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Top Stories
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Article
Mooney International has upgraded its top-of-the line M20 Acclaim and Ovation models with new features that include a left-side door and keypad flight management system. Read more...
 
Article
U.S. airplane makers posted relatively steady sales for 2015, but many foreign manufacturers saw declines in airplanes sold and revenue, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Read more...
AOPA Live This Week
AOPA was on the scene in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10 when the General Aviation Manufacturers Association released its annual report on worldwide aircraft sales; find out what those numbers mean. Also this week, some airports have temperatures so cold that aircraft altimeters won't read correctly. AOPA explains the altitude-correction procedures that have been established for these airports to prevent terrain-clearance hazards for aircraft on instrument approaches. And, take a look back at one of pilots' favorite (if fleeting) moments of Super Bowl 50—the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flyover. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Feb. 11...
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Technique and Safety
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Article
The National Air Transportation Association teamed with the AOPA Air Safety Institute and other organizations to create a free online course to help prevent aircraft misfueling accidents. The course targets pilots, line service personnel, FBO managers, and customer service representatives. Read more...
Advocacy
A new online resource helps pilots who fly approaches to cold temperature restricted airports understand the mandatory altitude-correction procedure to use in extremely cold weather. Read more...
Fly like a fighter
Retired U.S. Air Force pilot Larry Brown explains some circumstances in which it may be a good idea to fly a longer route rather than filing and flying GPS direct. Read more...
Video
Pilots are usually able to make solid go/no-go decisions when the weather is good or bad. But when conditions are marginal, the decision to launch, postpone, or cancel can be tricky. In this Weather Wise video, the AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at factors to consider when the weather complicates your plans. Watch the video...
Aircraft Maintenance
Any time preventive or repair maintenance is performed on an aircraft, there's a risk of introducing a maintenance-induced failure. In this case study, A&P Jeff Simon explains how unnecessary work on the artificial horizon created more problems.
Read more...
Login required
How sharp is your knowledge of notations on instrument approach charts? For example, will you need distance measuring equipment (DME) to fly the ILS or LOC RWY 27 approach into Wyoming's Cheyenne Regional/Jerry Olson Field? Can you explain which holding pattern applies to you and what the "ASR/PAR" notation below the nonstandard alternate minimums symbol means? Test your knowledge with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz...
Survey
Texas A&M and Purdue University are conducting a runway marking survey to identify ways to help general aviation pilots make better takeoff and landing decisions on runways shorter than 4,200 feet. Pilots should complete the anonymous nine-question survey before mid-March. Take the survey...
Blog
When all else fails, remember to "fly the airplane," counsels AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Safety Advisor Bruce Landsberg. He shares a harrowing account of an eagle strike from Glasair Sportsman pilot Mike Greenwood as a reminder. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard widely differing perspectives on proposed FAA reauthorization legislation at a sometimes tense Feb. 10 hearing. Read more...
Advocacy
The president's latest budget plan does not include user fees but does offer increased funding for NextGen modernization and air traffic services. The 2017 fiscal year budget proposal released Feb. 9 would provide $15.9 billion in funding for the FAA, up just slightly from the president's $15.85 billion request for 2016 but still lower than the $16.28 billion Congress provided to fund the agency in 2016. Read more...
Advocacy
AOPA and six other general aviation groups sent a joint letter to House leaders opposing legislation that would make it harder for veterans to pursue aviation careers. Read more...
Advocacy
Santa Monica, California, has diverted airport funds, charged excessive and unreasonable landing fees, and denied leases on airport property, according to a new Part 16 complaint filed by AOPA and others. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
Dr. Warren Silberman, former FAA manager of aerospace medical certification, explains the types of medication used to treat atrial fibrillation and the tests pilots will need to undergo to keep their medical certificate. Read more...
Webinar
Eating healthy foods and staying active help keep pilots in shape. Learn how to maintain good health and keep your medical certificate in this AOPA Pilot Protection Services recorded webinar, "Staying fit to fly." Log in to watch the recorded webinar...
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Technology
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Article
A line of all-in-one ADS-B transponders announced Feb. 9 became the latest addition to Garmin International's line of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast products. The GTX 345 is a 1090ES Mode S transponder that provides ADS-B Out compliance and receives weather and traffic information. The GTX 335 provides ADS-B Out only. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Thousands of pilots fell in love with One Six Right, the documentary filmed at California's Van Nuys Airport that captured the passion of aviation. Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas says the recently released tenth anniversary Blu-ray Disc version features sharper colors and images, includes 10 minutes of never-before-seen footage of 12 different airplanes, and more. Read more...
