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Top Stories
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You Can Fly
You Can Fly is different from other efforts to reverse the decline of the pilot population because it is a collection of targeted programs, each aimed at a different stage of the pilot lifecycle. The program, launched in January 2015, is off to a strong start, helping create 30 new flying clubs, getting more than 2,000 rusty pilots flying again, giving $105,000 in high school flight training scholarships, and more. Learn about the program, its successes, and plans for the next five years. Read more...
 
Article
The stories that captivated AOPA members in 2016 touched the core of what's important to pilots—being fit to fly; becoming better, safer aviators; saving airports; and learning about unique aircraft. Here's a look at the top 10 most popular stories from the year. Read more...
Slideshow
AOPA photographers delighted members in 2016 with stunning photography that invited pilots to explore general aviation and the community that drives it. Join these professionals on a behind-the-scenes visual journey to learn more about their top photo picks and to help celebrate aviation's special moments. Read more...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Slideshow
Looking back at the past three years of AOPA Regional Fly-Ins, the association has reached more members than it did with its previous yearly conventions. The 2016 AOPA Fly-In season closed Oct. 1 with a record attendance of more than 6,300 people. From 2014 to 2016, more than 43,000 people have attended and more than 6,000 aircraft have flown to the 16 locations across the country. Look back at the fun of the 2016 AOPA Fly-Ins and make plans to visit one of the 2017 events. Read more...
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Technique and Safety
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Article
You've heard the adage that "a pilot certificate is a license to learn." So you've vowed to stay current and proficient, but how do you satisfy that pledge? The AOPA Air Safety Institute picked its top 10 safety programs from 2016 to give you a great start. Read more...
Accident analysis
To deal with an emergency, pilots must understand exactly what takes priority. Emergency response could be described as involving two phases: immediate and slightly less immediate. Losing track of this hierarchy invites grief, but it's easily done during an adrenaline rush. That fact often rears its ugly head after engine failures, when the desire to get the aircraft back to the runway can obscure the utter necessity of keeping it under control. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute.
AOPA Premier Partner created content
Win a flight sim
When the frequency gets busy and air traffic controllers can't talk fast enough, it can seem like you've been forgotten—and perhaps you have. This can be unnerving when flying an instrument approach. How far will you let this situation deteriorate before you take preemptive action even though it may be in violation of an ATC clearance? This free training video from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops will give you much to ponder. Watch the video and enter for a chance to win this highly capable, three-monitor flight simulator worth more than $2,000. This is the perfect tool to keep your skills sharp at home.
Video
Unless you're a seasoned meteorologist, weather and its effect on your flight is one of the more difficult elements to grasp. AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Tom Horne explores ice-producing weather in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Flying the Weather: Airframe Icing. Learn what to look for and how airframe ice affects the aircraft's handling and that all-important facet of flying—lift. Watch the video...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
AOPA's advocacy for general aviation in 2016 helped shape major changes on numerous fronts affecting aircraft owners, pilots, student pilots, aircraft manufacturers, and drone operators. The New Year holds promise of building on the significant progress achieved on some of the issues most important to the future well-being of GA and most closely watched by pilots. Read more...
Advocacy
Increased information available to general aviation aircraft owners has resulted in fewer problems qualifying for the FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out rebate, said Rune Duke, AOPA director of airspace and air traffic. The biggest problem has been failing to fly for the required 30 minutes in 14 CFR 91.225 rule airspace, he explained. Thanks to AOPA articles and updates to the FAA's frequently asked rebate questions, "the FAA has seen a decline in the percentage of rule airspace failures." Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has withdrawn an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that could have led to a requirement for gliders to carry transponders, a costly upgrade that would have driven many glider pilots out of the sky. AOPA opposed the change soon after the FAA issued the advance notice of proposed rulemaking in 2015, citing limited benefit and high cost. Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has issued an airworthiness concern sheet in response to instances of camshaft gear teeth failures on several Continental Motors Inc. engines. The airworthiness concern sheet is intended as a means for the FAA to coordinate airworthiness concerns with aircraft owners and transmit them to AOPA for dissemination. Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has issued an airworthiness concern sheet related to the need to install an access panel and inspect some Piper PA-28 and PA-32 single-engine airplanes for main wing spar corrosion. Read more...
