Suspended upside down by his feet from a skysurfing wing attached to a hoist, Yves Rossy wiggled and twisted, struggling to break free from bindings without using his hands. It wasn't a Houdini stunt, but a test of a life-saving escape move in case he lost control of the wing in the air. Read more...Share:
Article
Yves Rossy trains student Jetman
Jetman Yves Rossy's dream of flying like a bird is moving to the next phase—training others to do the same. Vincent Reffet, 28, is Jetman's first student, but he isn't a pilot.
Read more...Share:
Article
Shipments up, headwinds remain
Aircraft makers collectively posted a 26-percent increase in total billings, and a 9-percent increase in airframes shipped during the first half of 2013 compared to the first six months of 2012.
Read more...Share:
Article
PC-12 delivery a milestone for Pilatus, PlaneSense
Fractional-ownership program operator PlaneSense has taken delivery of its forty-ninth Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop, calling the aircraft paramount to the success of the business.
Read more...Share:
AOPA Live This Week
CBP has no records of invasive search
U.S. Customs and Border Protection claims it has no record of the detention and search of a law-abiding pilot that prompted an outcry in the general aviation community. Plus, Beechcraft marks a major Bonanza milestone. AOPA Live This Week® also samples audience reaction to Disney's Planes, a special sneak-peek showing at EAA AirVenture that had kids dreaming of flight. As of publication time, AOPA Live producers were finalizing this week's episode. Check back on the AOPA Live page for the latest edition that will be available Aug. 9.Read more...Share:
EAA AirVenture
Article
EAA hints at AirVenture 2014
After closing out EAA AirVenture 2013 with about 500,000 attendees, the association revealed what it has its sights set on for 2014: remembering the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I and celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the jet engine.
Read more...Share:
Article
Piper revenue up
Piper Aircraft reported an 11-percent increase in revenue in the first half of 2013 compared to the first half of 2012.
Read more...Share:
Article
No more ground loops, Beringer says
Beringer Wheels and Brakes is developing a new tailwheel that promises ground-loop-free landings for taildragger pilots. The company explains that its double-pivot tailwheel can be made to move as the rudder moves.
Read more...Share:
Article
SocialFlight connecting pilots, events
Many pilots find it hard to justify a simple $100 hamburger flight with rising fuel prices, but they are ready to lift off if they know they can attend a safety seminar or airshow, meet up with fellow pilots, and get a meal all at one event.
Read more...Share:
Article
'Planes' debuts at AirVenture
A starry night, cool breeze, and free popcorn set the perfect backdrop for a special preview of Disney's Planes at EAA AirVenture's outdoor Fly-In Theater presented by Ford Motor Co. in Oshkosh, Wis., Aug. 2.
Read more...Share:
AOPA Live This Week
AOPA Live from EAA AirVenture
In case you missed the special editions from Oshkosh, Wis., catch up on the Husky that could transform general aviation—think 85 cents a gallon—along with a dazzling array of gadgets, new products, and people. Among the highlights, AOPA Live crews landed an exclusive interview with the Breitling Jetman, whose advice to would-be pilots is, "hold on tight to that dream."
Watch AOPA Live...
The National Transportation Safety Board noted a slight decrease in the general aviation accident rate for 2012, though the numbers are still preliminary and the calculated rate is based on forecast estimates of flight hours flown rather than survey data. The AOPA Foundation's Air Safety Institute remains dedicated to more dramatic gains.
Read more...Share:
IFR Fix
IFR Fix: 'Pay attention!'
The Cessna 310 was in a holding pattern at 8,000 feet when the controller called with a beef.
Read more...Share:
Flash-based, login required
Departure, en route, approach, oh my
Flying on instruments is more than just the fundamentals of instrument interpretation, cross-checking, and aircraft control. It is also being able to interpret the symbols and formatting of current IFR charts quickly and accurately. Are you up on your IFR chart knowledge? Learn more and take the Air Safety Institute's
IFR Insights: Charts online course.Share:
Animation
Wrong place, wrong time
Runway incursions can happen in seconds, whether a single miscalculation or a host of slipups converging at the wrong time. That's why it's important to communicate clearly and appropriately, double-check clearances, be vigilant, and have situational awareness when maneuvering on the airport. Watch this Air Safety Institute animation of a near collision on the runway between a Canadair Regional Jet and a Cessna 172 to learn how to avoid a similar scenario.
Watch the animation...Share:
Accident database
Improve your safety by learning from others
Gain valuable knowledge about flying safely by learning from the mistakes of others. The Air Safety Institute's Accident Database generates a list of accidents that have been added to the database in the past 30 days that may be relevant to you.
