AUGUST 23, 2013 - VOL 15, ISSUE 34

Technique and Safety

Fly like a fighter

Don't let your guard down

When a group of fighter pilots let their guard down on a training mission, their counterparts attacked with such force that the mission lasted just 3.5 minutes. "Negative contact" in the military doesn't mean fighter pilots can relax, and a silent CTAF at an airport doesn't mean you can let your guard down either. Read more... Share:  

Article

Written in blood

On May 21, 2012, a 33-year-old airline pilot took off from the Hidden Lake residential airpark in Port Richey, Fla., in his personal airplane, a single-seat Pitts S1D. His wife thought his flying looked less crisp than usual. Find out what happened in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Read more... Share:  

Log-in required

Test your knowledge of density altitude

Density altitude is perhaps the single most important factor that affects aircraft performance. How knowledgeable are you on this critical topic? Take this Air Safety Institute safety quiz to find out! Take the quiz... Share:  

IFR Fix

A glint of sunlight

Now it's clear why your instrument instructor asked you for confirmation that all your nav systems were working for today's proficiency flight. You'll need a full panel to complete the ILS RWY 5 approach to Anniston (Ala.) Regional Airport. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Full down autos

When practicing autorotations, the maneuver is initiated by reducing the engine to idle, causing the freewheeling clutch to open, which then disconnects power to the rotor system. As the helicopter glides toward the ground, there are two ways to terminate the maneuver. Read more... Share:  

Blog

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

The oldsters will remember it as the title of a song by Connie Francis, but it's also the latest Pilot Safety Announcement (PSA) from the Air Safety Institute. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Article

DOT: Save 121.5 MHz ELTs

AOPA has strenuously opposed the Federal Communications Commission's on-and-off effort to prohibit the certification, manufacture, importation, sale, or use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters. Now the Department of Transportation has weighed in, taking the position in a regulatory filing that 121.5 MHz ELTs "continue to provide a beneficial means of locating missing aircraft." Read more... Share:  

Article

Pilots should learn limits of glass-cockpit technology

Pilots shouldn't rely solely on in-cockpit avionics such as multifunction displays to keep them out of severe weather or temporary flight restrictions. The avionics systems and subscription services have limitations and may not show real-time weather and temporary flight restriction information. Read more... Share:  

Article

Public comments closing on airman training standards

An Aug. 23 deadline has arrived for the pilot community to submit comments on draft airman certification standards designed to improve and modernize training for private pilots, the instrument rating, and certificated flight instructors. Read more... Share:  

Health

Article

Dos and don'ts in preparing a special issuance packet

If you develop a medical problem during the time period that your current FAA medical certificate is in effect, you need to go to the medical certification section of AOPA's website and see if the condition will require a special issuance waiver. Read more... Share:  

Article

Aviation life coaching helps pilots boost confidence

Pilots are seen as confident, but some may face unique fears and lack the tools needed to deal with in-flight emergencies. So flight instructor Mark Ross has created Aviator Life Coaching to help pilots discuss and address the issues that they find difficult to face. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Article

Opinion Leaders blog launches

Is this the beginning of the end of VFR flying? Will AirVenture shrink to a fraction of its current size? What's so bad about the "dive and drive" approach? Leaders in aviation are sharing their opinions on these topics and more in AOPA's new Opinion Leaders blog. Read more... Share:  

Blog posts

The next and biggest threat to GA (part 1)

No more 'dive and drive' instrument approaches

It's not personal, Sonny, it's business

There is a recipe for disruption

Gravity challenges all who fly

'What is going on with Georgia? And why do we need to save it?'

Pilots helping pilots, because that's what families do

Oshkosh 2033: Who will carry the torch?

Answering the big questions

An accidental aviator makes good business

Technology

Article

Ice-protection firm focuses on UAS market

Worries about your unmanned aerial system icing up during a "long loiter" in a cold environment may soon be a thing of the past, said CAV Ice Protection Systems, announcing completion of a project that marks a "milestone development for the company." Read more... Share:  

Article

Chute offered for RV-7, RV-9

BRS Aerospace of South St. Paul, Minn., has announced the availability of a whole-airframe emergency recovery system for Vans RV-7 and RV-9 aircraft. The company said the unit meets ASTM Standard F 2316-12 for recovery parachutes. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Volts to the rescue?

Let there be no doubt: Anti-noise and anti-carbon-footprint forces have teamed up with escalating fuel prices to make for challenging times. The future of general aviation may well depend on a new, cleaner, renewable source of power—electricity. Read more... Share:  

Gear

Article

Five flight planning apps

AOPA members send in recommendations that they say help make all aspects of the flight planning process easier. This week, check out QRouting, ARINC Direct, Flight Gear Free, CoPilot, and FlightPlan. Read more... Share:  

Article

Remote preheat box gets a bit hotter

The FST Regal remote preheater switchbox arrives with new upgrades allowing you to turn on the preheater a few hours before coming to the hangar, and the coffee pot a few minutes prior. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

Pilot facility rededicated

Ten years after dedicating a pilot facility at North Carolina's First Flight Airport in the name of AOPA members, it was rededicated on National Aviation Day, Aug. 19. The facility offers pilots a place out of the weather to plan flights and relax before visiting Kill Devil Hills, and offers amenities for visitors. Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

Seagull Flying Club: Ownership that shares assets

The cost of a membership in the Seagull Flying Club is between $12,000 and $14,000. Members pay $140 a month in dues. But the hourly cost is $22 for the Cessna 172 and $42 for the Bonanza. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

Coverage for life changes

If something in your life has recently changed—such as pay increases, promotions, marriages, purchasing a larger home, or having children—you probably need to add to your life insurance coverage. Recent studies have shown that half of U.S. households admit that they don't have enough life insurance to adequately support their loved ones. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Baron owners hit with AD

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive requiring inspections of elevator balance weights, and replacement of those found defective, on some Beechcraft model 58, 95-C55, E55, and 56TC, and Hawker Beechcraft model 58P and 58TC twin-engine airplanes. Read more... Share:  

Article

FAA seeks to expand Piper fuel selector AD

The FAA is proposing to add aircraft to an existing airworthiness directive that requires replacing the fuel selector valve cover on certain Piper PA-28 models. Read more... Share:  

Article

IMC Club chapter leaders to meet in Texas

IMC Club, an organization that promotes proficiency and safety for instrument pilots, will hold its first annual meeting of its chapters' leaders Oct. 28 in San Marcos, Texas. Read more... Share:  

Article

Foster teens get GA adventure

Twenty-four teens in foster care got a general aviation adventure thanks to a partnership between the Kitsap Aviation Squadron and Teen Reach Adventure Camp. Read more... Share:  

Article

Kids Airbridge hopes to build aviation dreams, knowledge

A new initiative is aimed at inspiring children's aviation dreams. Kids Airbridge will bridge children in North America and Africa with lessons covering aviation history, geography, science, and art. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Strange but true general aviation news

Fighter jet versus glider, amazing landings, up in smoke, and you may now kiss the bride. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Career Opportunities

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a staff assistant/PAC coordinator and AOPA Live editor/graphic artist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.