AOPA General Aviation News

North Carolina flights marked new chapter in EMS

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:18:54 -0400

After months of preparation and training, North Carolina paramedic Quinn Reece was ready on June 27 when a 911 call summoned her to fly the first advanced life support (ALS) response in the United States using an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Pilots dispute Arizona's Falcon Field fee justification

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:42:00 -0400

AOPA, along with the Arizona Pilots Association (APA) and the Aviation Safety Advisory Group of Arizona (ASAG), submitted comments to the FAA pushing back on the city of Mesa’s defense of its financial methodology and rationale behind the implementation of landing fees at Falcon Field. The filing comes as part of the FAA’s ongoing review of FAR Part 13 complaints challenging the city’s landing fee program.

Colorado city ends yearslong effort to close airport

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:47:03 -0400

After at least six years of repeated efforts to close Boulder Municipal Airport, the city of Boulder, Colorado, is now moving to pursue new grant funds to maintain the airport—all but ensuring it will continue to play a key role in the community.

FAA finds Texas airport violated federal obligations

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:38:11 -0400

The FAA has found the sponsor of Pearland Regional Airport—a privately owned, public-use airport near Houston—in violation of four federal grant assurances after it sold airport property to a developer that is building hundreds of homes immediately adjacent to the airport.

'Full Throttle' scholarships open

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:16:33 -0400

I Hart Flying Foundation opened its second 2026 scholarship cycle, called "Full Throttle: No Ceiling in Sight."

Pilots recount Chipmunk journey to AirVenture

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:20:01 -0400

Women flying warbirds are rare. And seeing two together is nearly unheard of. Yet in July, pilots Katie Mack and Lisa Corker ferried the Canadian Aviation Museum’s de Havilland Chipmunks from Windsor, Ontario, to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture.

'True legend' Chuck Tippett remembered

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:03:50 -0400

Hall of Fame inductee, wing walker, and Horse Feathers airport owner Charles Stanley “Chuck” Tippett, 65, whose impact on aviators in Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area was substantial, died August 3 in an eastern Virginia boating accident.

Training and Safety Tip: Tame checkride anxiety

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:20:00 -0400

After months of training, thousands of dollars spent, and hundreds of hours devoted to earning your pilot certificate, that goal is finally within reach: Your checkride is scheduled and the final days of preparation are upon you. Likely, you’re feeling some anxiety. For your own well-being, it’s important to maintain balance in your life during this stressful time. And the best way to reduce your anxiety is to be thoroughly prepared for the exam.

Unique bush pilot race combines paddling, seaplane handling skills

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:43:16 -0400

An unusual aero-nautical competition will once again pair pilots and paddlers on Moosehead Lake in Maine September 12, weather permitting.

Pass the vision portion of your medical

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:31:00 -0400

It's unbelievable how one simple change can dramatically improve your performance.

Proposed AOPA bylaws published for member review

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:02:45 -0400

The most significant update to AOPA's governance since its founding moved forward with the publication of proposed bylaw revisions that members will vote on at a special meeting on September 19.

AOPA helps launch careers in aviation

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:46:00 -0400

On November 13 and 14, AOPA is holding its inaugural AOPA Aviation Career Expo in Phoenix.

FAA refines unleaded fuel transition framework

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:01:55 -0400

The FAA released the first major update of its Transition Plan to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline on July 30, revising with additional detail the roadmap for eliminating the use of tetraethyllead (TEL) in avgas and updating pilots and aircraft owners on the status of each fuel.

Florida airport board on November ballot

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:30:13 -0400

Voters in Collier County, Florida, will select the five members of the Naples Airport Authority for the first time after a state law passed earlier this year stripped the city of the power to appoint them—enabling voters to have a stronger say in the future of Naples Municipal Airport.

AOPA urges FAA to protect aircraft owner data

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:50:56 -0400

AOPA, along with several other prominent general aviation organizations, sent a letter to the FAA, urging the agency to limit the disclosure of the personal information of aircraft owners.

RAF announces airstrip network in Tennessee

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:30:02 -0400

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) recently unveiled Fly Rocky Top, a network of backcountry airstrips in Tennessee.

