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To become a Master Aviator, it requires applicants to get a tailwheel endorsement. I don’t get how that applies to flying a PA46.
To answer this question, I talked with airshow superstar and M600 owner Kirby Chambliss. He related that flying a tailwheel aircraft makes you keenly aware of directional con- trol because tailwheels are inherently unstable and unforgiv- ing of any misalignment during takeoff or landing. It makes you a better overall pilot and develops excellent footwork.
By learning to fly a tailwheel, we believe this will make you more confident in your stick and rudder skills and make you more attuned to the control required to keep the aircraft tracking straight down the runway.
Besides, flying a tailwheel is a lot of fun and a good chal- lenge if you haven’t done so.
I tend to get airsick during aerobatics, and I really don’t want to do stall/spin training. Can I just watch a video instead?
First of all, UPRT (upset prevention and recovery train- ing) is not aerobatics. It teaches you how a stall/spin develops and how to properly recover. It also demonstrates how and why an accelerated stall can happen and what your response should be. While you can take ground school and watch available video tools, you have to experience it to learn how to react immediately. You won’t have time to think about how to respond; your actions need to be immediate and instinctual.
As many UPRT instructors will tell you, pilots first instinct is to pull back. They teach you how to unload and recover properly. Nothing can replace the in-aircraft experience.
Also, most instructors will tell you that they progress as the pilot is comfortable. Once someone starts to become airsick, the learning has stopped anyway. Thus, it benefits everyone to progress at a pace to ensures the proper tech- niques and knowledge are transferred.
What’s the philosophy behind the Mid-Year Train- ing requirement?
Mid-year training is required for any award because this training has proven to increase the overall knowledge base within the PA46 community. All PA46 pilots should train at least twice per year in some meaningful manner to ensure they are proficient. It is also the best way to address those sce- narios (especially emergencies) you don’t see as part of your regular flying. Mid-year training also expands your under- standing of your aircraft’s capabilities and limitations.
Training twice a year is simply cheap insurance that you are at the top of your game and that your skills are tuned up.
Why are there three levels? Why can’t it just be combined into one award?
As humans we tend to do better through incremental growth and learning. That’s the idea behind the Master Avia-
tor’s three levels: Aviator, Senior Aviator and Master Aviator. It is also is designed for all levels of PA46 pilots, from the newbies to the highly experienced and allows each to have
a realistic goal to work toward. It also introduces an ele- ment of competition among members to work your way up through the levels.
Will becoming a Master Aviator help me on my insurance?
As you most likely know, the insurance market has hard- ened in recent years. Thus discounts for any sort of addi- tional training are extremely hard to come by. MMOPA has presented the Master Aviator program to senior leadership at the major underwriters and continues to discuss the program with them at every opportunity.
Each owner must work closely with their broker to ensure the complete picture of their experience, proficiency and commitment to training and safety is presented. The Master Aviator Program can help you demonstrate those values to the underwriter considering your renewal.
In addition, MMOPA firmly believes the Master Aviator is an important avenue to make our entire community safer and reduce accidents, which ultimately affect the availability and cost of insurance.
What’s the deal with the $400 stipend?
MMOPA wants to demonstrate to the MMOPA com- munity that we are serious about the safety of our members and serious about training. For those who take part in a supplemental, mid-year event, attain a tailwheel endorsement or attend a UPRT course, we want recognize your commit- ment to becoming a safer pilot and help you defray the cost of that training.
To qualify, all the member needs to do is fill out the Master Aviator Reimbursement form and send it to dwhite@mmopa. com, along with your logbook endorsement or comple-
tion certificate.
Do I have to be present at the convention to receive my wings?
No. Although we hope you can join us for the live convention this fall to receive the wings in person, we will certainly ship you your wings and certificate fol- lowing the convention. Those who attend we will be recognized at the Master Aviator Awards Ceremony on Sept. 2, but we will recognize ALL recipients at the event.
How do I apply for the Master Aviator award?
Go to safety tab at MMOPA.com and click on “Master Aviator Award.” There, you’ll find a link to the application.
Deadline is August 15, 2021.
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Apply for the Master Aviator Award online by going to:
www.mmopa.com/safety/master-aviator-program/master-aviator-award-application
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