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GA NEWS Ohio businesswoman Angela Phillips knows that a general aviation airport is a competitive advantage that can bring commerce and jobs to its community. Phillips, president and CEO of Phillips Manufacturing, a steel-fabricating enterprise with two plants in Ohio and another in Dothan, Ala., donated $10,000 to a local group’s effort to win federal matching funds to improve the Norwalk-Huron County Airport, where a twin Beechcraft Baron she uses for business travel is based. That donation, along with others, would make the airport eligible for about $400,000 in grants. But will the commission accept the donations? Read more >> ‘Kit’ Murray, 92, made aviation historyArthur “Kit” Murray, the test pilot who in 1954 became the first pilot to fly above 90,000 feet, and see Earth's curvature in flight in a Bell X-1A, died July 25 in Texas. He was 92. Murray's altitude record led to his becoming known at the time as America's first space pilot. His fellow test pilot and colleague Chuck Yeager had broken the sound barrier for the first time in an X-1 in 1947. Read more >> Let the bidding for GA begin Airshow pilot donates aerobatic experienceAirshow performer Sean D. Tucker says he’s the lucky one when it comes to giving aerobatic lessons to others like Tanya Trejo, the winning bidder of a day of training with Tucker in the 2010 AOPA Foundation A Night for Flight Auction. He donated the package to this year’s online auction. Once again, Tucker will be a lucky winner—but who will share the experience with him? Could be you. Watch AOPA Live® >>
Solar storms active, but normalOutbursts observed on the sun last week do not portend new problems for GPS reception or other systems as solar flares and eruptive events known as coronal mass ejections fire up during an increasingly active phase, said a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration space weather expert. Read more >> AirVenture 2011 successfully in the book Top 10 highlights of EAA AirVentureEAA AirVenture, referred to by pilots as “Oshkosh,” just wouldn’t be Oshkosh if what was new, and what was making news in aviation were not front and center to delight and surprise the gallery—and this year was no exception. Not surprising, a mix of past, present, and futuristic designs captivated pilots’ attention. Here’s a look at the most popular news from EAA AirVenture 2011. Boeing’s Dreamliner, ‘Fifi’ unite Lessons from the master, Bob Hoover Aerostar Jet pays a visit to Oshkosh Say again? New ATC sim could ease communication training burden Jeppesen iPad app offers charts, flight planning Young Eagles fundraiser totals $2.2 million Mega-electric Taurus G4 debuts Salute to centennial of naval aviation Sennheiser enters high-end headset market | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Businesswoman donates $10K to save airport
| | Flying the same airplane without incident for 12+ months? You’re entitled to 10% claims free credits your first year with Avemco—15% your second! Also receive up to 10% off your annual premium with Avemco’s Safety Rewards. Learn more >> |
Reporting Points: Tuskegee Stearman makes final flight
The Spirit of Tuskegee, a PT-13 Stearman biplane, made its last flight on Aug. 5, when Matt and Tina Quy flew it to Washington Dulles International and taxied to the Udvar-Hazy Center. Even then, however, the airplane continued to make history: It’s the first artifact to be worked on in the museum’s new Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, a just-opened, 235,000-square-foot facility where visitors can watch restoration projects from elevated viewing areas. Read more >>
Hover Power: Retreating blade stall
Flying a rotor system edgewise through the air creates a problem known as dissymmetry of lift. One side of the disc advances into the wind (headwind) while the other side is retreating (tailwind). For a fixed angle of attack, the lift on the advancing side is greater creating a lift imbalance that increases with airspeed. The rotor system equalizes lift by flapping. Read more >>
Ready for a paperless cockpit?
Jeppesen says the time to go digital in the cockpit is here, with its Mobile FliteDeck. Jeppesen President Mark Van Tine discussed the new product on AOPA Live during EAA AirVenture. “This is not taking sectionals or en route charts and scanning them. It is a truly, fully data driven application that has pan and zoom capability, that has moving map capability so that we can show the position of the aircraft,” Van Tine said. Watch the product demonstration on AOPA Live >>
Fly the upgraded Remos
The Remos GX NXT (NXT stands for “next model”) was upgraded specifically for American pilots. See a video of the improvements demonstrated for AOPA Pilot Senior Editor Al Marsh during a brief flight.
