JANUARY 10, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 2

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

Next exit 4,000 feet

Hitting your touchdown spot just right and exiting the runway promptly at a safe taxi speed brings appreciation from the tower. Read more... Share:  

Fly like a fighter

'Call the commander'

After a practice circling approach in an F-15, an Air Force pilot receives a call from the tower to "call the commander." The pilot worries what he's in for as visions run through his head of the Top Gun scene where Maverick and Goose are reprimanded for their tower fly-by. Read more... Share:  

Digital newsletter

Sneak a peek at free CFI newsletter

What's it like to become a CFI? Where do flight instructors teach their students to go for a weather briefing? From "The journey to becoming a CFI" to "What's the weather really like?" you'll find thought-provoking articles and videos in the Air Safety Institute's free flight instructor newsletter. Not a CFI? No problem. You can benefit from valuable tips and links to online safety courses and quizzes. View the newsletter... Share:  

Accident analysis

Fast and loose

Something unexpected in the tail cone led to the undoing of a well-qualified pilot and his passenger when a highly capable Extra EA-300 crashed near Salinas, Calif., in 2012. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

Blog

The weather outside is frightful

Cold and snow have dominated the news recently, so maybe now is a good time to review cold-weather ops. Read more... Share:  

Blog

High voltage

The flight characteristics of a helicopter make it suitable for a variety of interesting missions. One such job is the repair of live high-voltage lines. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

FAA apologizes for delay on medical petition

The FAA administrator has formally replied to an October letter requesting an update on the status of the AOPA-EAA third-class medical petition. The response, which promised the agency is moving "as quickly as possible," followed a meeting between the administrator and AOPA President Mark Baker where the petition was one of the topics discussed. Read more... Share:  

'Did you preflight yourself?'

On one day during each medical-certificate cycle, Richard Smith, a 40,500-hour pilot, spends about a half-hour undergoing an aviation medical examination that determines if he is fit to fly. Then comes the rest of the cycle. "The rest of the time it's up to you to decide whether you're fit to fly," he said. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Setting advocacy in motion

Important information is buried in the pages of the government's daily Federal Register. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

The case of the airman with colon cancer

You should know how important it is to get regular colon cancer screenings when you reach the age of 50. One airman with a family history of colon cancer discovered cancer from a screening and turned to AOPA for help getting back into the air. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

New amphibian born of frustration

Many pilots have been frustrated in their search for an aircraft that perfectly suits their particular mission. Very few do what John Meekins did: start from scratch. A product of both frustration and inspiration, the Privateer has been stalled on the drawing board following the 2012 death of aircraft designer Bill Husa. A new partnership stands to put the turboprop amphibian in the air later this year. Read more... Share:  

Article

Parachute boosts useful load

BRS Aerospace has packaged a paperwork-based supplemental type certificate increasing useful load of the Cessna 182P and Q models when a parachute is installed. Read more... Share:  

Article

High schools invited to compete in aviation design challenge

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association and Build a Plane are promoting STEM education through a high school aviation design competition. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Getting 2014 off to a flying start

It's breezy, bright, and marvelously chilly outside. Where to, and why? Get ideas from Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda... Share:  

Blog

GA needs a new story

Why do political leaders pick on general aviation in general and business jets in particular? Because it works. "There's more to the story than that," writes Opinion Leaders blogger John Petersen, "but as long as we let others define who we are, they will continue to magnify the differences between those who own and fly aircraft ... and the rest of the world." Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Radar apps for winter weather

As most of the country experiences a full blast of winter, here are five radar apps that can help you track the weather. Read more... Share:  

Aircraft Maintenace

Maintenance: Spark plug gapping and replacement

Learn how to save money by doing your own spark plug maintenance. A&P Jeff Simon explains how to clean, gap, and reinstall spark plugs on your aircraft. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

Atlantic crossing beckons

North Carolina pilot Jonathan Trappe, an IT project manager by day, remains determined to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a small lifeboat dangling from a cluster of gas balloons. He readily admits there are easier ways to get there, but he is a pilot with whimsy on his checklist. And sand. And sharp objects that serve as flight controls. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Stay Smart Webinar

Tips for a winter getaway

Thinking of flying south for a winter getaway? AOPA will present tips on trip planning and the latest information on flight operations in the Bahamas, Mexico, and the islands of the Caribbean in a webinar Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Join Rick Gardner, director of aviation services for Caribbean Sky Tours and AOPA's regional representative south of the border, and Woody Cahall, vice president of AOPA's Pilot Information Center, for the free webinar. Register now... Share:  

Financial

Article

Houghton out, Reno at crossroads

With two years of racing now complete following the tragic crash of 2011, the Reno Air Racing Association, the nonprofit organization behind the National Championship Air Races, still struggles for survival. The association will soon learn if it can afford the insurance bill for 2014. With the association's cash reserves depleted, the board decided to cut longtime CEO Mike Houghton from the payroll. Read more... Share:  

Article

Applications open for Lightspeed Aviation Foundation awards

Aviation nonprofit organizations can now apply for Lightspeed Aviation Foundation's Pilot's Choice Awards. Read more... Share:  

Article

Chandelle Flying Club touts convenient, economical flying

The 28-member Chandelle Flying Club touts an upgraded aircraft fleet, reasonable aircraft hourly rates, and the chance to be a member-owner as benefits to join. Read more... Share:  

Member benefits

Resolve to review your insurance

This is a time for reflecting, organizing, and preparing for the year to come. A lot can happen in a year, and your insurance coverage needs may have changed. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

AD proposed for some turboprops

The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive for some Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. turboprop engines to address instances of engine-case perforation caused by the liberation of power-turbine blades and the fracturing or displacement of the power turbine containment ring. Read more... Share:  

Article

Scholarship winner becomes pilot

Ryan McFarland, winner of the 2013 Lou Torres Flight Training Scholarship, has earned his private pilot certificate. Read more... Share:  

Article

Larkins lands on 'Forbes' list

Jamail Larkins has turned a passion for flight into a growing business, earning recognition by Forbes among the nation's leading young entrepreneurs and innovators. Larkins is no stranger to this kind of accolade, and hopes it reflects a growing awareness in the mainstream press of the value of general aviation. Read more... Share:  

Article

Women of Aviation Week Worldwide set

During the week of March 3 through 9, airports and pilots in five continents will introduce girls and women to aviation through free flights, aviation activities, and more. Read more... Share:  

AOPA Strategic Partner Spotlight

Spotlight: Aero-Space Reports

Aero-Space Reports offers members-only discounts on its aircraft title search package ($65 savings) and escrow transactions (10 percent); provides sponsorship of AOPA events and the aircraft valuation section of aopa.org; and provides financial support that helps AOPA promote, protect, and defend general aviation. 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, aviation technical writer contractor, coordinator of pilot community and development, director of insurance business operations, and Web graphic designer I. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Manager of static displays at NBAA

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has an exciting opportunity for an organized individual with a background in business aviation to manage all NBAA static displays at business aviation conferences and exhibitions around the world, including NBAA's Regional Forums. This position is responsible for all planning and logistics. Learn more or search for other exciting career opportunities.

Forums

Student pilots and flight schools

Do student pilots still work at flight schools in exchange for flight training? Read more...