APRIL 25, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 17

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

San Marcos Fly-In: Top 10

AOPA's first regional fly-in of 2014 kicks off April 26 in San Marcos, Texas. Here are 10 tips on what to look forward to the day of the fly-in. Read more... Share:  

Blog

A fresh annual for San Marcos

The sweepstakes Debonair's annual inspection is complete, and many squawks were addressed in the process. Read more... Share:  

Fly-In Resources

Flight procedures and notam

Educational seminar schedule

Hotel, transportation information

Technique and Safety

Download portal

'Safety To Go' portal launches

Are you looking to share general aviation safety information at a local community event? Use the Air Safety Institute's "Safety To Go" portal, and download seminars and videos that you can present at your flying club, fly-in, fixed-base operator, or flight school. New products are added quarterly. Take a look at what you can download... Share:  

Rotorcraft Rookie

New landing sites

Public-use heliports aren't very plentiful, but those that are available offer unique capabilities and a fun challenge. Read more... Share:  

Article

Safety experts focus on control

The NTSB has organized a safety seminar set for May 10 to focus on aerodynamic stalls and loss of control, a leading cause of general aviation fatalities. The AOPA Foundation's Air Safety Institute and other groups will present case studies and analysis during the seminar. Read more... Share:  

IFR Fix

Out of the loop

There is another aircraft nearby, and its pilot is going to unusual lengths to keep you in sight. It's time to refresh your knowledge of where the IFR and VFR worlds may overlap, and where pilot vigilance and situational awareness alone preserve safe margins. Read more... Share:  

Article

Rusty pilot returns to the skies

After earning a multiengine rating and initial and instrument flight instructor certificates, Mark Luetkemeyer stopped flying for 25 years. See what it took to get him back into the cockpit. Read more... Share:  

Video

'This is your captain speaking'

What if the airlines handled fuel management the way some general aviation pilots do? Watch this Air Safety Institute Pilot Safety Announcement and decide whether you would fly this airline. Hear the captain's announcement... Share:  

Blog

Brilliant or not so much, part II

After pilots weighed in on whether a flight instructor took too much risk in response to a recalcitrant main landing gear, the CFI spoke out in his own defense. Find out why he made the decision he did. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

CBP stop: Officers run toward father, son

A father and his 14-year-old son were helping another pilot ferry a newly purchased aircraft from California to their home field in Virginia. The three made an overnight stop in Albuquerque, N.M., before flying on to Illinois for fuel. Shortly after they parked the aircraft in Marion, Ill., they were approached by as many as 18 uniformed and non-uniformed law enforcement officers who came running toward the airplane. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Groups ask EPA to reconsider position on avgas

Three environmental groups have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its 2012 decision not to immediately pursue an endangerment finding for leaded avgas. The petition comes as the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative is making substantial progress toward the identification, evaluation, and fleetwide certification of the most promising unleaded replacement fuels. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

EASA moves to ease general aviation regs

The European Aviation Safety Agency is taking the first step toward a less burdensome—and more effective—general aviation regulatory framework. In recent announcements and public statements, the agency has acknowledged that existing regulations are "disproportional" and "excessive" when applied to GA. Read more... Share:  

Health

Member benefits

Six tricks to ensure your doctor speaks your language

Misunderstandings on aircraft radios can have profound implications, and so can miscommunication about health issues. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Racing to a safer cockpit

Collaboration between the German government, academia, and airplane manufacturers may make future aircraft cabins more protective of pilots and passengers. The Safety Box team plans to apply auto racing technology to general aviation. Read more... Share:  

Article

Managers buy Chelton, S-Tec

The management team running Chelton Flight Systems and S-Tec Corp. in Mineral Wells, Texas, for parent Cobham Avionics saw an opportunity and bought in. The newly formed Genesys Aerosystems Group, created in the course of a management buyout, will continue to develop a new fixed-wing autopilot that was announced in 2013. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Land Rover uses aviation tech in cars

Land Rover is developing a forward-looking camera system that creates the illusion of a see-through hood. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Coming soon to a television near you...

In a land that counts television as the great communicator, is there room for a network devoted to aviation? Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Apps automate weight-and-balance process

Calculating weight and balance is an important task for pilots. AOPA members share their favorite weight-and-balance apps. Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

Penn Yan Aero extends engine warranties

Engine overhauler Penn Yan Aero announced that it is extending the warranties on overhauled and experimental aircraft engines, effective immediately. Read more... Share:  

Aircraft Maintenance

Become an educated owner

Many talented mechanics also love to teach, and they encourage aircraft owners to get dirty in the shop, do owner-assisted annual inspections, and understand how to make good maintenance decisions. It pays dividends for both the mechanic and the owner. Read more... Share:  

Article

Control costs in Mohawk Flying Club

Low flying costs are among the benefits of joining the Mohawk Flying Club at Michigan's Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Foundation focus

Grant helps fund animal fly-aways

Pilots N Paws was able to fund fly-away events in Georgia and Alabama and rescue more than 200 animals thanks to a $10,000 AOPA Foundation Giving Back grant. Read more... Share:  

Webinar

Protect yourself when renting

If you don't understand renter's insurance, how can you make sure you have the best policy for you? AOPA Insurance Services President Bill Snead will provide answers to your questions about renter's insurance in a webinar hosted by SocialFlight May 1 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Fresh search for Lost Patrol

The flight led by Navy Lt. Charles Taylor vanished without a trace in 1945, and gave rise to the myth of the Bermuda Triangle. Now, a search spanning decades has been given new life. Read more... Share:  

Article

Wagstaff to headline Teachers' Day

Three-time national aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff will speak July 29 at Build A Plane's 2014 Teachers' Day event during EAA AirVenture. Read more... Share:  

Article

Teaming to educate

A new Aviation Learning Center is coming to Minnesota thanks to a partnership between Seattle's Museum of Flight and AirSpace Minnesota. Read more... Share:  

Poll

Vote on favorite 1963 'Pilot' cover

Amphibs and twins are featured on the covers of AOPA Pilot in 1963. Vote for your favorite as AOPA seeks to find the best all-time Pilot cover as part of the association's seventy-fifth anniversary. Take the poll... Share:  

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Aviation lecturers at SIU Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is seeking qualified candidates to teach one or more aviation courses within the College for Applied Sciences and Arts' off-campus aviation management program. The positions are part-time, variable time, and non-tenure. View a full job description...

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, director of state government affairs, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

Can you log flight time from the back seat?