MARCH 7, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 10

Technique and Safety

Accident analysis

Wire strike

Their ability to get in and out of incredibly constricted spaces is one of the most useful attributes of helicopters—but it can also be one of the most treacherous. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

Rotorcraft Rookie

First solo

Can there be such a thing as a second first solo? A fixed-wing pilot tests the theory in a helicopter. Read more... Share:  

IFR Fix

'Go around or sidestep'

Can you describe a scenario where the potential for destabilization is intrinsic to the procedure—and where a precision approach can morph into something less on short notice? Read more... Share:  

Login required

IFR quiz: ODPs

Instrument approaches may receive all the glory, but should you find yourself departing an unfamiliar airport at night with low visibility and no radar coverage, you'll reconsider not giving those pesky obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) more thought. Too many accidents have occurred because pilots have ignored published ODPs or failed to adhere to them correctly. Learn more about this often-overlooked procedure and why you should consider making it standard for every IFR departure. Take the quiz...

Article

Wisconsin company offers upset training to pilots

A Wisconsin company is now offering its upset training course to all pilots. Read more... Share:  

Blog

More flap on flaps

Should a flap check be part of the preflight? Pilots weighed in after an accident involving a failure to raise the flaps before takeoff. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

Orgs ask Senate to pass apnea bill

Members of nine aviation organizations, including AOPA, have asked senators to move forward with legislation that would force the FAA to go through the rulemaking process before enacting new policies on sleep disorders. An identical measure passed the House in February. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

General aviation and the GAO report

The Government Accountability Office released its report "Aviation Workforce: Current and Future Availability of Airline Pilots," and general aviation has a strong interest in its findings. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

FAA issues AD for icing on certain Cessna twins

Pilots and owners are being notified of an airworthiness directive that covers certain Cessna twin models. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

The medication dilemma

Over-the-counter medications may help with symptoms of seasonal illnesses, but side effects of some may have an impact on flying. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Garmin synthetic vision for tablets

Garmin Pilot now offers GPS-based synthetic vision that graphically shows traffic and terrain and enhances pilot situational awareness. Read more... Share:  

Article

BendixKing KLR 10 approved

The FAA has approved the BendixKing KLR 10, meant to enhance safety by warning pilots of high angles of attack, for installation in Standard category aircraft. Read more... Share:  

Article

Report: Small UAV market worth $582.2 million by 2019

As a recent report valued the small unmanned aircraft market at $582.2 million by 2019, the FAA issued a "myth buster" resource on unmanned aircraft systems. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

'Tis almost the season

Who wouldn't want to explore a region known as Vermont's "Mad River Valley" and its environs? There's still enough snow on the ground to keep the region's ski resort open for business, but spring is around the corner. And the mountains of Vermont are beautiful in late spring. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Why pilots will become obsolete ... and what we can do about it

It is not far-fetched to believe that the pilots and airplanes that we all know and love are on their way out, writes Opinion Leaders blogger John Petersen in Part 1 of a two-part post. Are we at the end of an era? Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Developers offer app, mobile website updates

Developers provide updates on aviation apps and mobile websites that handle the FAR/AIM, FBO fuel price checks, flight planning, and the Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS). Read more... Share:  

Travel

Member benefits

AOPA expands presence at Sun 'n Fun

Heading to Sun 'n Fun April 1 through 6? Visit AOPA at its new location. The association is expanding its presence to include not only the great experiences you have come to expect, but also a new activities tent that will host special gatherings, seminars, breakfasts, and luncheons. Find out what AOPA has in store... Share:  

Member benefits

TFR notices now available via Twitter, Facebook

AOPA members can now follow AOPA TFR Alerts on Twitter or on a new Facebook page to keep up to date on presidential temporary flight restrictions across the country. The association already provides TFR alert emails to members within a 250-nautical-mile radius; now pilots also can learn about TFRs nationwide through social media. Because TFR airspace frequently changes, AOPA strongly encourages pilots to obtain a briefing before every flight.

