APRIL 18, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 16

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

San Marcos welcomes you

At once modern and steeped in history, the site of AOPA's first regional fly-in of 2014 is ready to welcome pilots. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Fly-In

Fly-In procedures, reliever named

Pilots flying in for AOPA's first regional fly-in at San Marcos, Texas, on April 26 should review the just-released notam and flight procedures. To accommodate the fantastic attendee response, AOPA is offering free transportation to and from New Braunfels Regional Airport (KBAZ), the official reliever for the fly-in, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 26. And, Redbird Skyport is offering a $0.25 per gallon fuel discount to pilots who arrive and purchase fuel on Friday, April 25. Download the fly-in procedures and learn more about ground transportation and lodging. Share:  

Technique and Safety

Accident analysis

Mother knows best

A low-time VFR private pilot continued flying into instrument meteorological conditions even after his mother asked him to return to his departure airport to avoid the low ceilings and fog at his planned destination. The pilot continued and crashed 15 miles from his destination. His mother reported him missing. Read more in this special report brought to you by the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

IFR Fix

What is a clearance?

Discussing the pros and cons of possible routes during your review, your CFII poses an unexpected question: "What is an air traffic clearance?" Read more... Share:  

Login required

Spring's weather swings

Clashing fronts, rain showers, ice, strong winds, and hot sun are indicative of spring's wild mood swings. Are you ready to navigate the season safely? Test your knowledge with the Air Safety Institute's Spring Weather quiz. Take the quiz...

Blog

Brilliant or not so much?

Was one CFI's solution to a recalcitrant left main gear ingenious or reckless? Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

Medical reform gains momentum

The movement to exempt thousands of general aviation pilots from the third class medical certification process is gaining momentum in Congress and the aviation community. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

CBP actions draw media attention

The recent warrantless stops and searches of general aviation flights have drawn the attention of mainstream media. On April 15, the Los Angeles Times published an article citing the high number of stops and searches involving law-abiding GA pilots. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

City to appeal in Santa Monica lawsuit

The city of Santa Monica will appeal a recent court decision that threw out a lawsuit seeking to release the city from its obligation to keep Santa Monica Municipal Airport open and operating. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Smith Field: Airport of dreams

Two teenagers, two dreams: Andrew Griffith wants to be a missionary pilot or mechanic, Rigel Jaquish possibly an airline captain. An army of pilots and airport supporters is helping to make those dreams come true. They are training at Smith Field in Fort Wayne, Ind., but there would be no airport for them to train at if it weren't for years of advocacy by local residents and pilots. The airport withstood attacks to close it in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2002. Now, it's thriving. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

And the wait goes on...

The FAA announced in 2013 that aviation medical examiners would soon be able to issue a medical certificate for some conditions that currently require a special issuance. The program still hasn't been implemented one year after the pronouncement of "coming soon." Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Unmanned carrier op wins Collier

The National Aeronautic Association has awarded the Collier Trophy for "the first unmanned, autonomous air system operating from an aircraft carrier." Read more... Share:  

Article

Google acquiring Titan Aerospace

Internet giant Google will acquire Titan Aerospace, the New Mexico-based developer of high-altitude unmanned aircraft systems. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Contracting: A great career option for the professional pilot

As much as one may love flying, it can be a tough career choice. Low pay, long days, little respect, too much time away from home, difficult working conditions, commuting, regulatory hassles, bankruptcies, furloughs, and ruinously expensive training. On the other hand, life is often what we make of it. Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp shares the pros and cons of flying as a contract pilot. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Equipping the next generation of aviation professionals

Discussions surrounding the very real pilot shortage and issues with training have been frank and pertinent to today's flight training environment, writes Opinions Leaders blogger Martin Rottler, but, he continues, one group that plays a key role has been left out: the so-called "mom and pop" flight schools. Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Developers offer aviation app updates

Jeppesen's Mobile FliteDeck VFR for iPad has been expanded; iFly GPS is now available on Android platforms; and iFlightPlanner 2.0, FltPlanGo, and FlightPro all have been updated. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

Michigan wind storm wreaks havoc

Michigan residents have been cleaning up after strong winds toppled trees and power lines, peeled back roofs, and destroyed three general aviation aircraft on the evening of April 12. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Strategic Partner Spotlight

National Car Rental ranked highest

National Car Rental, AOPA's Strategic Partner, has been ranked the "Highest in Rental Car Customer Satisfaction" in the J.D. Power 2013 North American Rental Car Satisfaction Study. Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

Able Flight announces 2014 scholarships

Able Flight, the nonprofit organization that works to provide free flight training to individuals with physical disabilities, announced the awards of a record-setting nine scholarships in 2014. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

If you're not protected, it could cost you ... a lot

Even a minor incident in a rented or borrowed airplane can cost you a lot—especially compared to the cost of insurance. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Friends to restore Wicker's biplane

Friends of wing walker Jane Wicker want to restore her 450-horsepower Stearman biplane, destroyed in a June 2013 accident that killed Wicker and her pilot. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

FAA seeks to update DA40 spar AD

The FAA proposes to supersede an airworthiness directive requiring modification of the aft main spar of some Diamond Aircraft DA40 and DA40F airplanes. Read more... Share:  

Aquila announces turbo A211

Aquila Aviation, a German manufacturer of the two-seat, certified Aquila A211, announced a turbocharged version of the airplane at Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. A prototype with the Rotax 914 was on display at the show, and the company said the version will be available by the end of 2014. Options include conventional instruments, a Garmin G500 with conventional engine monitoring instruments, or a Garmin G500 with digital engine monitoring instruments (A211T, A211GT, or A211GXT).

Article

Zulu Flight Training heads across the pond

Continental Motors' Zulu Flight Training is opening locations in Europe. Read more... Share:  

Article

Women form club within club

Female pilots and enthusiasts who belong to the West Valley Flying Club in Palo Alto, Calif., formed the Women of West Valley for camaraderie, and to encourage more women to fly. Read more... Share:  

Poll

Landscapes grace 1962 'Pilot' covers

Mountains, beaches, an island, the plains, the Flying W Ranch, and an industrial park serve as the backdrops on AOPA Pilot covers in 1962. See if you can figure out some of the picturesque locations and vote for your favorite. Take the poll... Share:  

Article

Nominations sought for aviation safety award

The memory of a passenger who perished in an April 1945 airline accident continues to drive an effort to recognize notable achievements in aviation safety. Read more... Share:  

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Product marketing specialist

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, an innovative tech leader, is seeking a product marketing specialist. Responsibilities include working with product managers to create marketing programs that drive demand. Learn more now...

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an executive assistant for government affairs, Air Safety Institute intern, director of state government affairs, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

Searching for the best flight schools

What advice would you give on finding the best flight school? Read more...