‘The real McCoy’
Born in 1921, Clarence A. Hess is one of the youngest founding members of AOPA. Hess said he started flying in the late 1920s and got involved with AOPA just one week after it had been founded when he bumped into Doc Hartanft at the lunch counter of a Chicago terminal. When Hess joined, AOPA dues were $3. He sat down with AOPA Live to recount the early days of AOPA membership. Watch AOPA Live >>
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
| | The Limited Commemorative Edition SR22T We’re celebrating ten years of the history-making SR22 with this tiny, ten aircraft fleet to fly above all we have accomplished in the last decade. If you’d like to own a piece of history, call before the last are claimed—866/380.0887. cirrusaircraft.com |
Safety & Proficiency
Challenge yourself with safety quiz
“It can’t happen to me.” Fuel-related accidents are among the most preventable aviation mishaps, yet otherwise competent pilots continue to turn perfectly good airplanes into impromptu gliders at a surprising rate. Are you at risk? The Air Safety Institute’s latest safety quiz, sponsored by the AOPA Insurance Agency, will help you find out. Take the quiz >>
New Webinar takes an in-depth look at cockpit weather
Datalink weather has taken a lot of the uncertainty out of flying, but using it safely means more than just counting on radar to steer you through whatever nature decides to dish out. Join AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg and NEXRAD datalink expert David A. Strahle on Wednesday, Aug. 24, for a must-see discussion of how you can use cockpit weather to complete more trips and minimize your weather risks. Register online >>
| | ATTEND AOPA AVIATION SUMMIT AND OVER 70 EDUCATIONAL EVENTS! Even a well-seasoned flying ace like you could always learn a few new tricks. Come find out what tricks we have up our sleeves in Hartford, Connecticut September 22-24! |
Do you know your way around thunderstorms?
Cooler weather may be just over the horizon, but for the time being it’s the dog days of thunderstorm season. Of course, air traffic control can help you avoid the boomers, but it’s important to understand the limitations of that assistance. The Air Safety Institute’s WeatherWise: Thunderstorms & ATC course is full of need-to-know facts about ATC weather radar, dangerous assumptions pilots and controllers sometimes make, and tips on making the system work better for you. Take the course >>
Learn something new at 22 or 92
Exactly when did flying get tagged as a young person's game? Unless you're an airline pilot, the FAA doesn't care about age, and airplanes don't either (airline pilots are required by law to retire at age 65, but there are no age restrictions on other types of flying). Flight instruction is built on demonstrated-ability situations: If you can pass the test, you're in, regardless of age. Learn more about flight instruction and health requirements for becoming a pilot in this subject report from the AOPA Pilot Information Center. You’re never too old to learn to fly.
Improve your safety by learning from others
Gain valuable knowledge about flying safely by learning from the mistakes of others. Using your ePilot personalization preferences, like "piston single-engine" or "turbine," the Air Safety Institute's Accident Database generates a list of accidents that have been added to the database in the past 30 days. If you haven't personalized your newsletter, select your aircraft preferences from the "types of aircraft" section on the ePilot personalization page.
Leading Edge: Quit stalling—please!
Unexpected stalls are bad, the indication of the stall should be unambiguous, and perhaps most importantly, the wing needs to be unloaded to resume flight. It seems so basic and yet every week, at least in GA, somebody exhibits poor airmanship that results in damage to the aircraft and sometimes worse. Read more >>
| | Save this summer with Garmin rebates Now’s a great time to upgrade your aircraft. Purchase a G500 or G600 system and get $1,000 cash back when you also purchase a GTN. Or get $1000 to $3,250 back on qualifying purchases with a Garmin traffic system. Learn more. |
Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics | Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars | |||||||||
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can’t make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online. |
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. | |||||||||
ADVOCACY
New terminology offered for inspector authorizations
The FAA has adopted many of AOPA’s recommendations for its newly published policy to clarify the term “actively engaged” as it is used for purposes of airframe and powerplant mechanics’ inspector authorizations (IA). The FAA issued the clarifying language in a notice of policy Aug. 4 in the Federal Register. The FAA said it accepted AOPA’s request for the clarification to specifically address individuals engaged in personal aircraft maintenance, as well as retired mechanics providing occasional or relief maintenance; individuals providing maintenance in rural areas; and those offering specialized expertise in electrical, composites, and rare or vintage aircraft. Read more >>
| | AOPA Insurance Agency offers the right coverage at the right price We work with A-rated underwriters and offer the most coverage options to fit your needs for the aircraft you own or rent. Call 800-622-AOPA or go online for a free quote. |
Member Benefits
Summit attendees benefit when booking at official AOPA hotels
As you make plans for attending AOPA Aviation Summit in Hartford, Conn., from Thursday, Sept. 22, to Saturday, Sept. 24, keep in mind that you can save money if you plan and book at official AOPA hotels. When you stay at an official AOPA hotel, you are guaranteed to receive the lowest rates during that week, and if the hotel is overbooked during the time of your stay, your reservation will be secure. Read more >>
Be pro-active with your health care
As an AOPA member, you have access to easy, accurate, and affordable health screenings, which take place at more than 20,000 screening sites nationwide. In a little more than an hour, you can be screened with painless, non-invasive, ultrasound technology for strokes, aneurysms, and heart disease. Once your tests are carefully reviewed by board-certified physicians, then you can take your results to your personal physician to work together on the next step toward improving your health. A variety of health screening packages are available at a discount, and you simply select the package that’s right for you. For more information or to locate a screening center near you, visit the AOPA page at Life Line.
