JANUARY 31, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 5

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

'Missed the gorilla'

The question isn't whether turbulence will distract you. The question is how long it will divert your attention, and what the consequences will be. Read more... Share:  

Login required

Cranky engine this winter?

When your body has trouble coping with cold weather, so does your aircraft. Take the Air Safety Institute Cold Weather Ops safety quiz to learn about cold weather worries for your aircraft (and you). Take the quiz...

Article

Tailwheel tango: 'Dance on the rudders'

Tailwheel aircraft aren't as forgiving of pilots' bad technique as nosewheel airplanes, causing trouble during transition training for those with sloppy footwork. Instructors who specialize in tailwheel transitions tell of the stick-and-rudder weaknesses they see in pilots—and offer advice that can help. Read more... Share:  

Flash-based, login required

Elevate your mountain flying

Local terrain and weather patterns—together with aircraft performance—are essential considerations in mountain flying as conditions can abruptly change, providing little wiggle room for the uninitiated. Learn how to respect and negotiate the highlands with the Air Safety Institute Mountain Flying course. Take the course...

Rotorcraft Rookie

Time to go somewhere

Try a cross-country with only a compass and map for navigation, using mental math calculations instead of using an E6B, and hitting checkpoints every five miles. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

Technology at heart of safety talks

FAA and general aviation leaders focused on improving GA safety during a Jan. 27 meeting of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. Much of the discussion centered on making it easier and more affordable to put modern safety equipment in older aircraft. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

AOPA takes GA perspective to the 50th state

An AOPA team met with pilots and general aviation advocates who are seeking relief from a rash of surprise criminal citations in the state at the American Association of Airport Executives' annual Issues Conference in Hawaii. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Super Bowl TFR issued

Super Bowl XLVIII will be played Feb. 2 in East Rutherford, N.J., and the U.S. Air Force will enforce FAA-imposed flight restrictions. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Victor airways becoming obsolete

For decades, Victor airways have enabled navigation across the National Airspace System. But half of the VORs anchoring these airways are about to be decommissioned. Read more... Share:  

Health

Members only

Could John Silver get a third class medical?

If an airman has a medical condition that requires a modification to the aircraft—for instance the loss of a leg—the pilot will need to have the aircraft modified to FAA specifications and learn to fly that particular aircraft. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Motor glider rides Himalayan waves

An international research effort is under way in the Himalayas, with a motor glider plying the flight levels and taking photographs that promise to help better forecast deadly floods and landslides below. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Webinar details FSS upgrades

Lockheed Martin has made many upgrades to flight service in the past four years, and will detail new capabilities in a Feb. 4 webinar. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Instrument approaches: Start at the intermediate fix

A little-known option to start instrument approaches at the intermediate fix instead of the initial approach fix can save pilots a few clicks on the Hobbs meter (and a few bucks). Opinion Leaders blogger Max Trescott sheds some light on the option. Learn and save... Share:  

Blog

Conundrum of modern life

Railroads are loud. Should we pull the tracks up and move them? Wanting to close an airport should sound just as absurd, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jamie Beckett. Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Developers pitch five aviation apps

Developers make their pitch for five apps that cover everything from IFR communication to pireps. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

Coast to coast for animal rescue

A New York pilot's first animal rescue flight took him coast to coast and became a mission to deliver one dog to a new home. Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

Fairmount club: Getting more students into airplanes

Reasonable flying rates, an owned aircraft, and affordable flight training are among the benefits of belonging to the Kansas-based Fairmount Flying Club. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Rans to offer new LSA

Rans Designs has combined the best features of two models to come up with the S-20 Raven kitplane that is soon to be a factory-built light sport aircraft. Read more... Share:  

Article

Sun 'n Fun Radio turns 20

What started as a service for the hearing impaired 20 years ago is now Sun 'n Fun Radio, which broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Read more... Share:  

Video

AOPA experts on call

Pilots and flight instructors in the AOPA Pilot Information Center answer questions on virtually anything related to aviation, from buying an aircraft to medical certification or interpreting the regulations. Find out more about how specialists at the center help pilots, and what advice they have for flight instructors. Watch the video... Share:  

Member benefits

The short, successful aviation career of John Kartychak

John Kartychak didn't want to be a pilot—he just wanted to solo. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Strange but true general aviation news

The crash that wasn't; private flight gone to the dogs; and upside-down helicopter. Read more... Share:  

Sweepstakes

Blog

Pull that engine! And a crankshaft news flash

Winchester, Va.–based Aero Engines has removed the AOPA Sweepstakes Debonair's old IO-470-LCK engine and basically hand-delivered it to the overhaul shop. Read more... Share:  

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the Week: Project engineer at McFarlane Aviation

Take your engineering experience to the next level. McFarlane Aviation, an aviation product manufacturer, is seeking a mid- or senior-level project engineer to perform research and development, product/tool design, fabrication and test, production/process design, quality control, and product support. The successful candidate will create technical information as needed. Click here for full job description or to search for other exciting 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, member services and airport directory representative, and Web graphic designer I. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Forums

DC SFRA and Class B experiences

What have been your experiences with the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area and Class B airspace? Read more...