JANUARY 3, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 1

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

Green, on paper

When it comes to determining who has the most experience, it can depend on the flight operation and the experiences the pilot has encountered in the past, no matter the number of hours on paper. Has IFR flying ever taken you outside your experience level? Share the lessons... Share:  

Login required

Fly the challenging Cheyenne ILS

Cheyenne, Wyo., may see good weather for most of the year, but when the time comes to shoot the challenging ILS or LOC approach into Runway 27, will you be ready? Take the quiz... Share:  

Safety seminar

'Accident Case Study: Live' debuts

Help the presenter unravel several compelling real-life accidents—starting at the crash scene and working backward through physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and other leads to figure out exactly what went wrong, and why. The seminar debuts Jan. 13. Visit the website for dates and locations near you. Share:  

Rotorcraft Rookie

Max performance takeoffs and landings

Helicopters are made to be able to take off and land vertically. But doing so can actually be a dangerous maneuver. Read more... Share:  

Blog

'New' management advice

Comparing general aviation to a recent Dilbert comic strip about killing off businesses, AOPA Foundation Bruce Landsberg writes that GA has been too successful. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

2013 advocacy lays groundwork for a busy New Year

Many of the advocacy efforts begun and sustained throughout 2013—driver's license medical, Part 23 reform, unleaded avgas replacement, and unwarranted stops and searches by Customs and Border Protection—are laying the groundwork for even bigger battles in 2014, and AOPA is ready. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Operators of UAV test sites named

The FAA has selected six organizations to operate sites for testing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a key step toward establishing "a much-needed proving ground" for the integration of UAS technology into the National Airspace System, AOPA said. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

FAA: Improve RNAV route development

Satellite navigation offers great efficiency for terminal airspace routings, but the FAA's use of the technology to date has not always improved on existing Victor airway-based transitions. To address the emerging need, the agency should convene a user committee to help create a system-wide policy for implementing RNAV terminal routes (T-routes), AOPA said. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

You need it and you need it now

A medical condition that brings the FAA down on you can be scary. The last thing you need is more worry. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Legacy 450 makes first flight

Embraer announced a successful first flight of the fly-by-wire Legacy 450 on Dec. 28. Company test pilots logged about 1.5 hours on the maiden flight, reporting smooth responses and an intuitive cockpit design. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

What GA can look forward to in 2014

The Icon A5, Cessna 182 Turbo Skylane JT-A, Redhawk 172, Mooney, space tourism, and military flight demonstration teams could have a far-reaching impact on the aviation community and the industry that supports it, according to Opinion Leaders blogger Rod Rakic. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Pilots: Forget Hollywood, financial riches

The key to happiness as a professional pilot is to "know thyself." Forget Hollywood films and dreams of financial riches, counsels Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp. Do you fit in as an Alaskan fish spotter, Gulfstream corporate pilot, or somewhere else? Read more... Share:  

Blog

Realistic expectations: Truth about aviation as a profession

Opinion Leaders blogger Martin Rottler says pilots do prospective future professionals a disservice by painting the aviation field as excessively rosy or excessively gray. Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Five more 'general' aviation apps

"General" apps that do everything from offering instructor tools to handling documents for TBM aircraft are highlighted this week. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Advocacy

Confusion over flights to Mexico

The Mexican government is set to implement a new law requiring advanced passenger information for flights to and from the country similar to U.S. eAPIS requirements, and it is causing some confusion. AOPA is working to get answers for pilots. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Stay Smart webinar

Flight ops in the Bahamas, Mexico, and Caribbean

Join Caribbean Sky Tours' Rick Gardner, who is also AOPA's regional representative south of the border, and AOPA Pilot Information Center Vice President Woody Cahall on Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern time to learn tips on planning trips to and flying in the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Register now... Share:  

Article

Air Race Classic accepting entries for 2014 event

The Air Race Classic, an annual all-women's cross-country race, is accepting entries for its June event. Read more... Share:  

Get graphical TFR alerts

For more than a decade, AOPA has been notifying members of upcoming temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) in their area. Now, AOPA offers graphical TFR email alerts. In addition to noting the location, size, altitudes, effective times, and airports affected by the TFR, the alert will include an image of the TFR overlaid on a chart. Members who receive AOPA ePilot automatically receive these alerts.

Financial

Article

Textron details Beechcraft buy

Stock analysts expressed general approval of the purchase by Textron of Beechcraft for $1.4 billion during a conference call with Textron executives Dec. 27. Some expressed concerns about low sales of the T-6 military trainer. Read more... Share:  

Article

Youth scholarships announced

Two aviation foundations receive funding, while two youth scholarships are announced. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Advice for effective clubs

Leaders from 10 flying clubs across the country offer advice to new and existing organizations. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

Pilot hooked on Bonanzas

If there are two things Roger Cannell knows a few things about, it's flying and aviation insurance. The former aviation insurance underwriter has been a pilot for more than 50 years and relies on AOPA Insurance Services. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Favorite AOPA Online stories of 2013

AOPA eNewsletter and Social Media Editor Benét J. Wilson shares her favorite stories of the year. What are yours? Read more... Share:  

Blog

Strange but true general aviation news

Drugs falling from the sky, interesting use of drones, and a helicopter rescue. Read more... Share:  

Career Opportunities

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an account manager II, event planner, aviation insurance agent, director of insurance business operations, and Web graphic designer I. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

Checklist apps

Is there a good iPad app that let's you build a checklist, and then allows you to step through the items as you perform them? Read more...