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You've heard of the $100 hamburger; now meet the $100 free lunch. You still have to fly to Lebanon, Mo., or Pecos, Texas, but once there, lunch is free. Readers have responded to a January article in AOPA Pilot with a list of airports in 20 states and the Virgin Islands that give away neat things and sell cool T-shirts. Read more >>
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Steve Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, jointly announced plans to expand the company's Learjet 85 production facility in Wichita, with the promise of 450 jobs being added over the next seven to 10 years. "This great day for Wichita and Kansas highlights the strength and vibrancy of the Air Capital of the World," said Brownback in a Jan. 10 event covered live by local media at the Bombardier facility. Read more >>
Airports dozens of miles away from the big game are preparing for a surge in Super Bowl traffic, and the Super Bowl Host Committee is working with AOPA and the FAA to keep pilots informed of airspace changes, traffic procedures, and flight planning requirements for a broad stretch of airspace. Read more >>
Smartphone users are now a click away from easier access to the most popular searches on the FAA website. The agency launched a mobile version of the site Jan. 10, optimized for mobile users seeking an N number lookup, airport status and delays, and advisory circulars, along with wildlife strike reports, flight standards district office location searches, and news releases. Read more >>
AOPA has committed to hold general aviation’s premier trade show and convention, AOPA Aviation Summit, at the Palm Springs Convention Center Oct. 11 through 13, 2012, and Oct. 9 through 11, 2014. The event features dozens of aircraft on display at the convention center, more than 400 booths in the exhibit hall, and an enhanced education series. The return to Palm Springs also means the return of the popular Parade of Planes, traveling the mile from Palm Springs International Airport to the convention center. Palm Springs is the only city that allows for this option. Read more >>
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Hartzell announced the availability of a supplemental type certificate for the two-blade Scimitar Top Prop on the Piper Seminole. According to Hartzell, climb performance is increased by 80 feet per minute with both engines and 50 feet per minute single-engine. The conversion sells for $22,600, including spinners.
General aviation pilots are arming themselves with knowledge, and the Air Safety Institute marked another year of growth, exceeding 1.8 million contacts with safety products and courses in 2011. That number suggests strong participation from the roughly 630,000 certificated pilots in the U.S., about half of those pilots holding a private pilot, sport pilot, student, or recreational certificate, according to FAA data. Air Safety Institute products and courses are made available to all pilots, regardless of AOPA membership. Read more >>
Tecnam wants to sell you an airplane. And the company is offering a sale to try and make the deal even sweeter. From now through the end of January, a deposit on the new P2010 is $5,000, and buyers will save $15,000 off the final list price. Read more >>
Helicopter Association International has announced the winners of its 2012 Salute to Excellence Awards, honoring those who uphold the helicopter industry's highest traditions. "In an industry for which safety is so important, everyone strives to do their very best—and these awards pay tribute to those who rise above the rest," said Matt Zuccaro, president of the Alexandria, Va.-based organization. Read more >>
With an outside air temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit, her toes, knees, and fingers were cold. In Montana, it would only get colder. AOPA Online Managing Editor Alyssa Miller made a note to self: Pack more layers. Miller reviews her packing list for a winter survival course near Kalispell, Mont. Is it enough? Read more >>
Channel surfing the other night, Flight Training Associate Editor Jill W. Tallman knew she'd hit the jackpot when she saw the Twin Beech zoom through a hangar. It was It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, starring Spencer Tracy, Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers, and two stunt pilots named Paul Mantz and Frank Tallman. The latter flew the Beech 18 through a billboard as well as the hangar. Read more >>
Yet again the Air Safety Institute's David Jack Kenny wishes the space for "Notes and Comments" in his logbook wasn't so small. Only a cryptic abbreviation might help identify the day he took two English setters to new homes. Read more >>
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Is your aircraft fit to fly? A routine preflight inspection can catch issues that compromise an aircraft’s airworthiness. In this segment of The Aviators, staff correspondent Kurtis Arnold tests his observation skills with a thorough walk-around of a 1981 Cessna 172P. Find out what he caught—and what he missed. Watch AOPA Live >>
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
Flying IFR is a contact sport. Sooner or later you will need to contact ATC, with a strong bias toward sooner. When the plan isn't working, people can get into trouble. How to begin an instrument flight while temporarily out of touch is no mystery. Several options are available, each with pluses and minuses. This is about the minuses. Read more and take the poll >>
Is there a new rating or logbook endorsement on your list of aviation goals and resolutions for 2012? The AOPA Pilot Information Center’s ratings and endorsements subject report details the requirements, applicable regulations, and resources for making it happen. Follow links to articles from the AOPA archives about the training project of your choice, and learn about the pilot skills that you will master along the way. From the instrument and multiengine ratings to one-time logbook endorsements to fly taildraggers, complex, or high-performance aircraft, start here—and good luck!
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It pays to be aware of your surroundings, and nowhere is that more true than in a busy runway environment—as evidenced by a recent potential disaster that was averted by an alert crewmember in Chicago. Navigating the airport environment is a skill that requires no less attention than any phase of flight, especially when it comes to avoiding runway incursions. Learn some tips for avoiding incursions as well as other practical techniques for getting safely from the ramp to the runway, and vice versa, with the Air Safety Institute’s Runway Safety online course. Take the course>>
Compared to the ultra-refined, practically maintenance-free engines in cars these days, most aircraft powerplants are serious attention hogs. From tricky hot- and cold-start procedures to the vagaries of cruise power settings, leaning, and temperature management, there's just a lot more to think about. Are you an expert on aircraft engine operations? Test yourself with this week's Air Safety Institute safety quiz.
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.
