JANUARY 17, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 3

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.

Forums

ADS-B receivers

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