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What’s New and Upcoming in Airman Testing – November 2021

November 15, 2021/in Regulations/by Eric Radtke

Editor’s Note: The most recent version of the FAA’s “What’s New and Upcoming in Airman Testing” included a notice that it would be the last edition of the publication. Sporty’s has voiced its concern to FAA regarding this announcement as the publication serves as an important and safety-critical communication tool for updated testing content and FAA publication schedules. It also helps complete the continuous feedback loop so that we can ensure proper correlation between training and testing. If you are compelled to express your concern to FAA regarding this announcement, you may contact the Airman Testing Standards Branch here.

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The Airman Testing Standards Branch recently published its November 2021 edition of What’s New and Upcoming in Airman Testing. New and revised test question activation dates for 2022 are as follows:

January 31, 2022
April 25, 2022
July 25, 2022
October 31, 2022

Test review – The FAA announced that, effective December 31, 2021, it will no longer provide an individual review of knowledge test results with the explanation that the testing software provides an opportunity for airman applicants to enter comments on each individual knowledge test question; therefore, applicants should provide any comments, on knowledge test questions, during the test as opposed to requesting a post-test review.

ACS – Airman Certification Standards currently under revision or development include the Aviation Instructor, Private Helicopter, Instrument Helicopter and Commercial Helicopter. Release dates have not been determined.

Handbooks – While the FAA released an updated version of the Airplane Flying Handbook in September, expect that knowledge test questions will be based on the B version of the handbook until October 31, 2022 test question activation cycle. Handbooks currently under revision with an estimated release date of February 2022 include the Risk Management Handbook and Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Handbook.

The complete edition of the November What’s New and Upcoming in Airman Testing may be accessed here.

Archived version of the publication may be accessed here.

Webinar video: what’s new in Sporty’s 2022 courses

November 11, 2021/in Webinars/by Eric Radtke

Sporty’s Senior Flight Instructor and Lead Course Developer, Bret Koebbe, discusses the extensive new content and features found in Sporty’s 2022 pilot training courses. The presentation includes a demonstration and offers tips on how to use the course efficiently to save you time and money during your flight training.

2022 New or Improved Features:

New TV apps
Audio training
PowerStudy Test Prep
Flight instructor portal
Integrating with AOPA’s syllabus tool
New video segments
Customized online dashboard

Quiz: Runway Safety

November 8, 2021/in Quiz/by Chris Clarke

Ground operations at busy tower-controlled airports can be challenging for pilots of all experience levels and is an important skill you will learn during private pilot training. Test your knowledge of taxiway diagrams, airport signs and markings and ATC clearances in our latest quiz.

Still have more answers? Check out our other quizzes.

Want to learn more about runway safety? Check out Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course for more in depth training on this subject.

FAA updates Chart Users’ Guide

November 5, 2021/in Regulations/by Eric Radtke

The FAA issued a revised Chart User’s Guide on October 7th. It is available on their website to view or to download as a PDF.

The Chart Users’ Guide is an introduction to the FAA’s aeronautical charts and publications – useful to new pilots as a learning aid, and to experienced pilots as a quick reference guide.

What’s new in this edition?

VFR CHARTS: All references to International Flight Service Stations (IFSS) will be removed since they no longer exist in the U.S. National Airspace System.

IFR ENROUTE CHARTS: Two new VOR standard service volumes (SSV) have been implemented in order to achieve VOR service within 70 nautical miles above 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The new NAVAID codes are VOR Low (VL) and VOR High (VH).

Along with that effort, two new distance measuring equipment (DME) SSVs of DME Low (DL) and DME High (DH) have been implemented to support DME-DME RNAV service. Legacy SSVs of Terminal (T), Low (L), and High (H) will continue to be maintained. In the past, NAVAIDs at one location typically all had the same SSV. For example, a VORTAC typically had a High (H) SSV for the VOR, the TACAN azimuth, and the TACAN DME, or a Low (L) or Terminal (T) SSV for all three. A VOR/DME typically had a High (H), Low (L), or Terminal (T) for both the VOR and the DME. A common SSV may no longer be the case at all locations. A VOR/DME, for example, could have an SSV of VL for the VOR and DH for the DME, or other combinations.

See Charting Notice ENR_21-01_CN_SSV_Codes for more information. Sample VOR/DME NAVAID box with two SSVs:

Access the updated guide at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/.

Sporty’s updates Pilot Training courses with new features for 2022

November 2, 2021/in Pilot Gear/by John Zimmerman

One of the best investments you can make as a student pilot (or a rusty pilot) is a good home study course. While your flight lessons will form the core of your training, there’s a lot of work to be done in between trips to the airport. Sure, you’ll need something to help you prepare for the FAA knowledge test, but the benefits of a course go far beyond that. It will also help you save a significant amount of time and money by preparing for each lesson at home. Most importantly, you’ll be a safer, more well-rounded pilot after you earn your certificate.

Sporty’s courses have helped over 100,000 pilots learn to fly, and are famous for their relentless pace of innovation. Every year, we add new content, new training tools, and technological enhancements. This year is no exception, with a host of upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.

