DECEMBER 13, 2013 - VOL 15, ISSUE 50

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

That was the easy part

Contemplating IFR flight scenarios for airports like Delta, Utah, is excellent review for any instrument pilot. That's because briefing for a flight into and out of Delta covers bases unlikely to be encountered on your next two-hour tour of your home field approaches. Read more... Share:  

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Cold statistics

Every year, pilots nationwide make a dangerous gamble in the cold, wet weather of winter, where icing reigns. Ill-equipped to combat the conditions, they pay a high price for their lack of preparation and underestimation of their foe. Learn more about hazards of flying in and around rain and snow, and avoid such dangers. Take the Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise: Precipitation and Icing online course.

eFIRC anyone?

Have you heard of the Air Safety Institute's new online Flight Instructor Refresher Course? It is the most comprehensive FAA-approved CFI renewal program available. CFIs can renew their certificate online, during a two-year training window—from the enrollment date until certificate expiration—and receive credit for certain completed Air Safety Institute courses. Take a test drive with the eFIRC introduction video, and take the online course. Share:  

Blog

If at first you don't succeed...

Is persistence always a virtue? Delaying a go-around or trying again—and again—after a missed approach has had fatal consequences. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

FAA will move forward with sleep apnea policy

During a hastily organized webinar held Dec. 12, Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Fred Tilton said the FAA will move forward with implementing its new sleep apnea policy despite overwhelming opposition from the aviation and medical communities. Tilton told the online audience that the policy is a "process enhancement" rather than a significant change, and therefore the FAA does not need to—and won't—go through the rulemaking process. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

AMEs object to sleep apnea policy

The Civil Aviation Medical Association (CAMA), which represents aviation medical examiners, has joined the roster of groups objecting to the FAA's proposed sleep apnea policy. In a letter to the FAA administrator, CAMA warns that the new policy can't be justified by the scientific evidence and would place an undue burden on pilots, the medical certification process, and the nation's accredited sleep centers. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

AOPA formally opposes ECi cylinder AD

AOPA has filed formal comments opposing a proposed airworthiness directive that could affect thousands of ECi cylinders. The association is asking the FAA to withdraw the proposal and re-examine the data before taking any further action. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

Collateral damage, part 2

FAA personnel reallocations, government contracts terminated in an effort to save costs, glitches with progress on the Digital Imaging Workflow System, and the government shutdown have compounded to produce a larger-than-usual backlog of special issuance medicals for tens of thousands of pilots. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

CAP expertise sped Nevada rescue

For pilots, the 60,000-plus-member Civil Air Patrol comes readily to mind when an aerial role in a rescue or a response to a natural disaster is launched. When rescuers worked against the clock to locate six members of a family who had not returned from a Dec. 8 recreational outing into Nevada's mountains, cellphone forensics experts from CAP's state wing helped narrow the search area. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Volocopter

With recent advances in technology, innovative engineers have been attempting to build a practical electric-powered helicopter. The two-person Volocopter uses 18 rotors, each powered by its own electric motor, and its first successful flight was Nov. 17. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

'Moneyball' for general aviation

Opinion Leaders blogger Rod Rakic finds the movie Moneyball inspiring. It's a movie as much about business as it is about baseball. Anyone managing an aviation business can find inspiration here too. It's how the business model of OpenAirplane came to be. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Join an aircraft type club, save your life

Aircraft type clubs are general aviation's best-kept secret weapon. While there are more than a hundred of them, they fly stealthily below the radar of most pilots. Only a fraction of pilots belong to any of them, yet they offer the best value proposition in aviation: They're cheap and they could save your life. Read more... Share:  

Blog

The big three rules for conflict resolution

As aviation enthusiasts we can be sure that we will have disagreements with nonenthusiasts. Maybe the issue will be user fees or safety. Whatever the case, conflict will come our way. So let's take that knowledge and get ourselves ready. Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

AOPA members suggest their favorite apps

Apps that handle everything from checking aircraft N numbers to calculating crosswind, tailwind, and headwind components are among those recommended by AOPA members. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Pilot magazine

Around the world in 25 days

How do you approach a flight around the world—do you fly from dawn to dusk, set a leisurely schedule with lots of time for sightseeing, or shoot for something in between? Find out from AOPA Pilot Technical Editor Mike Collins, who helped fly an MU-2 for 30 legs over a total of 26,568 nautical miles in 98.1 hours. Read more... Share:  

Financial

AOPA Foundation focus

Battle of the presidents

AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg has challenged AOPA President Mark Baker to a dogfight. The battle? To see who can bring in the most Hat in the Ring Society donors before the end of the year to support aviation safety, promote community airports, and encourage more people to fly. And you help decide the winner. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Cessna TTx certified in Brazil

Cessna reports "strong deliveries" of the new TTx since being awarded an FAA type certificate in June, and Brazil has followed suit. Read more... Share:  

Article

Lightspeed chooses contest winner

Bob Enos is the weekly winner in Lightspeed Aviation's $500 Burger Getaway sweepstakes. The package includes gift cards for avgas, rental car, dining, and lodging. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Airline's interesting Christmas video

Canadian airline WestJet had a Christmas surprise for some of its passengers this year. A video of the surprise has gone viral. Read more... Share:  

More News

Flying Musicians to appear at Wright anniversary celebration

Strange but true general aviation news

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the Week: Airshow and event planner at AOPA

AOPA is seeking an airshow and event planner to manage AOPA's presence at airshows and events, including Sun 'n Fun and EAA AirVenture. This position develops all programming and logistics plans, oversees the implementation of the event, manages budgets, and provides support to other AOPA event programs, including the Frederick, Md., fly-in and AOPA regional events. Click here for more information or to see other exciting career opportunities.

Forums

GoPro newbie question

After buying a GoPro camera for the cockpit, what other things should you buy? Read more...