Direct to: Talk to your airplane
The plucky startup VoiceFlight Systems is pushing voice recognition technology into the cockpit, supporting one-step Victor airway programming of a Garmin GNS 430W or 530W that would otherwise require an upgrade to a GTN 600/700 unit. Read more and watch AOPA Live® >>
'You just saved my life': ATC aids pilots in a pinch
Jim Lawson of Afton, Wyo., was descending through the clouds when the second tank ran dry. The instrument-rated—but not current—pilot had departed for Ellensburg, Wash., in beautiful weather, but ground fog moved in at his destination, he said. So he headed toward his alternate, where ceilings were broken and he heard pilots on the frequency taking off and landing. When he got there, the clouds had closed in: He was low on fuel and trapped above the cloud layer. He needed help.
Micron's Appleton lost in Boise crash
Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton died in the crash of a Lancair airplane at the Boise, Idaho, airport Feb. 3, according to a report on the company website. He was 51.
Super Bowl mania: All hands on deck at Indy airports
As Super Bowl XLVI approaches, airports around Indianapolis are gearing up for the big game and the increase in air traffic. Some airports are open and operational 24 hours a day, adding volunteers to handle the extra load.
Flight school victimized by renter's smuggling arrest
The Jan. 20 seizure of a Cessna 172 and arrest of Lino Rodriguez-Chavez marked the fourth arrest and seizure of a light aircraft involved in smuggling people, not drugs, in Southern California since 2010.
No user fees, tax hikes in long-term FAA bill
No user fees. No increase in avgas or jet fuel taxes. General aviation pilots can celebrate what wasn't included in the long-term FAA reauthorization bill. The House and Senate ironed out details on a four-year FAA reauthorization bill Jan. 31, paving the way for a full vote in both houses before the latest short-term funding extension expires Feb. 17. Highlights of the bill indicate that GA fared well.
Fly like a fighter: Where'd my maps go?
A negative-G guns jink sprays maps, charts, and approach plates onto the top of retired Air Force pilot Larry Brown's F-15 canopy, teaching him a valuable lesson he adheres to today in his Cessna P210—even though he won't be doing any negative-G pushovers.
More News
February 2012 AOPA Pilot Features
- Mooney M20E
- The bird and the leprechaun
- Fly-Outs: Big Bear City Airport
- On brand-new wings
- Rally GA: Pay Up
- Wx Watch: The problem with pireps
- Flying wild in Alaska
- Technique: Wind warrior
- Water dog
- AOPA Media
- B-ball to biplane
- Avionics: Pilot Friendly
- Turbine Logbook
- Cessna's Conquest of the turboprop market
- Fueling traps
- Gentleman's Choice: Cessna Conquest I
- Iced up and fast
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AOPA Pilot | AOPA Turbine Pilot | Flight Training
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AOPA Featured Pictures
- Pilot Town Hall | Feb. 10 - Fort Worth, TX
- Sun-N-Fun | Mar. 27 - Apr. 01 - Lakeland, FL
- Excessive air in your fuel tanks? | Feb. 04 - South St. Paul, MN
- USING YOUR iPAD and other devices | Feb. 04 - THERMAL, CA
- Sporty's Saturday Hot Dog Fly-In | Feb. 04 - Cincinnati, OH
- Fly-in / Drive-in for a Free Lunch and Wings Seminar | Feb. 04 - Addison, TX
- Wings of Dreams Fly-In Breakfast | Feb. 04 - Keystone Heights, FL
- 1st Saturday Coffee and Donuts - Flyin/Drive In | Feb. 04 - McKinney, TX
- Fly-in / Drive-in for a Free Lunch and Wings Seminar | Feb. 04 - Santa Monica, CA
- Fly-in / Drive-in for a Free Lunch and Wings Seminar | Feb. 04 - Wheeling, IL
- Fly-in / Drive-in for a Free Lunch and Wings Seminar | Feb. 04 - Pompano Beach, FL
- Fly-in / Drive-in for a Free Lunch and Wings Seminar | Feb. 04 - Spring, TX
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars and Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics.
In-depth look at 'driver's license medical' exemption
AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association announced plans in September to request an FAA exemption to allow pilots to fly recreationally with a driver's license medical. Find out the details and sign up for updates on the exemption request.
West Coast sanctuary overflight now a dangerous gamble
Pilots could face stiff fines - up to six figures - for violating new overflight regulations that place the National Airspace System on a slippery slope. The FAA has ceded to another federal agency - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - authority to enforce what amount to new airspace restrictions.
Idaho House passes aviation tax exemption
The Idaho House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill exempting aircraft parts, supplies, and other components from the state's sales and use tax. The bill, strongly supported by AOPA and the general aviation community, is now headed for Senate committee.
