Member Guide

AOPA, 421 AVIATION WAY,
FREDERICK, MARYLAND 21701

TOLL-FREE PILOT INFORMATION CENTER
Call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Click www.aopa.org

NEW ADDRESS?
Send your new address and AOPA membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4798
Fax 301/695-2375
Click www.aopa.org/coa-form.html

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
Call 800/638-3101
Click www.aopa.org/asf/

AOPA CREDIT CARD PROGRAM
Call 800/523-7666
Click www.aopa.org/info/cc/

AOPA AIRCRAFT INSURANCE
Call 800/622-AOPA (622-2672)
Click www.aopa.org/aircraftinsurance.html

AOPA LEGAL SERVICES PLAN
Call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Click www.aopa.org/legalservices.html

AOPA ONLINE TRAVEL
Click www.aopa.org/travel/

OTHER AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS
Call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Click www.aopa.org/memberproducts/

AOPA Expo lands in Hartford

AOPA Expo 2007, general aviation's premier event, will be held in Hartford, Connecticut, from October 4 through 6 at the Connecticut Convention Center and Hartford-Brainard Airport. This is the annual AOPA Expo's first visit to New England.

"We're happy to expand AOPA Expo to a new region this year," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "With a new convention center, a vibrant airport, and activities for everyone, Hartford is sure to be a hit with attendees."

Attendees will enjoy the breathtaking New England scenery. The first weekend in October is traditionally the region's peak fall foliage season.

With hundreds of exhibitors, the convention hall will include aircraft manufacturers, avionics, flight gear, and more. A shuttle service, courtesy of AOPA Expo Platinum Sponsor Cessna, will transport attendees between the convention center and nearby Hartford-Brainard Airport, where more than 60 new aircraft will be on display.

More than 60 hours of seminars will run throughout the three-day show. Attendees will have a variety of seminar topics to choose from such as technology, aircraft ownership, medical certification, interior renovations, fly-in destinations, and instrument flying.

Register now - preregister by September 12 and save up to 26 percent. To register and reserve hotel rooms, visit the Web site.

Hurricane survival

When a hurricane watch or warning is issued, the best course of action is to fly your airplane to an airport far enough outside of the area to allow for unforecasted storm movement. If you can't fly your airplane away, a hangar is typically good protection, but if you don't have one, here are some tips for securing your aircraft outside.

• Remove any objects that could blow into your airplane, and check the security of the anchor points. A tiedown anchor set in a tub of cement could become a heavy object bashing your airplane.
• Try to park nose into the wind; replace old rope with new, and always use the tiedown rings. Don't tie a rope to the wing strut, as the rope could slip and bend the strut.
• Chock the wheels and check your POH to see if you can leave the parking brake set. You also might deflate the tires or dig holes for the wheels to keep the airplane in place.
• Immobilize the control surfaces, but rather than loop a seat belt around the controls, install an internal gust lock that will hold the controls in a neutral position. Even better, use external gust locks.

Read more about hurricane survival tactics online.

Regulations: What every pilot should know

Like it or not, federal aviation regulations are a fact of life. But staying on the FAA's good side isn't all that tough - particularly if you've been to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's newest live seminar. Get answers to commonly asked regulatory questions and insights on the real-world intersection of rules, common sense, and safety. Plus, discover simple methods for reading - and understanding - complex regulations. For the nearest showing, visit the Web site.

Notice of annual meeting of members

The annual meeting of the members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will be held at noon on Saturday, September 22, 2007, at Wings Field, Ambler, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including the election of trustees. - John S. Yodice, secretary