DECEMBER 27, 2013 - VOL 15, ISSUE 52

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

'Vertical what?'

Ask 300 or so instrument pilots what would make them more proficient. You will likely get 300 or so answers. Read more... Share:  

Pilot magazine

Engine-out landings at night

Two pilots who crashed at night, one into Tampa Bay in Florida and the other into the living room of a top-floor apartment near Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., share a brief description of each incident and lessons learned. Read more... Share:  

Video

Picking up ice

An average winter will see about a dozen general aviation accidents caused by icing. But there are ways to determine if your aircraft is accumulating ice before the problem becomes an emergency. Learn some of the telltale signs that you may be picking up some extra baggage. Watch the video... Share:  

PDF

Find GA's safety score

The Air Safety Institute's 2011-2012 GA Accident Scorecard provides a snapshot of recent general aviation safety by summarizing what's already known about GA accidents in the past two years. It takes a look at the total numbers of accidents, fatal accidents, and fatalities, broken out by categories and classes of aircraft involved, pilot qualifications, purposes of flight, and light and weather conditions. After the National Transportation Safety Board completes its investigations, the Twenty-Third Joseph T. Nall Report (expected in early 2014) will provide a detailed analysis of 2011's accidents. Read more...

Rotorcraft Rookie

Falling like a rock

Believe it or not, helicopters do continue to fly after an engine failure—sort of. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

Big wins highlight 2013 advocacy efforts

Nothing about 2013 was easy—from early user-fee battles to major sequestration cuts, the year was marked by challenges for general aviation. But that didn't make it a year of gloom and doom. AOPA's advocacy efforts paid off with big wins on taxes, towers, aircraft certification reform, airman training standards, and more. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

2014 budget could favor FAA

The budget deal means more money for government spending in 2014, bypassing a second year of mandatory sequestration cuts. And while that's likely to be good news for the FAA, it's far too soon to say exactly how much money will go to the agency or when a final spending agreement will be reached. Read more... Share:  

Interactive timeline

Look back at Baker's first quarter at AOPA

On Sept. 6, Mark Baker became AOPA's fifth president in its nearly 75-year history. As 2013 draws to a close, take a look back at some of the highlights while Baker has been in the left seat of the organization—from a renewed focus on grassroots events to supporting a bill that would expand the driver's license medical. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

GA leaders seek funding for avgas replacement cert.

AOPA President Mark Baker and the leaders of several other general aviation organizations are asking House and Senate appropriations subcommittee leaders to fund programs that will keep efforts to find alternatives to leaded avgas moving forward. Read more... Share:  

Health

Video

Fly Well: Preventing the flu

Dr. Jonathan Sackier offers tips for preventing the flu, a virus he says kills thousands of Americans each year. The flu can stick around for 14 days, but pilots may need to stay on the ground longer to allow for recovery, he says. Watch the AOPA Live® video... Share:  

Technology

Article

HondaJet ready for FAA flight tests

With FAA type inspection authorization and certified engines, the HondaJet seems to be on a fast track toward final FAA certification. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

How to obtain more business benefits from GA

General aviation offers businessmen and -women the means to reach more customers, expand markets, and use time productively. A GA aircraft, either owner flown or operated by a salaried pilot, provides unmatched transportation. Take a fresh look at what such travel capability can do for you and your company. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Humanity, philanthropy, and GA

Don't forget the young philanthropists who might be in your hometown. Bring them to your airport. Educate them about its value to the community. Get them in an airplane. Stand back and watch them squeal with childlike delight and end with, "That was awesome!" Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Members choose favorite apps

AOPA asked members to choose their favorite 10 aviation apps in 2013. Participants in the friendly poll chose between one and 10 apps from a list of 30 picked by AOPA editors. See how they voted. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Pilot magazine

Proficient Pilot: A bygone era

AOPA Pilot columnist Barry Schiff recalls a ferry flight as a co-pilot of a Boeing 707 during which his captain had him cancel IFR and proceed VFR for a pass over a small general aviation field. "Try to imagine, though, the unexpected sight and deafening roar of a humongous Boeing 707 passing over the short runway of a pastoral, nontowered general aviation airport at a 'bit less' than 1,000 feet agl." Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

RFTS Flying Club provides lower-cost flying

Members of Washington state's RFTS Flying Club enjoy access to a fleet of four aircraft at reasonable hourly rates. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Foundation focus

Happy holidays from AOPA

AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg and AOPA President Mark Baker wish AOPA members a happy holiday and share how members can give a gift to support general aviation. Watch a special holiday message... Share:  

Member benefits

Charitable flying: A season of giving

Can't find a new place to go for that $100 hamburger, or looking for a new mission for your trusty bird? Consider charitable flights. AOPA Insurance Services offers advice on the requirements for this type of flying. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Foundation focus

Support aviation, get tax savings with 2013 gift

Congress has extended legislation that allows donors to make a tax-free gift from traditional or Roth IRA accounts through Dec. 31. The AOPA Foundation can provide a means to take advantage of a rollover of up to $100,000 for a single person or $200,000 for a husband and wife with separate IRA accounts to the foundation. It is a hassle-free offer for donors 70 1/2 years of age or older, but the distribution must take place by the end of 2013. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts can support the freedom to fly and get tax savings at the same time. Please email the foundation or call 301/695-2320.

News and Notes

Article

Cessna wins approval for Sovereign+, M2

Cessna Aircraft has won long-awaited approval for the delayed Sovereign+ business jet, a follow-on to the popular 2004 Sovereign, and the smaller M2, a follow-on to the Mustang. Read more... Share:  

Article

AOPA Online reviews top comments of 2013

Stories about the driver's license medical bill, the FAA's proposed sleep apnea policy, and the Boeing 747 Dreamlifter pilots who landed at the wrong airport received the most member comments in 2013. Read more... Share:  

Members only

Am I a flight school? Independent CFIs subject to TSA audit

Instructors who provide flight training to aliens or to TSA-designated individuals must abide by the rules in Subpart A of 49 CFR Part 1552, and Subpart B applies more generally to flight and ground instructors, whether or not the student is a U.S. citizen. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Strange but true general aviation news

Flying "high," fake pilot with unregistered aircraft, and an interesting way to cut down a Christmas tree. Read more... Share:  

Blog

BK117

The BK117 is a twin-engine, medium-size helicopter developed jointly by Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm (MBB) of Germany and Kawasaki of Japan. Read more... Share:  

Career Opportunities

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an account manager II, event planner, aviation insurance agent, director of business operations, and Web graphic designer I. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Business development engineer at Garmin

Garmin is seeking an aviation business development engineer to provide leadership support for corporate level programs and lead new business development opportunities. The successful candidate will assist in the creation and maintenance of Garmin's product roadmap, coordinate complex internal business relationships, negotiate key business deals, and direct messaging. Learn more or search for other exciting career opportunities.

Forums

Aircraft ownership

Should I do personal or business ownership of my aircraft? Read more...