| | FREE Video Tip! — Courses for Beginner to Pro! Click for a Free Video Training Tip and find a course to achieve your next goal, or to make your flying safer and more rewarding. Not sure? Call us at 800-854-1001 and talk to one of our pilot training advisors. |
Get a sneak peek at the new AOPA Holiday Ornament
Get into the holiday spirit early this year with the 2011 limited edition AOPA Holiday Ornament. The second in AOPA’s line of commemorative ornaments features an aircraft that embodies the spirit of aviation, a beautiful 1940 Waco. The Waco, offering its nostalgic glimpse of aviation times gone by is a selection that is certain to inspire you to share your most cherished aviation memories. Sure to add charm to any tree, the 2011 AOPA Holiday Ornament is now available at the AOPA Store. Remember, every purchase made at the AOPA Store benefits the association’s work to preserve and protect your right to fly.
Share your favorites
Members have asked for an easy way to like, tweet, and share their favorite stories from AOPA Online—and now they can. A toolbar at the top and bottom of every story displays buttons for the most popular sharing options, and the “+” gives access to more than 300 selections.
AOPA Airports: Mobile directory for busy pilots
Download AOPA Airports to your Blackberry or Windows Mobile device to have airport, FBO, and services information, and airport diagrams right at your fingertips. Provided by Hilton Software, LLC and AOPA, AOPA Airports allows members to one-touch dial telephone numbers. The directory can be downloaded and updated directly through your smartphone. Try it out today!
| | You may be an excellent pilot, but are you also experienced handling the FAA? No matter how good a pilot you are, incidents can happen and even minor infractions can result in serious penalties. Don't put your certificate at risk. Enroll in the AOPA Legal Services Plan today! |
AOPA Career Opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We’re looking for an application support engineer, .Net developer, electronic advertising manager, and manager of airspace and modernization. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
Community
Picture PerfectAOPA’s online photo gallery allows you to upload your own aviation photography as well as view, rate, and comment on others’ photos. Your favorite aviation images from AOPA Pilot are still available online through this new gallery. Take a look, and submit your own photos! | Forums: Advice needed for aircraft touchups, upholsteryEveryone loves having a blank canvas to show off his or her artistic side, but what about having a flying, blank canvas? An AOPA member and forum user wants to modernize a soon-to-be-hers 1979 Cessna T182RG. New upholstery, carpet, and side plastic are a must—struts, lower cowling, and landing gear are also on her list. Offer suggestions or congratulate her on her new airplane!
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Rally GACheck out user-submitted events from your region. To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. AOPA does not endorse the events listed below, nor have ePilot editors edited the submissions. AOPA assumes no responsibility for events listed. | |
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QUIZ ME!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: As a new student pilot, I am curious—what are the vision requirements in order to receive a third class medical? Can I wear glasses or contact lenses and still pass the vision test?
Answer: FAR Part 67 covers the standards for medical certification. With respect to vision, the third class requirements are detailed in FAR 67.303. An applicant for a third class medical should be able to demonstrate near and distant vision acuity of 20/40 or better, either with or without corrective lenses. Eyeglasses or contacts may be utilized in order to pass the vision test, depending on your specific vision situation. A medical applicant who passes the vision test with the assistance of corrective lenses will typically receive a limitation on his or her medical certificate. For example, the limitation might read “Must Wear Corrective Lenses.” For more details, review the third class vision regulations, and visit AOPA’s Medical Certification page on vision for information regarding color vision testing, contact lens use, glaucoma, and more.
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/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672), or email to [email protected]. |
My Membership| | AOPA Aircraft Financing Program offers NEW lower rates Our goal is to get pilots into the aircraft of their dreams. To help make aircraft ownership more attainable we just lowered our rates to make monthly payments more affordable. For more information, or to have a representative call you to discuss financing, go to www.aopa.org/loans. |
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| ePilot Editor: Sarah Brown | Contributors: Alyssa Miller Jill W. Tallman Warren Morningstar Alton K. Marsh | | Production Team: Melissa Whitehouse Lezlie Ramsey Mitch Mitchell William Rockenbaugh | Advertise in ePilot: |
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