Blog
Leading Edge: Should FSS be at AirVenture?
What do you think about the fact that in-person flight service station briefings were not available to attendees at Sun 'n Fun and EAA AirVenture this year?
Read more...Share:
Advocacy
Article
Inhofe sees friend for GA in Foxx
General aviation now has "a friend at the top" in U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, said Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) in an interview with AOPA President Craig Fuller during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. During the interview, Inhofe also said he is planning a Pilot's Bill of Rights II.
Read more...Share:
Article
FAA data policy raises questions
The FAA's proposed policy for disseminating data digitally to the public is unclear, lacks transparency, and should be reviewed and improved by an industry stakeholder committee, AOPA said in comments on the proposal.
Read more...Share:
Article
Court win for backcountry pilots
Recreational aviation advocates have expressed relief at a federal appeals court ruling that they said largely upholds the status of several backcountry airstrips in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana.
Read more...Share:
Article
Participation urged in GA survey
The thirty-fifth annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) is under way, and pilots who have received an invitation to participate can still help with the scientific effort that will provide the FAA with accurate statistics on aviation activity from 2012.
Read more...Share:
Health
Members only
Top five dumb AME tricks
Not all aviation medical examiners are created equal, and some do not act in the best interests of their pilots.
Read more...Share:
Article
Healthy options popping up at airshows
For such a health-conscious demographic as pilots whose ability to continue their passion or career depends on good health, airshows that target aviators are some of the unhealthiest attractions.
Read more...Share:
Technology
Article
AOPA Jay adds 'real-world excitement' to aerospace course
A Florida school district's newest career-education offering is an aerospace technology class that will use five AOPA Jays by Redbird to provide an exciting, realistic flight-training experience.
Read more...Share:
Article
Avidyne IFD540, 440 near certification
Avidyne Corp. has completed the design phase of its IFD540 and IFD440 GPS navigators and expects to submit the 540 for certification by the end of 2013, Avidyne President and CEO Dan Schwinn said July 29 at EAA AirVenture.
Read more...Share:
Gear
Article
Developers pitch five aviation apps
This week, AOPA takes a look at five aviation apps submitted by developers: POH Performance, Flight Weather, Pilot In Command, Radio Navigation Simulator Pro, and PilotWorkshop.
Read more...Share:
Travel
Article
Guidebook for Mexico and Central America available
The Pilot's Guide to Mexico and Central America is now available with the most current information and photos of airports throughout the region. The guide contains detailed instructions on arrival and departure procedures as well as current contact information for 229 airports.
Read more...Share:
Financial
Article
Phoenix Flyers: Excellent aircraft at reasonable rates
A good aircraft fleet and reasonable flying costs are among the benefits of joining Arizona-based Phoenix Flyers.
Read more...Share:
Member benefits
Three reasons an LLC may be right for you
You have probably noticed the initials LLC on your lawyer's or another professional's business card. What you may not have considered is that an LLC may be the best way to go if you are buying an airplane in partnership with another person or group of people.
Read more...Share:
News and Notes
Article
Warbird collection to be auctioned
Wealthy aircraft collector Merle Maine, who died earlier this year, owned a baker's dozen warbirds, some of them rare, that are now on the auction block.
Read more...Share:
Article
Young Eagles name Tucker chairman
The 2013 EAA Gathering of Eagles fundraising dinner raised a total of $2.49 million from its raucous, fast-paced auction. Also during the dinner, Sean D. Tucker was named the new honorary chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program.
Read more...Share:
Call for volunteers
Sign up to volunteer at Summit
AOPA needs volunteers to help with parking 1,000-plus attendee aircraft, directing ground transportation, and managing the flow of people and vehicles. This year's AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 11 through 13 promises to be an outstanding event. Be a part of pulling it off—sign up to volunteer today!Share:
Article
Women in Aviation honored by National Aviation Hall of Fame
Clad in pink shirts, more than 300 women cheered Aug. 2 at EAA AirVenture as they learned that they—members of Women in Aviation, International—were being honored with the National Aviation Hall of Fame's 2013 Milton Caniff "Spirit of Flight" Award.
Read more...Share:
AOPA Career Opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an AOPA Live editor/graphic artist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
Question of the Week
How well do you know the regulations and other aviation facts?
Question
You are flying when you notice that your fingers and toes are becoming numb. You attribute it to the cold and turn up the cabin heat. The numbness progresses from your fingers and toes to your hands and feet, and you are having trouble manipulating the controls. You land at the next airport on your route and go to the hospital. The hospital runs a complete battery of tests. By this time you are feeling much better. The doctor tells you all of the tests were negative and they can't find a thing wrong. You leave for the airport to finish your trip. Are you legal?