Aircraft Maintenance: What to check after a smoky flight

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Our flight to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin this year included some extensive instrument conditions, with visibility frequently less than one statute mile in dense smoke from the Canadian wildfires. What we found after landing surprised us—and changed how we maintain our aircraft.

A hangar of possibility

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Inside a hangar at Skyranch Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, a group of middle and high school students gathers once a week after school to learn all about aviation.

From memory to mastery

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:39:00 -0400

Every year, thousands of aspiring pilots walk away from pursuing a private pilot certificate. At the same time, NTSB data shows fatal in-flight loss-of-control accidents continue to claim more lives than the next eight fatal accident categories combined. According to CFI Rich Stowell, both problems may share the same root cause: how pilots are taught.

ATP accelerates Airline Career Pilot Program

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:30:01 -0400

ATP Flight School says it has shortened the published timeline for its Airline Career Pilot Program by 25 percent, largely by reducing the amount of time students wait for FAA practical exams.

Training and Safety Tip: Tab as you go

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:55:00 -0400

Increasingly, flight students rely on electronic books for ground studies, with one notable exception: the Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual, better known as the FAR/AIM, a classic printed book that is published annually, updated to reflect changes to the regulations and to best practices.

AOPA Thanks Chris Rocheleau for FAA Leadership, Congratulates Return to NBAA

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:27:02 -0400

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2026—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) congratulates FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau on his return to general aviation as chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association.

Five questions: Mike McCoy

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:41:14 -0400

Anyone convinced that aircraft ownership is only for the affluent, or that working for FBO line wages is no longer a viable plan to support flight training, ought to chat with Mike McCoy, a 31-year-old private pilot who lives in Mentor, Ohio.

FAA enables ATC clearance via EFBs

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:34:38 -0400

The FAA has released a new program that enables general aviation pilots to request, receive, and cancel instrument flight rules clearances directly in ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot—with no radio or phone calls required.

MagniX announces electric kitplane powertrain

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:00:15 -0400

Kitplane builders may opt to go all-electric with an electric powertrain offering recently announced by magniX.

Two-seat trainers cleared for IMC

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Sling Aircraft North America and Van's Aircraft are both ready to deliver long-serving two-seat trainers that are now available for training flight school students in instrument meteorological conditions with the arrival of FAR Part 22.

Denver pilots fight hangar rent hike in court

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

A legal fight unfolding in Colorado stands to either make it easier or more difficult for FBOs around the country to charge egregious hangar rents in apparent defiance of FAA policy, and Denver pilots are seeking donations to sustain their effort to stop the practice from spreading.

Lightspeed Aviation develops custom ANR profile for Rotax engines

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:03:50 -0400

As Rotax engines proliferate in new aircraft offerings, Lightspeed Aviation cleverly has developed a Rotax-specific audio and active noise reduction profile for its Delta Zulu headset.

Unleaded fuel takes center stage at AirVenture

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:09:19 -0400

The long-awaited transition from 100LL to unleaded avgas was once again a hot topic at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin as FAA officials, fuel developers, and the aviation industry all discussed what the future may look like—with some suggesting that the transition may take longer than previously anticipated.

Tecnam teases Rivale

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:08:27 -0400

During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, Tecnam Managing Director Giovanni Pascale Langer unveiled a 3,000-pound sculpture incorporating the propeller, cowl, engine, and windshield of a new personal aircraft called the Rivale.

Training and Safety Tip: Beware of thin air

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:46:00 -0400

With the summer months upon us, the days are longer and warmer, and it’s a lovely time to go fly. As with each change of season, there are factors to consider during these months that affect aircraft performance. Density altitude is one of them.

Flight Instructor Wins AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:27:23 -0400

OSHKOSH, Wis.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) announced at EAA AirVenture that Ashley Almquist is the winner of AOPA’s Sweepstakes Aviat Husky. Her new airplane, a 2024 Aviat Husky A-1C-200, is a versatile, two-seat tailwheel airplane known for its impressive handling and performance.

What every pilot needs to know about leases and liability

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:32:00 -0400

For many pilots, flying isn't just a profession or hobby—it's a lifelong passion.

