SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 - VOL 15, ISSUE 36

Technique and Safety

Accident analysis

A danger you can't outclimb

Powerful gusts, downdrafts, and ferocious wind shear can propagate well outside of the clouds that produce them. At about 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2012, witnesses in the vicinity of the Nephi, Utah, Municipal Airport saw a small airplane turn crosswind, then downwind, and abruptly pitch straight down, crashing nose-first into a hay field and catching fire almost immediately. NTSB meteorologists later confirmed that there were at least three active storm cells in the area. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

Article

What it takes to become a blimp pilot

Heavy travel, a commercial rating, and on-the-job training for at least 50 hours are some of the things it takes to become a professional airship pilot. Read more... Share:  

Answers for pilots

A ticket to learn

Whether it's a seaplane, tailwheel, complex, high-performance, or multiengine airplane that you hope to someday fly as pilot in command, the FAA requires training and testing, or an endorsement by an authorized instructor, to have an additional category, class, or operating privilege added to your credentials. Read more... Share:  

IFR Fix

IFR Fix: Two whooshes

The aircraft broke out at about 2,000 feet, and from eight miles out, the pilot could clearly see the approach lights. The last transmission from the aircraft before it struck trees on short final was the pilot canceling the IFR flight plan. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Aviation Summit

Article

Stars shine at Summit

Major League Baseball's Ken Griffey Jr., country-western singer Aaron Tippen, and NFL legend Ed "Too Tall" Jones are among the celebrities attending this year's AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas. Read more... Share:  

Article

Keynotes to spotlight experts

New AOPA President Mark Baker, baseball player Ken Griffey Jr., and officials from the FAA and NTSB are among those giving keynote addresses at the AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas. Read more... Share:  

Article

New educational tracks debut at AOPA Summit

This year's AOPA Aviation Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, features educational seminars based on five tracks. Read more... Share:  

Call for volunteers

Volunteers needed for 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. 10 through 12 promises to be an outstanding event. Be a part of pulling it off—sign up to volunteer today! Share:

Advocacy

Article

Costly AD opposed

AOPA and six other organizations are asking the FAA to withdraw a proposed airworthiness directive that would affect thousands of Continental engines and provide more detailed justification for the plan. Read more... Share:  

Article

FAA finalizes aircraft privacy policy

The FAA has finalized a policy that allows aircraft owners and operators to request privacy when navigating the National Airspace System. The policy, implemented in May 2012, was mandated by lawmakers after the aviation agency briefly raised the bar for those making Block Aircraft Registration Requests in 2011. Read more... Share:  

Article

A questionable rationale

The federal agency assigned to secure the nation's borders has taken it upon itself to police domestic general aviation, conducting criminal investigations based on FAA administrative regulations that require pilots to present certain documentation to federal authorities. Nearly two months after AOPA demanded answers, the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited no other legal basis to stop and search GA aircraft on domestic flights at airports far from international borders. Read more and download an updated kneeboard resource... Share:  

Article

GA Survey depends on pilot responses

The final outreach effort of the thirty-fifth annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) has begun, and AOPA is urging pilots who receive an invitation to participate to respond. Read more... Share:  

Health

Article

Fly Well: Hip to be hip

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger," stated Friedrich Nietzsche. And the reverse is true—making oneself stronger reduces the chance of a premature journey across the river Styx. Specifically, keeping your skeleton strong. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Orbital Sciences aims for ISS rendezvous

The second private company contracted by NASA to deliver cargo to the International Space Station is preparing for a Sept. 17 launch, a final test for Orbital Sciences before regular visits commence. Read more... Share:  

Article

Garmin to offer G5000 for Beechjet, Hawker models

Garmin expects supplemental type certificate approval in 2015 for a G5000 avionics suite installation in Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400 XP models. The upgrade will increase useful load by 200 pounds, and provide many avionics enhancements. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Gold in the gold country

Nestled in the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada, Columbia Airport boasts a beautifully manicured grass strip, fly-in campground, and an asphalt strip. The airport hosts the Father's Day Fly-In, which comes together with the help of a team of volunteers. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Proficiency: A way of life

