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January 17, 2014, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

SeaRey S-LSA

JANUARY 17, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 3

Top Stories

Advocacy

Don't slash loggable sim time

The FAA has reduced the amount of simulator training a student can log, but AOPA is asking the agency to take a step back, allow more loggable sim time, and recognize the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of simulator time. Read more... Share:  

 

Article

Goose strike captured on video

Keith Baird saw the flight of four geese about half a second before he had a hole in the windshield and goose parts all over. Unsure if he had been injured, or how badly damaged his aircraft was, Baird relied on training to keep cool and focus on the fundamentals, making sure the ill-fated goose was the only casualty that day. Read more... Share:  

 

AOPA Live This Week

NTSB 'Most Wanted' list; Fly by mind

The NTSB's 2014 "Most Wanted" list of safety improvements calls for better distribution of hazardous weather information to pilots. Also, the AOPA Sweepstakes Debonair gets put through its paces, and Honeywell has technology that may one day directly link brain and aircraft. AOPA Live This Week®, Jan. 16... Share:  

Technique and Safety

 

Article

NTSB releases 'Most Wanted' list

The National Transportation Safety Board’s 2014 “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety concerns includes communicating hazardous weather to pilots and helicopter operations as two of 10 issues it says should get increased focus in the coming year. Read more... Share:  

 

IFR Fix

Nothing automatic about it

Even if there is no automation in your cockpit yet, your day may come. Stay ahead of the curve by including this subject matter in your proficiency regimen. Read more... Share:  

 

Rotorcraft Rookie

The world is a playground

The unique capability of helicopters opens up a new world of places to explore that airplanes can't reach. Takeoffs and landings to many of these sites are called confined-area operations. Read more... Share:  

 

Flash-based video, login required

Rescue gone wrong

You've probably heard of the term "mission mindset" within the context of aeronautical decision making. Witness the grip it had on a helicopter pilot's flight decision—a deadly mistake that holds lessons for all pilots. Watch the Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study video... Share:  

 

Flash-based, login required

Pressure patterns

Find out what to expect when frontal boundaries collide: Brush up before your next flight with the Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise: Air Masses and Fronts online course—and qualify for AOPA Accident Forgiveness and FAA Wings, to boot. Take the course...

 

Blog

'Help me—I'm stalling'

An FAA-industry group, the GA Joint Steering Committee, which AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg co-chairs, has been looking at the No. 1 cause of fatal accidents for several years. Not surprisingly, it's loss of control—and stalls play a big part. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

 

Advocacy

Budget plan protects GA

Key general aviation programs are protected under an omnibus spending bill passed by the House and Senate. The legislation also prohibits new aviation user fees. Read more... Share:  

 

Advocacy

Senate introduces sleep apnea bill

The Senate has introduced legislation that would require the FAA to go through the rulemaking process before imposing any new requirements related to sleep disorders. The language of the measure mirrors that of a House bill introduced in late November that has gained strong bipartisan support. Read more... Share:  

 

Advocacy

FAA: Dismiss Santa Monica lawsuit

The FAA asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the city of Santa Monica over use of Santa Monica Municipal Airport property. While the city wants clear title to the airport property, the FAA says the city is decades too late to challenge the property agreement. Read more... Share:  

 

Advocacy

New repair station security rule reflects AOPA concerns

A new security rule for repair stations handling large aircraft reflects the concerns AOPA raised as far back as 2009 and opens the way for the FAA to resume certifying new repair stations after a five-year delay. Read more... Share:  

Health

 

Members only

Oh, for a good night's sleep

There is the tendency to associate "dozing off" with a presumption that the operator has sleep apnea. Falling asleep at the wheel is a problem, but the reason may not be related to sleep apnea. Read more... Share:  

 

Pilot magazine

Answers for Pilots: Arthritis

There is good news regarding airman medical certification for those who have been diagnosed with arthritis. Read more... Share:  

Technology

 

Blog

More power for (your) Debonair

AOPA's Debonair Sweepstakes airplane is going from 225 horsepower to 260 hp. That's a big step up in performance, and AOPA Editor at Large Tom Horne writes, "there's a good reason why we're taking this route." Read more... Share:  

 

Article

Gulfstream jet to test wing 'morphing'

Hinged flight control surfaces came along shortly after the wing-warping technology developed by the Wright Brothers, and remain the usual method of construction for flight control surfaces. Now, wing "morphing" may be emerging as an alternative approach that would replace jointed control surfaces on aircraft with seamless, deformable surfaces. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

 

Blog

Aircraft maintenance a 'necessary evil'?

