LET's GO FLYING Book, at the Perfect Landing Restaurant, Centennial Airport Near Denver, Colorado
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Cover:Layout 1 12/1/09 11:02 AM Page 1 LET’S GO LET’S FLYING G O FLYING Educational Programs Directorate & Drug Demand Reduction Program Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters 105 South Hansell Street Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 36112 Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page i CIVIL AIR PATROL DIRECTOR, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE Mr. James L. Mallett CHIEF, DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION PROGRAM Mr. Michael Simpkins CHIEF, AEROSPACE EDUCATION Dr. Jeff Montgomery AUTHOR & PROJECT DIRECTOR Dr. Ben Millspaugh EDITORIAL TEAM Ms. Gretchen Clayson; Ms. Susan Mallett; Lt. Col. Bruce Hulley, CAP; Ms. Crystal Bloemen; Lt. Col. Barbara Gentry, CAP; Major Kaye Ebelt, CAP; Capt. Russell Grell, CAP; and Mr. Dekker Zimmerman AVIATION CAREER SUPPORT TEAM Maj. Gen. Tandy Bozeman, USAF Ret.; Lt. Col. Ron Gendron, USAF; Lt. Col. Patrick Hanlon, USAF; Capt. Billy Mitchell, Capt. Randy Trujillo; and Capt. Rick Vigil LAYOUT & DESIGN Ms. Barb Pribulick PHOTOGRAPHY Mr. Adam Wright; Mr. Alex McMahon and Mr. Frank E. Mills PRINTING Wells Printing Montgomery, AL 2nd Edition Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page ii Contents Part One — Introduction to the world of aviation — your first flight on a commercial airliner . 1 Part Two — So you want to learn to fly — this is your introduction into actual flight training . 23 Part Three — Special programs for your aviation interest . 67 Part Four Fun things you can do with an interest in aviation . 91 Part Five Getting your “ticket” & passing the medical . 119 Part Six Interviews with aviation professionals . 143 Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page iii LET’S GO FLYING Drug Demand Reduction Program Educational Programs Directorate Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters 105 South Hansell Street Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 36112 Published 2009, 2010 The DDR Message Throughout this book, the reader will see many references to drugs, alcohol, physical fitness, the aviation medical certificate and warnings about serious career issues. These passages are high- lighted in yellow to raise the awareness of how the aviation indus- try has a zero tolerance for alcohol and drug abuse. Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page 1 PART ONE — Introduction to the world of aviation — your first flight on a commercial airliner Photo by ADAM WRIGHT Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page 2 2 | LET’S GO FLYING 1.1 Hey there it is! Your airplane is a Frontier A319 Air Bus. You are planning a trip to visit relatives in a city over 800 miles from your home. You have saved up a certain amount of money for the trip, so you need to determine the most cost effective mode of travel. If you travel by automobile, it could take you two days. The cost for gas and a possible over-night lodging fee could cost quite a bit. If you include the hotel, that could be at least $50 or more. So, when you put the math on paper, it may be best to save time and money by taking an airplane. And, it is quite an adventure to do so! Check the internet to make sure you get a good deal on your ticket and you’re set to go. Hold on! First things first! Your stay is going to be a week, so you have to make sure that you have enough socks, underwear, and clothes. Don’t forget to check the weather so you can determine whether you need to take a coat or jacket. In your RON kit (which, in pilot lingo, means Remain Over Night), make sure you check the airlines for sizes of liquid containers you can take on board and what needs to be “checked” in the luggage area. Here’s something that you should also consider. Let’s say that you have an allergy or a condition that requires prescription drugs. Do you carry them in your pocket, in your back-pack or in your luggage? If your luggage gets lost, what would you do? You should call your family doctor and ask for some answers. A physician will give you good advice on how you can carry prescription drugs on an airplane. Abusing prescription drugs is very dangerous and may cause serious bodily damage. Always take prescription drugs exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Of course, illegal drugs are out of the ques- tion. Airport security, known as the TSA, has strict regulations about drugs and, if you violate the rules, you could face some serious penal- ties. Just remember to follow your family doctor’s recommendation and you should have no problems. As you prepare for departure, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport terminal for the recommended pre-boarding time, which is Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page 3 INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF AVIATION | 3 1.2 Denver International Airport – One of the world’s newest and most advanced airports. usually at least one hour. The terminal of an airport is where the passen- gers arrive and prepare for departure at their specific airline gate. Many large airports have terminal entrances for each airline. So, upon arrival at the airport, make sure you go to the right airport terminal. If someone is going to drop you off at the airport, you and that person need to also find where you need to be picked up upon your return. Knowing where you can be picked up, usually outside the baggage claim area, will enable you to plan the correct time for a quick pick-up when you come home. Air- ports have police who won’t allow cars to sit and wait for very long. It’s a national security issue and it also causes traffic congestion problems. Many airports provide “holding areas” where the person who will be picking up passengers can wait in case the planes happen to be late. Have your “ride” check to find out where this holding area is before leaving the airport. If your return trip arrival is behind schedule, your “ride” can wait without having to pay for parking or being told to move by the police. 1.3 Check in comes first in some cases. If you plan to check your luggage, you may be able to do so before you ever enter the building. If your baggage is all “carry-on,” you’re set. Say good-bye to the friends or family who gave you a ride and get ready for the adventure! Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page 4 4 | LET’S GO FLYING 1.4 It seems like everyone has a suitcase with wheels. Flight crews call them “Rollaboards” which is made by a company called Travel Pro™. They designed the first, case-with-wheels, back in the 1980’s. You’re about to enter the wonderful world of air travel When you first enter a large airport, it can be overwhelming, es- pecially big, international airports. An airport is “international” if there is a government customs office on the premises to check people going in or out of the country. Some airports have volunteers who can help guide you to the right places. Checking your luggage for the trip can be easy … you can check it at the curb or go inside to your airline ticket counter. The airport featured is Denver International and this world-class facility covers an astonishing 57 square miles! It was originally designed to be far away from downtown Denver. This kept the constant aircraft noise away from the city. However, as growth occurs, the expanding population is getting closer and closer to the airport. An airport is “in- ternational” if there is a government customs office on the premises. Just inside the entrance to many terminals, you will find your air- line counter or you will find computerized ticket machines. You only need your credit card or your airline confirmation number for the ma- chine or the customer service agent at the ticket counter to immedi- ately identify you and your reservation. If there is baggage to be “checked,” it can be done at the ticket counter. Large luggage is “checked” in with airplane to be stored in your airplane storage area to arrive at your destination. At this point you will receive your boarding Let's Go Fly Chapter 1:Layout 1 12/15/09 7:33 AM Page 5 INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF AVIATION | 5 pass. If you look closely at photo- graph1.5, behind the machine and just below the Frontier sign, you will see a place where luggage can be checked. It’s all very easy, although sometimes you might have to wait in line for a short while. If you only have a small piece of luggage and it can fit with you inside the plane, there is no need to “check” lug- gage. Either way, after you receive your 1.5 This is one of the many boarding pass, you will be directed computerized kiosks. It gives through “security” prior to entering the you your boarding pass. correct concourse for departure. The place where the airplanes park and passengers get on and off the airplane is known as a “concourse” and at most airports there are several labeled by letters, such as A, B and C. These concourses have ample seating, are very comfortable and have large windows.