Answer
Maybe not. FAR 67.309 states in part that neurologic standards for a third class airman medical certificate include "No established medical history or clinical diagnosis of ... A transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause." FAR 61.53 also requires pilots to self-ground when a known medical condition makes the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate held. In this situation, the FAA would expect the pilot to see the family physician, and maybe a specialist, to get to the bottom of the symptoms. If the doctor confirms that it isn't serious, you could continue to "self-assess" under 61.53 and resume flying on your current medical. Just be aware, though, that you should report the condition on your next FAA medical application, and be sure to provide your aviation medical examiner with a report from your treating doctor about the results of the evaluation.
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. Contact AOPA.
Forums
Confusing en route clearance
A member asks a question about a confusing en route clearance in the AOPA Forum.
Read more...
Training Tips
Assertive on the controls
Passing the (theoretical) 50-foot obstacle that appears in the short-field landing performance table for your trainer, you idle power, maintain the recommended airspeed, touch down on the main wheels (of your tricycle-gear aircraft), lower the nose, and apply heavy braking.
Nice job! You stopped on the center line, aligned properly, without drift, and within 200 feet of the specified point, all as required to perform the maneuver to standards on a private pilot practical test.
Especially good was your braking: firm and effective but without sliding the tires or compromising directional control, your instructor notes.
A short-field landing's combination of precision and assertive handling is a good example of maneuvers that require smoothness and excellent timing, while the pilot also ensures that the control inputs get the job done.
It takes practice—and confidence derived from it—to wring maximum performance from your aircraft consistently. And if you have been simulating your short-field work on a long, wide runway with obstruction-free approaches, be sure to get some dual practice at airports where a short-field approach is the normal, everyday way of doing things.
Other maneuvers come with a different set of aerodynamic considerations while still requiring that you don't sacrifice smoothness and precision for the assertiveness needed to extract needed performance from your aircraft.
Taking off from a soft or rough field, goal one is to become airborne at the lowest possible airspeed. That calls for aggressive pitch management (and lots of right rudder to control direction). Once airborne, lower pitch aggressively to keep the aircraft flying in ground effect until it can accelerate to a safe climb airspeed.
Maneuvering during slow flight is another scenario requiring assertive but restrained inputs to maintain control at a high angle of attack.
When performing a crosswind landing, sideslipping demands sufficient bank to offset drift, and rudder as needed to keep the nose (the longitudinal axis) pointed down the extended center line.
A forward slip to lose altitude—another application of intentionally crossed controls—will only work if the pilot avoids an increase in airspeed, a commonly observed error.
Perhaps the best example of a controlled combination of aggressive flying and a fine touch on the controls is the maneuver of choice when a landing isn't working out: the go-around. Make practicing them the rule, not the exception, on training flights!
Training Products
FAA film covers runway safety
Fly Right Films has posted Face to Face, Eye to Eye, Fly Right, a video produced for the FAA Runway Safety Program Office. It offers a gritty, up-close look at air traffic control in congested airspace.
MyWrittenExam.com offers prep for FAA knowledge test
MyWrittenExam.com allows users to practice FAA tests, made up of all of the official FAA questions and answers. The website covers five different airman certificates—recreational, private, instrument, commercial, flight instructor—and more than 40 ratings.
Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.
Final Exam
Question
You are planning your second dual cross-country with your instructor. As you lay your plotter down on the sectional chart, you notice that the course takes you right through a large restricted area. Will you have to fly around it?
Answer
That depends. FAR §91.133(a) states in part that, "No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area ... contrary to the restrictions imposed." Restricted areas are listed on the panel of sectional charts by number. That listing will give the restrictions imposed on that area. Typically the restrictions are by day, time, altitude, or any combination of them. If you are flying outside of those restrictions, you may fly through the area. If not, you must have authorization from the controlling authority.
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Don't forget the online archive of "Final Exam" questions and answers, searchable by keyword or topic.
Education and Seminars
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Aug 10-11 - Atlanta, Ga.; Champaign, Ill.; and Allentown, Pa.
Aug 17-18 - Long Beach, Calif.
Sept 14-15 - Baltimore, Md.; and Bellevue, Wash.
Sept 21-22 - Phoenix, Ariz.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Colorado Springs, Colo.
Sept. 11 - Columbus, Ohio; Fayetteville, Ark.; and Maryville, Tenn.
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
AOPA Stay Smart Webinars
Aug. 20 - Flight School Finances: Blue skies or smoking hole? Register here.
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.