Having fun

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:43:08 -0400

There's something for everyone. Attendees at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin enjoy aircraft, offerings, and the company of fellow pilots and aviation enthusiasts.

An airplane-like eVTOL?

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:46:30 -0400

Skyfly exhibited its updated Axe electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin following the debut of its prototype at the company's first AirVenture display in 2025.

UND CFI takes command of AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:26:58 -0400

University of North Dakota flight instructor Ashley Almquist is the winner of the AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky. Almquist graduated from UND in 2026 with a degree in commercial aviation and aviation safety.

Jabiru debuts light-sport category twin

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:37:59 -0400

The Jabiru J432 is a standard light sport aircraft, with a twist: two podded engines protruding from the nose. The unusual aircraft made its U.S. debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, an example of the new configurations that can qualify as light-sport category aircraft under the certification regulations that take effect July 24.

GoGetAir takes measured approach to MOSAIC

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:01:00 -0400

Iztok Šalamon, the designer and CEO of Slovenian aircraft manufacturer GoGetAir, says the company is preparing new avionics, a redesigned interior, and a turbine engine option for its 2026 models, but stops short of promising the aircraft will meet Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) standards right away.

Senate committee advances bill lifting 'speed limit in the sky'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:55:12 -0400

The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act (S.1759), introduced by Sen.Ted Budd (R-N.C.), passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation July 22. The bill would “require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to issue regulations to legalize civil supersonic flight in the United States” as long as sonic booms don’t reach the ground, according to a news release.

Aviation medication transparency bill advances

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:46:22 -0400

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to advance the Aviation Medication Transparency Act (S.3258) on July 22—a bill that would provide needed clarity for pilots on medications they are allowed to take.

We've got your back

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:40:07 -0400

AOPA's new membership campaign launched at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, with "We've got your back" in bold letters all over the campus.

Border-crossing app FlashPass launches new iOS version

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:05:25 -0400

FlashPass, an app that streamlines U.S. and Mexican customs paperwork for international flights, has launched a new version that makes creating and submitting manifests to each country’s governing authority a matter of minutes.

Training and Safety Tip: Say it out loud

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:37:00 -0400

The kid sitting at the simulator was talking to himself. His phone lay on the chair next to him, its screen blank and cold. He didn't have earbuds in. The sim, like his phone, was still blank and cold, too. But I wasn't concerned about his mental health. In fact, I could not have been happier.

Aviation performance art

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:45:17 -0400

In daily airshows and static displays designed to dazzle, many of the thousands of aircraft that converge on EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin each July have work to do during the week, but they're always parked for peeking in between.

Zenith Aircraft debuts CH 750 Super Cruzer at AirVenture

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:17:15 -0400

Zenith Aircraft Co. introduced the CH 750 Super Cruzer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, adding a new four-seat kit to its lineup.

Passing the wrench

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:47:00 -0400

Fourth Front Aviation is tackling aviation's Airframe and Powerplant mechanic shortage by pairing experienced mentors with the next generation of technicians, including more women entering the profession.

Pilot demand ticks up in Boeing forecast

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:14:14 -0400

Boeing's annual forecast of expected demand for pilots over the next 20 years ticked up to 674,000, with the industry relying on advanced technology to transform aviation training and increase efficiency to meet the need.

Blackshape presents Veloce, Gabriél at AirVenture

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:59:56 -0400

Blackshape Aircraft’s U.S. distributor is showcasing the 916iS Prime Veloce at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin. The Italy-based manufacturer’s Gabriél is on display at the Dynon Avionics exhibit space.

Lycoming extends TBO for many engines

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:48:09 -0400

Lycoming Engines is extending the time between overhauls to 2,600 hours for a wide range of engines, the company announced July 20.

Continental works on IO-370 STC for Piper airframes

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:13:56 -0400

Continental Aerospace Technologies is developing a supplemental type certificate to make the Continental IO-370 certified engine available to a variety of Piper airframes.

