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Top Stories
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Article
AOPA will host four regional fly-ins, all in new locations, in 2016: North Carolina, Washington, Michigan, and Arizona. "We've been overwhelmed by the success of the AOPA Fly-Ins, so we're excited to bring them to brand new locations, with new seminars, social events, and activities for 2016," said AOPA President Mark Baker. Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
AOPA gets intercepted by an F-16 over California, but we didn't break the rules. This close encounter is part of the association's effort to work with government agencies and flight planning providers to help general aviation pilots steer clear of trouble. More supporters are co-sponsoring legislation that would ease the medical certification burden for thousands, and a flight training scholarship winner gets another piece of good news. Plus, fly along with reigning world freestyle aerobatic champion Rob Holland as he takes another gold in Texas. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 1...
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Tektober 2015
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Technology has the potential to improve pilots' lives by making flying safer and easier, boosting power and performance, and improving efficiency. For the month of October, AOPA will highlight how technology affects our lives—from how pilots can make the most of tools available now to game-changing tech on the horizon. Look for a new theme each week online and in AOPA ePilot, and share your thoughts with AOPA on Facebook and Twitter.
Advocacy
AOPA is working with the military, government agencies, and flight planning service providers to help general aviation pilots avoid violating temporary flight restrictions. Find out how technology you are probably already using in the cockpit can now provide extra situational awareness and resources. Read more...
PDF download
Whether we fly VFR or IFR, when we use our GPS the goal is to make the equipment do what we need, when we need it. Read tips from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's GPS From the Ground Up Safety Advisor and go beyond "Direct To." Download the Safety Advisor...
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Technique and Safety
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Accident analysis
In the mountains, navigational errors risk more than just embarrassment. Pilots can’t blindly rely on GPS and electronic flight bags to get them safely around or over high terrain. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute...
IFR Fix
What's 160 feet worth on a close instrument approach? It could be the difference between a quick landing and a lengthy missed approach, followed by a diversion. However, it comes with extra work for the pilot flying the VOR Runway 6 approach into Tullahoma Regional Airport in Tennessee. Read more...
Competition Aerobatics 101
A long, hot day of waiting capped by an aerobatic twofer did not prove the best possible recipe for solid scores. A new aerobatic competitor had a lot to learn in the U.S. Nationals box in Texas, but there was a silver lining in store, and a lesson in what really counts when the results are in. Read more...
Video
On August 27, 2006, just an hour before sunrise, the crew of a regional jet received a clearance to taxi to Runway 22 at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. But in the pre-dawn darkness they taxied to the wrong runway for takeoff with dire results. Watch the Air Safety Institute's accident animation to learn from this mistake...
Webinar
Learn about the advanced flight planning capabilities available at Lockheed Martin's www.1800wxbrief.com in a free webinar Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. AOPA and Lockheed Martin staff will be on hand to answer your questions. Register today...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Slideshow
More than 2,150 attendees reveled in Colorado-blue skies, warm temperatures, and the camaraderie of aviation enthusiasts out for a fly-in. "I would do this every week," claimed Colorado Jet Center manager Aaron Wood, whose fixed-base operation was a host for the fourth 2015 AOPA Fly-In. "This is at the heart of what we're all about. There are wings everywhere!" Read more...
Article
Aerobatics instructor Catherine Cavagnaro understands why many pilots are hesitant to try spin training. Her goal is to impress upon them that with proper knowledge and proper altitude, spins are "fun up high, but deadly down below." Pilots can learn more about spins during Cavagnaro's presentation at AOPA's Tullahoma, Tennessee, Fly-In Oct. 10. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association answer some of the most common questions about modifications to the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2. Read more...
Advocacy
Funding for the FAA will be extended through March 31, 2016, under legislation passed by the House and Senate just ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and how does the FAA look at this condition regarding medical certification? Dr. Warren Silberman explains. Read more...
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Technology
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Blog
AgustaWestland says its game-changing AW609 Tiltrotor offers rotorcraft capabilities with turboprop speeds, but the new aircraft's $30 million price tag might limit the technology to a handful of well-heeled executives until its appeal grows. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Flight simulators have been proving their worth since the 1930s, and today's sophisticated devices offer total control for instructors and advantages to students on a budget, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda. Read more...
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Gear
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Article
Sporty's has unveiled its 2015 Christmas ornament, and this year's pick is the V-tail Bonanza. However, aviation enthusiasts also can order an ornament of a high wing, low wing, twin, or taildragger, and have it inscribed with an N number to commemorate a special aircraft or piloting milestone. Read more...
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Financial
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AOPA Foundation focus
Twenty-four individuals have been selected as winners of the 2015 AOPA Flight Training Scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $12,000. Read more...
Article
Airplanes cost too much, so American Champion is taking a look at its $200,000 Adventure to see if it can be stripped down to a still-powerful $160,000 model. Read more...