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Travel
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Pilot Getaways feature
Beyond the well-traveled paths of Hawaii lies a world sealed off from easy human access by near-vertical cliffs and other forbidding geography. Few visitors see the most spectacular scenery these islands have to offer, yet exotic Hawaii can easily be viewed from light airplanes. Read more...
Article
A dead alternator, a nonfunctioning autopilot, and a lack of magnetic course information didn't dampen the spirits or slow the journey for pilots seeking to raise multiple sclerosis awareness in South and Central America. Read more...
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Financial
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Article
The Department of Justice has approved the sale to Signature Flight Support of Landmark Aviation, if Signature agrees to sell six FBOs at airports where competition might be damaged. At three airports, Signature would have been the only FBO left, while at three more, Signature would have competed against much smaller FBOs. Read more...
Member benefit
Turbine aircraft ownership comes with new and unique maintenance and management considerations. Among them: engine programs. Essentially a contract engine reserve fund, engine programs enable you to reduce risk, spread out big maintenance bills, and potentially simplify engine maintenance with a regular payment schedule. An engine program can be a good thing, but these programs aren't for everyone. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
Model aircraft (including camera-toting drones) can once again operate within the outer ring of the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area. The FAA announced Feb. 9 that it has updated a restriction that effectively grounded dozens of RC model aircraft club members whose airfields were between 15 and 30 nautical miles from the Capitol, among others. Read more...
Article
Jeff Pino, who led Sikorsky Aircraft from 2006 to 2012, and Nicholas Tramontano, also a warbird owner and pilot, had departed Stellar Airpark in Chandler, Arizona, for a sightseeing flight Feb. 5 in Pino's vintage P-51 Mustang, which crashed and burned for unknown reasons. Read more...
Article
Whether you have friends who aren't flying as much as they'd like or know pilots who have stopped flying for a while, you can help them get back in the air as active pilots by bringing them into the AOPA community. Just for sharing AOPA with those friends, you can earn points toward Amazon gift cards. Read more...
Member benefit
Edward Gaven Givens III was born into an aviation family, flew in the Air Force, and now flies for Southwest Airlines and owns a 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearman. He turned to AOPA Insurance to insure his piece of flying history. "The older I get," Givens said, "the more I realize what a blessing this all has been and how fortunate I am to partner with organizations like AOPA." Read more...
Blog
The key to making money in the helicopter business is "having repeat customers," writes Hower Power blogger Maria Langer, who is a helicopter pilot and business owner. In a three-part series, Langer will explain the types of business that made her helicopter operation profitable: wildlife surveys, cherry drying, and frost control. Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an aviation technical specialist, social media evangelist, Flying Clubs Initiative manager, marketing copywriter, Web project manager, member services representative, and Legal Services Plan attorney.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 are considering flying RC aircraft but have not decided whether you'd prefer to fly a traditional RC aircraft or some other kind of unmanned aircraft system. You have the perfect area for flying near your home; the only drawback is that you're close to several airfields. What do you need to consider concerning the surrounding airfields?
Answer
You will need to determine how close you are to those airfields. The FAA's B4UFLY application can help you find this information. If you are within 5 statute miles of an airport, you are required to notify the airport operator and air traffic control tower (if there is one). One way to find the contact information for the tower is to search for it on the AC-U-KWIK website. If the number is not listed there, you may have to call an FBO or the airport manager to get it. Contact information for the manager or businesses on the field can be found through various sources, including AOPA Airports.
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
Feb 20-21 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Sacramento, California
Feb 27-28 - Kenner, Louisiana; and Melbourne, Florida
Mar 5-6 - Ontario, California
Mar 12-13 - Phoenix, Arizona; Burlingame, California; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Virginia Beach, Virginia
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
Feb 16 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Feb 17 - Wichita, Kansas; and Frederick, Maryland
Feb 18 - Rogers, Arkansas
Feb 20-21 - Puyallup, Washington
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Feb 13 - Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Scottsdale, Arizona
Feb 20 - Vero Beach, Florida; and Chickasha, Oklahoma
Feb 21 - Puyallup, Washington
Mar 5 - Helena, Montana; Lakeland, Florida; Elkhart, Indiana; Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Burlington, Washington; and Lawrenceville, Georgia
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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