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Top Stories
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Article
Apple's iPad has conditioned all of us to paw computer screens. Garmin knows resistance to this now deeply ingrained reaction is futile, and the company incorporated a touchscreen into its new, non-TSO, G3X Touch in early 2014. AOPA Pilot Senior Editor Dave Hirschman recently flew a Touch-equipped Carbon Cub on a trip to the Idaho wilderness, and the powerful new avionics system in the mountain surroundings made quite an impression.
Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
Fly along with AOPA as Snoopy 2 tucks in "tight" on Snoopy 1 and find out what it's like to fly a blimp. Plus, visit a New England airport restaurant with chowder worth the flight; get updates on the avgas and medical certificate issues; and watch a tribute to your freedom to fly.
AOPA Live This Week®, July 3...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
Since 1934, Plymouth Municipal Airport has been churning out pilots, restoring aircraft, and serving the region as a hub for law enforcement, medical, military, firefighting, mosquito spraying, cranberry picking, fish spotting, whale watching, and charity events. The people who make up this vibrant aviation community look forward to meeting you July 12, when the airport will host an AOPA Fly-In.
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AOPA Fly-In procedures
Plan for a safe and efficient arrival at the AOPA Fly-In at Plymouth Municipal Airport July 12 with a detailed briefing and notam that covers arrival procedures, parking, and everything else you need to know to make it an easy and enjoyable flight. Note that free ground transportation is available from our designated reliever airport, Taunton Municipal-King Field (KTAN), and rental cars can be arranged for pickup at a number of nearby airports.
Download the fly-in procedures...
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Technique and Safety
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IFR Fix
The trip's unraveling began when approach control called with an amended IFR clearance, producing instant pandemonium in the complacent cockpit.
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Accident analysis
The new owner of an experimental amateur-built aircraft should regard early flights as part of a flight-test regimen. The Rand-Robinson KR-2 that took off from Shoshone County, Idaho, airport on Aug. 18, 2013, had a heavier engine than the original plans, making its spin characteristics unpredictable. The owner performed a series of maneuvers and was unable to recover from a spin initiated around 3,600 feet agl. Read more in this
special report from the Air Safety Institute.
Download products
Take the opportunity to share general aviation safety information at a local community event and download the Air Safety Institute's top-notch Accident Case Studies, Real Pilot Stories, and safety videos. The Air Safety Institute recently added its popular "Chart Challenge-Live" seminar presentation—a great refresher clinic to put your audience's knowledge to the test. New products will be added quarterly.
Download your favorite products...
Blog
How much automation is enough? Where is the line between having something that's really useful and doing so much that we have no idea how it works?
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
On June 30, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) launched a website detailing what he is calling the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2. The draft indicates that the bill would limit Customs and Border Protection’s authority to stop and search general aviation aircraft and require the FAA to act on third class medical certification reform within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
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Advocacy
AOPA President Mark Baker met with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson June 26 to discuss issues important to general aviation pilots, particularly Customs and Border Protection stops of innocent pilots flying within U.S. borders.
Read more...
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Advocacy
The FAA's "lack of an executable plan, unresolved technical issues, and ineffective collaboration with industry" are "programmatic challenges" to implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), Assistant Inspector General for Aviation Audits Matthew Hampton testified June 25 during a hearing on NextGen before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation's Subcommittee on Aviation.
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Advocacy
The FAA on June 27 withdrew a proposal to expand an airworthiness directive that requires replacing the fuel selector valve cover on certain Piper PA-28-series aircraft.
Read more...
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Technology
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Article
The first production HondaJet logged an 84-minute flight June 27, marking another milestone toward first deliveries in 2015.
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Article
Titans of aerospace and startups alike gathered in Grand Fork, N.D., June 25 and 26 to discuss the future of unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System. Here's what a general aviation pilot should know about the emerging industry.
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Article
The Cessna TTx piston single is now certified for flight into known icing, the company announced June 25. The FIKI certification was awarded almost exactly a year after the type certificate.
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Article
Cessna's Citation X+, an updated (and faster) version of the 1996 Collier Trophy winner, has been delivered. The company announced FAA certification and first delivery on June 26.
Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
How do aircraft owners assess whether a piston aircraft engine continues to be airworthy and when it's time to do an on-condition top or major overhaul? Compression tests and oil consumption are part of the story, but, according to Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch, they are a much smaller part than most owners and mechanics think.
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Blog
You don't need a jet or a commercial pilot certificate to enjoy business aviation, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jack Olcott. Flying yourself to business engagements could open "about 10 times the airports with any scheduled airline service and nearly 100 times the locations with frequent flights," he writes.
Read more...
Blog
Jack Wiegand's flight around the world in a Mooney is a "blueprint for following your dreams, supporting worthy causes, being fiercely optimistic and drawing on your strength of character," writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas.
Read more...
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Gear
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Article
The just-released SocialFlight 4.0 app provides detailed information about destinations as well as reviews of area restaurants, hotels, and attractions. The free mobile app also shows current trip planning material such as airport information and weather forecasts.
Read more...
Apps of the week
These random apps can help you save on fuel costs, learn tips for safe cross-country flying, and fill downtime with an aviation-related game.
Read more...
