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Top Stories
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Article
Bruce Landsberg, one of general aviation's most prominent safety advocates, has announced his retirement after 22 years in leadership roles at AOPA. Landsberg will assist with the transition to Jim Minow, new head of the AOPA Foundation, and George Perry, leader of the Air Safety Institute.
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AOPA Live This Week
The fight to keep Santa Monica Municipal Airport open is looking good; find out how you can help. Spokane Turbine Center is teaching missionary pilots to fly the Quest Kodiak into places only general aviation can go. Dr. Jonathan Sackier teaches you not to be a dope in Fly Well. And think you've seen enough ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos? AOPA Live® has one more you've got to check out.
AOPA Live This Week®, Aug. 28...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
"I never went to an FBO I thought was fun," said Michael Thayer. Determined to change that, he opened Flying Tigers Aviation at Chino Airport in Chino, California, in June 2013. With Hollywood props and a faux guard tower, the FBO has a vintage appearance.
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Technique and Safety
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IFR Fix
When it comes to establishing personal minimums, you need a working definition of the term.
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PDF
Good decision making is about avoiding the circumstances that lead to really tough choices. It requires you to anticipate and recognize basic problems, and then take timely action to correct them. "Do the right thing: Decision making for pilots" provides practical advice to help you do that, as well as guidance and recommendations for developing your own set of personal minimums.
Download the safety advisor...
Video
By bringing weather into the cockpit, datalink has greatly increased the utility of aircraft while making weather flying safer and easier. The Air Safety Institute's latest safety video tells the story of the "datalink revolution" from the perspective of the people who created it. It's a behind-the-scenes look at the technology, but it's also a story of individual initiative, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the power of an idea.
Watch the video...
Blog
Sometimes the path to catastrophe can be brutally short and swift. AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg cites a recent fatal accident involving a Cessna 150 that took off with full flaps. "What happened here, in my view, was not a long chain of judgment errors but rather a lapse," Landsberg writes. How can pilots prevent a small but deadly lapse?
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Blog
Regardless of what helicopter you are flying, you need to be comfortable with autorotations. Neal Lanning, president of Maryland-based Advanced Helicopter Concepts, walks through the steps of how his flight school introduces autorotations in three flights.
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
Members of the House General Aviation Caucus are asking the Department of Transportation to expedite the rulemaking process for third class medical reform.
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Advocacy
Citing one known fatal accident, the FAA has proposed stricter inspection requirements for Meggitt (Troy) combustion heaters. Comments on the proposed airworthiness directive will be accepted through Oct. 6.
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Advocacy
Advocates for Santa Monica Municipal Airport gathered Aug. 25 to rally support for Measure D, a ballot initiative that would require voter approval before the airport can be closed or redeveloped. The rally, hosted by Santa Monicans for Open and Honest Development Decisions, attracted a standing-room-only crowd.
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Health
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Members only
A common question at the AOPA Pilot Protection Services booth during EAA AirVenture this year was, "What are the requirements after heart bypass and coronary stent procedures?" Dr. Warren Silberman discusses the wait time required to apply for a medical and the tests and documentation that are required.
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Technology
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Article
Pipistrel, the Slovenian manufacturer of several eco-friendly, electrically powered airplanes, has announced its new two-seat trainer, the WATTsUP. A proof-of-concept design, the WATTsUP is powered by an 85 kW (approximately 113 horsepower) electric motor that weighs just 31 pounds.
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Article
After flying with the Stratus 2 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver in his Bonanza for several months, AOPA Editor in Chief Thomas B. Haines reviews the simple-to-use device. Because Stratus 2 was built with ForeFlight in mind, the level of integration is slick and complete. However, that partnership also is the product's Achilles' heel. Unlike many other portable ADS-B receivers that support multiple applications, Stratus 2 only works with ForeFlight.
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Opinion
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Blog
Why does the battle over the fate of one California airport matter to the rest of us? Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas asked a few of her aviation friends from New York to Oregon.
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Blog
Are new tires worth twice the price of retreads that last longer? What about spark plugs—are certain brands that are less expensive OK? Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch addresses these questions, along with common responses from A&Ps.