The people you meet

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:56:08 -0400

Smoke from Canadian wildfires brought hazy skies to Wisconsin but did not stop pilots and aircraft enthusiasts from descending on Wittman Regional Airport for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Avidyne upgrades Vantage 12 software

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:42:41 -0400

Avidyne has announced its Vantage 12 display system can now be installed with existing Garmin GNS and GTN navigators in Gen 1 to early Gen 3 Cirrus aircraft equipped with Entegra E1 flight decks.

Texas Aircraft eyes aerial work

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:39:34 -0400

As the biggest change to the light sport category since its creation takes effect July 24, manufacturers are beginning to introduce new aircraft. Texas Aircraft, operating in Brazil and the United States has been developing aircraft with the new rules in mind for years.

Textron announces Pipistrel Voyager

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:00:47 -0400

On July 20, Textron announced the Pipistrel Voyager, a two-seat training aircraft designed for the new light-sport category aircraft certification rules, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin.

Van's updates RV–12 for MOSAIC

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Van’s Aircraft is displaying its first MOSAIC-compliant RV–12 made for instrument flight rules at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin.

Redbird dials up simulation fidelity

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:40:20 -0400

Flight schools have long faced a tradeoff when choosing a simulator. Devices that closely replicate a specific aircraft provide more realistic training but are limited to that airplane, while reconfigurable simulators support multiple aircraft using more generic controls and avionics. Redbird said its Redbird NXi is designed to narrow that gap.

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute Releases Early Analysis of Beechcraft Baron Crash in Waterloo, Illinois

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:22:00 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new video providing an early look at last week’s crash in rural Illinois.

AOPA Unveils Piper Archer as Next Sweepstakes Aircraft

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:16:00 -0400

OSHKOSH, Wis.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is proud to unveil its 29th sweepstakes aircraft—a 1977 Piper Archer II—which will be on display at the AOPA campus during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Swift 100R unleaded STC expands as distribution ramps up

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:53:57 -0400

Swift Fuels announced a major update of its 100R unleaded aviation fuel supplemental type certificate approval, expanded by the FAA to cover 1,200 piston engine models and 1,600 aircraft. The Indiana-based company reported that distribution is also expanding according to plan.

AOPA asks New Jersey governor to intervene in hangar evictions

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:25:34 -0400

With pilots and business owners facing eviction from a New Jersey airport to make way for construction of one new hangar to be reserved for the state's firefighters, AOPA urged Gov. Mikie Sherrill to intervene.

AOPA Applauds FAA Acceptance of Industry Consensus Standards for Light-Sport Category Aircraft

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:05:00 -0400

WASHINGTON—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) welcomed the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) acceptance of ASTM consensus standards for several types of new light-sport category aircraft, including airplanes, gliders, powered lift, and gyroplanes.

Wally Funk belonged to the sky

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:55:22 -0400

From the time she was a small child in Taos, New Mexico, Wally Funk wanted to fly. For more than seven decades, she pursued that goal despite barriers that repeatedly limited opportunities for women in aviation and spaceflight.

AOPA, Coalition Urge Congress to Provide Additional ATC Modernization Funding

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:39:23 -0400

WASHINGTON—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), along with more than 50 other aviation organizations, sent a letter to congressional leaders, requesting an additional $20 billion be allocated toward the ongoing Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) initiative.

Disaster relief aviation group awards Texas pilots for flood response

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:39:29 -0400

Operation Airdrop awarded its first-ever Wings of Hope Award, one year after floods in central Texas killed 139 people during the Fourth of July weekend in 2025.

New display brings ForeFlight into the panel

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:32:00 -0400

Pilots who rely on ForeFlight for flight planning will soon be able to view the popular navigation app's display of charts, procedures, and flight information in the instrument panel.

Everybody called her 'Mama'

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:28:00 -0400

For nearly a century, women have raced small airplanes across the United States, testing their navigation, planning, weather judgment, and teamwork as much as stick-and-rudder skills.

An update from AOPA's chairman

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:01:00 -0400

By Luke Wippler,
Chairman, AOPA

At our AOPA Annual Member Meeting in May, we reaffirmed the Board of Trustees' commitment to strengthening AOPA through greater transparency, member engagement, responsiveness, and continued advocacy for general aviation.

