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Top Stories
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Article
Roughly a mile above Cascade Airport in Cascade, Idaho, Rich Stowell did something nearly unthinkable to most pilots: The veteran CFI pulled the mixture to idle cutoff before diving his American Champion Super Decathlon for speed and demonstrating a spin out of the backside of a loop. Stowell paid tribute to Harry Hawker with a video that is part salute, part message to pilots.
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Article
Registration is now open for the AOPA Homecoming Fly-In Oct. 4, so sign up now for your free lunch and a day of educational seminars, meeting with fellow pilots, and more at AOPA's home base in Frederick, Maryland.
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AOPA Live This Week
A runway incursion in Barcelona, Spain, got plenty of media attention recently, although it may not have been quite as hairy as some would have you think. AOPA Live® chats with AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg about the lessons, including "look both ways." Plus, the show takes you to Plymouth, Massachusetts, for a look at what makes it a perfect place for an AOPA Fly-In, and returns to San Marcos, Texas, for some unconventional taxi lessons.
AOPA Live This Week®, July 10...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
AOPA has lined up an array of menu options for those attending the third regional AOPA Fly-In in Plymouth, Massachusetts, July 12. Lunch will be served from the best kitchens (and chefs) on wheels in the region.
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Article
Legendary airshow and racing pilot Michael Goulian will serve as an "AOPA Ambassador," the association announced July 10.
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Article
With hundreds of volunteer pilots logging hundreds of hours each year to support conservation, LightHawk offers pilots a chance to make a difference. The nonprofit organization will put a grant from the AOPA Foundation to work recruiting pilots—an effort that includes a visit to the July 12 AOPA Fly-In in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
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Fly-In Resources
Things to do in Plymouth
Flight procedures and notam (PDF)
Educational seminar schedule
Lodging and transportation
Register for meals
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Technique and Safety
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Fly like a fighter
With warnings of a looming systems failure in a T-38A, an Air Force instructor weighs his options for getting the aircraft safely on the ground under instrument conditions.
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Rotorcraft Rookie
Can you have two first passengers? A new helicopter pilot takes his first passenger 15 years after the first experience in an airplane.
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IFR Fix
No one ever said that pilots flying raw-data approaches had sacrificed their airmanship on the altar of technology. Would your raw-data instrument skills stand up to the challenge of a low-tech instrument proficiency check?
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Flash-based, login required
Understanding aerodynamic principles involving maneuvering flight doesn't have to involve reciting dry textbooks and dense equations. The Air Safety Institute's Essential Aerodynamics: Stalls, Spins, and Safety helps you grasp need-to-know concepts to avoid unintentional stalls and spins.
Take the course...
Article
Pilots can now add improving their instrument proficiency to the long list of reasons to attend EAA AirVenture 2014 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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Digital newsletter
Whether you're an active flight instructor or getting back into the cockpit, you can access the Air Safety Institute's free digital quarterly flight instructor newsletter anywhere, anytime. See the video of a CFI's "Real Pilot Story," explore ways to improve your radio communication with ATC, and come along with Rod Machado on an experiment of flying under the influence of density altitude. Not a CFI? No problem. Subscribe here.
Read the latest issue...
Blog
An Airbus 340 recently crossed a runway in Barcelona, Spain, while a Boeing 767 was on short final. This serves as a reminder that while it doesn't happen often, a runway incursion is one of those low-probability, high-consequence incidents that can go really bad, really quickly. AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg offers tips for safe ground operations.
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Advocacy
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Article
The FAA has accepted nine fuels to be evaluated as potential replacements to 100 low-lead avgas, marking significant progress in the search for an unleaded fuel to serve the general aviation fleet.
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Advocacy
AOPA has joined with aviation businesses, organizations, and individuals in a complaint filed with the FAA July 2 to ensure that Santa Monica Airport remains open after 2015.
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Advocacy
Pilots flight testing experimental amateur-built aircraft could add an additional pilot under a proposed FAA draft advisory circular.
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Health
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Members only
Pilots may not be aware that certain drugs may produce adverse side effects that can affect cognitive function, including reaction time, judgment, and decision-making skills.
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Technology
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Article
German scientists have captured high-resolution close-ups of an aircraft propeller in flight, revealing exactly how the blades deform under flight forces.
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Article
Researchers at the University of Sheffield in England are designing autonomous flying machines that think for themselves, and learn as they go. The effort is geared toward preparing robots to operate in environments hostile to humans, avoiding collisions without human intervention.
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Article
There's always one company that gets all the buzz at each EAA AirVenture, and this year it may be MVP.aero. The company is developing an amphibious light sport aircraft that looks similar to the Icon A5, the previous buzz king of the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, show.
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Article
Savvy Analysis founder and CEO Mike Busch has developed a new computer program that can spot impending exhaust valve failures before they happen.
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Opinion
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Blog
The NTSB has released some factual details about a recent fatal Gulfstream IV accident in Boston, including that the airplane reached takeoff speed but the pilot flying was not able to raise the nose. "We don't train for that," thought Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp, who flies the Gulfstream IV, when he heard that detail.
