GA News NTSB issues amateur-built aircraft safety recommendations Experimental amateur-built aircraft account for a disproportionate share of fatal crashes, many of those in the first hours of flight. On May 22, the NTSB issued a set of 16 recommendations to improve flight testing and pilot training, and to clarify regulations pertaining to both. Read more >>  Leading Edge: Would new regs enhance safety? In the NTSB’s recent report on experimental amateur-built aircraft, the FAA is called upon to expand regulation in a few areas. Do you think these recommendations would enhance safety—or be practical to implement? Read more and take the poll >> Air Force kicks oldest GA club off base The Wright-Patterson Aero Club is preparing to relocate, after base leadership moved this year to close the nation’s oldest Air Force general aviation organization. The roughly 300 club members will lose a few perks that came from operating out of an Air Force base, including access to a 10,000-foot runway, and most of the club’s current fleet. But the club’s leaders have opted not to fight, rather embracing a chance to continue as a purely GA group at nearby Greene County-Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport. Read more >> Field of yellow: Cubs 2 Oshkosh plans mass arrival  In honor of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Piper J-3 Cub, hundreds of Cub owners and pilots plan to fly from Hartford, Wis., to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh on Sunday, July 22, according to Rick Rademacher, one of the organizers of Cubs 2 Oshkosh. Rademacher said he hopes the event will connect pilots in the Cub community, inspire cross-country group adventures, celebrate the iconic flying machine, and interest children in aviation through this process. “At one point in time in the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, every kid knew a Piper Cub,” Rademacher said. “Nowadays, kids have no clue.” Read more >> Training, course changes planned for Reno races The 2012 National Championship Air Races will be flown above modified courses kept more distant from spectators in the wake of a crash that killed a pilot and 10 racing onlookers last year. Mike Houghton, director of the Reno Air Racing Association, described planned changes including G-load training for pilots during a May 22 news conference. Read more >> Cessna offers training on corrosion inspections Cessna Aircraft Co. has developed a training program for service technicians to support a far-reaching effort to identify and correct corrosion, fatigue, and cracks in high-time aircraft. The program is geared toward the massive fleet of 100-series aircraft built between 1946 and 1986. Read more >> ‘For real?’ Sporty’s sweeps winner stunned  Pilots took a break from chowing down on hot dogs, hushed their chatter, and gathered around Sporty’s 2012 Sweepstakes G300-equipped Cessna Skycatcher hoisted high in the company’s atrium—they had a stake in what was about to happen, silence was essential. After several rings, U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Matthew Smolin of Germantown, Tenn., answered what he may have thought was a prank call. Read more >> Reporting Points: Sentimental flight AOPA Online Managing Editor Alyssa Miller’s journey to Sporty’s for the company’s annual fly-in May 19 was a special one. She had soloed and earned her recreational pilot certificate there almost 12 years ago, and had been back a couple of times since. This time, she picked up her father on the way. Read more >> ‘Pilot’ redesign: Meeting readers where they are Today, you can reach AOPA content in about any conceivable way, any day, any hour. Anchoring all of the association’s media properties is AOPA Pilot magazine. The magazine looks different this month in part to support its role as the cornerstone of the association’s media properties for the foreseeable future, explains AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines. The redesign strategy is to showcase the great storytelling and mind-blowing aviation photos AOPA Pilot is known for, and also help you understand what is available across all of AOPA’s media channels. Read more >> Boeing chief test pilot calls for training overhaul Using antiquated methods to learn antiquated technology will not help avert a serious shortage of pilots, a problem that threatens both GA and commercial aviation. Boeing’s chief test pilot wants to see technology better used in classrooms and simulators—and for students to stay proficient with their hand flying at the same time. Read more >> Airventure Cup Race is on despite EAA split The 2012 Airventure Cup Race, timed to coincide with EAA AirVenture, will keep that timing despite a split with the Experimental Aircraft Association. Read more >> Private rocket launches for space station docking  The Falcon 9 rocket’s engines ignited in the early-morning darkness May 22, launching a mission to send the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous with the International Space Station. The demonstration