The 1,333 LPV approaches now in service at 833 airports are made possible by satellite-based GPS Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) techno-logy, which increases GPS accuracy and provides vertical guidance at low altitudes.
AOPA has been a leader in lobbying the FAA to transition to satellite-based navigation for nearly 18 years. And since the 1990s, AOPA has urged the FAA to create a system that would give pilots the equivalent of an ILS at every airport-something WAAS is now making a reality.
Fraud investigation leads to changes on medical application
You've already heard about changes to the way the FAA asks aviation medical applicants about their driving records, but new medical application forms arriving at your aviation medical examiner's office also feature new questions and terms.
A new question, 18(y), asks pilots if they receive medical disability benefits-a change that arose out of a congressional investigation into Social Security fraud. Answering yes doesn't necessarily indicate a disqualifying medical condition, but the medical condition that results in disability payments should be reported on the application. That information can be shared with other federal agencies thanks to an accompanying change in the Privacy Act Statement for the medical application (see "Legal Briefing: Disability Benefit Disclosure," January 2009 AOPA Flight Training).
A new section in that statement specifies that information on the medical application can be disclosed to other federal agencies for verification of the accuracy or completeness of the information.
Other changes to the form have little real impact on pilots, but were made for clarification as part of the overhaul of the document. For example, the word urinalysis has been replaced with urine test to more accurately describe the type of tests performed by medical examiners.
AOPA's interactive medical application planning tool, TurboMedical�, has been updated to reflect the changes to the medical application form. To learn more about the changes to the medical application forms and how they may affect you, call the medical certification experts in AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800-USA-AOPA.
Memorize important facts with flash cards
Sometimes, learning about flying is just a matter of memorization. That's why the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has developed a series of aviation flash cards designed specifically to give pilots a quick, fun way to learn the kinds of things they need to know at a glance.
Runway safety flash cards cover all the important runway signs and markings, while the airspace cards will help you get through that next cross-country without any anxiety. Finally, the aircraft flash cards are a great way to memorize the things you need to know when you're getting ready for your checkride, or preparing to check out in a new aircraft type.
You can download the free cards at the ASF Web site, or request printed copies by calling 800-USA-AOPA.
AOPA Aircraft Title Services can make your aircraft purchase easier
AOPA Aircraft Title Services, provided by AIC Title Service, provides the finest title, escrow, and document submission services in the industry, whether you are seeking fractional or sole aircraft ownership.
Title searches can be ordered online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from around the world. A typical title search is delivered within 48 hours, and same-day service is available for an additional fee. A title search can be viewed online, via a secure Web link, for you to download, print, or save. AIC Title Service can offer a quick turn-around because all relevant FAA documents are automatically uploaded into the company's secure server.
With AIC's automated escrow service, Escrow Tracker, you can use the company as a neutral third party to hold documents and monies until closing and track the status of the transaction in real time. Visit AIC Title Service online or call 800-711-0087 for more information.
For the latest on AOPA's advocacy efforts for pilots, visit AOPA Online.
Free AOPA ASF Safety Seminars | |
Date | Location |
2/2/2009 | Little Rock, AR |
2/2/2009 | Maryville, TN |
2/3/2009 | Fayetteville, AR |
2/3/2009 | Nashville, TN |
2/4/2009 | Oklahoma City, OK |
2/5/2009 | Germantown, TN |
2/5/2009 | Wichita, KS |
2/9/2009 | Henderson, NV |
2/9/2009 | Ocala, FL |
2/10/2009 | Northglenn, CO |
2/10/2009 | Tampa, FL |
2/11/2009 | Colorado Springs, CO |
2/11/2009 | Melbourne, FL |
2/12/2009 | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
2/17/2009 | Eugene, OR |
2/17/2009 | Greenville, SC |
2/18/2009 | Decatur, GA |
2/18/2009 | Portland, OR |
2/19/2009 | Huntsville, AL |
2/19/2009 | Seattle, WA |
2/21/2009 | Puyallup, WA |
These programs are made possible by gifts from individual pilot donors to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Seminar dates are tentative. For final dates, please visit the Web site. | |
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