Some clichés contain solid truths. Jack Olcott, president of General Aero Co. and past president of the National Business Aviation Association, writes that regarding business aviation, a saying attributed to Confucius comes to mind: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Going electronic with logbooks

This week, AOPA looks at five logbook apps: LogTen Pro Universal Pilot Logbook, FlightBOX, Logbook Pro Mobile, Pilot Pro, and Safelog Pilot Logbook. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Blog

Circumnavigation continues

AOPA Technical Editor Mike Collins checks out Red Bull's aircraft collection, explains how to fill the tip tanks without tipping the airplane, and gets a view of Ayers Rock from the air in his account of a flight around the world in a Mitsubishi MU-2 Read more... Share:  

Day 4: Straubing to Salzburg

Day 5: Red Bull

Day 6: Salzburg to Kuwait City

Day 7: Kuwait to Muscat, Oman

Day 8: Oman to Colombo, Sri Lanka

Day 9: Sri Lanka to Palembang, Indonesia

Day 10: Palembang to Denpasar, Bali

Day 11: Denpasar to Ayers Rock, Australia

Financial

Financial report

Advancing a cause

The economic turmoil that started half a decade ago has not been kind to general aviation. And as with other organizations, AOPA has not been immune from the economic doldrums. While the organization's 2012 revenue was down some 15 percent from 2008, forcing a reduction in expenses, AOPA's effectiveness in its core missions of advocacy and pilot information remain focused, intact, and world-class, writes outgoing AOPA President Craig Fuller. Read more... Share:  

Article

Flexjet purchased by Ohio investment group

Kenn Ricci, who founded two fractional ownership jet companies and helped start Nextant Aerospace which offers modified Hawker 400 series jets, has added Flexjet to his stable of nine companies. Read more... Share:  

Article

Glenwood Flyers: A less-expensive way to fly

Member aircraft loans, separate fleet limited liability corporations, and limited memberships help keep flying affordable for the Glenwood Flyers. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

AOPA club milestone

More than 400 flying clubs are now connected through AOPA's Flying Club Network, and a new online tool makes finding them easier than ever. Read more... Share:  

Article

Bikes to borrow

Thanks to Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 855, pilots flying into Pennsylvania's Slatington Airport have free access to bikes to ride along the scenic D&L Trail. Read more... Share:  

Member benefit

AOPA Insurance celebrates 20 years of coverage

AOPA Insurance Services marks its twentieth anniversary in September, celebrating two decades of protecting pilots and the aviation community. Read more... Share:  

Members only

Who's really in charge?

What happens when two pilots are on board an aircraft that is type certificated for single-pilot operation? Who is the pilot in command, and who's in charge? Well, that largely depends on who's asking and why, and it may not be as straightforward as you think. Read more... Share:  

Article

AOPA launches IMC Club chapter

The AOPA Headquarters Chapter has become the seventy-second of the IMC Club, created to promote instrument flying, proficiency, and safety. The AOPA chapter is organized by the IMC Club International Inc. and is sponsored by AOPA. Read more... Share:  

Members only

Contractor Connection joins AOPA Lifestyles Collection

If you need a home improvement project done but you don't have time to interview the best professional for the job, Contractor Connection will match you—for free—with a trusted professional that backs his or her work with a two-year warranty. Members can access this new offer by logging in to the AOPA Lifestyles Collection page. Share:  

Blog

Reporting Points: Strange but true general aviation news

An unusual video, landing at Wawa, a seaplane rescue, and an aerial stunt. Read more... Share:  

Sweepstakes

Blog

Oil analyses: An IO-470 speaks

The sweepstakes Debonair had a major overhaul completed in 2007, but the then-owners didn't fly the airplane much for the next five years. After taking delivery of the airplane, AOPA found out what happens when a long-still engine comes to life. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Career Opportunities

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a staff assistant/PAC coordinator and AOPA Live editor/graphic artist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

Approach plate symbol

Can you help a member decode a symbol on an approach plate? Weigh in ...