JANUARY 24, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 4

Technique and Safety

Accident analysis

Tragedy in the statistics

Remember that individual tragedies underlie general aviation accident statistics: Three men died in the crash of a Cessna 310 near Vero Beach, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2013, in instrument meteorological conditions. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

IFR Fix

Expect a visual approach

With the airport in sight, don't relax so much that you discard your aircraft's electronic navigation capabilities. Redundancy—whether for basic attitude-instrument flying, or in navigation—is your friend. And friends don't let friends land on the wrong strip of pavement. Read more... Share:  

Flash-based, login required

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!

Imagine flying the gorgeous Alaska Mountain Range, sharing spectacular views of Denali National Park with your passengers. Then, just as the stunning panorama of Mount McKinley spreads out before your eyes, something goes terribly wrong. Watch the Real Pilot Story...

Blog

When Mom said the stove was hot

The weather is what is seen out the windshield, not what was forecast, and this is no place for wishful thinking. Read more... Share:  

Blog

NTSB top 10

Because of the high accident rate in the helicopter industry, helicopter operations have been added to the National Transportation Safety Board's recently released 2014 Most Wanted List. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

AOPA leaders see Santa Monica challenges up close

AOPA President Mark Baker and AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg recently visited Santa Monica Municipal Airport, where they got firsthand insight into the airport's challenges from airport tenants, pilots, and business owners. The AOPA leaders urged users of the embattled airport to work together to keep the airport open. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

'Benign neglect'

Venice Municipal Airport in Florida, once a victim of "benign neglect" according to its supporters, is in trouble no more. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Dallas/Fort Worth Class B changes coming in March

A new configuration for the Class B airspace centered on the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas takes effect March 6. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Watch for Detroit Class B changes in April

AOPA is advising pilots who may operate in or near the Class B airspace associated with Michigan's Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to familiarize themselves with airspace modifications set to take effect April 3. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Henry Ogrodzinski, lifetime aviation advocate, has died

The aviation community is mourning the loss of one of its most devoted advocates with the death of Henry M. Ogrodzinski, president and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

The case of the fainting pilot

In the case of any sort of "syncope," fainting, or passing-out spell, the medical history is everything. In the case of one pilot, it saved him from two years of watching his beautiful aircraft sit in the hangar. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Product promises help with landings

Having trouble with knowing when to flare for landing? An inventor has an idea for letting you know when to level off above the runway. If you've driven any of the newer model cars with backup assist, you'll quickly grasp the idea. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Time for a shakeup

Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp writes that the NTSB is the source behind the federal air surgeon's quest for expanded obstructive sleep apnea testing. And, "to effectively combat such overreach, we've got to attack the problem from its true source." Read more... Share:  

Blog

Why I don't talk about 'general aviation' anymore

Cessna hit the nail on the head with the 1950s "Wings for doubting Thomas," Opinion Leaders blogger Rod Rakic says, because the company "spelled out the value proposition for Private Aviation." Read more and watch the vintage video... Share:  

Blog

Aviation in pop culture: Our best recruiting tool?

How does one develop into an aviation geek? Are we "born this way," or do pop culture influences such as movies and TV shows shape our interest? Read more... Share:  

Gear

Article

A Garmin with attitude

Garmin has introduced a new portable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and GPS receiver that displays aircraft attitude information along with mapping, traffic, and weather. Read more... Share:  

Apps of the week

Apps target pilots in training

Students at all certificate levels are looking for the latest apps that can help them as they continue their journey toward earning their next pilot certificate or rating. The good news is that aviation apps developers are specifically targeting pilots in training with apps that can help the learning process. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

Alton Bay iceway opens for winter

A popular winter destination for pilots in the Northeast, the Alton Bay, N.H., ice airport opened Jan. 19 for the 2014 season. The 2,600-by-100-foot runway is at the charted location of the Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18). Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

TBM 850 deliveries up in 2013

Daher-Socata delivered 40 new TBM 850 single-engine turboprops in 2013, a 5-percent increase over 2012 and a gain of market share, said the Tarbes, France-based manufacturer. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

Liability vs. liability

Everyone is familiar with the terms liability insurance and life insurance, but just how do those terms apply when there is a loss? Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Turbocharged Tecnam

What do you know about a Rotax engine? Yes, it is the most common engine used by light sport manufacturers, but this 115-horsepower turbocharged model is said to be the smoothest running of all the Rotax engines. Read more... Share:  

Aircraft Maintenance

Listen to your airplane

Returning from a routine flight in his Bonanza, A&P Jeff Simon detected a faint burning smell, possibly electrical in nature, during the landing rollout. It persisted for only a few seconds. Simon later discovered the culprit—a problem that could have led to a complete electrical failure. Read more... Share:  

Article

Sirius LSA is heavy hauler

Sirius may be a light sport aircraft, but it can haul a load. It isn't so much about weight as it is about the space to hold all your stuff. A dealer flying to Sebring calls it his clown car because so much emerges from it after landing. Read more... Share:  

Article

Scholarship winner starts flying club

Thanks to a scholarship from Ground Effect Advisors, Zachary Piech has started the Cape Fear Flyers flying club in Wilmington, N.C. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Strange but true general aviation news

Highway as runway; no lasers in cockpits; and dramatic helicopter rescues. Read more... Share:  

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Private aviation consultant at Legacy Aviation

Legacy Aviation Group, developer of the most comprehensive charter and flight card programs in the industry, is seeking a private aviation consultant. The successful candidate will be expected to develop excellent negotiation and prospecting skills and will demonstrate an overall high motivation for selling, have top-notch presentation skills, and have a high energy level. Learn more or search for other exciting career opportunities.

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an account manager II, event planner, aviation technical writer contractor, coordinator of pilot community and development, director of insurance business operations, member services and airport directory representative, and Web graphic designer I. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

Transition from Garmin G1000 to steam gauges

What's the best way to make the transition from Garmin G1000 to analog gauges? Read more...