mission represents the latest development in Space Exploration Technologies Corp.’s (SpaceX’s) bid to supply cargo and ultimately crew to the space station. The unmanned Dragon spacecraft performed a series of maneuvers in a flyby of the station early May 24 to test its systems before the berthing, planned for early May 25. Read more >> New learning experiences at AOPA Aviation Summit posted With new experiential and interactive learning at AOPA Aviation Summit, pilots will connect with experts and new tools that will help them retain and recall critical information when they need it the most. This Oct. 11 through 13, AOPA is bringing more than 100 hours of educational seminars to Palm Springs, Calif. Pilots will learn how to maximize the use of iPads in the cockpit through hands-on learning sessions for the novice as well as advanced user. Other experiences include interactive sessions with air traffic controllers and maintenance workshops. Read more >> Aerospace luminaries reflect on Lindbergh anniversary Charles Lindbergh believed in motion. Honoring him with something static, such as a statue, was not a solution, declared Reeve Lindbergh, the aviation pioneer’s youngest daughter with wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Reeve made the observation at an intimate dinner celebrating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the launch of the Lindbergh Fund, which today is called the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation. Read more >> New turboprop flies in Australia GippsAero, the Australian subsidiary of the Mahindra Group, of Mumbai, India, announced the May 1 first flight of a new aircraft the company described as the first single-engine turboprop designed and developed in Australia. The 10-seat GA10, powered by a Rolls-Royce 250 engine, was based on the GA8 Airvan utility aircraft. Read more >>  AOPA Live This Week: Astronauts, electric airplanes Join AOPA Live This Week for an exclusive interview with former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, AOPA Pilot Senior Editor Dave Hirschman's take on flying the RV-1, a look at the future—and present—of electric airplanes, and astronauts Gene Cernan and Jim Lovell on the U.S. space program. Watch AOPA Live This Week >> Former FAA administrator claims innocence in exclusive interview Few careers have crumbled as quickly as former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt’s when he was arrested last year for drunk driving. A Virginia judge tossed the case out May 10. This week Babbitt came by the AOPA Live® studio for an exclusive interview with AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines. In the interview, Babbitt says he is innocent and happy to have the case behind him. He also makes some observations about current FAA initiatives, including the likelihood of the agency accepting an AOPA/EAA petition for a third-class medical exemption. Watch AOPA Live >> For daily news updates, see AOPA Online. Safety & Proficiency Fly like a fighter: Backseat landings Backseat landings in a T-38 are a challenge. Backseat no-flap landings in a T-38 without any crosswind are even worse—you can’t see the runway directly ahead of you on approach. Read more >> Let’s talk about the other kind of weather  If a fellow pilot tells you he recently strayed off course because of a coronal mass ejection, he doesn’t mean his arteries couldn’t handle the hundred-dollar hamburger he just ate. He’s talking about space weather, which is a term that also describes events such as geomagnetic storms and solar flares. But what do these terms mean and why are they important? Listen to space scientist Joe Kunches from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo., talk about space weather and its impact, if any, on general aviation. Watch AOPA Live >>  IFR Fix: Power and forgiveness  You have an instrument rating, and now, a distant destination. Time to book your old IFR aircraft for a new kind of outing. Wait—here's a better idea. It’s time to start flying aircraft designed with long-distance travel in mind. Instructors know that a good training aircraft should make a pilot’s life (a little) difficult. Many basic aircraft are slow and only moderately stable around the axes. Not a perfect prescription for a day-long trip to the beach with passengers. Say farewell to those difficulties when you climb into a complex or high-performance machine for a checkout. This is a faster machine with 20 to 50 extra knots for cruise, or more. Read more and take the poll >>  Prepare for family flying fun Flying is a fun, fast way to get around. Do you share the experience with your family? Whether you want to interest your children in aviation or ease a flying companion’s fears, AOPA offers tips to help in its Flying with Family subject report. Read up on topics as diverse as providing hearing protection and inspiring a future pilot before you pack the bags for your next family flight. VGSI, RVR, ILS, TDZ? More acronyms—more to learn: It may have been a while since your last instrument proficiency check, or perhaps you’re gearing up for the instrument rating checkride. Either way you’ll benefit from reviewing the Air Safety Institute’s IFR Chart Challenge: ILS Approach, one in a series of 15-minute approach chart briefings. This scenario sets you up on the ILS Runway 30 approach at Bakersfield, Calif. Ready to brief and fly the approach? See how well you do— take the chart challenge. Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics | Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars | June 2 and 3 Phoenix, Ariz. Orlando, Fla. Minneapolis, Minn. | June 9 and 10 San Jose, Calif. Charlotte, N.C. | June 23 and 24 Columbus, Ohio Ashburn, Va. | July 14 and 15 Jacksonville, Fla. Memphis, Tenn. | For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can’t make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online. | July 25 Oshkosh, Wis. | July 26 Oshkosh, Wis. | | | Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. | ADVOCACY Wing spar cap inspections required for C210s A direct-to-final-rule airworthiness directive issued May 21 requires one-time inspections of the wings’ lower main spar caps on Cessna 210, P210, and T210 model airplanes. The AD, prompted by reports of spar cap cracks in Australia and Canada and the resulting Cessna service bulletin, calls for either replacement of cracked parts or a to-be-determined FAA-approved modification if cracks are found, as well as reporting of inspection results to the FAA. It takes effect June 5. Read more >> Nominate pro-GA-airport officials for AOPA recognition Have elected officials in your community supported your airport’s growth? If so, AOPA wants to hear about it. The association is launching an effort to recognize mayors and members of city councils and county commissions for keeping general aviation airports top of mind when allocating resources, presiding over zoning hearings, and implementing ordinances. Read more >> GA Caucus hits National Park Service air-tour regulation  Leaders of the House General Aviation Caucus in Congress are working to block a provision in the Highway Reauthorization bill that would give the National Park Service unprecedented regulatory authority over air tour operators overseen by the FAA. AOPA is urging pilots to contact their members of Congress and encourage them to sign a letter being circulated for delivery to House-Senate conferees on the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. The GA Caucus members said the FAA “is the agency responsible for regulating air tour operators, certificated air carriers, and ensuring our airspace is safe—not the National Park Service.” Read more >> AOPA Close to Home Pennsylvania House passes aviation tax exemption GA resurgence continuing at Reno/Tahoe Access solution emerging in Grand Junction AOPA joins in Idaho show, builds relationships Extension requested to review Alaska military plan Member Benefits Think like a pilot Pilots strive to minimize risk before flights, so why do some think and act differently when it comes to their health? As many as one-third of adults in the United States are not getting screened for colorectal cancer. Gary Crump, AOPA director of medical certification and an expert for the Pilot Protection Services program, gives advice about early detection and getting your medical certificate if you have a history of colon or colorectal cancer. Read more >> AOPA Career Opportunities Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We’re looking for a vice president of information systems; registration, housing, and meeting planner; aviation technical writer; member services representative; project manager of online products; and associate editor–Web/ ePilot. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online. Community Picture Perfect AOPA’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: Washing the underbelly What soap do you recommend to clean the oily gunk off the underbelly of an airplane? Do you have other tips for washing an airplane that make the process less back-breaking? Share your advice >>  Follow AOPA Online  Become a fan  Subscribe to the RSS feed | | Engage in Aviation Check 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. |  My Membership | 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 am beginning my instrument training, and my instructor stated that I may be able to use an aviation training device for part of the required training. How many hours can I count toward my instrument rating at a Part 61 flight school? Answer: According to FAR 61.65, if you are using an aviation training device you may count 10 hours of training time toward an instrument rating if these conditions are met: The device is approved by the FAA, an authorized instructor provided the training, a view-limiting device was worn, and the FAA has approved the type of instrument training and tasks performed in the device. To learn more about FAA-approved flight simulators, read this AOPA Pilot article. 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]. | |
