Lost Procedures

Have you ever been disoriented or lost? It can and does happen to student pilots, new pilots, and even more experienced pilots — even in this day of GPS. This 33-minute video explains the concept of situational awareness and guides you through the use of all the available tools from air traffic control to VORs, pilotage, and diverting.
This AOPA Air Safety Foundation video is also available full-length in DVD format through Sporty's Pilot Shop.

Launch video (Broadband - Windows Media Player)
Launch video (Dial-up - Windows Media Player)

Weather Decision Making

Although this 55-minute video is intended primarily for the pilot flying under instrument flight rules (IFR), the information it contains is useful for all pilots. The program covers working within the air traffic control system to safely deal with thunderstorms and other challenging weather. It also addresses how to get the most useful information from preflight briefers, controllers, other pilots, and Flight Watch, as well as the limitations of ATC radar.
This AOPA Air Safety Foundation video is also available in DVD format through Sporty's Pilot Shop.

Launch video (Broadband - Windows Media Player)
Launch video (Dial-up - Windows Media Player)

Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings

Mastering the art of crosswind takeoffs and landings is a challenge for most student pilots. This 13-minute video, produced by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, is filled with explanations and tips that will help you in this task — or provide you with a convenient review.
This AOPA Air Safety Foundation video is also available full-length in DVD format through Sporty's Pilot Shop.

Launch video (Broadband - Windows Media Player)
Launch video (Dial-up - Windows Media Player)

Pilots today face a range of new airspace restrictions: TFRs, SFARs, ADIZs. We can't afford to bust them, but who can keep them all straight? This online course was designed to take the mystery out of it all, and help you navigate today's changing airspace restrictions without incident.

Launch Flash (Broadband - Flash)

SkySpotter: PIREPs Made Easy

To improve the quality and quantity of pilot reports (pireps) received, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation developed the SkySpotter® program, which is cosponsored by the FAA and the National Weather Service Aviation Weather Center. If we all submit pilot reports more often, we'll know what we're getting ourselves into it (or avoid getting into it). Train online how to make a pilot report.

Launch Flash (Broadband - Flash)

In times of trouble, air traffic control can be your greatest ally. By offering you a flight assist, a controller can help you navigate any number of in-flight problems. Yet very few pilots use this valuable service. This interactive online course explains why pilots should add the flight assist to their bag of tools. Learn through hands-on training when to call for a flight assist and how to work with controllers to get yourself out of harm's way.

Launch Flash (Broadband - Flash)
Launch Flash (Dial-up - Flash)

Lost communications, while not an immediate emergency, can lead to a very dangerous situation if some action is not taken to get the aircraft on the ground and get the radios repaired. What will you do if the radios fail?

Land and Hold Short (LAHSO) quiz

Do you know what "LAHSO" stands for? Have you ever been issued a LAHSO clearance? Do you think that a LAHSO is a tied rope found on a ranch? Test your knowledge of these operations when you take the LAHSO quiz.

This training program uses graphics, animation, and interactivity to present information needed to give accurate pilot reports (pireps). By doing so, pilots can help increase the accuracy of weather reports.

A flight assist occurs when air traffic control provides in-flight assistance to an aircraft in a potentially dangerous situation. Controllers provide a variety of resources to pilots that would not be available otherwise to many GA aircraft.

Airspace regulations can be confusing to even the most seasoned of pilots, especially following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Yet, with periodic review, such confusion can be resolved. Test your knowledge about airspace.

Weather is the one constant for every flight. Pilots must have a solid concept of weather concepts and a thorough understanding of weather flying tactics.

TFRs imposed since September 11, 2001, are still active and change frequently. Pilots must know and understand the current airspace environment. Test your understanding.

All videos, interactive courses and quizzes courtesy of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.