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May 9, 2014, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

Air Tractor 301

MAY 9, 2014 - VOL 16, ISSUE 19

Top Stories

Advocacy

New website: Save SMO

A new website launched May 8 is making it easier for those who want to preserve Santa Monica Municipal Airport to show their support for a proposed charter amendment that would put any decisions to redevelop airport land in the hands of the voters. Read more...  

 

Article

Jeppesen, AOPA team up

AOPA and Jeppesen announced a new corporate premier partnership May 5 that will support many of the programs that educate and engage AOPA members across the country. Read more...  

 

AOPA Live This Week

Over the Hudson, upside down in Indy

A 60-year-old reconnaissance aircraft revealed a glitch in the FAA's new air traffic routing software, and frustration abounded. Ride with AOPA Live® through the Hudson River VFR corridor, and get yourself an unusual attitude in Indianapolis. As of publication time, AOPA Live producers were finalizing this week's episode. Check back for the latest edition of AOPA Live This Week®, which will be available May 9.  

AOPA Fly-Ins

 

Article

Ready for a thrill?

Tumble through the sky as airshow performer and Air Force Reserve Maj. Billy Werth takes you through an aerobatic performance at altitude, or enjoy a 1-G barrel roll. Werth wants passengers to walk away with a "smile on their face and an empty airsick bag." He'll be offering rides in his Pitts S2C during the AOPA Fly-In at Indianapolis Regional Airport on May 31 and aerobatic training in the week leading up to the event. Read more...  

 

Excitement growing for AOPA's Indianapolis Fly-In

Join the excitement that's growing about AOPA's second regional fly-in—Indianapolis—on May 31. RSVP to let AOPA know you are attending and reserve your free AOPA-member lunch ticket. Leading up to and during the fly-in, spread the enthusiasm on social media. Follow @AOPA on Twitter and use the hashtag #AOPAMQJ, like our Facebook page, and check out the Indianapolis fly-in Pinterest board.

Technique and Safety

 

Fly like a fighter

'Bail out, bail out, bail out!'

A training engagement between an F-15 and two RF-4Cs goes terribly wrong when the F-4 pilot uses ailerons to roll left and see the F-15. The jet immediately departs controlled flight. Seeing no recovery, and no ejection when the jet goes well below the 10,000-foot cutoff, the flight lead in the F-15 calls: "Bail out, bail out, bail out!" Read more...  

 

Rotorcraft Rookie

Do helicopters stall?

Helicopter pilots don't work on stalls the same way airplane pilots do, but the possiblity is every bit as real. Read more...  

 

Article

NTSB seeks better weather delivery

Citing general aviation crashes in which weather information provided to pilots was incomplete, the NTSB is calling for better forecast delivery. Read more...  

 

IFR Fix

'It seemed a reasonable clearance'

Here's a pop quiz: What are you expected to say when picking up your clearance if you have filed a route, but revised it before departure? Read more...  

 

Digital newsletter

Learn from 'CFI to CFI'

Heard of the "Troxler Effect"? Watch Rod Machado's eye-opening video demonstration in "See and Avoid." Also, learn about teaching soft skills that are crucial to flight safety, and take away lessons from an instructional accident. Whether you're an active flight instructor or getting back into the cockpit, access the Air Safety Institute's free digital flight instructor newsletter articles and videos, anywhere, anytime. Not a CFI? No problem. Subscribe here. Read more...  

 

Blog

A few questions in South Dakota

AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg discusses some of the aviation-related questions surrounding a recent fatal aircraft accident in South Dakota. Read more...  

Advocacy

 

Article

GA advocate Jim Oberstar dies

Longtime general aviation advocate, friend of AOPA, and former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar died May 3. His work on Capitol Hill to protect GA will leave a lasting effect. "Jim Oberstar was a champion for GA, serving as a voice of reason in Congress, fighting for aviation trust fund dollars to make their way to community airports across the country, and opposing user fees," said AOPA President Mark Baker. Read more...  

 

Advocacy

Medical reform legislation reaches milestone

Legislation that would exempt thousands of general aviation pilots from the third class medical certification process has achieved a new milestone with 100 co-sponsors signing on to the House bill. Read more...  

 

Advocacy

Key issues moving forward, Baker tells Alaska pilots

Critical issues for general aviation pilots in 2014 are moving forward on several fronts, said AOPA President Mark Baker in a visit to Alaska. Read more...  

 

Article

Work continues on relief for Superior cylinder AD

AOPA, Superior Air Parts, and the FAA are continuing to work toward a solution for aircraft affected by the Superior Air Parts cylinder airworthiness directive. Superior is developing an alternative means of compliance (AMOC), and indications are that the effort should, in the near future, lead to an AMOC that will enable continued flight beyond the 12-year limitation of the existing AD. Learn more about the issue...  

Health

 

Members only

Pilot Protection Services medication update

In the last couple of years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several new medications that fall in the "anticoagulant," or blood thinning category. But not all of these drugs are approved by the FAA for flight. Read more...  

Technology

 

Article

'Dragon Lady' stopped traffic

A glitch in a new national air traffic computer system related to a U-2 flight plan grounded flights around the country April 30. The FAA reports the issue has been resolved. Read more...  

 

Flash-based, login required

UAS in the USA

What are unmanned aerial systems (UAS)? How will they affect your flying? Go behind the scenes of UAS operations and explore various scenarios to illustrate how general aviation and UAS can safely coexist in the National Airspace System in this interactive course from the Air Safety Institute, with support from the Department of Defense. Take the course...  

Opinion

 

Blog

When to switch to VLOC?