On two local flights over the holidays, the weather dissemination system didn't exactly work as one might hope. Day One: The forecast was for great weather—ceiling above 10,000 feet, visibility greater than 6 miles. There was no mention of snow flurries, but the view in the windscreen told a different story. Day Two: The forecast was for good VMC, but the briefer warned of marginal conditions to the north. What do these flights tell us about our weather information system? What are your thoughts on pireps? Read more and take the poll >>
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Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. |
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By 2020, all IFR traffic will rely on satellites for navigation under an FAA proposal now open to comment. A 50-percent reduction to the existing VOR network, part of the transition to NextGen, is planned by 2020, with a scaled-down VOR network retained as a backup to GPS. The FAA produced a three-page briefing on the proposal, including graphic depictions of proposed VOR coverage, at AOPA's request. Read more >>
An FAA proposal published Jan. 11 would stop approvals of new 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) models, but would not affect availability of units already on the market. By cancelling the technical standard order (TSO) for 121.5 MHz units, the proposal would establish the TSO for more accurate and reliable 406 MHz ELTs as the standard for bringing new models to market. All existing units that were approved under the TSO could continue to be manufactured, sold, installed, and used—an assurance AOPA maintains is critical for pilots who cannot afford or choose not to invest in the newer, more expensive ELTs. Read more >>
An instrument pilot checks his logbook and discovers that he no longer can act as pilot in command under IFR because his recent experience prescribed for instrument currency is out of date. What must he do? Rumors to the contrary aside, the answer is the same now as it was before the FAA made a recent technical clarification to several portions of FAR 61.57. Simply stated, if the pilot's currency lapsed, but did so less than six calendar months ago, the pilot may re-establish currency—without taking an instrument proficiency check. Read more >>
A proposal to create new restricted airspace in North Dakota for training of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) raises more questions than it answers, undermines safety, and would set a dangerous precedent in creating additional restricted airspace for use solely by UAS, AOPA said, urging members to comment on the proposal by Feb. 12. Read more >>
The FAA has proposed taking two Victor airways south of the border to facilitate general aviation crossings into Mexican airspace. Pilots are encouraged to comment on the notice of proposed rulemaking that would extend Victor 135 from the Bard, Ariz., Vortac to the Mexicali, Mexico, VOR. Victor 137 would be extended from the Imperial, Calif., VOR to the Mexicali VOR, with fixes established on both airways at the border crossing. Read more >>
A trip to Hawaii for the American Association of Airport Executives’ annual Aviation Issues Conference started off with a flight in Hawaiian Airlines’ very first aircraft, a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker built in 1929. Check out photographs from the flight and find out more about the challenges and opportunities for general aviation in the fiftieth state. Read more >>
AOPA will extend its field representation program to Hawaii, AOPA President Craig Fuller announced at a Pilot Town Hall in Honolulu. New Western Pacific Regional Manager John Pfeifer now has responsibility for Hawaii, California, Nevada, and Arizona.
AOPA member Peter Dekker used his AOPA WorldPoints MasterCard card to buy wood pellets for his home’s stove and found a pilot connection—and ultimately, a partner. Dave Miller, part of the family-owned business, is also a pilot. He and Dekker talked about flying for two hours at the store, and when one of the partners in the Piper Archer II Dekker flies with his wife decided to sell his share in the airplane, Dekker remembered the conversation. Read more >>
Flight instructors are a valuable and critical resource to the future of general aviation, and AOPA wants to protect them. If you are an active CFI, the AOPA Insurance Agency has a specialized insurance program that will do just that. Multiple coverage options allow you to best control the cost of your policy premium as well as meet your specific needs for the types of aircraft you are instructing in. Read more >>
Ever felt weary after a supposedly decent night’s snooze? Had your bed partner complain about your snoring? Awoken with a sore throat or headache? Maybe you can sleep anywhere, including at the wheel of your car, or in the cockpit? Carrying a few too many pounds around the waist? You may have obstructive sleep apnea; apnea means to be “without breath”—a pretty scary concept. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which one stops breathing multiple times during sleep because of impeded air flow. Read more >>
AOPA members can have airport services, FBO information, airport diagrams, and more on certain mobile devices using AOPA Airports apps. Windows Mobile and BlackBerry apps, powered by WingX, are available for download on the AOPA website; apps for Apple devices, powered by ForeFlight, are available in the App Store.
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We’re looking for a corporate partnership coordinator, chief flight instructor, director of corporate finance, manager of flight training programs, AOPA Live producer/videojournalist, associate editor–Web/ ePilot, and aviation technical specialist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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! | | |
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: I recently had a chance to thoroughly inspect an airplane that I'm interested in buying. I noticed that it didn't have a checklist and I questioned the seller about this. His reply was simply, "I've never had one for this airplane," although he did have an old pilot's operating handbook (POH) in the airplane that contained very basic guidance. Aren't all airplanes required by the FAA to have a checklist onboard for the pilot or flight crew?
Answer: Not exactly. This depends on the type of operation you are conducting in the aircraft—and the operating rules that govern you at the time. FAR Part 91 does not explicitly state that a “checklist” is required for Part 91 operations. According to the FAA, the requirement for a checklist is inferred by the many regulations that charge the pilot in command with compliance with the FARs and safe operation of the aircraft. Some commercial operations, such as Part 135 “Taxi On-Demand” and Part 121 “Air Carrier Ops,” are specifically required to have a checklist. Keep in mind that a POH or aircraft flight manual is required to be located in the aircraft, and checklists are often obtainable from these. More modern versions of those publications usually have normal procedures listed in section 4 and emergency procedures in section 3. Learn more about checklist requirements online.
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]. |
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