|
|
Top Stories
|
Quiz
You know the names of these famous athletes, actors, and government officials, but if they are paired head to head, can you pick out the pilot? Is it Ted Williams or Mickey Mantle, Chuck Connors or Clint Eastwood, John Kerry or Hillary Clinton?
Test your knowledge with these 12 pairs...
 
AOPA Live This Week
Among the many attending the AOPA Fly-In in Salinas, California, was a helicopter pilot who is on a mission to inspire young girls to follow in her footsteps. With a special screening of Living in the Age of Airplanes the night before AOPA's Homecoming Fly-In in Frederick, Maryland, AOPA Live® visits with the filmmaker to learn what inspired his latest ode to aviation. Plus, watch inspiration in action as scaled-down aircraft converge on Triple Tree Aerodrome for the world's largest RC event.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, May 21...
|
|
|
|
Technique and Safety
|
|
Accident analysis
The temptation to slip below those last few miles of clouds can be strong, but the last few miles are just as dangerous as any others—especially if you're scud running at night.
Read more...
Aircraft Maintenance
Aircraft tires are extremely resilient and reliable, but they're also critically important to safe takeoffs and landings. Here are 10 tips that can help you get the most from your tires, fly as safely as possible, and take good care of those round rubber friends.
Read more...
Login required
Summer's increasingly hot temperatures and humidity mean that your airplane may have decreased performance during takeoff and landing. Add high terrain and a heavily loaded airplane to the equation, and your flight turns into a high-density-altitude challenge. Learn about density altitude and leave yourself an extra margin of safety for all phases of flight with this Air Safety Institute safety quiz.
Take the quiz...
Pilot Safety Announcement
Fly along with the Air Safety Institute's "iPanel" Pilot Safety Announcement, which takes a decidedly tongue-in-cheek look at the modern electronic cockpit's endless opportunities for distraction. Be assured, it's only a satirical reminder that aircraft are still aircraft and need a pilot mentally aboard. Enjoy the ride and remember to fly the airplane, not the panel!
Watch the video...
Advocacy
An emergency airworthiness directive has been issued for aircraft equipped with Avidyne integrated flight displays (IFDs). Read more...
Lockheed offers webinars for online briefings
Lockheed Martin is offering educational webinars to help new users register, file flight plans, get briefings, and use advanced flight planning tools through Lockheed Martin Flight Service's Pilot Web portal. The company was recently awarded a contract to provide direct user access terminal services (DUATS) II online weather information and flight plan processing; the webinar "Better Briefings, Safer Flights" will be offered live May 26 at 8 p.m. Eastern time and on demand from May 27 through June 9.
|
|
|
AOPA Fly-Ins
|
Article
More than 2,600 attendees made Salinas Municipal Airport in Salinas, California, a weekend destination, enjoying camaraderie, fellowship, and hangar flying stories with fellow pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
Read more...
Pilot magazine
Do you have to be a pilot to work for AOPA? No. But one of the first things you do when you take a job with the association is take an introductory flight—that is, if you're not already certificated. Pilots on staff support one another and offer congratulations for fellow pilots' accomplishments, from initial pilot certificates to advanced ratings. Meet AOPA's staff pilots at the association's Homecoming Fly-In June 6 in Frederick, Maryland. Read more...
|
|
|
Advocacy
|
|
Advocacy
Seven general aviation associations, including AOPA, have sent a joint letter asking Congress to stop legislation that would curtail funding for flight training for veterans.
Read more...
Video
AOPA Live recently talked to Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) about the progress of third class medical reform in Congress and how AOPA members can help get rid of the medical requirement.
Watch this exclusive interview...
|
Health
|
|
Pilot Protection Services
The concepts and way of thinking acquired by aviators are germane to so much of life.
Read more...
|
|
|
Technology
|
|
Article
After years of development, Jay Carter's remarkable flying machine is being marketed to aerospace manufacturers. While various engineering challenges have been overcome, obstacles remain on the horizon, including how to certify an aircraft that is neither helicopter nor airplane, but a blend of both, with a large helping of autogyro.
Read more...
|
|
|
Gear
|
|
Article
LSA-Engines is a small German firm, at the moment, basing its light sport aircraft engine on a design from a big company. Some see it as a challenger to Rotax, which nearly owns the light sport and ultralight engine market.
Read more...
Article
Power Flow has logged 1,500 customers for a tuned exhaust system that boosts Cessna 172 performance. The Daytona Beach, Florida, firm offers exhaust replacements for 16 aircraft models.
Read more...
Article
Garmin will offer customers opportunities to learn about its navigational products with seminars and tours of manufacturing facilities in Olathe, Kansas, and Salem, Oregon.
