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Top Stories
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Video
Performing the same tasks in the same way may lead us to overlook things we take for granted, potentially ending in disaster. Unintended Consequences, a new AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study—brought to you by AOPA Insurance—looks at why a twin impacted a mountain at night on what should have been a routine flight. Share these critical lessons learned with others.
Watch the video...
 
AOPA Live This Week
A record-setting turnout and gorgeous weather made the AOPA Fly-In at Washington's Bremerton National Airport on Puget Sound one big aviation party, with a perfect mix of aircraft and fun. A Virginia airport with a long history has a new lease on life and is helping create the next generation of pilots thanks to Liberty University. Also this week, the FAA clears the way for remote pilots to earn their certificates to fly drones.
Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Aug. 25...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Slideshow
A record number of aviation enthusiasts turned out for AOPA's second fly-in of 2016, filling Bremerton National Airport's ramps, runways, and parking lots with airplanes and automobiles for two days of sun-filled seminars, exhibits, and special events. The airport, its staff, and volunteers showcased the warm local hospitality and stellar Pacific Northwest beauty of Bremerton, Washington, across Puget Sound from Seattle. Read more...
Article
About 200 attendees at the AOPA Fly-In at Bremerton, Washington, managed to snag seats on two special tours Aug. 19. About half of that group was treated to a VIP tour of Boeing's massive factory in nearby Everett, where the iconic 747 is made, along with the Boeing 767, 777, and 787 models. Another group climbed aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, which was moored at Naval Base Kitsap. Read more...
AOPA Pilot
With historic Waco biplanes and high-end business jets, a nearby aviation museum that rivals the Udvar-Hazy Center, and an innovative aviation college, W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, is an aviator's dream. Join us for AOPA's third 2016 fly-in. Read more...
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Technique and Safety
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Flash-based; login required
Most ILS approaches are straightforward, but sometimes a component or onboard equipment doesn't work as advertised. Take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's IFR Chart Challenge: ILS Approach course to see how well you do with the various scenarios. Practice your skills now...
Video
In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Minimum Fuel vs. Fuel Emergency video, air traffic controllers explain that words matter when the fuel gauge points to empty. What should you say, and when should you say it? Watch the video for their advice...
Aircraft Maintenance
Mechanics sometimes make mistakes despite the best of intentions and even good procedures and practices. A&P Jeff Simon offers aircraft owners and pilots five post-maintenance actions they can take to prevent maintenance-related accidents. Read more...
Blog
In the event of an engine failure, airplanes have a distinct advantage of gliding farther than helicopters. However, helicopters can land with little to no groundspeed, greatly improving the survivability of those on board, explains Hover Power blogger Markus Lavenson.
Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
State government officials and representatives from various industries, including AOPA, gathered in Chicago recently for the National Conference of State Legislatures summit.
Read more...
Advocacy
AOPA joined Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) to host a roundtable event to discuss general aviation, small airports, and the transportation issues facing rural communities.
Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
The FAA has broad authority when it comes to medical certification matters. They have the authority to request medical records and information to aid them in determining a person's eligibility for medical certification under 14 CFR Part 67. Read more...
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Technology
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Video
Airlander 10, a large dirigible designed to haul 10 tons of cargo and stay aloft for days, was damaged during its second test flight. The 302-foot craft nosed into the ground in what Hybrid Air Vehicles described as a "heavy landing" on Aug. 24. Watch the video...
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Opinion
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Blog
Whether it's working together to enact changes in aviation laws (like the recent third class medical reform), lower the accident rate, correct general aviation's misperception in the public, or enjoy camaraderie, Opinion Leaders blogger Amy Laboda writes that "for us pilots life is better in the flock."
Read more...
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Gear
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Article
Lightspeed Aviation has added in-flight battery charging to its Tango wireless headset that uses LEMO connectors to interface with an aircraft panel.
Read more...
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Financial
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Article
With eight new pilots receiving their wings in July, Able Flight has opened its scholarship window for 2017. Read more...
Article
Aerosim Flight Academy in Orlando, Florida, is offering scholarships for qualified veterans who want to become professional pilots.
Read more...
