AOPA ePilot - Volume 10, Issue 34

GA News

ADIZ TRAINING RULE ANGERS AND CONFUSES MEMBERS
AOPA members are both angry and confused about the new ADIZ training rule. The new rule applies to any pilot flying VFR within 60 nautical miles of the Washington, D.C., (DCA) VOR/DME, even though they may not intend to fly into the Air Defense Identification Zone itself. Pilots must complete the FAA’s “special awareness training” by Feb. 9, 2009, if they will be flying anywhere near Baltimore or Washington. “Our members are telling us that it makes no sense to mandate training for pilots who’ll never fly in the ADIZ. And they can’t see the logic of forcing pilots who are already flying in the ADIZ or have been cleared for the Flight Restricted Zone to take a course to teach them what they already know,” said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. Read more on AOPA Online.

FAA, CONGRESS REVISIT ECLIPSE 500 CERTIFICATION
FAA inspectors are conducting a special certification review of the Eclipse 500 jet. The move is apparently in preparation for a Sept. 17 congressional hearing questioning the FAA's awarding of a type certificate to the company in 2006. Eclipse officials said they welcome the review and believe the aircraft was properly tested and certified. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hear results from the Department of Transportation inspector general's office and receive testimony from former Eclipse Aviation employees. Read more on AOPA Online.

SITTING GOVERNOR EARNS HELICOPTER RATING
Besides legislation, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is beating air molecules into submission. The second-term Republican recently added private helicopter privileges to his pilot certificate. The governor already held a commercial airplane certificate with single- and multiengine ratings. Having started flying in his youth, he now has more than 2,800 total hours. Read more on AOPA Online.

RUSSIAN MILITARY ACTION TRAPS EPIC PROTOTYPE JET
Epic Aircraft of Bend, Ore., is experiencing firsthand the effects of the Russian incursion into Georgia. Epic had formed a partnership with Tblisi Aircraft Manufacturing (TAM) with the idea of selling the 412-knot, eight-seat Epic Elite twinjet to the Russian market. The sole Epic Elite prototype is based at Tblisi International Airport in Georgia where it was intended to be used as a demonstrator. Last week, Russian attack aircraft bombed the runways at the Tblisi airport. The TAM facility was spared, but the Elite Jet is trapped on the field. Read more on AOPA Online.

INDUSTRY WANTS TO SEE HIGHER LSA SALES
So how is the light sport aircraft (LSA) industry doing? From a strictly quantitative standpoint, registrations are moving at a pace of 500 per year in the United States, based on latest statistics from Bydanjohnson.com. For the first half of 2008, there were 248 placed on the FAA registry. That is lower than the industry would like, but smaller LSA manufacturers can survive on 10 or 20 deliveries a year. Read more on AOPA Online.

GUIDANCE FOR VINTAGE AIRCRAFT PARTS, MATERIALS SUBSTITUTION
The FAA has issued a draft advisory circular (AC), providing guidance on parts and materials substitutions needed to maintain the safety of old or out-of-production aircraft. AOPA supports the FAA's efforts to keep vintage aircraft flying and has requested that the agency regularly review and expand the AC. AOPA also asked the FAA to consider creating an online database for vintage aircraft owners that would have real-time information on acceptable parts substitutions. The association offered to work with the vintage aircraft community and the FAA "to provide the data needed to populate the database and develop new approvals to benefit the safety and viability of the vintage fleet." To learn more about caring for these aircraft, take the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Aging Aircraft online course.

CASH-STRAPPED GROB LOOKS FOR OPTIONS
Grob Aerospace, the German manufacturer behind the all-composite Grob SPn twinjet, has declared bankruptcy. CEO Niall Olver said in a statement that recent delays in the SPn program had caused increased cash requirements in order to see the aircraft through to certification. "As such, our current loan provider has elected to discontinue support, with immediate effect," he said. Read more on AOPA Online.

AN ARCTIC ADVENTURE: PILOTS EXPLORE NORTHWEST PASSAGE
On Aug. 2, 2008, Seattle pilots Mark Schoening and Doug DeVries along with their team departed for a 10,000-mile circumnavigation of Canada via the famed Northwest Passage. They are flying venerable de Havilland Beavers. Midway through the passage, the flight will turn north in an attempt to reach the magnetic North Pole. An experienced film crew, including Oscar-nominated director of photography Eric Thierman, is capturing the adventure in high-definition for a documentary. Read about the journey and watch video clips on AOPA Online.

FLORIDA-BAHAMAS GETAWAY
Cracked conch and chips, blackjack, and shopping top off a perfect day trip to the Bahamas. Read about this getaway in the latest installment of the Joy of Flight. Send us stories of your flying adventures and read previous stories in our online archive.

For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.

NEW VIDEOS DELIVER STRONG MESSAGE ON MANEUVERING FLIGHT
Do you know a pilot who thinks buzzing or impromptu aerobatics are a fun way to show off his flying prowess? Then you're probably acquainted with the dim-witted and ill-fated star of Real Aviation Heroes , one of two new Pilot Safety Announcements (PSAs) from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Styled after a popular series of beer commercials, this short video places tongue firmly in cheek to deliver an important safety message for hard-to-reach audiences. The foundation's other new PSA, School Daze , takes on similar issues by sending up a popular scene from the 1986 film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Learn why the Air Safety Foundation took this approach in Executive Director Bruce Landsberg's latest blog.

ACCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR CAREFUL PREFLIGHT
When Danny Hall pulled the carb heat knob in his Cessna 182 on Aug. 2, he had no idea he'd just built a better mousetrap. Mice had taken up residence in the airplane, and they and their nest were sucked into the carburetor when Hall activated the carb heat. The engine failed, and Hall ended up ditching in Rhode Island's Pawcatuck River. The incident highlights the importance of a careful and thorough preflight inspection prior to every launch. For resources related to aircraft preflight, check out the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Safety Hot Spot. For a harrowing account of what can happen when an even larger critter slithers aboard uninvited, watch the foundation's Snake on a Plane! Real Pilot Story.

MASTER TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS WITH NEW SEMINAR
In 2007, takeoffs and landings accounted for more than half of all pilot-related accidents. These maneuvers require us to fly close to the ground, near the edges of the airplane's performance envelope. The margin for error is slim, and good judgment and stick-and-rudder skills are a must—especially when crosswinds, obstructions, and short runways enter the picture. That's why the AOPA Air Safety Foundation created a new safety seminar, "Mastering Takeoffs and Landings," which covers techniques that will help you make smooth, trouble-free departures and arrivals. The free seminar debuts in early September. Find out when it will be in your area, and check out the new Mastering Takeoffs and Landings Safety Advisor.

FSS TIP OF THE WEEK: PROFILES KEY TO SHORTER BRIEFINGS
Flight service contractor Lockheed Martin has told AOPA that the best step pilots can take to shorten a briefing is to create a pilot profile. Your pilot profile will include all of the information you typically provide when requesting a briefing or filing a flight plan (N number, type of aircraft, name, etc.). You also can ask the briefer to save flight plans for certain routings or flights that you frequently use. You will need to provide your home, cell, or work phone number in order to effectively use the pilot profile, according to Lockheed. After setting up your profile, the next time you call for a briefing, your information can automatically be pulled up, saving you and the briefer valuable time. Learn more about setting up your profile.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER PHOTOS IN 'AOPA PILOT' PHOTO CONTEST
With only 12 days left, don't wait to enter your favorite general aviation photos for a chance to win cash prizes totaling $5,000, including a grand prize of $1,000. All entries must be received at AOPA by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sept. 2. Winning photographs and selected finalists will be published in the December 2008 issue of AOPA Pilot. See AOPA Online for complete contest rules and tips from AOPA's staff photographer. 

AIG AVIATION DOUBLES HURRICANE RELOCATION COVERAGE
Effective immediately, AIG Aviation has increased its industry-leading coverage to $1,000 for current policyholders with hurricane protection coverage. AIG Aviation increased the amount of reimbursement in light of rising fuel prices. Read more on AOPA Online.

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SAVE MONEY?
AOPA offers great rates on airfare, hotels, and cruises through AOPA Online Travel.  You can even save on your car rental from Alamo, Avis, and Hertz with special AOPA discounts and members-only coupons for free rental days, dollars off, and free upgrades. With member savings like that, you could see your AOPA membership pay for itself. Plus a portion of all the revenue generated is returned to AOPA and reinvested to fund our efforts to maintain the freedom, safety, and affordability of general aviation. So if you're planning a vacation, why not book yours through the only program that saves you money and supports general aviation. Book your trip today.

AOPA CHECKING FROM BANK OF AMERICA
Did you know that by opening an AOPA personal checking account from Bank of America, you can generate contributions to AOPA—at no additional cost to you—with every check card purchase? Get $50 when you open a qualifying new account by October 31 with offer code WGSAOPA0908. To open your AOPA checking account, visit your neighborhood Bank of America or apply online.

Changing mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.

Here's a question asked by an AOPA member who contacted our aviation services staff through the AOPA Pilot Information Center. Test your knowledge.

Question: What is the difference between a servo tab and an anti-servo tab?

Answer: A servo tab is mechanically linked to the elevator so that it moves opposite to the elevator. The effect in the cockpit is to make it easier to pull back on the yoke, to pitch up. The servo tab will make the elevator feel lighter. An anti-servo tab works against a primary control surface (usually a stabilator) that is otherwise too easy to move and, therefore, prone to overcontrolling. It makes the stabilator feel heavier by deflecting in the same direction as the stabilator. This has the effect of increasing the area of the stabilator aft of the hinge point, making it harder to deflect against the slipstream. The anti-servo tab makes it more difficult for the pilot to apply too much force and risk overstressing the horizontal tail.

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. Call 800/872-2672, or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].

When we began AOPA's 2008 Get Your Glass Sweepstakes, the retrofit glass market for light pistons was basically empty. Now, just eight short months later, retrofit glass is everywhere, and options are being added all the time. Read this week's sweepstakes update to learn what's new on the market.

Fly Mooney's Acclaim Type S; discover the many paths to aircraft ownership; and soar like an eagle over the Colorado River in the September issue of AOPA Pilot. It'll be in your mailbox soon. For a sneak peek at what's inside, see AOPA Online.

The AOPA Online Gallery allows you to download your favorite aviation images to use for wallpaper, send a personalized e-card, and order high-quality prints to be shipped directly to your doorstep. Search the hundreds of fabulous images in our archives and select your favorites today!

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a Director of Development, a Manager of Aviation Security, and an Aviation Technical Specialist. To learn more about these and other career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Want to plan an aviation getaway? See our online calendar of events. We've enhanced our calendar so that with one click, you can see all of the events listed in the calendar regions you selected when personalizing ePilot. Now you can browse events listed two weeks to a few months out to make your planning easier. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

To submit an event or to search all events in the calendar visit AOPA Online. For airport details, including FBO fuel prices see AOPA's Airport Directory Online.  

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Phoenix, Ariz., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 6 and 7; and in Richmond, Va., and Baltimore, Md., Sept. 13 and 14. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online.

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Wichita, Kan.; Ypsilanti, Mich.; and Germantown, Tenn., on Sept. 8. Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.