Read more...
|
|
|
Travel
|
Article
In an effort to offer fun flying and educational opportunities year-round, Sun 'n Fun now offers different events throughout the year in addition to its capstone fly-in in April. Sun 'n Fun is inviting pilots to take part in a Bahamas Fly-Out Adventure it is hosting with the Bahamas Department of Tourism June 4 through 8. A Caravan will lead the way, and pilots can fly along in their own aircraft and spend five days and four nights on the islands.
For details, see the Sun 'n Fun website...
|
|
|
Financial
|
Article
Bombardier Inc. has taken another bite out of its bizjet production, announcing 1,750 layoffs and blaming soft demand for the Global series.
Read more...
Article
Applications are now open for almost $120,000 worth of scholarships that will help student pilots and teens achieve their aviation goals. The AOPA Foundation will award 25 flight training scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $12,000 through the 2015 AOPA Flight Training Scholarship Program. AOPA also will award up to $15,000 in financial assistance to AOPA AV8R teen members to help them pursue an initial pilot certificate, study in an accredited aviation program, or attend an aviation or aerospace camp.
Read more...
AOPA Foundation focus
The AOPA Foundation is once again awarding 10 Giving Back grants to charities that are doing good work through general aviation. Submit your organization's letter of intent by June 1 at 5 p.m. Eastern time to be considered for one of the $10,000 grants. Remember: The application process has changed. Foundation staff will review the letters and ask a select number of organizations to submit a full grant proposal.
Learn more and submit your letter...
|
|
|
News and Notes
|
Article
British pilot Paul Bonhomme remains unbeaten in the 2015 Red Bull Air Race World Championship, while Americans Michael Goulian and Kirby Chambliss improved in Japan.
Read more...
Article
Textron Aviation subsidiaries Cessna and Beechcraft are both upgrading key aircraft in their lineups, with new King Air features and improved Latitude performance.
Read more...
|
|
|
Article
A new airplane for a new private pilot: Sporty's surprised Rick Okikawa of California May 16 with the news that he had won the Sporty's 2015 RV-12 Sweepstakes airplane. Read more...
Article
One of the 2014 recipients of an AOPA Foundation Giving Back grant put the dollars to use hiring an expert to teach life-saving skills. The Great Eastern Balloon Association offered "Flying in the Wires Environment" at no charge to participants. Nonprofit organizations still have time to submit letters of intent for the 2015 grants. Read more...
|
Article
AOPA announced May 20 that it has opened its popular flight training poll, a survey that allows student pilots at all levels to share feedback on their flight training experiences. Survey results are used to determine AOPA's annual Flight Training Excellence Awards. Read more...
Login required
AOPA members get free access to 12 online training programs worth $69 from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops. Topics include airmanship, single-pilot IFR, weather, emergencies, ATC, and more. Activate your free benefit through the AOPA Lifestyles Collection. Access the offer...
Blog
Few manufacturers are making personal helicopters these days, and those that are have to charge a hefty price to make up for the relatively small volume. That's why United Helicopter's work with old Hiller airframes is so enticing. United is taking Hiller's ubiquitous UH-12B and -C models and completely restoring them from the canopy to tail rotor.
Read more...
|
Career Opportunities
|
|
Aviation job board
Here's a one-of-a-kind career opportunity! Goulian Aerosports is searching for a motivated and detail-oriented A&P technician to join its team. This person will be the lead crew chief for the team's airshow Extra 330SC aircraft. Other job responsibilities include maintaining or assisting in the maintenance of fleet aircraft (Cirrus SR22, Cub, Edge 540), assisting in the setup and tear-down of the team's VIP hospitality unit while on event sites, and more.
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 accounting clerk; account executive, AOPA corporate partnerships; editorial intern; manager, airport policy; 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.
|
Question of the Week
|
Question
Air traffic control previously used the phrase "position and hold" to indicate that a pilot should be on the runway ready for takeoff, but should not take off yet. What is the phrase now used in place of "position and hold"?
Answer
The current phraseology is "line up and wait." (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Appendix 1.)
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA. |
|
|
|
 |
Education and Seminars
|
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Jun 13-14 - Orlando, Florida; Santa Clara, California; and Bloomington, Minnesota
Jun 20-21 - Sterling, Virginia
Jun 27-28 - Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; and Phoenix, Arizona
Jul 11-12 - Parsippany, New Jersey; and Millington, Tennessee
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
|
Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Jun 6 - Frederick, Maryland
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
|
Rusty Pilot Seminars
May 23 - Paia, Hawaii; and Morristown, Tennessee
May 30 - Pasco, Washington; Englewood, Colorado; Newtown, Pennsylvania; and Goleta, California
Jun 6 - Frederick, Maryland
Jun 20 - Winnemucca, Nevada
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aviation Calendar
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo Contest
|
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, "My lovely wife and I," was submitted by James Sessoms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ePilot Editors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
|
Contributors:
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
|
|
|
|
|
|
