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Introducing…The Aviator’s Academy

Imagine this …

You have plans to fly to an airport 218 miles north for a business meeting. Your window is tight; you have an early morning meeting at your office you can’t miss prior to leaving for the airport. The colleagues you are flying to meet must catch another flight within two hours of your target arrival time. 

You’re comfortable flying in the current weather conditions, but a small southward-moving storm north of your destination might threaten your approach. Additionally, given the time of day, you can expect ATC delays due to vectors and know you’ll have to adjust on the fly.

Are you confident you can make the meeting in time?

If the answer isn’t immediately clear, you’re not alone. Good aeronautical decision making is of utmost importance in the air. External pressures, unexpected challenges, and your level of instrument proficiency are among the many factors to consider when considering an IFR flight. 

While we can’t remove the external pressures or control the weather, we CAN help with instrument proficiency!

Introducing … The Aviator’s Academy – advanced online pilot training. 

During my time training hundreds of capable and competent pilots at Texas Top Aviation, my most common observation with seasoned and rookie pilots alike is that the pilot is often aware of knowledge gaps with the airplane’s avionics after initial flight training or after upgrading to a more advanced airplane, but aren’t sure where to get answers.  Simply put – expert glass panel flight training is hard to find.

They know enough to have earned their license, but still feel uneasy anticipating unexpected challenges. This leaves them feeling at best, uncomfortable, or worse, on edge and unsafe. When you’re not as proficient as you could be, an easy flight can become stressful quickly in unexpected scenarios, and things spiral from there. It doesn’t have to be this way.

That’s why The Aviator’s Academy offers online courses with real-life scenarios using glass panel avionics. You’ll gain more confidence in the air and be equipped with better aeronautical decision-making skills after learning from the best in the business.

We understand the pressures you face in the air. We get it because we have been providing expert, personalized, owner/pilot instruction since 2014 at Texas Top Aviation. With over 8000 hours of instruction given in Technically Advanced Aircraft and over 13,000 hours in total flight time, The Aviator’s Academy instructors are qualified to fly and instruct most single-engine aircraft to a level that far exceeds what a flight school can provide. Nowhere else can you get expert glass panel online instruction for Technically Advanced Aircraft.

If you’re in need of an instrument proficiency check and fly a technically advanced aircraft with glass panel instruments, this is the place to get your ground school training. Conveniently online. Expertly taught. 

Mastering your glass panel avionics isn’t impossible. You just need a guide. Enroll in the course you need to take your skill to the next level. You’ll receive expert, specialized online training. Then you’ll fly with confidence.

LAUNCHING AT OSHKOSH! Visit www.aviatorsacademy.com and leave us your email to be notified when our first course drops. Come visit us at booth 3004 at Osh Kosh, July 25th-July 31st, 2022.

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  • Will Fly To Food: Texas Airport Diners

    Looking for some good $100 Hamburger options in the state of Texas?  Here are some other good fly-in eateries around Texas.  These are ranked in no particular order because they are all just really good!  Most of these are located on the airport property, but a few are in town and worth the drive!

    • Lockhart BBQ (50R):  With 4 BBQ options in Lockhart (and City Market BBQ 10 minutes away in Luling), you can’t go wrong with a stop in Lockhart.  Just grab the keys for the giant suburban, and away you go. Most folks who stop off in Lockhart will give it a legitimate claim over Hard 8 in Stephenville.
    • Angelina County Airport Restaurant (KLFK):  This is pure East Texas eating here in Lufkin.  With greasy, tasty burgers and sandwiches, breakfast, and ladies who call you “Sugar” when taking your order, this is down home if I ever tasted it.  Lufkin and Brenham are currently neck and neck for the best Texas burger.
    • Black Walnut Cafe (KCXO):  This airport diner, located at the Galaxy FBO in Conroe on the north side of Houston, is top notch.  The food is excellent (I have eaten several different sandwiches and have not been disappointed) and you can’t beat the 3rd floor runway view from the patio.  Not a bad place to spend the lunch hour, though make sure you get there before the lunch hour.  It fills up quick.