Silver Wiiings: The Flying Bulls DC-6 returns to the US

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:12:38 -0400

Every year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, there’s an aircraft that captures the hearts of the crowd. The show hasn’t even started, but one of this year’s stars will certainly be the Flying Bulls' Douglas DC–6.

Training and Safety Tip: Maintain weather awareness

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:59:00 -0400

Most pilots can tell at least one story about a flight that did not go as planned because of unpredicted weather along the route. We all know that weather forecasts aren’t perfect, but that can lead to concerns regarding the safety of the flight.

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute Releases Accident Case Study: Night Falls on Final

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:48:07 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new episode of its popular Accident Case Study video series.

AOPA Foundation to add maintenance, manufacturing curriculum

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:16:06 -0400

The AOPA Foundation will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum as early as 2028.

Sharing aviation, changing minds

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:49:18 -0400

Just 30 miles apart, two very different Southern California airports welcomed thousands of visitors on the same day, in different ways, but with a shared mission: connecting with their communities.

NTSB confirms plug was Rob Holland's undoing

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:17:21 -0400

The final NTSB report on the April 24, 2025, landing accident that killed legendary aerobatic competitor and performer Rob Holland draws the same conclusion that was evident in the early stages of the investigation: A loose fitting, part of a custom modification, jammed the elevator in the final seconds of the fatal flight.

Socata GA pilots rendezvous with French aerobatic team

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:40:02 -0400

A spur-of-the-moment idea morphed into a one-of-a-kind get together between general aviation pilots flying Socata TB30 Epsilon piston-engine military trainers and their jet counterparts flying the blue-white-and-red livery of the French Air and Space Force during a stopover at Martin State Airport near Baltimore July 3.

AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:41:00 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016.

Aircraft Maintenance: Preparing for summer travel

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:30:00 -0400

With EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin around the corner, thousands of pilots are preparing to take their aircraft on long cross country trips. Inevitably, some of those pilots will find themselves facing a challenging maintenance issue far from home. Preparation is the key here, and a little advance planning can go a long way toward reducing your risk and salvaging your trip. Here are some of the most important do's and don'ts for your next cross-country adventure:

The A&P who built a business while logging flight hours

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:18:02 -0400

At 23, Philip Krzyszton owns a 1965 Mooney, flies cargo, operates a growing mobile aircraft maintenance company known as AircraftMD, and holds both his pilot and airframe and powerplant certificates. He did it all without taking on debt.

How to spot hard-to-find airports

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:16:18 -0400

In the era of GPS with “direct to” and “nearest” functions, it might be hard to believe that it could be difficult to spot your destination airport. You should see it at the end of the magenta line, right? However, some airports can be tricky to find, even with the latest technology. Old-school techniques can help you locate them more easily.

Training and Safety Tip: Clear the prop, properly

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:47:00 -0400

Your flight instructor surely covered the safety protocols for starting the engine during your first lesson and watches closely to make sure you remember the steps: First, turn the battery and beacon on to alert anyone nearby that your airplane is about to start. Then look forward, left, right, and rearward to visually “clear” the area. After that, crack the window open and shout “Clear prop!” in a loud and mighty voice before you engage the starter.

Cirrus announces clean-sheet trainer

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:28:26 -0400

Cirrus announced July 6 the forthcoming arrival of a three-seat trainer with a Rotax engine and a mission to fill flight school lines with what Pat Waddick, president of innovation and operations, called a "complete reimagining of the modern training aircraft."

When students lose confidence

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:44:24 -0400

One aviation family believes the industry's biggest challenge isn't just attracting future pilots—it's making sure they stay.

Eliminating the gamble from the 'impossible turn'

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:44:00 -0400

In the high-stakes cockpit environment, the margin between safety and disaster is measured in seconds and feet.

Aircraft renters insurance checklist

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:42:00 -0400

Many pilots who rent or borrow aircraft assume that the FBO, flight school, or aircraft owner’s insurance will protect them if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

AOPA's Rusty Pilots initiative passes milestone

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:36:00 -0400

In 2007, David Wing was just starting his commercial training when the economy turned, his flying club started selling off its airplanes, and work got too busy for him to fly regularly. Like many lapsed pilots, he hoped he would get back into the air, perhaps in retirement, or, he says “perhaps not, time would tell.”

