***View this video in all its High Definition glory!

The Clarity Aloft Aviation Headset was one of the first noise cancellation headsets to use passive noise reduction technology instead of the conventional active noise reduction (battery operated).  The way this is achieved is by using an in the ear design versus the over the head, over the ear aviation headset style you’re used to seeing.

Because this headset is in the ear instead of over the ear, it provides noise reduction in the same manner in which a set of normal earplugs does – simply squeeze the ear tips and insert them into your ears and *tadah* the noise is greatly reduced.  Also, this means no more messing around with batteries or coming back to a dead headset because you forget to turn the noise-cancellation off.

I’ve personally been using this Clarity Aloft Aviation Headset for over 5 years now with roughly 2,200 hours of flight time logged on them.  So when I say they are comfortable and amazing it’s because they really are!

That being said, here’s some of the headsets features:

  1. Passive noise reduction (no batteries)
  2. Noise canceling microphone
  3. Replaceable ear tips
  4. Low-profile, feather weight headband
  5. Auxiliary audio input (MP3 player)
  6. No painful head-crushing, clamping effect
  7. All day comfort

Watch the video above for a complete demonstration!

Additional manufacturer information can be found at the Clarity Aloft Aviation Headset website.

Disclosure:  I earn commission on sales for most products mentioned here at ThePilotReport.com.  That money goes towards the operation of this website and I’m sure you’re cool with that, but the FTC requires me to remind you.

Powerloss Training for Commerical Operators

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…the NTSB said the FAA should require manufacturers of twin-engine, turbine-powered aircraft to develop a checklist and procedure for a dual engine failure at low altitude, and require operators under Part 121, 135 and 91K to implement the checklist and procedures.  Source – NTSB Wants Power-loss Training for Part 135, 91K

And they very well should!  I can recall no Part 121 training regarding this very issue.  In fact, the lack of such training is almost a disservice to flight crew and passengers.  But first let me clarify something.

As an airline pilot I have received PLENTY of training and simulated flights for a single engine failure, that is losing thrust in 1 of our 2 engines.  We practice takeoffs, maneuvering flight, instrument approaches, and landings in the 1 engine configuration.  So all is well and good there.

Although, I recall no such training on a dual engine failure at any altitude.  To be even more specific, the dual engine failure training was merely a review of our quick reference handbook and a discussion on how to perform such an emergency procedure from the comfort of the classroom chair.  Granted the very likely hood of having a dual engine failure in a turbine aircraft is so astronomically small that it may not warrant such real world training, but that’s what flight simulators are for right?

Now an airline like mine (which doesn’t do any extended over water flights) may not truly benefit from powerloss and ditching training due to our operational characteristics, but there are still some big lakes that we fly over in North America.  I mean, it certainly can’t hurt to receive that knowledge and training in the safety of a flight simulator.

I’ve love to hear your feelings on this so please leave your comments below!

Here’s the original article that spurred this blog post:  NTSB Wants Power-loss Training for Part 135, 91K