    Black Walnut Cafe

    • Airport Diner (T82):  Right next to the Hangar Hotel, the Airport Diner in Fredericksburg brings back memories of the old soda fountains of the ’40s and ’50s.  With plates like the Warthog (their sausage sandwich with Fredericksburg made sausage) and the Whirly Bird (their chicken tenders wrap), the Airport Diner fully embraces the airport theme.  Better to stop for lunch on a weekday rather than a weekend as their isn’t a whole ton of seating.  Check your NOTAMs as the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
    • Radial Engine Cafe (KGPM):  A good little stop in the Dallas area for a simple burger, fries, and a Coke. Don’t get the smaller 17/35 runway at GPM confused with the much larger 16/34 runway at GKY just to the west.  Approaching from the south, this can be easily done.
    • Clear Springs Restaurant (KBAZ):  Come for the onion rings, stay for the fish.  Clear Springs is just a 5 minute drive from the airport and there are always plenty of crew cars available.  You could probably make a whole meal out of the onion rings themselves, but the fish is top notch too.
    • Gate 12 (KCLL):  The College Station Airport now has the 12th Man!  Aggie Fans will appreciate the Gate 12 experience with all the Texas A&M decorations scattered throughout the restaurant.  Bring an appetite if you want to tackle the burgers.  They are huge!  Parking is only at the FBO.  Only military planes get to park in front of the restaurant.
    • Cooper’s BBQ (KAQO):  Llano, TX is known for BBQ.  Just fly in to the airport, get a car, and after a 10 minute drive, you can take your pick of any kind of BBQ under the sun.  Careful, as it’s easy to over order!
    • Hangar 6 Restaurant (KUVA):  The newest restaurant on the list, located on the ramp at the Uvalde Airport, Hangar 6 tips it’s hat to the military history of the Uvalde airport while serving really good food.  Taxi in and walk up to the quaint little joint.  They even have a playground for the kids!
    • Sky Restaurant (KVCT):  Not quite within walking distance, but just a short drive from the FBO, Sky Restaurant specializes on the seafood, but they also have good burgers and steaks.  VCT is popular amongst the Air Force and Navy trainers in the area, especially around lunch!
    • Runway Cafe (KLBX):  The best place I have found for seafood along the Texas Gulf Coast.  With a huge runway to land on and a beautiful FBO next door, this is my go to for Fried Shrimp when I’m in the Houston area.
    • Delta Charlie’s (KRBD):  With quite an extensive menu (and a full bar for those overnight trips), I will definitely make RBD one of my routine stops. Dallas Jet Center recently opened in the terminal, so fueling your stomach and your plane can all be done in one spot.
    • The Red Baron Restaurant (KDHT):  The Panhandle of Texas hides many surprises and the Red Baron restaurant in Dalhart, TX is no exception.  For those early morning flights, The Red Baron makes a solid breakfast and a mean cup of coffee.  Lunch satisfies even the hungriest pilot.  Dalhart has a very spiffy modern FBO to sleep away that burger and fries until your passengers show back up too.
    • Hogg’s BBQ (KDUX):  I came hungry and I left very happy.  Hogg’s makes some good West Texas BBQ.  Huge helpings and an aviation themed dining room makes for a good choice.  Restaurant is located just behind the terminal building.  I was there for dinner and it wasn’t too crowded, but I bet lunch is hoppin’!
    • Aviator’s Grill (KDWH):  Located in the Gill Aviation, FBO, Aviator’s Grill has a great selection of creative sandwiches.  Hooks can be a little tricky to navigate while taxiing, but just tell ground you are going to Gill, and they will direct you to lunch.
    • Bill’s Burgers (KBMQ):  A short drive from the airport in the Burnet FBO’s new courtesy van deposits you at Bill’s Burgers, the largest burger this side of the Mississippi.  Always a popular lunch spot, especially on weekends, hitting lunch early or late is a good plan.  Don’t get a full order of fries unless you want to share.  It’s huge!  Closed on Mondays.

    In my book, these are the other great places to stop on a flight in Texas.  Always make sure to come hungry! I probably missed a few along the way, so please feel free to add others to the list!

    Note:  Some of the above restaurants are either closed for COVID, or are only doing takeout.  Make sure you call before hand.  Google doesn’t always have updated information.

  • AOPA’s Emergency In Person Seminar

    Courtesy AOPA.org

    We spend time training for them, but real-world emergencies are rare enough that it’s easy to get complacent. They don’t always happen to “other pilots,” though, and preparation can make a big difference when things don’t go as planned:
    • What if you lose 500 rpm during takeoff, but the engine is running smoothly?
    • What if the ammeter drops to zero during a flight in IMC?
    • What if your left aileron develops a strong vibration in flight?
    Our new seminar is full of expert tips on handling those “up here, but wishing you were down there” scenarios. We focus on how to keep abnormal situations from becoming full-blown emergencies, offer advice on keeping critical problems under control, and give our best advice on off-airport landings.

    Find an AOPA Emergency Seminar near you!