FAA to reduce RCO network

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:01:13 -0400

Beginning September 3, the FAA will decommission and phase out 504 remote communications outlets and 170 VHF omnidirectional range voice outlets used by flight service stations within the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

'Necessary Turbulence,' necessary flight

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:54:00 -0400

Before retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eileen Isola could help tell the stories of 108 Air Force Academy women in Necessary Turbulence: Fifty Years, One Unbreakable Sisterhood Forged in the Crucible of the Air Force Academy, she had to write her own comeback story, one that began not in a military aircraft, but in a rented Cessna 172.

Bill addresses infrastructure needs at Pennsylvania airports

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:41:17 -0400

Pennsylvania lawmakers are debating a bill to relieve pressure on general aviation airports across the state by providing $32.5 million in funding to add hangars and fix infrastructure.

EFB offers second opinion

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:22:33 -0400

In the era of electronic flight bag modernization, a few products have emerged as frontrunners, and worked their way into cockpits from small general aviation trainers all the way to turboprops and jets.

AOPA Foundation Celebrates Helping 15,000 Rusty Pilots Return to Flying

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:40:55 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) celebrates helping 15,000 aviators, who have completed its Rusty Pilots course and returned to flying.

Training and Safety Tip: First things stick

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:09:00 -0400

Flight instructor candidates are typically taught a few fundamentals of education theory, including the laws of learning: readiness, exercise, effect, primacy, intensity, and recency.

AOPA, New Jersey pilots oppose hangar eviction effort

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:56:26 -0400

AOPA is working with local pilots at Aeroflex/Andover Airport after the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which operates the airport, sent eviction notices to local pilots.

Come for the seminars, stay for the company

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:26:41 -0400

At this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, AOPA is offering a big selection of seminars; get-togethers; and one-on-one time with its specialists to discuss topics including regulations, medical certification, and other issues at the AOPA Campus, booth No. 463, across from the Brown Arch.

Louisiana becomes third state to ban ADS-B-based billing

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:03:25 -0400

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed H.B.730 into law, joining the growing number of states moving to stop the use of ADS-B—a safety technology—to collect fees from pilots. AOPA views this action as an important recognition that ADS-B, a technology used by pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent midair collisions, should not be used as a revenue generator.

Flying low

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Agricultural pilots memorize fields as well as obstacles, study wind direction, track towers, and plan escape routes before descending at crop level onto fields. Increasing drone activities add new complexity to one of aviation's most demanding jobs.

Training and Safety Tip: Know your NORDO plan

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:42:00 -0400

Clear communication is essential to the safety of every flight. We communicate to announce our position and intentions at a nontowered airport, utilize flight following en route, receive clearance to land from air traffic control, and much more.

Keeping older popular training aircraft flying

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:55:13 -0400

McFarlane Aviation offers replacement and repair parts aimed at addressing both mechanical and structural concerns for several popular Cessna and Beechcraft models.

Louisiana Governor Signs ADS-B Billing Ban

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:00:32 -0400

WASHINGTON—Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 730 into law, joining the growing number of states moving to stop the use of ADS-B—a safety technology—to collect fees from pilots. AOPA views this action as an important recognition that ADS-B, a technology used by pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent mid-air collisions, should not be used as a revenue generator.

A watch fit for spaceflight

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:48:00 -0400

In low Earth orbit, the sun rises and sets every 90 minutes, compressing a single day into as many as 16 cycles of light and dark. In such conditions, the usual cues that anchor our understanding of time break down, and a wristwatch’s standard 12-hour dial becomes less reliable.

GPS jamming active when King Air struck mountain

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:25:50 -0400

A Beechcraft King Air collided with a New Mexico mountain ridge while attempting an instrument approach shortly after midnight on a moonless May 14, killing four people and igniting a wildfire that took nearly a month to extinguish. GPS interference—an increasingly common event in recent years—figures prominently in the preliminary report released by the NTSB.