FEBRUARY 13, 2015 - VOL 17, ISSUE 7

Technique and Safety

Article

Rekindle the spirit of fun, learning

The Air Safety Institute is well known for its innovative brand of online and in-person aviation safety education, from award-winning safety courses and videos to quizzes, publications, and seminars. During 2015, it will bring the aviation community together with captivating aviation safety seminars at exciting new locations whenever the opportunity arises. Read more...  

Fly like a fighter

Dress for egress

Many pilots won't fly over large bodies of frigid water necessitating a wet suit, but the same principle for preparedness—dress for egress—applies wherever you fly. Retired Air Force pilot Larry Brown shares his lessons learned from flying an F-15 over the North Sea in a "poopy suit." Read more...  

Aircraft Maintenance

Remove snow and ice for a safe departure

For pilots in parts of the country where they are measuring the snowfall in feet, here are some tips to keep in mind when clearing the path to your aircraft: Snow blowers and aircraft are a bad combination, nosewheels are meant to be on the ground, and don't abandon your aircraft at the airport just because the weather is bad. Read more...  

Article

Seaplane, helo FIRC electives debut

AOPA's popular electronic flight instructor refresher course (eFIRC) provides a customized way for flight instructors to fulfill their currency requirement by offering 13 pilot-selectable electives—including new seaplane and helicopter elements. Read more...  

PDF

How safe is flight training?

We've all heard that flight training is safer than most other aspects of general aviation, but is that actually true? Also, are different training activities characterized by their own distinct risk profiles? The Air Safety Institute's comprehensive analysis of instructional accidents explores the differences between phases and types of training, and between airplanes and helicopters. Download the report...

Advocacy

Advocacy

Forest Service approves aviation

New U.S. Forest Service directives that interpret a 2012 Planning Rule designate aviation as a "legitimate mode of access" to the backcountry. The directives will have significant impact on general aviation operations. Read more...  

Health

Members only

Medical conditions that don't require special issuance, part 2

What kind of paperwork do you need to take to your aviation medical examiner if you have had a bone fracture, colonoscopy, pneumonia, osteoarthritis, or allergies? Find out from former FAA Aerospace Medical Certification manager Warren Silberman. Read more...  

Technology

Article

NavWorx offers new ADS-B option

NavWorx announced Feb. 11 an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transceiver with an introductory price of $699, giving kit builders an affordable route to mandate compliance. The announcement followed news that the FAA has made a technical change that will facilitate lower-cost installations for ADS-B compliance in amateur-built aircraft. Read more...  

Pilot magazine article

Inside an icing tunnel

The ATR–72 involved in a fatal 1994 accident might have been certified for flight into known icing, but it wasn't certified to fly in the conditions it encountered: large-droplet icing conditions of the kind found in freezing rain or freezing drizzle. Step inside the icing wind tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center and find out what researchers have since learned about conditions that had been poorly defined, let alone understood. Read more...  

Article

Solar Impulse control center opens

Solar Impulse II, the upgraded version of an all-electric airplane that toured the United States, is set to circle the globe starting in March. The 24-hour control center for the flight has opened in Monaco. Read more...  

Opinion

Blog

Flying backward

Airline pilots move "up" the food chain from turboprops to jets. The least experienced flight instructors typically start by teaching primary students. If safety is the paramount concern, that's backward. Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp reasons that the most experienced pilots should be exercising their skills on the most challenging aircraft, and the most experienced CFIs teaching new students. Read more...  

Blog

Wings and wheels

We fly for pleasure, business, recreation, and charitable purposes. Wouldn't it be nice if after the wings are done flying we had some wheels to get us to a nice restaurant for lunch, to our hotel, or to a nearby scenic attraction? Read more...  

Gear

Article

New instrument training app released

Pilot Training Solutions' Instrument Rating Virtual Test Prep iPad app was released in the App Store Feb. 4, the fourth app the company has released in as many months. Read more...  

Travel

Pilot Getaways feature

Shenandoah Mountain retreat

In Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, you'll find a fly-in community with an unusual combination of skiing, snowboarding, and golf just a few steps from the tiedown area. Family-friendly Bryce Resort is known for its all-season fun for everyone, according to Pilot Getaways magazine. Read more...  

Financial

Article

Acquisitions position Continental Motors in turbine sector

Engine maintenance and repair company Continental Motors Services announced two related acquisitions that will expand its operations into the worldwide turbine-engine sales and service sector. Read more...  

News and Notes

Article

Painting a life without addiction

An airplane-as-metaphor for "the vast possibilities that a life without addiction holds" is helping a California nonprofit steer youngsters away from drug abuse. Read more...  

Sweepstakes

Enter AOPA's You Can Fly Sweeps

AOPA is giving away 152 great prizes in its all-new You Can Fly Sweepstakes, starting with a beautifully refurbished Cessna 152! Join AOPA, renew your membership, or make a special contribution to protect your freedom to fly, and you'll automatically be entered for your chance to win! No contribution is required for entry. A contribution will not improve your chances of winning a prize. See the official rules for details of the sweepstakes as well as alternate methods of entry. Learn more about AOPA's You Can Fly Sweepstakes!  

Poll

Pick the best 2000s 'Pilot' cover

Good luck picking your favorite AOPA Pilot cover since 2000. Classics including the Grumman Widgeon, Lincoln PT-K, Ford Tri-Motor, Sikorsky X-3B Amphibian, Piper J-3 Cub, Ercoupe, Waco, and Pitts Special graced the covers. But, you can pick only one. So, be sure to place your vote so that your favorite moves onto the final round for a chance to be considered the best cover in the history of AOPA Pilot. Vote for your favorite…  

Article

A proposal to remember

When everything seemed to be going wrong, the perfect moment emerged for a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot to propose to his girlfriend—in a hot air balloon with snow falling all around in Southern California. Read more...  

Blog

Trumped in Palm Beach?

Donald Trump recently sued Palm Beach County in Florida for $100 million, alleging that the director of Palm Beach International Airport is deliberately routing flights over his Mar-A-Lago private club. Is this another case of an airport besieged by neighbors who move in afterward and then complain about aircraft noise? Read more...  

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 outreach and events coordinator; aviation event and meeting planner; vice president for major and leadership gifts; Sitecore developer; director of studies, research, and analysis; administrative assistant, Air Safety Institute; Air Safety Institute intern; associate editor—Web/ePilot; online marketing manager; .Net applications developer; and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.