JANUARY 23, 2015 - VOL 17, ISSUE 4

Technique and Safety

Login required

Don't dabble in ice

Climb in the right seat of Dean Clark's Cessna 182 as he recounts the tale of his unexpected encounter with ice-filled clouds. This Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story will help you understand that even flying a familiar route in a trusted airplane with no serious weather in the forecast can sometimes turn out to be more of a challenge than you anticipated. Watch Real Pilot Story: Ambushed By Ice...  

Login required

Brush up on the facts

When you're feeling perfectly fine, flight physiology may not be at the top of your reading list. Brushing up on the topic with the Air Safety Institute's Aeromedical Matters safety quiz might help stave off conditions that could keep you from flying. Take the quiz...

Blog

Pilotless airplanes?

How much do you rely on the autopilot while flying? Do you ever find yourself asking, "What's it doing now"? Read more...  

Blog

Maximum performance takeoffs and judgment calls

While giving helicopter rides at an airport event, a pilot took off toward the taxiway for a maximum performance takeoff. Blogger Maria Langer discusses why that wasn't a good idea. "This is an 'advanced' maneuver not only because it requires more skill than a normal takeoff but because it has additional risks," she explains. Read more...  

Advocacy

Advocacy

DOT sets date to complete review of proposed medical reforms

The Department of Transportation has announced plans to complete its review of proposed third class medical reforms on Jan. 26, even as AOPA pledges to keep pushing for legislative action. Read more...  

Advocacy

AOPA supports Terrafugia request

AOPA is asking the FAA to grant weight and stall-speed exemptions needed to certify the Terrafugia Transition road-worthy airplane as a light sport aircraft. Read more...  

Advocacy

Senate GA Caucus gets new leaders

The Senate General Aviation Caucus has found new leadership for the 114th Congress in Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), both staunch supporters of general aviation. Read more...  

Advocacy

No cable mandate coming

The FAA has determined that an existing special airworthiness information bulletin is sufficient, and will not echo Australia's new limits on certain control cable assemblies. Read more...  

Advocacy

Super Bowl XLIX notam released

The FAA has released a notam establishing a temporary flight restriction over the Glendale, Arizona, area for Super Bowl XLIX. Pilots flying in to watch the Patriots and Seahawks battle for the championship should study the notam. Read more...  

AOPA Close to Home

Join the Airport Support Network

Ensuring the health and vitality of your airport is up to you—incompatible development and economic and political pressures can restrict your flying. Every day, close to 2,500 Airport Support Network (ASN) volunteers work with AOPA headquarters to help save their airports, but we need more. To learn more and nominate yourself as a volunteer, visit the Airport Support Network online. See a list of airports that need and currently have volunteers.

Health

Article

Vision training

Seven years of scientific research has produced a mobile application that significantly improved the vision of pilots, among other test subjects. Branded GlassesOff, the patented technology enhances vision by training the brain, and is designed to restore lost visual abilities and compensate for optical problems including age-related decline. Read more...  

Technology

Article

Air Shepherd targets poachers

Booming world demand for ivory and rhinoceros horn threatens extinctions, and the Lindbergh Foundation is joining the fight to save species with precision aerial assets. Air Shepherd is a nonprofit organization created by the Lindbergh Foundation to support the same approach to fighting poachers that proved successful against insurgents and terrorists who plant roadside bombs. Read more...  

Article

Nextant turboprop makes first test flight

Nextant Aerospace said its G90XT turboprop project was "on schedule for certification" in 2015 after a successful first test flight of the aircraft. Read more...  

Article

Certification of Diamond turboprop in progress

A seven-passenger single-engine turboprop aircraft has taken its first flight in Austria with a certification goal of late 2016. Read more...  

Article

Spartan signs for 20 Sun Flyers

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has signed an agreement for delivery of 20 new solar-electric Sun Flyer two-seat trainers now in development. Read more...  

Opinion

Blog

Thinking, fast and slow

Should aviation mechanics analyze engine data before speaking to a pilot about an engine anomaly he or she experienced? Could the pilot's description bias the mechanic's thought process, or is that input helpful to have before analyzing the data? Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch shares his take on the situation. Read more...  