New TV apps

The best place to watch immersive 4K video is on your big screen TV, where you can really feel like you’re in the airplane during every segment. For 2022 we’re introducing an all-new Apple TV app with review quizzes, a new Amazon Fire TV app, a new Android TV app, plus Chromecast and Roku support. Now you can watch Sporty’s course—and keep your progress in sync—no matter where you are.

Audio training

If you can’t be relaxing in front of your TV, another convenient option is to listen to the audio for each segment. This is perfect for your morning walk or while you work out—even in the car. Intuitive app layout makes it easy to switch between video and audio with one touch.

PowerStudy test prep

Nobody has better test prep tools than Sporty’s, from our proprietary database of FAA test questions to our customizable study modes. Now you can take advantage of every feature online, in the iOS app, or in the Android app. This includes advanced study modes that tailor the session to your learning progress, complete learning history that highlights weak areas, and the ability to create custom quizzes based on past sessions. And of course we’ll give you the flight instructor endorsement to take the FAA knowledge test when you’re done.

Flight instructor portal

Get more out of your flight training by including your CFI in your at-home training course. It’s easy to share your progress in the course and complete a pre-solo test that’s sent to your instructor. Your CFI can review the segments you’ve completed and track study session performance. Plus, we’ll keep a record of training to document your preparation.

Integrates with AOPA’s syllabus tool

The AOPA Flight Training Advantage is a web portal- and iPad-based training application that will help make the process of flight training more effective for the student, the CFI and the flight school. Now you can connect your training progress in AFTA and Sporty’s course for a seamless training experience, inside and outside the airplane.

New video segments

Always the heart of the course, Sporty’s video segments are updated and expanded for 2022. New videos cover the latest changes to airspace, tips for flight planning with Garmin avionics, new ForeFlight weather tools, and more. The focus is on in-flight video and sophisticated animations, so you go beyond memorizing to really understand important aviation concepts.

Customized online dashboard

Our updated online training platform makes it easier than ever to stay organized and avoid training gaps. Create your own profile to manage your progress, get tips for better test performance, and view links to helpful resources. It’s the hub of your home training, continuously updated with new information to help you excel.

Lifetime updates

Never worry about out-of-date materials or missing features with Sporty’s free lifetime updates. Simply buy the course once and you own it forever—no subscriptions and no upgrade fees required. Every time you log in to the online training portal or open up the Pilot Training app, you’ll have access to the latest video segments, test question updates, and training features. It’s an incredible value: for the price of one flight lesson, you’ll save thousands of dollars over your flying career.

Learn more

Video

Make your next flight more meaningful by practicing this

November 1, 2021/in Tips and technique/by Eric Radtke

Ok, so your checkride was conducted within the parameters of the certification standards and you demonstrated quality decision-making skills and judgment, but that’s just the beginning. Earning a pilot certificate is a special accomplishment. It also comes with the responsibility to continue learning and refining those skills through practice. Creating a plan for doing so will only enhance your aviation experiences and provide even greater personal enrichment. It also provides purpose for your next flight.

Practice landings. A wise person once told me you can’t practice anything effectively unless you have goals and a method to measure progress. In terms of making more consistent landings, this means examining your landings with a critical eye. Some things to consider:

Speed – Have you established target pattern speeds? Is the speed and configuration correct and consistent through all legs of the pattern for departure and arrival legs?
Aiming & Touchdown points – Are you maintaining the discipline to select an aim and touchdown point for every landing and making those touchdown points consistently. Have you established an acceptable standard by which the airplane should be comfortably on the ground?
Flare & Touchdown – Are you appropriately trading airspeed for altitude in the form of a shallower descent rate in the flare and touching down as the wings stall in the case of a normal landing?
Runway alignment – Are you rolling out on final approach on centerline? Are you landing with the longitudinal axis parallel to the runway?
Crosswinds – Are you growing more confident in managing crosswind? Do you have the flight controls properly positioned for taxi and takeoff? Are your crosswind landings equally consistent with the upwind main landing gear touching down first with no side load?
Go-Arounds – Are you following your own rules for a stable approach and executing a go-around when appropriate? And are you practicing go-arounds even in the case it’s not necessary? A go-around is a complicated maneuver with significant configuration change at low altitude and should be the top exit strategy in any undesirable situation.

Judge your improvement on the quality of your “bad” landings. And practice under a variety of conditions (wind, configuration, time of day, etc.) to better hone your visual cues and mastery of the airplane. A safety pilot or instructor may see elements not as obvious to the pilot flying.

Practice abnormal procedures. Read the wonderfully insightful section of your POH that includes an expanded discussion of abnormal and emergency procedures. On your next flight, review the table of contents for the emergency section and select an event you haven’t practiced. Follow the checklist for that item and understand the “why” behind it. This exercise will not only prepare you for real-time abnormals, but will ensure a better understanding of your aircraft’s systems.

What about an engine failure immediately after takeoff? What about a partial power loss? A blown tire? Electrical failure?

Finally, fly. There’s nothing better for proficiency than to fly more and visit new places. And if you need an additional excuse, the colors of the fall foliage are a spectacular sight from an airplane.