AOPA Aviation Finance
The type of aircraft you choose to finance impacts the interest rate due to the risk factors. AOPA Aviation Finance President Adam Meredith describes the different risk factors and how they may affect the loan. Read more...
Webinar
Learn the ins and outs of buying an aircraft in this free recorded webinar that walks you through the process.
Log in to watch the webinar...
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News and Notes
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Article
Dozens of pilots, many of whom have been racing quadcopters and flying wings for just a year or two, tested their skills against one another on a twisting obstacle course built on Governors Island in New York to decide who is the fastest drone pilot in the country. A $50,000 purse was up for grabs at the 2016 U.S. National Drone Racing Championships.
Read more...
Member benefit
The high-speed, low-altitude thrill of the Red Bull Air Races is coming to Indianapolis Oct. 1 and 2, and spectators have the chance to expand the full-throttle experience during the AOPA Brickyard Bash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Yard of Bricks. Alternative rock band Edisun will perform live while attendees enjoy food and drinks. General admission to the AOPA Brickyard Bash is $30, but AOPA members can get a $10 discount by purchasing tickets using promo code AOPA16. Learn more and purchase tickets to the race and the AOPA Brickyard Bash...
You Can Fly
Rare is the pilot who does not know someone who learned to fly in a Cessna 150. Rarer still is the general aviation airport where a few examples of the high-winged single can't be spotted in the pattern or on the flight line.
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Article
Imagine earning your pilot certificate and finding out the nearest airplane you can rent is four hours away, and you'll begin to understand what drove John Robinson to create a nonprofit organization to expand access to adapted aircraft.
Read more...
Public benefit flying award nominations to close
The National Aeronautic Association and Air Care Alliance are seeking nominations for the National Public Benefit Flying Awards. Nominees can be individuals or organizations who volunteer to fly for the benefit of others. Award categories are distinguished volunteer pilot, distinguished volunteer (nonflying person), and outstanding achievement in advancement of public benefit flying. The nomination deadline is Aug. 31.
Article
Robert B. "Glider Bob" Saunders, long known in the sailplane and motorglider community for his 13-year career as a U.S. demonstration pilot and flight instructor for Stemme AG, died Aug. 24 in the crash of his Stemme S10-VT motorglider. The crash occurred in the Prospect Basin area, five miles southeast of the Telluride, Colorado, airport, according to early reports. Read more...
Blog
Hover Power blogger Maria Langer previously offered insight into the professional helicopter pilot duties of cherry drying. This week, she explains the ins and outs of flying frost control over citrus trees and crops in southern and central California and Florida.
Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a flying clubs initiative senior manager, product marketing specialist, account executive, advertising-marketing coordinator, member services representative, Central Southwest regional manager, administrative coordinator, New York You Can Fly ambassador, aviation technical specialist, development specialist, government affairs federal and state vice president, communications director, donor relations director, and development communications director. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
You've been tasked with preparing a safety presentation for your flying club's upcoming bimonthly meeting. You were hoping to use some of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's online safety material, but the hangar used for the presentations doesn't have internet access. Are other resources available?
Answer
Yes. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety To Go portal is a free resource for those who do such presentations. All AOPA requires from you is some information about yourself and how you plan to use the resource. Available resources that you can download for offline use include the institute's seminar presentations, safety videos, Accident Case Studies, Real Pilot Stories, and more. It's an invaluable resource and is sure to be a hit with your club members.
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
Sep 10-11 - Elkridge, Maryland
Sep 17-18 - Phoenix, Arizona; and Sandston, Virginia
Sep 24-25 - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Oct 1-2 - Windsor Locks, Connecticut; and Hollywood, Florida
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
Sep 6 - Wichita, Kansas; Madison, Wisconsin; and Seattle, Washington
Sep 7 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Portland, Oregon
Sep 8 - Eugene, Oregon; Manitowoc, Wisconsin; and Bentonville, Arkansas
Sep 12 - East Hanover, New Jersey
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Aug 27 - Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Naples, Florida
Aug 31 - Racine, Wisconsin
Sep 8 - Newnan, Georgia
Sep 17 - Battle Creek, Michigan; Santa Paula, California; Roanoke, Virginia; Winter Haven, Florida; and Trenton, Maine
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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