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Terrafugia vision: VTOL flying car |
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FeaturedTerrafugia vision: Takeoff, autoland in driveway
GA NewsEngine testing delays HondaJet certificationWhile Honda Aircraft anticipated delivering three to four of its light jets before the end of 2013, company officials now say certification of the HondaJet is delayed until the end of 2014. The delay is one of several over the last couple of years related to issues with the new GE Honda Aero engines powering the HondaJet. Read more >> Flying Bulls BD-5J crashes in AustriaA pilot with Austria's Flying Bulls team lost his life attempting to execute an emergency landing in the world's smallest jet on May 1. Read more >> Fly like a fighter: Live to fly another dayWith an F-5 locked on his six, an F-15 pilot must decide whether to turn away from a multi-ship dogfight to shake the F-5 or join the fight. Read more >> Hypersonic flight test a success
Solar Impulse touches down in PhoenixPhoenix was the second stop for the solar-powered Solar Impulse aircraft as part of its Across America mission. Read more >> Electric airplanes? EAS guides the wayBatteries that have a specific energy 45 times that of the one in a typical Cessna or Piper? The Electric Aircraft Symposium VII, April 26 and 27 in Santa Rosa, Calif., illustrated just how far electric aircraft technology has come since the program's inception. Some 25 speakers covered topics ranging from a propeller safety device to sustainability and maintenance. Read more >> Grants, flight training scholarships, and free AOPA membershipsThere are ample reasons to join the AOPA Foundation's new Giving Back program, created to show appreciation for the great work being done through general aviation. Here's a glimpse: The program will award 10 grants of up to $10,000 each to nonprofit groups doing charitable work through GA. In addition, Giving Back hopes to award 10 flight training scholarships, and provide 2,500 free memberships to armed forces personnel and through the AOPA AV8RS program for teens. Join the foundation's Giving Back initiative by donating to the foundation now. Read more >> FreeFlight lands $7 million FAA contract for ADS-B equipmentFreeFlight Systems of Texas has landed a $7 million deal with the FAA to equip up to 600 Alaskan aircraft with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment, a reward for those who tested the system now at the heart of NextGen. Read more >> Webinar: Attracting young people to aviationCandler Field Flying Club of Williamson, Ga., emphasizes attracting young people to aviation; as a result, a high proportion of its membership is under the age of 20. Join the flying club’s founder, Glen Marsh, and AOPA Senior Vice President of the Center to Advance the Pilot Community Adam Smith for a free webinar May 21 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern to learn the secrets to Candler Field Flying Club’s success and what other clubs are doing to attract a new generation of pilots. Register online >> NASA project provides critical tool for water management
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Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics |
Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars |
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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. |
General aviation aircraft owners would spend an aggregate $500 million on dated technology under a revived Federal Communications Commission proposal to eliminate emergency locator transmitters that operate on 121.5 MHz, said five U.S. senators, led by Senate GA Caucus member Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), in a letter to the agency's chief. In related news, AOPA member and House General Aviation Caucus Co-Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has weighed in, pressing for answers as to the FAA's planned course of action to protect 121.5 MHz ELTs. Read more >>
AOPA members have more time to comment on a new planning rule from the U.S. Forest Service that would develop, revise, and amend land management plans to include aviation. AOPA, along with the Recreational Aviation Foundation and the Idaho Aviation Association, represented general aviation interests in a series of national planning and regional meetings and advocated for language that would require forest planners to take aviation into account in their planning. Despite that work, the Forest Service draft of the new directives makes no references to recreational aviation or airstrips—and AOPA and the Recreational Aviation Foundation are urging pilots to speak out. Read more >>
Five members of the U.S. House, citing regulations that they say have been overtaken by technology, are seeking to set a year-end 2015 deadline for the FAA to act on recommendations being developed for less costly—and safer—aircraft certification procedures. Read more >>
AOPA in a court filing May 6 called the FAA's decision to close 149 contract control towers nationwide "arbitrary, capricious, and fundamentally flawed, leaving the safety and efficiency consequences largely unknown." Read more >>
AOPA's Airport Support Network (ASN), long the linchpin in the association's local advocacy program, has succeeded in a joint effort with the commonwealth of Virginia to have an ASN volunteer in place at each of the state's 66 public-use airports. AOPA President Craig Fuller honored the work of Virginia Department of Aviation Director Randall Burdette—himself a former ASN volunteer—and the Virginia Department of Aviation staff in helping achieve the strategic goal. Read more >>
AOPA has received notification from flight instructors and the FBI that scammers are once again targeting flight schools and instructors. Read more >>
AOPA's Airport Support Network is growing; find out how you could be the newest volunteer to join the group. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the advocacy win in Indiana that lowered fuel prices there $0.50 per gallon, learn how AOPA is preserving backcountry airstrip access, and find out how AOPA Alaska Regional Manager Tom George is working on Denali overflights. All this and more at a glance in "AOPA advocacy in brief."
A question in the FAA medical application form asks if the applicant has ever had medical disability benefits. If you are receiving compensation for a disability, the FAA wants you to check "yes" to the question and then state the disability in the explanation portion. Be truthful when responding to the question, and obtain the proper documentation to show your AME. And if you have any concerns, contact AOPA first. Read more >>
Most pilots don't realize their obligations when they sign their rental agreements or borrow aircraft from a friend. If an event occurs, you may end up paying for damages out of your wallet. Plus, legal fees could be incurred. Even minor mishaps could cost a lot; common ground incidents can damage wingtips and cost $1,200 or more to repair. That's why AOPA recommends all nonowner pilots have insurance coverage. Renter’s insurance provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage when you borrow or rent airplanes, plus legal defense coverage. AOPA provides options so you can build the policy to suit your needs and your wallet. Visit aopainsurance.org/nonowned or call 800/622-AOPA (2672) to learn more.
AOPA Strategic Partner Aero-Space Reports, provider of aircraft title search and related services, is now sponsoring an important member benefit: an online aircraft valuation tool. Read more >>
As an AOPA Strategic Partner, Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers support to AOPA members in more ways than just car rental discounts. Members who plan their flight online with AOPA Airports can easily find out if an Enterprise Rent-A-Car location is nearby by looking at the bottom of the airport page. With more than 5,500 locations in North America, Enterprise Rent-A-Car provides service to 3,000 general aviation airports and FBOs. Read more >>
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a human resources assistant, software test and quality assurance analyst, online marketing and content specialist, AOPA Live editor/graphic artist, advertising marketing manager, mid-level gift specialist, aviation technical specialist, staff assistant/PAC coordinator, president of AOPA Insurance Services, major gifts officer, and director of outreach and events. 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!! |
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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 an edited question asked by an AOPA member who contacted our aviation services staff through the AOPA Pilot Information Center. Test your knowledge.
Question: If I fly my airplane into a nontowered airport in Class G airspace, am I violating any regulation by not flying a traffic pattern?
Answer: The regulation that most specifically addresses this situation is FAR 91.126(b). It states, "When approaching to land at an airport without an operating control tower in Class G airspace—
"(1) Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to the left unless the airport displays approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should be made to the right, in which case the pilot must make all turns to the right; and
"(2) Each pilot of a helicopter or a powered parachute must avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft."
If you're approaching the airport from a direction that requires you to turn in order to land on the runway, then a pilot could potentially violate this regulation by turning in the wrong direction. Flying a complete traffic pattern is not necessarily required in this scenario. Pilots are expected to use their best judgment at all times. Flying a predictable traffic pattern and using good communications techniques are always encouraged.
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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ePilot Editor: |
Contributors: |
Alton K. Marsh |
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