    • Monday January 11, 2016-The Woodlands Waterway, 7pm-9pm
      • 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380
    • Tuesday January 12, 2016-Wyndham Houston West, 7pm-9pm
      • 14703 Park Row Blvd., Houston, TX 77079
    • Wednesday January 13, 2016, Holiday Inn San Antonio Airport, 7pm-9pm
      • 77 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216
    • Thursday January 14, 2016, Omni Austin Hotel at Southwark, 7pm-9pm
      • 4140 Governor’s Row, Austin, TX 78744
  • Free iPad Webinar

    Are you thinking of buying an iPad and going to a paperless cockpit?  Have you just recently purchased an iPad and are unsure of how to use Foreflight to it’s fullest extent?  Check out this free webinar on Monday, January 19th.  Gary Reeves, a Master CFI from California, will be hosting the 90 minute seminar, which begins at 1800 Z.  He will be able to point you in the right direction for what type of iPad to purchase, how to set up your Foreflight account, and the basics of using the App.

    You can finally get rid of those paper charts, saving clutter in the cockpit.  Just make sure you bring along a charger for those extended flight in case your battery dips low!

    To sign up for this webinar, click here.  There is no cost associated with the webinar.

  • Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates

    Columbia 400 Avidyne Entegra

    There are a number of airplanes out there equipped with the Avidyne Entegra PFD and MFD system, most notably the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 models from the early 2000s and the Columbia 350 and 400 from the same era.  The Entegra is pretty simple and easy to learn, but doesn’t have the capability that it’s Garmin glass panel counterparts do (I have not, however, tried the R9, which could prove much more capable than it’s predecessor).  I have found that pilots master the Entegra a lot quicker because of the reduced functionality.

    One of the nice features of the Avidyne Entegra is the CMAX Chartview option.  With a yearly subscription, you can get all the Jeppesen approach plates and airport diagrams for the entire US on your MFD.  Just like your GPS, though, you have to update the charts monthly to keep them legal.  After a period of time when you don’t keep up with the updates (I believe it is 90 days), then the charts disappear.

    The update process is a little tricky if you don’t have someone to explain it to you.  Once you go through it a few times, you’ll have it down pat.  Here’s the process for the Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates.

    Jeppesen Subscription

    The first step in performing your Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates is to create an account with Jeppesen, who handles all the GPS NavData and MFD Chart updates for both Garmin and Avidyne.  If you already have a Jeppesen subscription, you can skip down to the next section.  To do that, simply go to jeppdirect.jeppesen.com, and then do the following:

    • Click on Avionics Data on the upper left hand side
    • Click “Purchase Avionics Subscription”
    • Then, click on “Create Account” in the new users section
    • Once you’ve created an account, login, then put in your aircraft information and select 1 update for the Avidyne Entegra EX500 EX 5000
    • Click Continue at the bottom and you can put in your payment information

    Software Needed

    There are two different programs depending on if you have a PC or a Mac.  If you have a PC, you need the Jeppesen Services Update Manager (JSUM).  If you have a Mac, you need the Jeppesen Distribution Manager (JDM).  Download whichever one you need, then login, and your updates will show up.

    Downloading the Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates

    First, we’ll go through the process of performing the Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates process for a Windows computer, using JSUM.    You’ll need two 2 GB USB drives formatted to FAT 16.  Here’s how to format to FAT 16.

    • Go to My Computer after inserting the USB drive
    • Right click on the drive
    • Click on Format, then select FAT and press OK

    Once the USB drive is formatted to FAT16, open up the JSUM program.  Login and your updates will be displayed on the screen

    • You’ll need to set the Avidyne CMAX Key Code
      • Right click the Avidyne Electronic Charts Service and click Set Avidyne Key
      • To get the key code, visit MyAvidyne.com and create an account using your JeppView subscription number and your serial number for your Avidyne MFD (found on the AUX page) and your PFD serial number (displayed on startup when the PFD is warming up)
      • Once you get the Key Code, copy and paste it in the window and click OK
    • Click on the service and click Start
    • The program should automatically detect the drive (if it doesn’t, click browse and select the drive)
    • Click Continue and the charts will start downloading and automatically programmed to the USB drive
    • If you are updating NavData on the MFD as well, follow the same steps as listed above in order to update the NavData

    Next, we’ll go through the Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates process on a Mac, using the JDM program.  You’ll need two 2 GB USB flash drives formatted to FAT 16 (the easiest way to format to FAT 16 is on a Windows computer, using the process above).

