Aviation for Women is the flagship member publication of Women in Aviation International. Articles feature women who have made aviation history, professional development ideas, and current-topic articles.
Issue link: https://afwdigital.epubxp.com/i/715635
36 Aviation forWomen S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6 COURTESY OF AOPA No longer a re we asked to "posit ion and hold"; now we "line up and wait." Changes to the FARs include new classi- fications of pilot certificates and aircraft. Medical certificate requirements and du- ration have changed, with more exciting changes yet to come if pending legisla- tion for third-class medical reform be- comes law. For many pilots, getting motivated to do the bookwork is the hardest part. "It is a commitment. You have to study," says Scott Fernandez, a private pilot who worked as field rep- resentative for Cessna Aircraft Company in the '70s and '80s. He points out that the internet has made it easier than ever to find out what you need to review or relearn. "There's no ex- cuse," he says. "It's made it easier." The FAA, aviation organizations, flight schools, and flying magazines provide a wealth of videos, tutorials, articles, and more on their websites to help you learn what you need to know in an interesting, engaging way. Removing the Rust For pilots who learn best in a social setting, a seminar like AOPA's Rusty Pilots program is a good place to start. AOPA began the program in March 2014 with the goal of mak- ing it easier for lapsed pilots to find their way back to the cockpit. Working with local flight schools and instructors, AOPA prov ides mater ia ls a nd pro- motes the seminar. Completion of a Rusty Pilots seminar can fulfill the g round school requ i rement for t he flight review. After that, the pilot can sig n up w it h a f l ig ht i nst r uc tor to complete the flying portion of the re- view. By offering seminars at a local flight schools, AOPA hopes to make it easy for pilots to connect with CFIs. "That seamless transition to the instructor is what they most desire and gets them back into the game. Having that connection with the flight school is really important," Katie says. The group setting makes returning pilots more comfortable and helps them to reconnect with the flying community. "Be- ing in a group gives them a lot more confidence," she says. "The seminars work really well for that reason. They know they're not alone." Renee Riani, a commercial pilot and CFII with instru- ment and multiengine ratings, agrees: "You get the sense that you're not the only one." Before attending a Rusty Pilots semi- nar in March, she had not flown since 1993. Now she's back in the cockpit working on her flight review. After that, she plans to work on reinstating her flight instructor ticket by adding a multiengine instructor rating. "For me, going to that seminar and putting myself in the For many pilots, getting motivated to do the bookwork is the hardest part. AOPA holds Rusty Pilots seminars at events and local airports across the country. They are open to everyone.