Article
Volunteers restoring the B-29 Superfortress Doc have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the money needed for the flight test program. They have 30 days to raise $137,500; nearly $17,000 was pledged on the first day. Read more...
AOPA Foundation focus
Pilots who join the AOPA Foundation's Hat in the Ring Society, renew their participation, or upgrade their giving before Dec. 31 will have their efforts matched. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
Rob Holland captured an unprecedented fifth consecutive national aerobatic championship, then added freestyle gold to his mounting medal count. To say the legendary airshow and competition performer dominated the 2015 U.S. National Aerobatic Championships is something of an understatement. Read more and watch a video of Holland's freestyle performance...
Article
British pilot Paul Bonhomme closed in on his third Red Bull Air Race Championship, balancing risks and rewards at the Texas Motor Speedway. Bonhomme added 12 points to his season total with a Sept. 27 final-round race victory in Fort Worth. He heads to Las Vegas for the final race of the season with Australia's Matt Hall—now 12 points in trail—the only pilot close enough to tie Bonhomme, at least theoretically. Read more...
Article
The National Hurricane Center reported Oct. 1 that Hurricane Joaquin had strengthened overnight, with peak winds at 105 knots and expected to intensify. Forecast models produced very different tracks, but pilots should watch the storm's path and prepare to protect their aircraft. AOPA offers a detailed briefing online that covers the essentials of storm preparation for aircraft owners. Read more...
Article
Five Travel Airs, all of them 86 to 88 years old, flew more than 1,000 statute miles to honor the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the famous manufacturer. Read more...
Article
OpenAirplane, a free service that offers renter pilots a "universal checkout," allowing them to rent aircraft at multiple participating locations, has surpassed 10,000 members. Read more...
Slideshow
Just released are aerial and ground images by Andrew Moore of the Old West at the nation's dividing line. Prairie bush pilot Doug Johnson landed on the plains to get the photos. Read more...
Article
Longtime senior editor Stephen Pope has been named editor in chief of Flying magazine, the publisher announced Sept. 30. Read more...
Article
In the 1940s air travel was still an expensive and mysterious adventure; because of that, airport happenings made it into the local newspaper in Plainview, Texas. The column is still running, making all 21,860 residents aware of the goings-on at the airport. Read more...
Article
Wheels Up is taking breast cancer awareness to new heights for the next 12 months. The membership-based private aviation company's specially outfitted pink Beechcraft King Air 350i took off Oct. 1 on a year-long campaign to invite contributions benefiting the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai Hospital. Read more...
Flying Fridays: Share your smiles
Happy that you're flying? Share photos of you, your friends, and your loved ones smiling in and around airplanes. Join the #AOPASmiles campaign by telling us where you are, what you're doing, who you're with, and why you're smiling! Just tag your photos with #AOPASmiles every Friday for our #FlyingFriday #AOPASmiles campaign.
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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 an account executive; human resources coordinator; legal services plan specialist; payroll technician; database developer; aviation event planner; manager of aviation safety programs; ambassador—Texas; director of aviation security; director of media relations; and director of regulatory affairs.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 just came back from an IFR cross-country flight that was mostly in instrument meteorological conditions. You log only one approach for the entire flight (the one at your destination and not the one back into your home airport) because you exited IMC prior to the final approach fix. Should you be able to log the second approach because you were in IMC when you were cleared for the approach?
Answer
No. The second approach into your home airport cannot be logged for instrument currency or training because you were not on the final approach segment of the approach when you exited IMC. The "Dicussion" section of the FAA's "Information for Operators" (InFO) #15012 covers this scenario: "A pilot may log an IAP for currency or training when the pilot accomplishes the IAP in accordance with the following conditions: ... 5. When conducted in an aircraft maneuvering in IMC, and the aircraft transitions from IMC to visual flight conditions on the final approach segment of the IAP prior to or upon reaching MDA or DA/DH." This document is good to review and presents several scenarios that will help you determine what counts for currency and training.
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
Oct 10-11 - Nashville, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Oct 17-18 - Wichita, Kansas; and Santa Clara, California
Oct 24-25 - Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov 7-8 - Atlanta Georgia; and San Diego, 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
Oct 5 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Murray, Kentucky; and Reno, Nevada
Oct 6 - West Des Moines, Iowa; Somerset, Kentucky; Germantown, Tennessee; and Sacramento, California
Oct 7 - Bellevue, Nebraska; Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Milpitas, California
Oct 8 - Olathe, Kansas; Alcoa, Tennessee; and Rohnert Park, California
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Oct 3 - Lakeland, Florida; and Prineville, Oregon
Oct 10 - Tullahoma, Tennessee; and Henderson, Nevada
Oct 11 - Middletown, Pennsylvania
Oct 13 - Fort Myers, Florida
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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