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Technique and Safety
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Video
In this Accident Case Study, the AOPA Air Safety Institute uses ATC audio and radar data to share lessons from a pilot's unfortunate decisions during a vacuum pump failure in instrument meteorological conditions. The video highlights why it's critical for pilots and controllers to recognize and respond appropriately to in-flight emergencies.
Watch the video...
 
IFR Fix
Unlike in summer when high temperatures create performance-robbing high density altitude conditions, cold air is the villain of this piece, actually impugning an altimeter's credibility.
Read more...
Online resource
Looking for a free safety program to use at your community event, flying club, or flight school? The AOPA Air Safety Institute recently updated its "Safety To Go" download portal, so you can find what you need by category: seminar presentations, safety videos, Accident Case Studies, Real Pilot Stories, Pilot Safety Announcements, and Ask ATC. New products are added quarterly.
Check out the portal...
Flash-based, login required
Volunteer flying is exciting and rewarding, but it also requires a high level of professionalism and responsibility. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Public Benefit Flying: Balancing Safety and Compassion online course profiles real-world scenarios and includes an in-depth review of what it takes to provide patient and non-emergency medical transport, disaster relief, educational flights, and animal and environmental support. Take the course...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has brought third class medical reform one step closer to reality after adding an amendment to the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2. A full committee vote on the amended legislation was temporarily deferred as a result of scheduling conflicts. Read more...
Advocacy
Third class medical reform is closer than ever. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the coming changes, updated Nov. 18 based on the latest developments. Read more...
Advocacy
Seventeen aviation groups have sent a joint letter to leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, urging them to pass third class medical reform and other measures designed to protect general aviation pilots. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
Dr. Warren Silberman explains the causes, symptoms, and possible complications of hepatitis C, as well as how the condition affects a pilot's medical certificate. Read more...
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Technology
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Article
A leading drone manufacturer has unveiled technology to help operators of unmanned aerial vehicles make "smart, educated decisions" about where and when to fly. Read more...
Pratt & Whitney launches ag engine
Pratt & Whitney Canada announced on Nov. 16 its new PT6A-140A and PT6A-140AG engines, which are aimed at agricultural applications. The engines have a thermodynamic power rating of 1,075 shaft horsepower and a flat-rated, mechanical rating of 867 shp. By providing this margin of power, the engines are optimized for hot-and-high operations. For both engines, maximum power is available for full-load takeoffs at temperatures up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit/44 degrees Celsius. There also are no warm-up or cool-down requirements, and times between overhaul can be extended up to 8,000 hours or 12 years depending on the nature of the operations. Moreover, TBO is not tied to engine cycles, Pratt & Whitney officials said.
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Gear
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FlightFlix prop filter kit fixes distortion
Flight instructors and students using in-cockpit video to enhance their training scenarios have an inexpensive tool to clear up the picture in front of their windscreen. FlightFlixCameras.com's small stick-on filters affix to video camera lenses and help solve distracting propeller distortion problems on phones and other video devices. A camera filter variety pack is available online for $24.99.
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Travel
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AOPA Foundation focus
Three tropical getaways are among the thrilling packages offered in this year's AOPA Foundation online auction. Unforgettable vacation packages to Key West and Mexico are up for bid. Tax-deductible donations to the AOPA Foundation, including those made through the online auction, help the AOPA Air Safety Institute offer free safety and educational materials to pilots, among many other programs and services for the aviation community. Read more...
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Financial
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Article
A legacy of aviation excellence fostered by the husband and wife team of Frederick and Diane Fitts will continue through a new scholarship program funded by a memorial gift to the AOPA Foundation. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
A new ForeFlight component converts standard text weather briefings into a graphical format. Read more...
Article
Bad Elf has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund development of a new Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast receiver it plans to sell for $299 —or roughly half the cost of existing units. Read more...
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Article
The holiday season is here, and there are plenty of aviation-oriented gifts to keep pilots happy and safe without breaking anyone's budget. AOPA staff assembled a selection of economical gifts in two modest price ranges to simplify shopping and bring smiles to pilots' faces. Ten items under $20 should please Uncle Scrooge, and ten items under $50 are available for big spenders. Read more...
Article
The National Aviation Hall of Fame has nominated four to be enshrined during a ceremony Oct. 1, 2016, in Dayton, Ohio. Read more...
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Article
Kim Furst, the filmmaker who made Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project, received a $20,000 Combs Gates Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame presented by a group that included Hoover himself. Read more...
Article
AOPA members get discounted rates from three car rental brands that rank at the top of the latest J.D. Power survey: Enterprise, National, and Alamo. Enterprise claimed the top spot for the second straight year in a survey that also marked the highest overall satisfaction in more than a decade. Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
AAR is a rapidly growing global commercial and defense aerospace services provider that is looking for a talented product line manager. Job duties include P/L responsibility, OEM customer relationship accountability, team management, and identification of market trends to anticipate areas of opportunity. Read the full job description and apply today!
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a major gift officer; legal services plan administrative assistant; AOPA Foundation administrative assistant; account executive; and aviation event planner.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 are a sport pilot and would like to get your private pilot certificate. You received your training from a private pilot who also is a sport pilot CFI. Can you use this training to count toward your private pilot certificate?
Answer
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Because a sport pilot CFI is not considered an "authorized instructor" for the private pilot certificate, any training received from one cannot be used toward the 20 hours of flight training required to earn a private pilot certificate. However, you can count the solo time you logged during that training toward the private pilot certificate.
FAR 61.413 explains the privileges of the sport pilot CFI. If there is even a remote chance that you may want to get a private pilot certificate or higher rating after getting your sport pilot certificate, consider getting that training from a full CFI to avoid paying for the same training twice.
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
Dec 5-6 - Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; and Northbrook, Illinois
Jan 9-10 - Spokane, Washington; Charlotte, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; Santa Clara, California; and Ridgeland, Mississippi
Jan 16-17 - Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Elkridge, Maryland
Jan 23-24 - Rockford, Tennessee; Long Beach, California; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
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
Jan 11 - Reno, Nevada; and The Woodlands, Texas
Jan 12 - Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 13 - Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan 14 - Santa Rosa, California; and Austin, Texas
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Dec 3 - West Windsor, New Jersey
Dec 5 - Scottsdale, Arizona; and Winter Haven, Florida
Dec 12 - Stow, Massachusetts
Dec 17 - Addison, Texas
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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