    • Open the JDM program and login
    • Insert the first USB drive
    • You’ll need to set your Avidyne CMAX Key Code
      • Click Service Details under the Electronic Charts Service
      • Click Set Avidyne CMAX Key Code
      • Program automatically detects the USB drive
    • Click and drag the Electronic Charts service over to the USB and release
    • The service is downloaded and copied to the USB drive automatically
    • Eject the USB drive
    • Insert the second USB drive (or plug the USB drive in to your MFD, do the update, then reformat the drive) and follow the same steps for the NavData

    Updated the MFD with the Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates

    Avidyne Cirrus

    Once everything is programmed the your USB drives, the rest of the process is simple.  Just go out to your airplane, plug in the first USB drive with the Electronic Charts on it, turn your battery on and the avionics master, and the system will upload the information automatically.  Once it’s finished, turn everything off, pull the USB drive out, then insert the second USB drive and do the same thing.

    Now, you’re all updated!

    If you’d like to see a video on the process, Jeppesen has some very good videos on the updating procedure.  The links are below.  If you have questions, please contact Texas Top Aviation and an expert will help you through the process.

    JSUM USB Programming Procedure

    JDM USB Programming Procedure

    Avidyne Entegra Chart Updates Upload

  • MMOPA Master Aviator Program

    Last fall, the Malibu & M-Class Owner’s and Pilot’s Association (MMOPA) announced a new program to encourage and enhance safety, the Master Aviator Program.

    The MMOPA Master Aviator Program was designed as a system to recognize those in the Piper PA46 community who strive to become the best pilots they can be. Each year, those who have achieved each of the levels in the program will be honored at the MMOPA Convention (the 2020 MMOPA Convention will be in Tucson in the spring of 2020) by getting Wings pinned on.

    What is the heart behind the MMOPA Master Aviator Program, you ask? Here’s a quote from the MMOPA Website:

    This program is the result of MMOPA having identified areas of flight operation that need improvement to increase safety. It provides a path forward for training for the PA46 pilot, honors those pilots that elect to participate in the MMOPA Master Aviator Program, and rewards those pilots that progress upwards to ultimately reach the highest level (MMOPA Master Aviator).

    The main focus areas of the MMOPA Master Aviator Program are pilot flight experience (flying more during a year increases skills), stall/spin awareness, and operations in the runway environment (improper aircraft handling during takeoff, landing, and go around, with a particular emphasis on rudder control).

    The MMOPA Master Aviator Program tackles these three areas in each of the different levels of achievement: Aviator, Senior Aviator, and Master Aviator.

    To achieve the Aviator Wings, a PA46 pilot must do the following:

    • Complete Initial Training with an Approved Training Provider
    • Fly 100 total hours in a PA46
    • Attend an Approved Mid-Year Training Event (M-Class, MMSTF, MMOPA Safety Standown, MMOPA Maintenance Standown, to name a few)
    • Attend the MMOPA Convention once in the last 3 years
    • No accidents/incidents in a PA46 in the last 3 years

    To achieve the Senior Aviator Wings, a PA46 pilot must have received their Aviator Wings and do the following:

    • Completed at least one yearly Recurrent Training Event
    • Fly 200 total hours in a PA46
    • Go through an approved Upset/Recovery Training course provided by an approved training provider
    • Attend the MMOPA convention once in the last 3 years
    • No accidents/incidents in a PA46 in the last 3 years

    To achieve the Master Aviator Wings, a PA46 pilot must have received their Senior Aviator Wings and do the following:

    • Completed at least two yearly Recurrent Training Events
    • Fly 300 total hours in a PA46
    • Receive a tailwheel endorsement
    • Attended the MMOPA convention once in the last 3 years
    • No accidents/incidents in a PA46 in the last 3 years

    To incentive PA46 pilots, MMOPA offers a $400 voucher to program participants to accomplish the Aviator Mid Year Training, the Senior Aviator Upset/Recovery Training, and the Master Aviator Tailwheel Training. A PA46 pilot is only eligible for one voucher per year.

    I received the Master Aviator Award at the MMOPA Convention this year. All told, there were close to 40 participants who received one of the three levels of achievement at the MMOPA Convention in Amelia Island, FL this year.

    Interested in applying to be a part of the MMOPA Master Aviator Program? You can find out more information on MMOPA’s website.

  • US Aircraft Expo Returns to Addison

    The 2022 Fly In Season kicks off March 4th-5th with the US Aircraft Expo at the Addison, TX Airport (KADS). Cutter Aviation at KADS will be the host for the event. All the major and minor aviation manufacturers will have static aircraft displays. Come see all the new Cirrus innovations, the Piper M600, and the Diamond DA62. All the latest and greatest technology will be available for your viewing enjoyment.

    If you are planning on flying in, the FBOs at ADS are Million Air and Atlantic.

    The event will run from 10am-3pm on both days, March 4th and March 5th.

    For more info, check out the US Aircraft Expo website.

    Don’t forget to check out other big fly in events in 2022: Sun N Fun, the Texas Top Aviation Fly In at Santa Fe, and Osh Kosh!

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