Gear

Aircraft Maintenance

Exhausting maintenance: Performance improvements

Exhaust system design is critical to the ultimate power output of an aircraft engine. Regardless of improvements to induction air flow, compression, cylinder porting, or combustion timing, a poorly designed exhaust system will always limit the power that your engine can deliver. Read more...  

Travel

Article

'Seattle II' to retrace 1924 epic flight

It has an engine from the Golden Age of Aviation, an open cockpit, and a long-range cruise speed of about 90 mph. For the Seattle II, a Douglas World Cruiser reproduction, a brief first flight in December started a new chapter in a Seattle couple's quest to fly it around the world in 2016. Read more...  

Article

New lease for LAX landmark

A restaurant with a view of Los Angeles International Airport built as a tribute to aviation heroes is poised to land a new lease. The Proud Bird had been at risk of losing its home, but community support helped produce a new agreement that, once given final city approval, will secure the location for another 20 years. Read more...  

Article

Solar Impulse 2 route set

Twelve years of study, research, design, and testing will culminate in late February or early March when Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) launches on a solar-powered attempt to circumnavigate the world. Read more...  

Article

Cuba by GA may take time

General aviation operators may have to wait a while longer before flying to Cuba (particularly under Part 91). While the federal government is restoring diplomatic relations with the island nation, several agencies may need to get involved in the details, and AOPA is working with all concerned. Read more...  

Slideshow

Balloonists go boating

The fifth Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair brought 78 balloons to an Arizona island that can be accessed only by driving over the London Bridge (yes, the one from England); by boat; or by hot air balloon. Read more...  

Members only

Planning a flight plan

In the Aeronautical Information Manual, the FAA urges every pilot to file a flight plan with the FAA that specifies information relating to the intended flight. For flights under IFR, a flight plan is required; for flights under VFR, a flight plan is optional. You must follow certain procedures to be in compliance with the regulations when using a flight plan under either. Read more...  

Financial

Article

Learjet 85 program stalls

Bombardier Inc. shares tumbled following an announcement that the company would "pause" the Learjet 85 program, lay off 1,000 workers, and write off $1.4 billion. Read more...  

Article

Cochise orders RedHawks

Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona, has ordered six RedHawk remanufactured diesel Cessna 172s for its training fleet, RedHawk Aero announced Jan. 20. Read more...  

News and Notes

Article

Endurance profile

For one Maine pilot, the opportunity to be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the University of Maine's University Flying Club offered a trip down memory lane and a sense of reassurance as to aviation's future. Read more...  

Article

Crash at Sebring show kills two

An amphibious ultralight crashed near the runway at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida during the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo Jan. 16, killing the two men aboard. Read more...  

Article

Baker receives Legacy Award

On a night when Hollywood stars and aviation luminaries came together to celebrate the wonder of flight, AOPA President Mark Baker was honored with the Harrison Ford Legacy in Aviation Award at the Twelfth Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards. Read more...  

Article

Hoover documentary in digital release

A documentary on the life of aviation legend Bob Hoover that premiered last August has arrived on DVD and Blu-ray. Read more...  

Poll

Pick the best 'Pilot' cover from the 1970s

Pilots have narrowed their favorite covers from the 1970s from 120 to just 10. Now you pick which AOPA Pilot cover will move to the final round for the favorite in the magazine's history. Vote now...  

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of training, Tradewind Aviation

If you are a certificated flight instructor looking to put your mark on a flight training program, Tradewind Aviation is looking for you! As director of training, the successful candidate will schedule and oversee all flight training events and programs, including a complete overhaul of the FAA-approved training program. The director of training will also oversee all third-party training vendors. Click here to read the full job description now.

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a director of studies, research, and analysis; administrative assistant, Air Safety Institute; Air Safety Institute intern; member services representative; graphic designer; associate editor—Web/ePilot; senior advertising sales/account executive; online marketing manager; .Net applications developer; and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.