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Top Stories
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Advocacy
A new report from the Department of Transportation's inspector general says the FAA's implementation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) continues to suffer from delays, cost overruns, and technical problems that make it difficult to fully justify the billions of dollars already spent on the system.
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Advocacy
In advance of the critical report from the Department of Transportation's inspector general, the FAA announced that it would host a "call to action summit" to address the barriers and potential challenges associated with equipping tens of thousands of aircraft for ADS-B.
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Pilot magazine feature
A Piper Tri-Pacer, Cessna 182, and Cessna 310 today are better than the factories ever imagined—thanks to owners who wanted their aircraft to be, as the U.S. Army says, all they can be. They succeeded.
Read more...
AOPA Live This Week
An inspector general report adds to the criticism and confusion surrounding the 2020 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate, and AOPA is calling for a fresh look at solutions. Also this week, Barrington Irving launches a round-the-world mission to get kids excited about science, and a 49-state journey to raise general aviation awareness takes off.
AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 25...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
Flying in to an aviation event is a great way to hone your skills, show off your airplane, and get together with fellow pilots upon landing—but flying in doesn't mean winging it, so do your homework before you head to AOPA's Homecoming Fly-In Oct. 4 in Frederick, Maryland, to ensure you're safe and legal.
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Seminar schedule
What goes wrong in a chain of events that leads to an accident? How can pilots make the best use of iPads in the cockpit? Seminars will tackle decision making, health, communication, technology, and maintenance at AOPA's Homecoming Fly-In Oct. 4. Plus, don't miss an update on the latest general aviation issues with AOPA President Mark Baker at a Pilot Town Hall at 2:30 p.m. Pilots who haven't flown in a while can come early to brush up in a Rusty Pilots seminar Friday, Oct. 3.
See the full schedule of seminars...
Spread the #AOPAFDK fun
Ready for AOPA's Homecoming Fly-In Oct. 4 in Frederick, Maryland? Help invite members to tour the association's headquarters and more by spreading the word via social media! Share the events of the day with others by following @AOPA on Twitter, using the hashtag #AOPAFDK for tweets, and liking our Facebook page.
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Article
AOPA's fifth regional fly-in of 2014 brought 329 aircraft and some 2,500 people to Chino, California, Sept. 20. The event set records for exhibitors and display aircraft.
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Storify
Pilots who attended AOPA's fifth regional fly-in of the year in Chino, California, shared the excitement of the people, airplanes, and educational events via social media. See what they were saying.
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Technique and Safety
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IFR Fix
What a pilot gleans from a PAPI's white and red lights depends on other design features of the approach, reviewed and noted during preflight planning.
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Video
An hour before sunrise, the crew of an Atlanta-bound regional jet received a clearance to taxi to Runway 22 at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. But in the darkness they mistook their position on the airport and lined up for the wrong runway. Watch the Air Safety Institute's accident animation to see what happened.
Watch to learn more...
Video
Flying VFR into IMC makes as much sense as flying blindfolded. You'll get the idea when watching this Air Safety Institute "Flying Blind" Pilot Safety Announcement.
Watch the video...
Blog
If you depart VFR and request an instrument clearance but cannot climb to the published minimum IFR altitude without going into the clouds, what are your options?
A controller weighs in...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
As momentum builds for the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act, Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), a co-author of the bill, expressed optimism on AOPA Live This Week that medical certification reform will happen, either by FAA rulemaking or legislation.
Read more...
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Health
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Members only
Diabetes is an increasingly common condition. Diabetes mellitus treated with oral medications or insulin is one of the FAA's 15 specifically disqualifying medical conditions. Dr. Warren Silberman explains how to go through the AME-assisted special issuance process to obtain a medical certificate.
Read more...
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Technology
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Article
Aerion, the Reno, Nevada, company formed in 2002 to reintroduce supersonic flight to commercial aviation, has found a collaborator for its work: global aerospace powerhouse Airbus Group.
Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Could Cessna's 2014 revision to the service manual for cantilever-wing Cessna 210 airplanes to add a new section, "Airworthiness Limitations," be a backdoor attempt to circumvent the FAA's rulemaking process? Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch has serious concerns about this seemingly benign move.
