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Top Stories
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Pilot magazine
A claim that small tube-and-fabric liaison airplanes were the most feared American aircraft of World War II seems implausible, almost laughable. But those aware of the facts argue persuasively that the claim is true.
Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
Competition may have played a role in a perplexing about-face by Siemens that left Pipistrel Aircraft Co. without a motor as its new electric trainer was poised to make history. Also this week, Hannes Arch takes the Red Bull Air Race in Budapest, Hungary; Appareo rolls out two new Stratus models including a $549 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver; and the rise and fall of a lawn chair cluster balloon over Canada.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, July 9...
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Technique and Safety
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Fly like a fighter
Even in a T-38 jet trainer, sometimes the appropriate response to a clearance is "Unable," recalls retired U.S. Air Force pilot Larry Brown. Read more...
Video
Do you feel worried asking ATC for help when you've been given a clearance that puts you close to troublesome weather? Find out why you, as pilot in command, need to advise ATC when a deviation for weather is necessary. Learn more in this "Ask ATC" installment...
Aircraft Maintenance
Serious problems can arise when attempting to clean an aircraft engine and cowl if proper care isn't taken. If your goal is simply to have things look nice when you open the cowl, then you can accomplish a surprising amount by using a pair of gloves, eye protection, and a rag soaked in 100LL (or Varsol). Read more...
Login required
Do you know the meaning of VS0 and VS1? Are you familiar with the acronym PARE? Go beyond the pilot's operating handbook to learn what happens when you exceed the critical angle of attack. Take this quiz for a spin...
Blog
Have increasing levels of software in aviation gone too far? AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Safety Advisor Bruce Landsberg submits points for your consideration. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
The FAA has agreed to work with AOPA and consult with stakeholders regarding the future of world aeronautical charts. The decision follows an earlier announcement that the agency would stop producing the charts later this year.
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Technology
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Article
The Stratus 1S and 2S, announced July 7, are evolutions of the market's most popular route to subscription-free Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast traffic and weather in the cockpit.
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Pilot Protection Services
With hundreds of unmanned aircraft operating within the National Airspace System and more on the way, aircraft owners and pilots can help maintain flight safety by becoming familiar with the conditions and limitations that Congress and the FAA have placed on unmanned aircraft system operations.
Read more...
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Article
In a strange turn of events, German electrical giant Siemens has abruptly told the Pipistrel Aircraft Co. that it cannot use Siemens' Dynadyn 80-kilowatt motor in its Alpha Electro trainer.
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Article
A Boston-area startup has secured an FAA exemption to operate unmanned aircraft, and is seeking qualified pilots with or without drone experience. The company behind the website fly4.me is testing software and preparing a training program for certificated pilots who are willing to offer their services for paying gigs filming weddings, performing rooftop inspections, and executing a range of other missions.
Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
As a founder of two grassroots general aviation service groups, Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas can attest to the fact that being an example for GA is sometimes difficult. Yet she looks to others for inspiration and encouragement and holds on to an optimistic outlook.
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Blog
In general aviation, it may take as much time to prepare for a short flight as to fly it. The tasks required are the same as those needed for a longer one, and becoming familiar with "all available information" means deciphering a long list of notams. Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp discusses one tool he uses to ensure he doesn't miss critical information in arcane notam texts.
Read more...
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Gear
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Article
A Cessna 172 was very much the worse for wear after NASA finished testing its emergency locator transmitters. An 82-foot drop onto concrete may help researchers improve future beacons installed in other aircraft—though almost certainly not the trio of Skyhawks being sacrificed for science and safety.
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Article
Jeppesen's new Mobile FliteDeck VFR 2.1 for iOS features audio airspace warnings and automatic flight logging capabilities, in addition to a seamless transition from aerial charts to airport diagrams.
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Travel
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Pilot Getaways feature
Hidden amidst the farms of New Jersey's Burlington County, about 20 miles east of Philadelphia, the Flying W Airport Resort is a one-stop destination resort complete with golf, fine dining, live music, dancing, and lounging next to its trademark, airplane-shaped swimming pool. Best of all, it's served by a long, unobstructed runway.
Read more...
