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AOPA Aviation SummitiPad 101: 5 tips for the novice Connected, but unpluggedThe flight plan from your iPad appears on your multifunction display. A maintenance shop accesses post-flight engine diagnostics instantly. A pilot diverting for weather alerts family waiting at the airport via text messages using the Iridium satellite network, and makes arrangements for pickup at the alternate before touching down. Representatives of companies that have leveraged the iPad for aviation outlined a future where everything is connected and data flows freely in the presentation “Top Technology Changes You’ll Face in the Next 10 Years: Avionics—Unplugged.” Read more >> Summit by the numbersFind out what auction item reached $70,000 at AOPA Aviation Summit, who is dreaming of a Pilatus PC-12, and which new (but familiar) special light sport aircraft will come fully equipped at $115,000. Check out AOPA Aviation Summit from a statistical point of view. Read more >> Adverse condition alerts ping pilots after briefingsLockheed Martin Flight Services announced a flight planning and briefing Web portal Oct. 12 that allows pilots to sign up for alerts of adverse conditions that crop up along their planned route of flight after they’ve obtained a briefing. Read more and watch AOPA Live® >> Tips and secrets from ‘Flying Wild Alaska’ pilots Heard at SummitIf you missed AOPA Aviation Summit, or couldn’t squeeze in everything on your to-do list while at the show, catch up on the highlights by perusing some of the notable quotes of what was heard in and around the Palm Springs Convention Center in California. Read more >> UFO sighting: Don NewmanAstute attendees of AOPA Aviation Summit may have noticed a number of UFOs among the taildraggers, turboprops, and other familiar airframes around the Palm Springs, Calif., convention center. These UFOs are rare, indeed—but they're not unidentified. They’re the United Flying Octogenarians, a group of men and women who have flown as pilot in command at age 80 and above. Read more >> PilotMall.com sponsors 2012-2013 Bahamas Pilot ChallengePilotMall.com has teamed up with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to give pilots a little extra incentive to visit the islands, which start 50 to 60 miles off the coast of Florida. Pilots who log landings at 12 of the 20 Bahamian airports of entry by Nov. 30, 2013, will be eligible to win up to 23 nights of accommodations at various resorts. Fixed-base operators in Florida are standing by to support recreational missions. Read more >> Summit, StorifiedAOPA’s Tougher Than A Tornado Sweepstakes Husky made its final public appearance at AOPA Aviation Summit before heading to its new owner in Florida, and members had a lot to say about the rugged taildragger. Technical Editor Jill W. Tallman catalogues the top things members say about the Husky in a series of tweets compiled on Storify. Also, Benét J. Wilson, AOPA e-newsletter and social media editor, collects her favorite tweets from Summit. | |
Reporting Points: Wish lists and budget buys GA NewsHawker Beechcraft China deal collapses, jets jettisonedHawker Beechcraft announced Oct. 18 that a purchase agreement with a Chinese buyer has been scuttled, and the company has charted a new course out of bankruptcy. That plan includes the sale or cessation of Hawker jet production, but would keep the piston and turboprop lines running. The company announced “Hawker” would be dropped from its name, reflecting the impending departure of the Hawker 4000 and other bizjet offerings. Read more >> Baumgartner free fall reaches Mach 1.24 NASA zeroes in on new cure for the queasyNASA has signed a deal with a California pharmaceutical firm that aims to bring to market a fast-acting nasal spray developed for treating astronaut motion sickness. The medication scopolamine has shown promise to take faster effect when administered in the nose than through tablets and other delivery mechanisms, and may soon bring relief to those who suffer on land, at sea, and in the air. Read more >> Found Aircraft lands certificates for three variants Former FAA chief Randy Babbitt takes airline postFormer FAA administrator Randy Babbitt has landed a new job with Southwest Airlines. Babbitt, whose aviation career includes service as a pilot for Eastern Airlines and past chief executive of the Air Line Pilots Association, will now serve as the air carrier’s senior vice president of labor relations, responsible for negotiating contracts with 11 unions, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram . A December 2011 DWI charge that prompted Babbitt’s resignation was dismissed this year. Babbitt sat down with AOPA Live in May to talk about his own future, and the future of general aviation. Catalina’s first airshow flies into historyWater-powered-jetpack pilot Dean O’Malley re-created Glenn L. Martin’s flight from Newport Beach to Catalina Island, Calif., as part of the first airshow on the island. The first Catalina Air Show and Festival commemorated the 100th anniversary of Martin's historic flight to the island on May 10, 1912. Read more >> Avionics industry icon Monte Mitchell rememberedMonte R. Mitchell, who built the Aircraft Electronics Association into a worldwide organization, died Oct. 16 following a brief illness. Read more >> | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IFR Fix: ‘Do not mistake’
Report outlines inspection requirements
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
Mexico eyes advance passenger information system
Mexico’s government has proposed establishing an advance passenger information system (APIS) for flights entering and exiting the country, but the plan has quickly raised concerns about “unworkable” procedures and pricy penalties for pilots who fail to comply. Read more >>
See congressmen’s, senators’ take on issues affecting GA
Do your representatives in Congress support your freedom to fly? As Election Day 2012 approaches, you can decide, using AOPA’s 2012 Voter’s Guide on GA Issues in Congress. This powerful tool lets members analyze positions taken by representatives and senators on key aviation issues over the past two years.