Mike Busch, a well-known A&P/IA and owner of Savvy Aviator, a company that provides professional maintenance management for owner-flown aircraft, has joined Opinion Leaders in the New Year and will focus on aircraft ownership and maintenance. In this post, find out why he writes, "Maintenance isn't an inherently good thing (like exercise); it's a necessary evil (like surgery). We have to do it from time to time, but we sure don't want to do more than absolutely necessary to keep our aircraft safe and reliable." Read more... Share:  

 

Blog

The dream delayed

Eddie Rickenbacker was too old to be a military aviator when the United States entered WWI. "He obtained his chance to fly through the intervention of aviation pioneer Colonel (soon to be General) Billy Mitchell, the officer Eddie served as an enlisted man assigned to be Mitchell's personal driver during the initial US efforts in war," writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jack Olcott. Like Rickenbacker, "Those who wish to fly do not take no for an answer," he says. Read more... Share:  

 

Blog

His brain, her brain

Could the reason that only 6 to 7 percent of the pilot population is female be the makeup of men and women's brains? Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas shares insights from a seminar on the differences in male and female brains, one possible reason why aviation is male-dominated, and how to ignite the female brain for aviation. Read more... Share:  

Gear

 

Apps of the week

Charts go electronic with these five apps

Smartphone and tablet users have access to apps that help with chart functions. This week AOPA highlights EFB—Charts and Weather for Aviation, Flightwise Chart Explorer, Airports 4 Pilots Pro—World Edition, Reader Plates, AvCharts, and PilotsGuide. Read more... Share:  

 

Article

Sporty's helps student pilots capture that solo moment

Sporty's will transform solo video footage into a professional package. Read more... Share:  

Travel

 

Article

AOPA Fly-Ins energize members

As AOPA continues to plan for six regional fly-ins and the AOPA Homecoming Fly-In in 2014, members are weighing in on the series of events that will replace the Aviation Summit. Read more... Share:  

 

Article

Space tourism seen launching in 2014

Attention future space travelers: A glance at the board lists your flight as on time, for sometime later this year. Read more... Share:  

Financial

 

Article

New option for ADS-B financing

The Aircraft Electronics Association and NEXA Capital Partners have jointly announced a new loan program for aircraft owners seeking compliance with the federal mandate for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) by 2020. Read more... Share:  

 

AOPA Foundation focus

Hat in the Ring helps fund GA programs

The Flight Training Excellence Awards, the AOPA Flying Club Network, and the AOPA Foundation's Giving Back program are among the programs that are funded via donations to the Hat in the Ring Society. Read more... Share:  

 

Article

Edwards Aero Club serves the community

Edwards Aero Club has been serving the community at and around California's Edwards Air Force Base since 1957. Read more... Share:  

 

Member benefits

Financing is not just for aircraft purchases

AOPA Aviation Finance can secure a loan for members for engine overhauls, avionics upgrades, paint, and interior work—pretty much anything you want to do, including a glass panel or even a new engine. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

 

Article

'Inside Air Shows' features Goulian

Check out Episode 2 of LiveAirShowTV's new series "Inside Airshows" as it takes a special look inside Goulian Aerosports to learn how it all came together for pilot Michael Goulian and his team during the 2013 Wings Over Houston Airshow. Read more... Share:  

 

Article

Students get leg up in aviation

The first semester of a new course to introduce youth to aviation, created by Michigan's Crosswinds Aviation and Howell High School, has finished, and some students have already started flight training. Read more... Share:  

 

Poll

Vote for best 'Pilot' cover

Take a look back at the AOPA Pilot covers of 2013 and vote for your favorite. The results will appear in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Take the poll... Share:  

 

Blog

Strange but true GA news

He played helicopter hockey; do the crime, do the time; and amazing aviation rescues. 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 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.

 

Article

Job of the week: Lead mechanic at Burlington Aviation

Burlington Aviation is currently seeking a lead aircraft mechanic. The successful candidate will be a full-time, experienced A&P with IA responsible for maintaining six flight school piston aircraft, as well as customer aircraft. Salary is commensurate with experience. Burlington Aviation is open to creative compensation arrangements, including lease or incentives. Learn more or search for other exciting career opportunities.

Question of the Week

Question

A minimum safe altitude (MSA) is published for emergency use on instrument approach charts. Flying at or above the MSA will guarantee how many feet of obstacle clearance?

Answer

The MSA provides at least 1,000 feet of clearance over all obstructions within the radius published on the chart. The radius is typically 25 nautical miles but may be expanded to 30 nm where appropriate. (Source: Instrument Procedures Handbook chapter 5, page 18.)

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.

Forums

 

ADS-B receivers

What is the best ADS-B receiver? Read more...

 

Education and Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Jan 25-26 - Baltimore, Md., and Long Beach, Calif.

Feb 8-9 - Fairfax, Va.; Nashua, N.H.; New Orleans, La.; and Louisville, Ky.

Feb 15-16 - Melbourne, Fla.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Las Vegas, Nev.; and Fort Worth, Texas

Feb 22-23 - Sacramento, Calif.

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.

Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars

Jan 21 - Addison, Texas

Jan 22 -Fort Worth, Texas

Jan 27 - San Diego, Calif.; and Houston, Texas

Jan 28 - San Antonio, Texas; and Costa Mesa, Calif.

Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.

 

Picture Perfect

AOPA's online photo gallery allows you to upload your own aviation photography as well as view, rate, and comment on others' photos. Take a look, and submit your own photos!

ePilot Editor:

Benét Wilson

Production Team

Katie Richardson
Lezlie Ramsey
Melissa Whitehouse

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

Member Tools: Send feedback | ePilot Archive

Topics: AOPA

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