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Blog
Opinion Leaders blogger Martin Rottler discusses standing beside a Cessna 172 on the flight school ramp of Hanseo University in Taean, South Korea, 6,700 miles away from home.
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Gear
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Apps of the week
Apps that help with flight planning, track flights, and calculate weight and balance are among the favorites submitted by AOPA members.
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Members only
AOPA members receive 20 percent off all prescription eyewear at SaltCityOptics.com through the AOPA Lifestyles Collection. SaltCityOptics.com specializes in prescription sunglasses and glasses from top brands such as Oakley, Ray-Ban, Smith, Kaenon, Serengeti, Spy, Zeal/Maui Jim, and many more. Members can access this new offer by logging in to the
AOPA Lifestyles Collection page.
Article
Flying Eyes has launched a crowd-funding effort to launch its new sunglasses line.
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Travel
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Article
At some point, Rodney Bowers recalled, "somebody called it 'the ultimate cross-country,'" and the name for the coast-to-coast journey in a Cessna 150 stuck.
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Blog
After a grueling 20-hour slog on the airlines, AOPA Editor at Large Tom Horne arrived in Hong Kong to join a round-the-world Air Journey trip for the legs to Tokyo, Japan. Check out photos from the start of his East Asian Odyssey, and
follow the trip online.
Aircraft Maintenance
Owning an aircraft provides the freedom to take epic adventure-vacations across the United States or around the world. Any successful cross-country trip requires careful maintenance planning well in advance of the first leg of the trip.
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Slideshow
Aerial survey pilot Steve Benner has captured some of his most memorable images flying between gigs, taking advantage of unexpected opportunities with a handy camera. Benner shared some of his scenic shots with AOPA.
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Article
Chalet Suzanne, a landmark restaurant with its own grass strip in Central Florida, will end an 83-year tradition Aug. 4. The family-owned establishment known for gourmet food (including soup fit for astronauts) is for sale—lock, stock, and barrel.
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Financial
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Article
Reasonable club costs and affordable flight training are among the benefits of joining Oregon's Chief Joseph Flyers flying club.
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AOPA Stay Smart webinar
Thinking of buying an aircraft? Join AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines and Rodney Martz, senior aviation technical specialist in the AOPA Pilot Information Center, on July 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time for a discussion on pre-purchase considerations, financing options, types of insurance, title searches, escrow services, and more. The free webinar, "Aircraft purchasing," is brought to you by AOPA Insurance Services and AOPA Aviation Finance Co.
Register now...
Member benefits
AOPA member Frank Sperandeo converted his tricycle landing gear airplane into a taildragger to get rid of drag and increase speed. He chose AOPA insurance for coverage of the award-winning Piper Pacer.
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AOPA Stay Smart webinar
In "Unravelling the mystery of flying club paperwork," a free webinar, 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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News and Notes
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Article
The makers of Disney's Planes: Fire and Rescue strove to keep the animated action as realistic as possible.
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Article
Attendees at EAA AirVenture can learn about advanced iPad flying or radio communication, meet AOPA President Mark Baker, or attend a Pilot Town Hall at the AOPA activity tent, part of the association's expanded presence at the show.
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Article
The Airplanista blog's annual "aviation geek" #Oshbash meetup on July 29 will feature a panel discussion on the GA Power Collective.
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Article
Aviation students enrolled at Ohio's Bowling Green State University will now take flight lessons through partner North Star Aviation's new Bowling Green Flight Center.
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Poll
In 1974, you would have seen the Hughes 500C, Bonanza V35B, Rockwell International Commander 112A, Cessna AGtruck, Cessna 180 on amphibious floats, Stearman PT-17 and Fleet 1, Transavia Airtruk, Helio Courier on floats, Aerospatiale Gazelle, Trigull 320 Amphibian, Aerostar 601, and Seneca II on the covers of AOPA Pilot.
Vote for your favorite...
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Career Opportunities
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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
If the pitot tube is blocked but the drain hole remains open, what is the resulting indication on the airspeed indicator?
Answer
The indicated airspeed is zero. No new ram air can enter the pitot tube, and any air that was in the tube vents through the drain hole. In this case, the airspeed indicator can sense no difference between static and ram air pressure. (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.)
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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Do you have any tips for getting a complex endorsement in a Mooney M20J?
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
July 12-13 - Memphis, Tennessee; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 19-20 - Jacksonville, Florida; and Newark, New Jersey
Aug 2-3 - Fort Worth, Texas
Aug 9-10 - Reno, Nevada; and Allentown, Pennsylvania
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, Wisconsin
Sep 2 - Germantown, Tennessee
Sep 3 - Salt Lake City, Utah; and Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Sep 4 - Boise, Idaho; and Maryville, Tennessee
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
July 11 - Plymouth, Massachusetts
July 12 - Terre Haute, Indiana; and Perry, Georgia
July 16 - Independence, Oregon
July 19 - Englewood, Colorado; Hillsboro, North Dakota; and Burlington, Washington
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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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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