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Top Stories
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Article
It has been nearly seven months since the Department of Transportation began a planned 90-day review of the FAA's proposed medical reform rule, and AOPA members and the general aviation community are frustrated by the department's inaction, AOPA President Mark Baker told Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx in a strongly worded letter sent Jan. 13.
Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
A host of flying machines kick off the first major flying event of 2015 in Sebring, Florida; exasperation over medical reform delay is boiling over; and general aviation lands on the NTSB's Most Wanted list. Plus, learn about water landings in a Bahamian paradise.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Jan. 15...
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Technique and Safety
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Article
The National Transportation Safety Board on Jan. 13 named general aviation loss-of-control accidents to its Most Wanted list of safety concerns, even as GA accident rates have declined and the industry continues to push for regulatory reforms that will make it easier to put advanced safety technology into both new and older aircraft.
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Article
An emergency medical services helicopter pilot fired in 2013 after refusing to fly with an inoperative emergency locator transmitter, and subsequently reporting the discipline that followed that refusal to the FAA, is among few aviators who have won the first round in a process created to provide federal protection for whistleblowers.
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IFR Fix
The pilot wasn't the first "expert" ever humbled by an icing encounter. Here was a chance for redemption.
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Accident analysis
The reason for making a flight is never more critical than managing the flight itself. On June 1, 2011, a 186-hour private pilot crashed a Cessna 172 with three business associates on board after attempting to land with a gusty crosswind at Wendover, Utah. The accident chain had begun hours earlier in St. George, Utah.
Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute.
PDF
Plan ahead and allow extra time to remove all frost, ice, and snow clinging to the surfaces of your aircraft. Follow these simple steps found in the Air Safety Institute's Cold Facts: Wing Contamination Safety Advisor to carefully clean that wintry mix off the airplane. You may get away with it hugging your car, but not your airplane.
Learn more...
Flash-based, login required
You may be young at heart, but time does march on, and eventually the question arises: Should you be flying the same way you did when you were younger? Regardless of your age, delve into the Air Safety Institute's Aging Gracefully, Flying Safely online course for tips to enjoy flying as you get older.
Take the course...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
AOPA is once again asking the FAA to expedite the rulemaking process to allow 20 hours of aviation training device instruction to count toward the instrument rating. AOPA made the request Jan. 15, after the FAA announced that it was withdrawing a direct to final rule that would have had the same effect.
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Advocacy
The FAA has released a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking affecting ECi cylinders, but AOPA says the new proposal doesn't go far enough to mitigate the impact on aircraft owners.
Read more...
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Health
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Member benefits
When you run through the "IM SAFE" checklist before a flight, consider that even over-the-counter medications may have adverse side effects. The FAA requires a waiting period after use of certain medications, and others are not allowed at all. AOPA offers a searchable database as a free service to members to help pilots understand the FAA's position on medications.
Search the database...
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Technology
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Article
A prototype of a 1990 flying car called the Sky Commuter has reappeared in an auction in Arizona.
Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
AOPA's Regional Fly-Ins bring the flying community together as lovers of all things aviation and benefit the communities that host them, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Having participated in the 2014 fly-ins with the Mooney Ambassadors, Lucas offers tips for making the most of a 2015 fly-in.
Read more...
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Travel
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Pilot magazine
Escape to the Bahamas
Fed up with shoveling the snow from in front of your hangar? Just when you've had enough of winter, AOPA Pilot editors and photographers take you on a tropical escape to the Bahamas and beyond in the February issue of the magazine. Join them for a group flying adventure, a seaplane fishing trip, and landing on a runway at a luxurious island resort.
The Grand Bahama Tourism Board and Bahama Out Island Promotion Board are offering a $300 fuel credit for private pilots who fly to the islands and stay four nights or longer at a participating Out Island hotel. Travel plans must be booked by June 30 through the Bahamas Out Islands Reservation Service or participating hotels, and the travel must take place by Oct. 31, 2015.
Learn more…
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Financial
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Article
Analysts say the price of avgas may be cut by nearly half in the coming months; the decline has already begun.
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Article
When you are pre-approved for an aircraft loan, the lender will provide a specific dollar limit it is willing to lend you based on your unique financial situation. AOPA Aviation Finance lenders can lock in your rates for 30 to 60 days. Here are some factors to consider when determining whether a pre-approval makes sense for you.
Read more...
Podcast
Adam Meredith, president of AOPA Aviation Finance, discusses the basics of obtaining financing for your dream aircraft in this AOPA podcast. Find more information on buying an aircraft on AOPA's website.
Listen to the podcast...
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News and Notes
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Poll
AOPA members have voted weekly for nearly 10 months to select their favorite AOPA Pilot covers from 1958 to 2014. AOPA tallied the votes and selected the winner from each year to allow you to continue narrowing the field to what will ultimately be dubbed the favorite Pilot cover in history. Winners for each year were chosen by members, and in the case of a tie, AOPA staff acted as the tie breaker. Vote for your favorite cover from the 1950s and 1960s to help advance it to the finals!
Pick your favorite...
Article
Four women who have earned places of honor in the history of aviation will be inducted into Women in Aviation International's Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Read more...
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Article
Lightspeed Aviation has added a new, stylish touch to its popular promotion for a $500 getaway package. In addition to gift cards for avgas, a rental car, dining, and lodging, the company will give away its Markham leather flight bag.
Read more...
Best Aircraft Showdown
AOPA has received more than 900 nominations for aircraft to be included in the Best Aircraft Showdown. Have you submitted your favorite aircraft for consideration? Remember, the P-51 Mustang, Douglas DC-3, and de Havilland Beaver are retired as previous winners. The bracket challenge, sponsored by Aero-Space Reports, kicks off March 17, but you have until Feb. 15 to nominate your favorite aircraft.
Place your nomination today…
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
LeTourneau University seeks an enthusiastic and qualified individual to serve as assistant chief flight instructor. This year-round position is responsible for classroom teaching, flight instruction, and other duties as required.
Read the full job description now.
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a member services representative, graphic designer, associate editor—Web/ePilot, senior advertising sales/account executive, online marketing manager, .Net applications developer, 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
Why are propeller blades twisted?
Answer
Propeller blades are twisted to compensate for the differences in speed at different sections of the propeller blade when the propeller is spinning. The tips of the blades move at a higher speed than the section near the propeller hub. Because a propeller blade is an airfoil, its angle and velocity are factors in the amount of thrust it generates. To adjust for different velocities, the angles must be changed. (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, 6-4.)
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Jan 17-18 - Santa Clara, California; Ridgeland, Mississippi; and Baltimore, Maryland
Feb 7-8 - Sacramento, California; Nashua, New Hampshire; Louisville, Kentucky; Fairfax, Virginia; and New Orleans, Louisiana
Feb 21-22 - Fort Worth, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; North Las Vegas, Nevada; and Melbourne, Florida
Mar 7-8 - Phoenix, Arizona; and Orlando, Florida
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jan 17 - Phoenix, Arizona
Jan 20 - Houston, Texas
Jan 21 - San Antonio, Texas
Jan 22 - Austin, Texas
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Jan 17 - Keene, New Hampshire
Jan 24 - Wilmington, North Carolina
Jan 31 - Kirtland AFB, New Mexico; and Spanish Fork, Utah
Feb 26 - Madison, Wisconsin
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 Editors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
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