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Blog
What do you complain about most in aviation? Fuel prices, the Transportation Security Administration, third class medical? Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas encourages pilots to take their complaints and harness them to come up with a solution. Two pilots did that at Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado.
Read more...
Blog
The confidence gained in becoming a pilot led Thomas Watson Jr. to become CEO of IBM from 1956 until retiring in 1971. Opinion Leaders blogger Jack Olcott shares what the late Watson told him about the connection between the two professions.
Read more...
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Gear
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Article
The complexity of engineering and testing a navigator designed to anchor an instrument panel helps explain why Avidyne's IFD 540 has only just arrived. Three years after the first public announcement, the Massachusetts firm hopes that the IFD 540—and the IFD 440 still being tested—will prove timely replacements for thousands of Garmin GNS 530 and 430 units.
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Article
Aspen Avionics announced certification of a VFR primary flight display and a certified synthetic vision trial available at the other end of the Evolution line. (Synthetic vision is one of the optional features built into the Evolution 1000 Pro PFD, and can be unlocked with software alone if an Aspen analog converter is also installed.) Aspen's glass-cockpit Evolution begins below $5,000; the VFR PFD, priced at $4,995, can be upgraded to unlock Pro-level (IFR) features.
Read more...
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Travel
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Pilot Getaways feature
If you have sophistication and a sense of humor, then Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is the place for you. It is the kind of place where you can enjoy the finer things in life without taking yourself too seriously. Pilot Getaways recommends checking it out before or after AOPA's Homecoming Fly-In on Oct. 4.
Read more...
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Financial
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Article
Just over a year after launch, OpenAirplane has 71 aircraft rental locations and counting, with a new location joining each week. Now, the company is adding yet another incentive: a referral bonus for participating pilots. Co-founder Rod Rakic said OpenAirplane's freshman year surprises have been pleasant, and satisfaction with the concept—a single checkout to allow rentals in many locations—is running high.
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Member benefits
Allen Yarborough used AOPA Insurance Services for his aircraft coverage and was surprised at how inexpensive it was.
Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
Sporty's has been added to the short list of training providers offering a newly required course for the multiengine airplane airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, the company announced Sept. 24.
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Article
Pilot Barrington Irving used an event at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23 to launch his Flying Classroom project, created to offer interactive science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education to children around the world.
Read more...
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Article
The Robins Aero Club at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia hopes that its plan to expand membership to civilians will help keep operations running.
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Poll
Twin engine aircraft dominated the covers of AOPA Pilot magazine in 1984, with half of the covers featuring multiengine machines. Can you name all of them? Plus, check out a blimp and helicopter.
Vote for your favorite cover...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
TransPac Aviation Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, is currently hiring full-time certificated flight instructors. Responsibilities include conducting flight, ground, and simulator training under 14 CFR Parts 141 and 61. Successful candidates may be eligible to choose from an array of signing bonuses.
Learn more now.
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
What two types of light-sensitive cells in the human eye should pilots be aware of?
Answer
Rods and cones. Rods are more effective than cones at night, and pilots should adjust their visual scan accordingly. Test your knowledge of night flight operations with this Air Safety Institute safety quiz. (Source: Airplane Flying Handbook 10-1)
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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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Sept 27-28 - Richmond, Virginia
Oct 11-12 - Santa Clara, California; Corpus Christi, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Nashville, Tennessee
Oct 18-19 - Columbia, South Carolina
Oct 25-26 - Windsor Locks, Connecticut; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Wichita, Kansas
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 29 - Mesa, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; and Hampton, Virginia
Sept 30 - Sacramento, California; Tucson, Arizona; Richmond, Virginia; and Northglenn, Colorado
Oct 1 - Danville, Virginia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; San Jose, California; and El Paso, Texas
Oct 2 - Santa Rosa, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Blacksburg, Virginia
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Sept 27 - Burlington, Washington
Oct 2 - Independence, Oregon
Oct 3 - Frederick, Maryland
Oct 4 - Willoughby, Ohio; and Sanford, Maine
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar
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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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