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Travel
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Pilot Getaways feature
Considered by some to be the unofficial "capital" of Cape Cod, Hyannis, Mass., stands out when compared with the other villages on the famous peninsula. Instead of the dreamy, peaceful atmosphere you find elsewhere on the Cape, Hyannis positively bustles and crackles with energy. Consider visiting the area after attending AOPA's Plymouth Regional Fly-In July 12.
Read more...
Answers for Pilots
From scenic Prince Edward Island to pristine Lake Louise deep within the northern Rocky Mountains, Canada offers a multitude of beautiful and airplane-friendly places to visit. Crossing the border is straightforward, and summer is the perfect time to visit. Here is the basic information you need to know.
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Article
The sleek, sexy 1960s-era Studebaker Avanti and powerful but boxy Fairchild C-82 reunited June 28 in Maryland, just over five decades after an airlift to deliver some of the cars to dealers.
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Financial
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Article
A reasonable buy-in rate and low hourly flying costs, along with educational and social events, are among the benefits of belonging to Oklahoma City’s Engineers Flying Club. Students can earn their private pilot certificate for about $4,000, not counting ground school.
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Video
Thousands of pilots worldwide have found an outlet for their passion for flight through a local flying club. With more than 600 in the United States, there are many opportunities to become a member at an existing club. For those of you who are considering starting your own club, this video will give you an overview of the process. The video is a part of AOPA's comprehensive coverage on flying clubs, brought to you by AOPA Insurance Services.
Watch the video...
AOPA Stay Smart webinar
Flying club enthusiasts around the country are asking, "Can we get some guidance on filling out the paperwork required to set up a club?" In "Unravelling the mystery of flying club paperwork," Ray Speciale, AOPA counsel, CPA, and pilot, will discuss organizational forms such as the 501(c)3. Participants can ask questions via text. The webinar takes place July 16 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Register now...
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Article
A student pilot with a demonstrated financial need could earn $12,000 to complete his or her private pilot certificate, and use any remaining funds either for more advanced flight training or to put that new certificate to use. Larry Noe is offering $12,000 through the AOPA Flight Training Scholarship Program in hopes of helping an individual "who has a definite interest" in learning how to fly but wouldn't be able to without the extra funds.
Read more...
AOPA Foundation focus
The AOPA Foundation's Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Endowment provides vital support for Air Safety Institute programs and scholarship opportunities to student pilots. The endowment has grown to more than $750,000, and now Glenn Plymate has pledged an additional $10,000 contribution to match your donations in an effort to keep the endowment growing toward $1 million. Contributions are 100-percent tax deductible and help keep Plymate's late wife's memory alive in the flying community.
Donate now...
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News and Notes
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Article
No one worked harder to keep the Globe Swift flying than Charlie Nelson. The Tennessee aviator died June 30 after a long battle with illness, a loss to both his family and the friends Nelson made around the world.
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Poll
Rare aircraft, including a restored World War II U.S. Navy N3N training biplane, Stolp Starlet, Aero Resources Super J-2 gyroplane, and Bede BD-5 Micro, graced the covers of AOPA Pilot in 1973, along with the Piper Twin Comanche, Citabria and Cessna 206 on floats, Waco, and Piper Warrior. If destinations are your thing, covers also featured a Bonanza over a pyramid at Chichén Itzá in Mexico and a Beech King Air at Washington National Airport.
Vote for your favorite...
AOPA Foundation focus
The Duluth Aviation Institute, a 2013 recipient of an AOPA Foundation Giving Back grant, has issued awards to two Minnesota middle school students for academic excellence in aviation.
Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
Thales Navigation & Surveillance is seeking an experienced program manager in aviation operations. This position reports to programs director of navigation and surveillance, located in Overland Park, Kan., and requires close coordination with other departments including engineering, production, quality assurance, finance, business development, and contracts, and includes presentation of program health and status to senior management.
Learn more about this exciting opportunity today.
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an administrative assistant for communications, aviation technical specialist, Air Safety Institute intern, member services representative, major gift officer, AOPA Live producer/videographer I, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
I'm a private pilot flying a Piper Warrior around my local area. Rather than purchase and carry printed sectional charts, I want to use an electronic flight bag (EFB) that is installed on my tablet. Is that legal?
Answer
Under 14 CFR 91.103, pilots are required to become familiar with all applicable information pertaining to the flight. Under 91.21, the pilot in command is responsible for determining that the tablet (such as an iPad) will not cause interference with the navigation or communication systems of the aircraft. In other words, there is no specific requirement for printed charts and no specific prohibition on using a tablet in flight when operating a light airplane under Part 91. Check out AOPA's FlyQ EFB!
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. |
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Forums
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Should I fly a used aircraft before buying it?
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
July 12-13 - Memphis, Tenn.; and Pittsburgh, Pa.
July 19-20 - Jacksonville, Fla.; and Newark, N.J.
Aug 2-3 - Fort Worth, Texas.
Aug 9-10 - Reno, Nev.; and Allentown, Pa.
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
July 31-Aug 2 - Oshkosh, Wis. Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
July 9 - Naples, Fla.
July 11 - Plymouth, Mass.
July 12 - Terre Haute, Ind.; and Perry, Ga.
July 16 - Independence, Ore.
July 19 - Englewood, Colo.; Hillsboro, N.D.; and Burlington, Wash.
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar
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Check out user-submitted events from your region. To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. AOPA does not endorse the events listed below, nor have ePilot editors edited the submissions. AOPA assumes no responsibility for events listed.
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ePilot Editor:
Benét Wilson
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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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
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