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Health
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Online resource
Which cold medication should you buy?
Winter is in full force across the United States and, unfortunately, so is cold and flu season. When you have a sniffle, do you know which cold remedies you can take and still be fit to fly? Check out AOPA's database of medications to find out which are FAA-approved for flight and which are not. Of course, if you have a full-blown cold and are feeling ill, it's best to stay on the ground.
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Technology
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Article
We've heard for years about electric aircraft, and watched the early development hampered by short range and limited flight time. And many must wonder, how practical will they really be? The answers have begun to take shape, in California and Colorado, along with Germany, not to mention circling around the world without a drop of fuel. Looking back on a busy year of new technologies and technological achievements, we'd be remiss not to mention new tools behind the firewall that are designed to make flying safer for everyone, and jet packs, though you can't have your own jet pack just yet. Read more...
Article
Prompt medical attention saves lives when people are injured in a natural disaster or terrorist attack, but responders often are delayed while the scene is secured, or roads are cleared. That's where the HiRO drone (Health Integrated Rescue Operations) can play a critical role, delivering much more than bandages: This drone virtually brings a doctor to the scene. Its deployable payload is a custom-made kit that includes Google Glass, eyewear that captures and displays live video. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Don't be quick to remove your engine's cylinders, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch. Inspect them with a borescope first. Read more...
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Financial
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AOPA Foundation focus
Forty-two aviation enthusiasts are on their way to earning their pilot certificates thanks to generous donations to the AOPA Foundation in 2016. Two more will be able to attend aviation summer camps, and another will receive financial assistance to pursue a flight science degree in college. The foundation provided $196,000 in scholarships to people ranging from high school teenagers to adults. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Podcast
Hear how Van's Aircraft RV builder and South Carolina State University President James Clark planned for—and then led—a formation flyover of Clemson stadium for his team's football game. Listen to the podcast...
Pilot Protection Services
Many pilots think that owning an airplane in an LLC provides absolute protection against all manner of liability. It does not. Read more...
Member benefit
Is there a pilot age limit for getting a new insurance policy? What do you need to know about insurance when flying to Canada or Mexico? When should student pilots purchase renter's insurance? AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar answers these questions in the December installment of "Ask Jim." 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 an aviation event operations senior manager, flying clubs initiative director, travel and destination products director, program administration manager, account executive, donor relations director, New York You Can Fly ambassador, aviation technical specialist, aviation financial analyst, and part-time administrative assistant. 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
While flying into an unfamiliar Class C airport, you receive the following clearance: "Cleared to land Runway 16, hold short of Runway 7L for landing traffic." Because you are unfamiliar with this airport, you have no idea how much runway is available. How can you better prepare for this situation in the future? Where are these distances published?
Answer
You can find information concerning land-and-hold-short operations in several sources, including this AOPA subject report and Section 4-3-11 of the Aeronautical Information Manual. The available landing distance data is available in the chart supplement (formerly the airport/facility directory); you also can ask ATC to provide the information.
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
Jan 7-8 - Charlotte, North Carolina; Rockford, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
Jan 14-15 - Bellevue, Washington; Elkridge, Maryland; and Ridgeland, Mississippi
Jan 21-22 - San Antonio, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Long Beach, California
Feb 11-12 - Fort Worth, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Kenner, Louisiana
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 9 - Reno, Nevada
Jan 10 - Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 11 - Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan 12 - Austin, Texas; and Santa Rosa, California
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Jan 14 - Bucyrus, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Stevensville, Maryland; Fort Myers, Florida; and Columbus, Georgia
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
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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