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Top Stories
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Are you contemplating or perhaps ready to experience the thrill of transitioning to another airplane or new avionics? The Air Safety Institute shares your excitement, and wants to help make that switch safe and fun. A first of its kind, the institute's Transitioning to Other Airplanes course offers straightforward, important advice about what to expect when making the jump from a familiar airplane or avionics setup to something new. Enjoy your new adventure!
Start by taking the free course on your desktop or mobile device...
 
AOPA Live This Week
AOPA travels to Haiti to see how a doctor and a Beech Bonanza make all the difference in many lives in the island nation. Doc, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, rolls out to crowds in Wichita. And Barry Schiff goes for a ride in a nuclear-capable bomber, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 26...
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Technique and Safety
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Aircraft Maintenance
If you are flying behind a fuel-injected aircraft engine, it pays to thoroughly understand how it works, how to maintain it, and what typically goes wrong when you encounter a problem.
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Safety video
How should you request and receive a clearance for "VFR on top," and what is expected from you and air traffic control? Watch this installment of Ask ATC...
Blog
Could weight and balance have played a role in the accident that killed Buddy Holly and two other rising stars in 1959? As the NTSB looks into a petition to reopen an investigation into the accident, which was attributed to spatial disorientation, Air Safety Institute Senior Safety Advisor Bruce Landsberg examines lessons from the crash that are still relevant to modern pilots. Read more...
 AOPA Premier Partner sponsored content
Try these simple exercises from Master CFI Wally Moran to improve your rudder proficiency and avoid common mistakes. This 15-minute video from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops offers useful tips for all pilots. Visit the website and get instant access to this video, plus other programs free for AOPA members. Watch the video...
Blog
Do you ever find yourself rationalizing a downwind takeoff? Hover Power blogger Matt Johnson explains the danger cycle of pushing the limit in a helicopter. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
The FAA and AOPA are seeking comment on planned changes to flight services, including a new flight plan format scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.
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Advocacy
AOPA President Mark Baker spent time meeting with key general aviation allies in Congress to thank them for their help and seek additional support on critical issues, including third class medical reform.
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Advocacy
At a contentious meeting March 24, the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously to change lease terms for some tenants at Santa Monica Municipal Airport and convert segments of airport property to park land.
Read more...
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Health
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Members only
Former FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Manager Warren Silberman explains why the FAA issued its new medical certification guidelines on obstructive sleep apnea March 2.
Read more...
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Technology
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Article
A modified Tecnam P2006T twin-engine airplane has been chosen to move NASA's Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology project from ground runs to flight testing.
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Opinion
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Blog
Earning a tailwheel endorsement or a seaplane rating could not only be fun, but also refine your skills for other airplanes, according to Opinion Leaders blogger Rob Mark. "Both require all hands on the controls from the moment you turn over the engine until shutdown," he explains. "While flying both can be challenging at times, I've found the skills they build have truly made me a better pilot and instructor."
Read more...
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Gear
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Article
Lobo:Labs has released its new FlashPass 2.1 app for iOS 7 and 8 devices. The new app integrates U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) and Mexican APIS to make cross-border operations easier for pilots.
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Article
TKM Avionics is reintroducing a navigation/communications radio series to replace King, Narco, and Cessna/ARC series radios in general aviation aircraft. Read more...
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Travel
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Article
The combination of companionship and the expertise of a professional guide is part of the appeal of Northern Adventures' "America the Beautiful" air tours.
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Blog
Air Journey to Brazil
After emptying the contents of their aircraft for screening and struggling to secure clearances with a language barrier, pilots on a tour of South America left Buenos Aires' San Fernando airport and made their way to Iguacu Falls, Brazil. The group, escorted by Air Journey, took a break from flying there and signed up for a ride through the jungle.
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News and Notes
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Article
The restorers of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress that almost met its end as a target at a desert weapons-testing range celebrated a milestone March 23.
Read more...
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Can a little yellow airplane outlast symbols of American military might in the Best Aircraft Showdown? The Piper J-3 Cub faces off against the B-24 Liberator as "Round of Eight" voting continues March 27 in the bracket-style competition, presented by Aero-Space Reports. The Cub, Mooney M20, and Boeing Stearman find themselves in the company of heavy warbirds: the B-24 Liberator, Supermarine Spitfire, B-17 Flying Fortress, P-38 Lightning, and Vought F4U Corsair. Only four aircraft will make it to the semi-finals March 31 and April 1—will your favorite make the cut?
Vote now...
AOPA members get discount on Sun 'n Fun tickets
Visit AOPA's campus at Sun 'n Fun to learn new piloting techniques from aviation experts, visit with fellow pilots, see the 2015 You Can Fly Sweepstakes Reimagined 152, manage your membership, and shop in AOPA's store. AOPA members can receive $5 off the adult daily general admission pass and $30 off the adult weekly general admission pass by using promo code "AOPA217" when purchasing passes on the Sun 'n Fun website.
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Article
Europe's only piston helicopter manufacturer has crossed the pond. Guimbal's Cabri G2 is now FAA certified and has settled into the primary training market. Read more...
Article
The FAA has announced its 2015 National General Aviation Award honorees, four individuals recognized for their contributions to GA. Read more...
Blog
World War II veteran and Boeing B-17 pilot Carl Estersohn appeared on Reddit on March 22 to participate in one of that board's "Ask Me Anything" sessions. The 90-year-old, who says he still flies "when I get the chance," fielded hundreds of questions and comments.
Read some highlights...
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Article
Although widely accepted in the airplane world, simulation use continues to lag in helicopter training. Frasca aims to change that with the introduction of its R44 TruFlite. Read more...
CORRECTION: In the March 20 issue of AOPA ePilot, AOPA incorrectly reported aerobatic champion Rob Holland's accomplishments. Holland is a four-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion and a two-time World Freestyle Champion. We regret the error.
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
Corporate Aviation Insurance Group is looking for a sales executive who is knowledgeable and passionate about aviation, excellent at building client relationships, and willing to work hard to establish a profitable portfolio of insurance business. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills and a strong self-starting attitude and be responsible for developing a sales strategy to generate new business.
Learn more about this exciting opportunity.
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for part time, temporary digital product support; 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; associate editor—Web/ePilot; 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
What is the significance of an "alert area" on a sectional chart?
Answer
An alert area is a specific area that contains a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aeronautical activity. Think you know airspace? Test your knowledge with this Air Safety Institute safety quiz. (Source: Aeronautical Information Manual 3-4-6.)
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
Apr 11-12 - Salt Lake City, Utah; Hebron, Kentucky; Atlanta, Georgia; and Indianapolis, Indiana
Apr 18-19 - Needham, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; and Ashburn, Virginia
Apr 25-26 - Tampa, Florida; and San Diego, California
May 2-3 - Sacramento, California; and Kansas City, Missouri
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
Apr 6 - Greenville, Kentucky; and Duluth, Minnesota
Apr 7 - Blaine, Minnesota; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Morehead, Kentucky
Apr 8 - Saint Paul, Minnesota; and West Lafayette, Indiana
Apr 9 - Rochester, Minnesota; and Morris Plains, New Jersey
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Mar 28 - Olathe, Kansas
Apr 4 - Palm Springs, California
Apr 11 - Savoy, Illinois; Boonville, Missouri; Carson City, Nevada; and Apopka, Florida
Apr 18 - West Lebanon, New Hampshire; and San Martin, California
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
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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