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Top Stories
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Call to action
Urge your members of Congress to co-sponsor the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act! The measure would expand the FAA's successful sport pilot standard by not requiring pilots to obtain a third class medical certificate. The costly, overly bureaucratic third class medical certification process is outdated and should be eliminated. Time is running out to add co-sponsors this legislative session. Let elected officials know that third class medical reform matters! We've waited long enough.
Ask them to sign on as co-sponsors...
 
Slideshow
A cannon fires after Pat Derrick makes a low pass over the grass strip in a Vultee BT-13 Valiant. Derrick is the unofficial alarm clock for hundreds of pilots and their family and friends, camping under the wings of their aircraft at the 400-plus acre Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina.
Find out why pilots keep coming back for more...
AOPA Live This Week
Learn the latest on the search for an avgas replacement, and feast your eyes on a huge collection of Battle of Britain aircraft. AOPA Live This Week® will also visit the Flying Tigers FBO in Chino, California, ready to welcome the next AOPA Fly-In with vintage service and style. As of publication deadline, AOPA Live producers were still finalizing this week's show.
The show will be available later Sept. 12.
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
The historic aircraft filling the hangars, museums, ramps, and skies of Southern California's Chino Airport don't restore and maintain themselves. A cadre of dedicated owners, pilots, and mechanics keeps them airworthy and exercised.
Read more...
AOPA Fly-In procedures
Start planning your arrival at the Sept. 20 AOPA Fly-In at Chino Airport in California! Everything you need to know—arrival procedures, frequencies, and parking information—is in the pilot information packet.
Download the fly-in procedures…
Seminar schedule
Track down what went wrong in real-life accidents, get tips for saving on your maintenance bill, and more in seminars at AOPA's Chino Fly-In in California Sept. 20. Find out how to avoid unwanted adventure from aviation educators John and Martha King, or take on the role of an accident investigator with Air Safety Institute Chief Flight Instructor Kristine Hartzell. Aircraft owners can find out when to say "no" to unnecessary maintenance items from Savvy Maintenance founder and CEO Mike Busch.
Find the full schedule online...
Article
AOPA has traveled from Massachusetts to Washington to meet members where they fly with AOPA Fly-Ins across the country in 2014. Now the association is bringing the celebration of general aviation to its home in Frederick, Maryland, for the AOPA Homecoming Fly-In Oct. 4.
Read more...
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Technique and Safety
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Article
George Perry recognized the signs quickly: Hypoxia is something he spent 20 years training for as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and instructor. As the new leader of the AOPA Foundation's Air Safety Institute, Perry spent his first day on the job dealing with a familiar foe following two accidents possibly related to hypoxia, while preparing to lead a broader effort to engage pilots to participate in making general aviation safer than it has ever been.
Read more...
Fly like a fighter
An Air Force pilot offered the opportunity to fly a risky show with the Italian Frecce Tricolori air demonstration team had a choice to make: Fly with them in an airshow or go out with an Air Force nurse he had just met. Something inside told him to go with the nurse. During the airshow, the demonstration team suffered a midair collision.
Read more...
Members only
FAR 91.155 prescribes the basic VFR weather minimums, comprising cloud distance and flight visibility, for the different classes of airspace.
Read more...
Login required
An extra engine provides extra power and peace of mind on a cross-country flight. It can also spell extra trouble if one engine quits. Test your single-engine savvy with this multiengine ops quiz from the Air Safety Institute.
Take the quiz...
IFR Fix
Has your instructor lost his mind, or is he playing some cagey situational-awareness game? He's grilling you on numbers and frequencies that just don't add up. On a second inspection, though, the numbers do make sense.
Read more...
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Flash-based, login required
Poor decision making is the root cause of many—if not most—aviation accidents. Good decision making, however, is about avoiding the circumstances that lead to really tough choices. The goal is very simple: Learn to make good choices every time you fly with the Air Safety Institute's Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots course.
Hone this single most important safety skill...
Blog
We've had bad weeks before, but late August and early September were as bad as any in recent memory for general aviation accidents.
Read more...
Editor's note: Due to technical difficulties, ePilot subscribers may have had trouble accessing the recent "Datalink weather: From concept to cockpit" video produced by the Air Safety Institute. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please watch the video here.
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
A new study on pilot drug use released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Sept. 9 is incomplete and its conclusions should be regarded with caution, AOPA said.
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Advocacy
As the push for third class medical reform continues on Capitol Hill and with the Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget, Senior Aviation Medical Examiner Dr. Brent Blue is expressing his support for the effort by reaching out to fellow AMEs with compelling reasons why pilot safety won't be affected by medical reform.
Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has selected four unleaded aviation fuels to undergo initial testing at the agency's William J. Hughes Technical Center. Two fuels developed by Swift Fuels and one fuel each developed by Shell and TOTAL will undergo laboratory and rig testing beginning this fall and concluding in the fall of 2015.
Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA is taking steps requested by AOPA to help airline transport pilot applicants locate the resources they need to pursue their training.
Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA expressed optimism that draft airman certifications standards now entering a multi-phase test process will improve the training and testing of future pilots.
Read more...
Advocacy
An AOPA presentation on the transition to an unleaded avgas, an update by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) on the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act, and a keynote address from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta were among the highlights at the annual National Association of State Aviation Officials conference.
Read more...