Medical exemption push continues
If you missed the public comment window on a request from AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association that would reduce the burden of the third class medical, there’s still an opportunity to make your voice heard, the two associations told attendees at AOPA Aviation Summit Oct. 13. Read more >>
AOPA’s Craig Spence named IAOPA secretary general
Craig Spence, AOPA vice president of operations and international affairs, was named the secretary general of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) on Oct. 13. He was named acting secretary general in May. Read more >>
Join the Airport Support Network today
Ensuring the health and vitality of your airport is up to you—incompatible development and economic and political pressures can restrict your flying. Every day, close to 2,500 Airport Support Network (ASN) volunteers work with AOPA headquarters to help save their airports, but we need more. Below is a link to a list of the airports where an ASN volunteer could make a difference.
To nominate yourself or an associate to be a volunteer, visit AOPA Online.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit ASN Online.
AOPA Close to Home
Pilots eye return to Minnesota’s ‘Northwest Angle’
Temporary MOA would block NM airway access
Waypoint proposed to replace Moultrie VOR on V-537
GPS testing over California (PDF)
Member Benefits
NASA report: Your ‘get out of jail free’ card?
One of the tools in a pilot’s flight bag is the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), known to many as the “NASA report.” The program is designed to get valuable information about what is going on in the system from those who are actually using the system. The information helps bring about changes that benefit us all. But the best part is you may possibly “get out of jail free” by sharing the information, writes Kathy Yodice, an attorney for AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services and Legal Services Plan. Read more >>
Visit the AOPA Insurance Services headquarters
At the AOPA Insurance Services office in Wichita, Kan., employees are always happy to greet any members who may stop by, like 56-year AOPA member and 10-year AOPA Insurance Services customer Dennis Oliver. Read more >>
Unique aviation-themed holiday cards and gifts available
Choose cards this year that really say “I love to fly”—and help the AOPA Foundation at the same time. View all 26 designs (both Christmas and general holiday images), as well as all-new aviation-themed jigsaw puzzles and other fun gifts. The AOPA Foundation receives a portion of each sale to support its work. You receive high-quality products and free gifts with every order—and 100 percent satisfaction, guaranteed. See all designs >>
AOPA Career Opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We’re looking for a strategy and financial analyst, executive assistant, director of media relations, major gifts officer, and Web graphic designer. 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! | | |
Engage in AviationCheck 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 was recently studying a GPS approach plate and noticed there were no minimum safe/sector altitudes (MSA) depicted. What altitudes are used instead?
Answer: According to AIM 5-4-8, a transition area has been established on certain GPS approaches called a TAA. TAA stands for terminal arrival area, which is designed to create a seamless transition from the en route environment to the approach phase of flight for aircraft equipped with GPS. The TAA was designed to replace the MSAs that are present on other types of approaches, but still provide guaranteed obstruction clearance. The arrival areas of a TAA are segmented depending on the direction the pilot is approaching. These segments include altitude restrictions similar to an MSA. However, a TAA procedure differs significantly from an MSA procedure. The TAA procedure allows a descent to the TAA altitude once cleared for the approach. The pilot must have been cleared direct to an initial approach fix and also cleared for the approach by the controlling agency. If the pilot has not received approach clearance and still wishes to descend, he or she must ask ATC for a lower altitude.
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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