Article
Solar Impulse 2 pilot André Borschberg logged just under 118 hours over the Pacific from Japan to Hawaii. With the record-setting leg now behind them, the team's next stop will be in the Continental U.S. Read more...
Article
An aggressive but smooth final flight propelled Red Bull Air Race pilot Hannes Arch to the top of the podium in Budapest. Americans Kirby Chambliss and Michael Goulian had tougher times in Hungary. Read more...
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Financial
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Article
From World War II pilots to astronauts and commercial airlines, Breitling has served the aviation community with reliable, efficient timepieces since the early days of flying. Now, the Swiss manufacturer is investing in the next generation of pilots with the Breitling Aviation Scholarship Fund.
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Article
Women in Aviation International is offering 98 scholarships valued at more than $480,000, the organization announced July 1. There are opportunities for flight training, spin training, advanced certificates and ratings, type ratings, dispatcher training, maintenance, and more. Read more...
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Member benefits
Adolfo Ortiz recently bought his first aircraft, a 1959 Piper Comanche. Though he hopes he'll never need to use the coverage, he selected AOPA Insurance for the aircraft because "I knew I would be treated well." Read more...
AOPA Foundation focus
Reserve your copy of the 2016 AOPA Foundation calendar by making a donation to support the future of general aviation. This 16-month calendar is filled with spectacular aviation images to remind you of the fun you've had, the places you've been, and the friends you've made along the way. It's AOPA's gift to you to recognize the personal impact you're having on GA's future through your generous support of the AOPA Foundation. Reserve your calendar...
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News and Notes
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Article
A father and son were killed when a U.S. Air Force F-16 and a Cessna 150 collided over South Carolina July 7. Witnesses described a broadside impact; the NTSB will lead the investigation. Read more...
Article
Pilots who file flight plans and get weather briefings through DTC DUAT may lose the ability to do so through DTC in a week, the company warned pilots on its website July 8.
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Article
AOPA's 2014 Noe-Singer Flight Training Scholarship winner earned her private pilot certificate just two days before her eighteenth birthday and then shipped off to the Air Force Academy for basic cadet training.
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Article
A former U.S. Air Force test pilot and owner of a promotional company in San Diego has built a flying replica of Snoopy atop his doghouse. His previous projects include a flying witch and, of course, Superman.
Read more...
Article
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain that led the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944, drew a huge following, as well as donations that went beyond dollars. The Commemorative Air Force has begun pulling panels, and any vintage aircraft owner already knows much of what they found beneath them.
Read more...
Sky Combat Ace adds San Diego
Dogfighters looking to take down a bandit over San Diego, take note: Sky Combat Ace, the Las Vegas-based extreme flight action experience, just announced its newest outpost at San Diego's Gillespie Field. Wannabe adventurers or aerobatic aficionados can choose one of the SCA flight packages previously profiled by AOPA that offer either extreme action experiences or just extremely cool sightseeing tours.
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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 a director of regulatory affairs; Northwest Mountain regional manager; AOPA National Aviation Community Center aviation event planner; marketing project coordinator; account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; videographer, Air Safety Institute; and aviation technical specialist. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
You've decided that it might be fun to start giving flight instruction on the weekends. You'll make some money and be able to pass on knowledge to a new generation of pilots. You've already got a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating and about 300 hours, including a couple training for your commercial certificate. You currently have a first class medical, with third class privileges. Are you required to obtain a new first or second class medical to pursue further certificates and a second career as a flight instructor?
Answer
No, the federal aviation regulations only require you to hold a medical with third class privileges to act as pilot in command for your commercial and flight instructor practical tests. Acting in the capacity of a CFI and PIC requires a medical with third class privileges as well. A medical certificate is not required for flight instructing if the instructor is not acting as PIC or a required crewmember. FAR 61.23 explains which level of privileges is required for what activities in detail.
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA. |
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Jul 11-12 - Parsippany, New Jersey; and Millington, Tennessee
Jul 18-19 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jul 25-26 - St. Augustine, Florida
Aug 1-2 - Long Beach, California
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jul 20-25 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Jul 11 - Atlanta, Georgia; Renton, Washington; and Manchester, New Hampshire
Jul 18 - New York, New York; and Broomfield, Colorado
Jul 22 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Jul 25 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
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 Editors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
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