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Sun 'n Fun News
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Article
For the first time in American skies, the Breitling Jet Team brought its unique brand of airshow performance to the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo—and spectators were left breathless.
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Article
Their instructors were silent, hands off the yoke. With only a week's worth of experience in their logbooks, the One Week Ready to Solo participants put their skills to the test.
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Article
A newly approved reversible propeller for the Aviat Husky will give floatplane pilots greater control during water operations, Aviat Aircraft announced at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida.
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Article
With a single seat, an 18-foot wingspan, a stall speed of less than 60 mph, and a top speed of close to 300 mph, the SubSonex JSX-2 challenges one's expectations of how a jet aircraft should look and act. Airshow performer Bob Carlton debuted an aerobatic performance in the microjet at Sun 'n Fun.
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Slideshow
Friends of AOPA old and new had plenty to see and do at Sun 'n Fun, and plenty to marvel at and dream about. From precision performances to classic lines, treat your eyes to some of our favorite moments captured by our cameras.
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AOPA Live This Week
Three students, a passel of cameras, and One Week Ready to Solo: Take a look back at the journey that launched new adventures. Plus, look ahead to the AOPA Fly-In coming up May 16 in Salinas, California. AOPA shows you what else Salinas offers that you won't want to miss. And a new, reversible prop makes a Husky more sure-footed on floats.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 30...
More Sun 'n Fun news
Baker talks GA issues
Lightspeed announces Pilots Choice Awards finalists
AOPA Foundation thanks pilots for giving back
'You have your own path'
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Technique and Safety
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Accident analysis
The desire for a bargain shouldn't lead aircraft buyers to cut corners.
Learn more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute...
IFR Fix
In this scenario, a flight school/aircraft rental business has a double scare when two of its aircraft don't show up at two different destinations on separate days. Both flights end safely, but the flight school is debating whether it should impose restrictions to prevent the scenario from happening again. What would you do?
Read more...
Flash-based, login required
Flying across mountain passes and summits provides spectacular views and an exhilarating experience. But when weather patterns abruptly change—as happens in high terrain—there's little wiggle room for the uninitiated. So before you challenge those peaks alone, get a local mountain flying checkout and prepare with the Air Safety Institute's Mountain Flying online course to discover why weather and aircraft performance deserve your undivided attention. Take the course...
Video
Flight-following traffic advisory service not only warns of conflicting radar targets, but it also can provide solace to pilots on a lone VFR cross-country trip. However, beware of some limitations and gotchas: For example, are you automatically cleared to enter Class B airspace while receiving flight following? In this segment of the Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC series, air traffic controllers discuss considerations when traversing different airspace areas.
Watch the video...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
There are a lot of opportunities to make a weekend of your visit to AOPA's May 16 Salinas, California, Regional Fly-In.
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
Regulatory reforms, including third-class medical reform and changes that will make it easier and less expensive to install modern safety equipment in older aircraft, are key to ensuring the future of general aviation, AOPA President Mark Baker testified before the Senate Aviation, Operations, and Security Subcommittee.
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Advocacy
Members of the National Conference of State Legislatures will learn about the economic impact general aviation has on jobs and the economy at the local, state, and national levels during a webinar May 1.
Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
When you are filling out your medical application, do you know how to fill out the section that asks for a list of the visits to a health professional within the last three years? Dr. Warren Silberman, former manager of FAA Aerospace Medical Certification, walks you through the process.
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Technology
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Article
Diamond Aircraft's new flagship, the diesel piston twin DA62, has been certified in Europe. The twin comes in two configurations, with five seats or seven.
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Correction: In the April 24 edition of AOPA ePilot, we incorrectly stated the location of the Braunschweig Airport, home of the German company Carplane. It is located west of Berlin. We regret the error.
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Opinion
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Blog
Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda analyzes the highlights from Sun 'n Fun and Aero Friedrichshafen and writes that despite the different nature of each of the shows, both reveal "the upbeat, optimistic sentiment prevailing among general aviation pilots this spring."
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Gear
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Article
Faro Aviation is offering flight schools and flying clubs an "old for new" headset exchange program.
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Travel
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Article
Once part of a national network that guided pilots of the 1930s through treacherous terrain, Montana's airway beacons are both historic and functional. Maintaining this vintage equipment requires a range of skills, and an appetite for adventure.
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Financial
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Article
A California pilot group demonstrated the power of general aviation to respond in times of need, putting an AOPA Foundation grant to good use. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
A documentary film about an unusual group of World War I aviators is appearing at film festivals from coast to coast.
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Article
Pilot Jim Hesseman hopes pilots will offer comfort to grieving families by sponsoring "white feather flights." He offers resources to help.
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Article
Every time Pete Weber Jr. of Cameron Park, California, takes an aircraft aloft these days, he breaks his own record—at least, unofficially.
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Article
Former presidential aircraft Columbine II, which may have been the first to fly as "Air Force One," is on track for restoration. A Virginia charter operator has decided to proceed with the purchase and restoration of the vintage Lockheed C-121A Constellation.
Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
TRU Simulation + Training, Inc., a Textron company, is looking for a software engineer to design, develop, integrate, and document simulator software for a dynamic range of commercial and military aviation platforms. The successful candidate has the ability to perform in a dynamic prototyping environment and has a strong desire for innovation.
Apply for this exciting opportunity today!
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 account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; contractual marketing copywriter; videographer, Air Safety Institute; senior director of government affairs (airport advocacy); director of government affairs (airspace/air traffic); aviation technical specialist; director, pilot community development; vice president, information and technology; senior ambassador, You Can Fly; outreach and events coordinator; vice president for major and leadership gifts; Sitecore developer; director of studies, research, and analysis; and account executive. 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 range in degrees of the most efficient angle of attack of a propeller blade?
Answer
The range is between positive 2 degrees and positive 4 degrees. Want to brush up on your propeller knowledge? Try this interactive course from the Air Safety Institute. (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge 4-24.)
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
May 2-3 - Sacramento, California; and Kansas City, Missouri
May 16-17 - Dania Beach, Florida; Houston, Texas; Pensacola, Florida; and Albany, New York
Jun 13-14 - Orlando, Florida; Santa Clara, California; and Bloomington, Minnesota
Jun 20-21 - Sterling, Virginia
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
May 4 - Hampton, Virginia
May 5 - Blacksburg, Virginia
May 6 - Danville, Virginia
May 7 - Richmond, Virginia
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
May 2 - New Century, Kansas; Alexandria, Minnesota; and Southbridge, Massachusetts
May 3 - Anchorage, Alaska
May 9 - Burlington, Washington
May 16 - Salinas, California; and Wheeling, Illinois
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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Photo Contest
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Who's your favorite co-pilot?
We want to find the best general aviation photos that show pilots sharing their passion for flying with their best flying friend. Submit a photo and vote for your favorite from the submissions. The photo with the most votes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern each Wednesday will win a prize from Sporty's and AOPA, and be featured in AOPA ePilot. An overall winner will be picked by Sporty's and AOPA on May 29 for a grand prize. This week's winning photo, "Youngest Daughter," was submitted by Jay Man.
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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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