The ubiquitous workhorse IFR GPS receiver, the Garmin 430, was introduced 17 years ago. With more than 100,000 Garmin 430s and 530s shipped, it still has the largest installed base of any IFR-capable GPS. Yet pilots are still asking basic questions like, "When should I Load versus Activate?" or "When do I switch to VLOC on an ILS or VOR approach?" Read more...  

 

Blog

Imagine mega mobility

Imagine the advantages of combining an automobile's ease of operation with an aircraft's performance. The resulting mega expansion in mobility would generate huge business opportunities and improve quality of life. Read more...  

 

Blog

From Cheetos to gyros

Missing a day at school couldn't be more fun for Chino, Calif., high school students. Students in the area get a day away from campus for education about the careers offered by an airport, a two-week internship possibility, and lunch at famous Flo's Restaurant. Read more...  

Gear

 

Article

Special pricing for FlyQ EFB

Just in time for spring flying, FlyQ EFB subscriptions will be on sale May 8 through 11. AOPA members can get a one-year FlyQ EFB IFR+VFR subscription for $99.99 or a VFR subscription for just $49.99. Read more...  

 

Apps of the week

Logging in with logbook apps

One of the first items you receive when you begin your flying lessons is a logbook, and it's a treasured item throughout your years of flying. Many have a hardbound book to log their flights and track their progress. But thanks to smartphones and tablets, that task can be done digitally. Read more...  

Travel

 

Pilot Getaways feature

Put-in-Bay, Take-out-Memories

Put-in-Bay, on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, is home to the nation's third tallest monument, the world's longest bar, and an adult spring-break-style party like no other. The two-by-four-mile island is just three miles off the Ohio mainland—a short flight for a fun getaway. Read more...  

Financial

 

Article

Aircraft shipments up

Aircraft shipments and billings for the first quarter of 2014 showed signs of continued recovery, with increases in both piston and business jet sales. Read more...  

 

AOPA Stay Smart webinar

Tackle flying club insurance

Discover what drives the cost of flying club insurance, plus find out what types of coverage are available and which ones are best for your club. AOPA Insurance Services President Bill Snead will discuss these issues and more during a webinar May 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register now...  

 

Article

What you need to know about renter's insurance

Buying renter's insurance doesn't have to be complicated, but it helps to understand the insurance language and what it means to you. For example, what's required coverage versus optional coverage? Read more...  

News and Notes

 

Article

Midair spurred modern ATC

The site of a 1956 midair collision that led to modernization of air traffic control has now been designated a national historic landmark. The collision of a Trans World Airlines Super Constellation and a United Airlines DC-7 over the Grand Canyon led to an unprecedented effort to expand the nation's air traffic system and prompted the creation of the modern FAA. Read more...  

 

Article

Aviation shines at Endeavor Awards

A star-studded evening at the California Science Center in Los Angeles honored those who volunteer their time and aircraft to helping others. Read more...  

 

Article

IMC Club launches in Canada

IMC Club, the organization that popularized "organized hangar flying" for instrument pilots through its network of local chapters, announced the establishment of its first chapter in Canada. Read more...  

 

Aircraft Maintenance

Becoming an A&P is closer than you think

If you own and work on your aircraft under the guidance of your local mechanic, you could count that time toward the requirements for becoming an A&P. Read more...  

 

Article

Jeppesen offers free chart webinars

Jeppesen is hosting five webinars over the next several months focused on specific aspects of instrument flying and instrument charts. Read more...  

 

Article

Swearingen design gets update

The Utah firm that purchased the SJ30 type certificate in 2011 has broken ground on the first phase of a planned factory. Certification of an updated avionics suite and interior is expected in 2015, and new engines in 2017. The 1980s vintage design, never produced in numbers, may finally get a chance to compete in the marketplace. Read more...  

 

Poll

Pick your top 1965 'Pilot' cover

Fly over the French countryside in two Gardan Horizons or an Italian-built Marchetti Riviera; view St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada, with a Cessna 180 in the foreground; see a Mooney Mark 21 and Super 21 pass in front of Mexico's Mount Popocatépetl; and refuel a Beech Baron at Terceira Island in the Azores. All of these locations are featured on the 1965 AOPA Pilot magazine covers. Which one is your favorite? Take the poll...  

Career Opportunities

 

Article

Job of the Week: Marketing associate at ForeFlight LLC

ForeFlight LLC is seeking an entry-level marketer to aid in creating written and video content to promote its full product line in the market. The successful candidate also will support planning and management of event and trade show participation. Read the full job description...

 

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an associate project manager, major gift officer, AOPA Live producer/videographer I, executive assistant for government affairs, director of state government affairs, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.

Question of the Week

Question

How many stages make up the life cycle of a thunderstorm?

Answer

There are three stages: cumulus, mature, and dissipating. Test your knowledge of thunderstorm avoidance with this Air Safety Institute safety quiz.

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

 

How do you get unstuck when your flight lessons are delayed?

 

Education and Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

May 17-18 - Sacramento, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Houston, Texas.

June 7-8 - Santa Clara, Calif.; and Ashburn, Va.

June 21-22 - Charlotte, N.C.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Orlando, Fla.

June 28-29 - Columbus, Ohio; and Phoenix, Ariz.

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

May 12 - Madison, Wis.; and Garden City, N.Y.

May 13 - Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; and Milwaukee, Wis.

May 14 - Manitowoc, Wis.; and Albany, N.Y.

May 15 - Brockport, N.Y.

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

Rusty Pilot Seminars

May 10 - Fitchburg, Mass.

May 10 - Spanish Fork, Utah.

May 14 - Buffalo, N.Y.

For 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 Assistant:

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

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