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Blog
Unfamiliarity with general aviation "generates a lack of acceptance, which in turn leads to companies refusing to look at personal aircraft in the same way they consider personal automobiles," writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jack Olcott, who recommends a task force "break down the barriers preventing the use of personal aircraft for employee travel."
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Gear
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Apps of the week
A dictionary of pilot terms, advanced avionics handbook, airport identifiers, and more are available at your fingertips through Google Play and iTunes apps.
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Travel
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Blog
One year after the start of his round-the-world trip in a Mitsubishi MU-2, Mike Collins reflects on the adventure.
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Article
A Parade of Planes, education tracks, and evening events are among the things attendees of the first Flying Aviation Expo can expect in Palm Springs, California, Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.
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Financial
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Article
The rare fighters from the 1969 Battle of Britain movie have been sold to restorers in the United States and Europe, according to the agent handling the sale. An original Mark IX Spitfire that flew in the real Battle of Britain is the jewel of the fleet and will return to England. Six Buchons (Bf-109s built under license in Spain) will go to a collector in Europe. And an original P-51 Mustang (that didn't appear in the movie) will be restored at a U.S. restoration shop.
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Member benefits
AOPA member David Dart had earned his private pilot certificate in New Jersey and joined a local flying club in 1996. After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, he lost interest in flying until he accepted a job that required a commute perfect for general aviation travel.
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Article
Thierry Zibi announced Aug. 27 that SAM Aircraft, the company he founded to build a distinctive light sport aircraft, is for sale.
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Article
A new club in South Dakota, formed in March 2013, offers reasonable dues and encourages its eight members to fly often to maintain financial fitness.
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News and Notes
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Article
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts swung the champagne and took a ceremonial maiden voyage Aug. 23 to christen the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. airship Wingfoot One.
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Article
Fifty years after his first solo, Henry Scoggins of South Carolina re-created it, right down to the original aircraft he flew.
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Article
The DeSoto Heliport is officially open for business. But don't look for it in your GPS. The Texas facility is so new that it doesn't yet have an identifier.
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Article
HondaJet designer (and Honda Aircraft Co. CEO) Michimasa Fujino is being honored by fellow engineers for his innovation. SAE International will present an award in September, adding to a long list of accolades Fujino has received.
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Poll
The AOPA Pilot covers of 1980 featured the Rallye 235C, Piper Saratoga SP, Mooney 231, Tiger, Cessna Turbo 310R, Beech B55 Baron, Mooney 201, Cessna Cutlass RG, Cessna 140, and Cessna P210N. That year, the magazine also offered three special directories: aircraft, avionics, and kitbuilt.
Vote for your favorite cover...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
The manager, airports division, directs the implementation of the national aviation transportation policy with respect to airport development in the five states covered by the FAA Southwest Region. This includes administration of the Airport Improvement Program, National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, airport safety and certification, passenger facility charge program, environmental requirements, and other related statutory and policy programs. Programs are managed through a multidisciplined staff.
Learn more about this exciting opportunity today.
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a legal services plan program manager, financial analyst, major gift officer, AOPA Live producer/videographer I, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
After returning from a flight you realize you may have violated a regulation. You decide to use NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) in order to avoid possible certificate action. Within how many days must a report be made?
Answer
A report must be made within 10 days. Source: Aviation Safety Reporting System website.
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. Contact AOPA. |
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Forums
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What aviation-related apps are on your tablet?
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Sept 13-14 - Sacramento, California; and Tempe, Arizona
Sept 20-21 - Colorado Springs, Colorado; Baltimore, Maryland; and Bellevue, Washington
Sept 27-28 - Richmond, Virginia
Oct 11-12 - Santa Clara, California; Corpus Christi, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Nashville, Tennessee
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Sept 2 - Germantown, Tennessee
Sept 3 - Salt Lake City, Utah; and Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Sept 4 - Boise, Idaho; and Maryville, Tennessee
Sept 8 - Wichita, Kansas; Florham Park, New Jersey; and Detroit, Michigan
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Sept 6 - Fredericksburg, Virginia; and Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sept 9 - Knightdale, North Carolina
Sept 13 - Palo Alto, California
Sept 19 - Chino, California
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar
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Check 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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ePilot Editor:
Benét Wilson
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
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