Online reservation system

Online reservations open for parking during Masters

Anticipating an influx of air traffic to area airports for the 2014 Masters Golf Tournament in April, the Central Savannah River Area Airport Alliance has opened an online reservation system to manage parking at Augusta Regional, Daniel Field, Aiken, and Thomson-McDuffie County airports in Georgia. Aircrews or dispatchers can log on through April 14 to make parking reservations and obtain a reservation number showing their destination airport, approved arrival time, and date of the reservation. Learn more and register...

Financial

Article

Demand for new helicopters strong

Honeywell's Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook shows strong demand for new helicopters. Read more... Share:  

Article

Robinson Helicopter flying high

Robinson Helicopter continues to push forward with improvements and reported strong yearly results. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

Tips for buying an aircraft and insurance

Whether you are buying your first aircraft or your tenth, you are probably excited and a bit nervous. It's best to follow a checklist, and AOPA has an excellent free resource. Read more... Share:  

Answers for Pilots

It's tax time, again

The Pilot's Guide to Taxes offers helpful information for aircraft owners who used their aircraft for business purposes in 2013. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

Hangar discount offered to members

AOPA members can get a 10-percent discount on the purchase of a new hangar from Worldwide Steel Hangars through the AOPA Lifestyles Collection, which lets AOPA members save money with exclusive discounts from top aviation and nonaviation companies. Visit the discounts page for details and to take advantage of the offer. Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Bonhomme wins Red Bull opener

Red Bull Air Racing has returned for 2014, with Paul Bonhomme, twice a world champion of past years' competitions, claiming victory in his Zivko Edge 540 aircraft in the skies of Abu Dhabi in the season opener. Read more... Share:  

Article

Film chronicles early combat pilots

A documentary film tells the story of the "first to fly and the first to die for the United States in the Great War." Read more... Share:  

Article

Two light twins available from Italy

Vulcanair's VR P68R twin and its turboprop variant will bring fresh air to the U.S. multiengine market, says the manufacturer. Read more... Share:  

Article

Aviators seek to inspire women

Woman to woman, what does it take to break into the aviation industry, either for a career or a hobby? Have a dream. Get an education. Be disciplined and persevere. It's never too late. That's the advice airshow performer Jacquie Warda, Flying Circus wing walker Jana Leigh McWhorter, and Ninety-Nines member Carol Andrews offered for girls and women of all ages. Read more... Share:  

Article

'I got to fly it'

Six-year-old Esther Harbin got to see a lot from the air on a flight out of Maryland's Frederick Municipal Airport March 4, but perhaps the most notable sight was her mother at the controls of the airplane. AOPA President Mark Baker took the two for a flight as part of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Bell 505

The newly announced Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, the latest generation of the Jet Ranger series, is aimed at a wide variety of missions, including utility, corporate, private owners, and training. Read more... Share:  

More News

Fantasy of Flight to close its public museum

2013 scholarship winner earns pilot certificate

Lithium-ion battery for GA certified

Sweepstakes

Blog

Parts prep

Genesis Engines by D'Shannon, which is assembling the sweepstakes Debonair's new engine, fights engine buildup by treating many internal parts with what's known as an REM finish. Take a look... Share:  

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Instructors, Allen Corporation

Allen Corporation of America is seeking light twin instructors to support an established flight program currently located in Fort Worth, Texas. Instructors will, as part of a flight operations team, provide instruction and checkrides within the FAA's established light twin multiengine/single-engine event-based currency (EBC) program as well as provide recurrent training in both the Piper PA-44 and Cessna 172 aircraft. See the full job description...

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an accounting operations supervisor, event planner, Air Safety Institute intern, director of insurance business operations, and member services representative. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

iPad versus iPad Mini for navigation use

Which do you prefer for navigation: the iPad or the iPad Mini? Read more...