AOPA Action

AOPA and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) have launched a program to demonstrate to flight instructors the value in and importance of belonging to both organizations.

AOPA President Craig Fuller and NAFI Executive Director Jason Blair signed an agreement to provide AOPA memberships to many NAFI members who are not yet part of AOPA, and NAFI memberships to many of the active flight instructors who are AOPA members but do not yet belong to that organization.

“NAFI really focuses on the particular needs of the flight instructor,” said Fuller, “while AOPA can offer a wide range of services and aid to flight instructors, from our legal services plan to our fantastic aviation technical specialists who can help instructors find answers to those vexing questions students are prone to ask.”

“AOPA offers tremendous benefits to its members, many of them directly related to a flight instructor’s needs—from Air Safety Foundation resources to the AOPA legal services program to materials for personal improvement,” said Blair. “I can’t imagine being a flight instructor and not being an AOPA member.”

Benefits of AOPA membership include AOPA Pilot or AOPA Flight Training magazines, AOPA’s weekly ePilot electronic newsletter, full access to the more than 50,000 pages that make up AOPA Online, AOPA’s online flight planning software, access to AOPA’s toll-free Pilot Information Center, and other products and services.

Benefits of NAFI membership include monthly issues of NAFI Mentor magazine, the biweekly eMentor electronic newsletter, full access to the NAFI Web site, access to the Flight Instructor Homepage, and other products.

ASF course improves airport navigation

Runway incursions occur every year, and unfortunately most are caused by general aviation pilots. That’s why the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has redesigned and expanded its acclaimed Runway Safety online course. Produced with the support of the FAA Office of Runway Safety, the course provides best airport operation practices every pilot should incorporate in their flight plan—whether at home base or an unfamiliar airport with a complex layout. Runway Safety identifies confusing airport signs, pavement markings, and lighting, comparing daytime and night views. Chock-full of ATC communication and sensible cockpit procedures tips, the course includes everything you need to know to get to and from the runway safely at both towered and nontowered fields. Using the latest Flash animation technology, Runway Safety presents engaging interactive exercises and games to bolster your just-earned knowledge. Don’t get caught off guard—take Runway Safety and avoid an incident that could turn into an accident!

AOPA prevents AD that would have affected 127,000 aircraft

Thanks to the FAA’s willingness to consider industry input early in the airworthiness directive process, AOPA was able to gather data and work with the agency to prevent an AD that would have affected more than half of the GA fleet.

The issue centers around float-type carburetors on 127,000 aircraft. During the past two decades, float-type carburetors have been a contributing or causal factor in accidents. Because of that, the FAA issued an airworthiness concern sheet in 2009 addressing that issue and officially starting the AD process. Through data collected by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, AOPA was able to show that while float-type carburetors were a contributing or causal factor, the problems with the carburetors that caused those accidents were not the same. Because of AOPA’s research, the FAA has instead issued a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) that alerts pilots to the potential hazards associated with float-type carburetors. The FAA recommends that pilots examine the engine area for fuel leaks during preflight, watch out for carburetor flooding during engine start, monitor fuel consumption, and be vigilant of difficulty shutting down the engine when the mixture is pulled to idle cutoff.

“The FAA really considered our concerns, analyzed our data, and came out with the best action for pilots and aircraft owners,” said Leisha Bell, AOPA director of aircraft and environmental issues. “The recommendations in the SAIB are reasonable given the history of our piston fleet.”

Up to $300,000 coverage now available to pilots

Pilots have unique needs when it comes to purchasing insurance. Will it cover me when I’m flying? Do I need to be pilot in command? Is a medical exam required? These are all common questions, and AOPA Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance has the answers. AOPA AD&D insurance offers coverage while you are flying as a pilot or passenger on a GA or commercial flight. This coverage is now available up to $300,000. If you are already taking advantage of this coverage, now is the perfect time to upgrade. Go online to enroll or upgrade.

For the latest on AOPA’s advocacy efforts for pilots, visit AOPA Online.