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Health
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Webinar
How could conditions such as high blood pressure, depression, nearsightedness, or glaucoma affect your flying? Gary Crump, director of AOPA medical certification services, will talk about the health requirements to maintain a regular issuance medical certificate in a webinar Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, brought to you by AOPA Pilot Protection Services.
Register here...
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Technology
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Article
Cessna's update of the popular Citation CJ3 earned FAA certification less than six months after the company announced the new model. The type certificate for the CJ3+, which features several upgrades designed to reduce pilot workload and enhance comfort, was announced Sept. 5.
Read more...
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Gear
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Apps of the week
These five aviation apps are designed to help pilots with functions including running checklists, plane spotting, and accessing airport information.
Read more...
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Travel
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Article
The first fly-in meeting of the Young Presidents' Organization's Aviation Network drew more than 150 people to Alpine Airpark, an upscale fly-in community in the natural beauty of far western Wyoming.
Read more...
Pilot Getaways feature
The most popular $100 hamburger stop for Southern California pilots is probably the Airport in the Sky on Santa Catalina Island. But most pilots simply leave after lunch and miss out on unique experiences available year-round. Consider spending time at the island while you are in the area for AOPA's Chino Fly-In Sept. 20.
Read more...
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Article
A single point now separates the top three pilots in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, with two races left—including Las Vegas.
Read more...
Blog
AOPA Technical Editor Mike Collins writes about visiting the headquarters of GippsAero, known for the GA8 Airvan utility airplane, and light aircraft and engine manufacturer Jabiru Aircraft in a reflection on his 2013 round-the-world trip.
Read more...
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Financial
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Webinar
Can an experimental or light sport aircraft be a good addition to your flying club? Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of incorporating these and other types of aircraft into your club during a webinar scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Register here...
Member benefits
AOPA member Bob Bagwell bought a 1965 Comanche 260 in 2011 and insures both of his airplanes with AOPA Insurance.
Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
Racing pilot Lee Behel, who co-founded the Sport Class at the National Championship Air Races, was killed Sept. 8 during a qualifying run. Behel, 64, was remembered as an exceptional pilot whose career included piloting both military aircraft and civilian submersibles.
Read more...
Article
As AOPA's longest-serving board member, R. Anderson "Andy" Pew has helped guide the organization through times of tailwinds and turbulence. After 44 years on the AOPA board, Pew is stepping back from the time-consuming volunteer position, but he will continue serving as trustee emeritus and offering his expertise in the clear-eyed, candid, and purposeful manner those around him have come to expect.
Read more...
Aircraft Maintenance
What's legal when it comes to modifying aircraft? The starting point in any analysis of a potential aircraft modification is to answer this question: Is this a major alteration or a minor alteration?
Read more...
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Article
Television show Air Fare America has opened a casting call for a pilot, a chef, and a picker/hangar rat for co-hosts of the program.
Read more...
Poll
The Wing Derringer, Piper Tri-Pacer, Great Lakes biplane, Defiant and Long-EZ, Christen Eagle II, Beech B36TC Bonanza, Monnett Moni, Aerostar 602P, Grob G109, Ryan Navion A, and Piper Cheyenne II graced the covers of AOPA Pilot in 1982. Plus, one cover captured an out-of-this-world view.
Vote for your favorite cover...
Blog
After successfully managing several events aimed at introducing girls and women to aviation, Victoria Neuville Zajko was looking for a new project. The source of inspiration was gnawing on a toy in her home.
Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
Cirrus Aircraft is seeking a project manager whose primary function will be to successfully manage the development of new composite products from design phase to high-volume production. A strong background in engineering design is essential. Interdepartmental coordination between engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain will be necessary. International relations experience is a bonus.
Read the full job description...
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an executive assistant for accounting/finance and legal, legal services plan program manager, financial analyst, major gift officer, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
You're flying inbound on an ILS approach and you're near the outer marker. When cross-checking your instruments you notice the CDI is deflected by two dots. About how far from the centerline is the aircraft laterally displaced?
Answer
You are about 600 feet displaced. At the outer marker, there is approximately 300 feet lateral displacement of the aircraft per dot deflection. (Source: Instrument Flying Handbook 9-37.)
Got a question for our aviation services staff? The AOPA Pilot Information Center is a service available to all members as part of the annual dues. Contact AOPA. |
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Forums
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Can you give a pilot ideas for historic district stops on the East Coast?
Read more...
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Sept 13-14 - Sacramento, California; and Tempe, Arizona
Sept 20-21 - Colorado Springs, Colorado; Baltimore, Maryland; and Bellevue, Washington
Sept 27-28 - Richmond, Virginia
Oct 11-12 - Santa Clara, California; Corpus Christi, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Nashville, Tennessee
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Sept 15 - Houston, Texas; Duluth, Minnesota; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sept 16 - Crystal, Minnesota; San Antonio, Texas; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Sept 17 - Austin, Texas; Allentown, Pennsylvania; and St. Paul, Minnesota
Sept 18 - King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Rochester, Minnesota
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Sept 13 - Palo Alto, California; and Omaha, Nebraska
Sept 19 - Chino, California
Sept 20 - San Jose, California; St. Cloud, Florida; and Medford, New Jersey
Sept 27 - Burlington, Washington
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar |
Check out user-submitted events from your region. To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. AOPA does not endorse the events listed below, nor have ePilot editors edited the submissions. AOPA assumes no responsibility for events listed. |
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ePilot Editor:
Benét Wilson
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
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