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Top Stories
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Article
The NTSB continues to hammer away at general aviation safety, though the latest data show GA has never been safer. NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart said Jan. 13 that the safety record of business aviation is improving, while personal flight safety is declining. This notion may be out of date, since 2013 and 2014 saw the lowest accident numbers in 25 years, and signs point to continued improvement. Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
General aviation remains on the NTSB's Most Wanted list, even though GA accidents are at or near all-time lows. Flying clubs are about more than airplanes, and the people in those clubs may be just the thing to rekindle your love of flying. Also, find out how good guys with drones might capture drones flown by bad guys, and get a look at a drone you can actually ride in. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Jan. 14...
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Technique and Safety
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Video
Midair collisions are far less common than we may think, but while the risk of having one is low, the consequences are not. In this new video, the AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at some of the commonalities among midair collisions, and offers strategies for minimizing your chance of being involved in one. Watch the video...
Flash-based; login required
With cold weather overspreading many regions in the country, it's time for a brisk refresher on how to avoid conditions conducive to icing. While you may already take time for a thorough weather briefing, there's more you can do to stay safe and be properly prepared for winter flying. Take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise: Precipitation and Icing course...
AOPA Premier Partner sponsored content
Sometimes the most powerful learning experiences are the ones you wish never happened. On this short flight, two experienced pilots nearly ended up becoming a statistic. It was only by chance that the cameras were running and caught it all for later analysis. Here's the behind-the-scenes story of the accident that almost happened, but didn't. Watch this powerful eight-minute video from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops...
Video
How do you exit an airplane that has ditched in the water? Pilot Bryan Webster recounts his experience as a passenger in a submerged Cessna 150 and shares the knowledge he's gained since then. Webster founded a company that specializes in water egress techniques and has trained hundreds of pilots in the proper procedure. Find out what should be on your mind before your next overwater flight...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
It's never too early to set your sights on a great flying adventure. Why not add one of the four AOPA Regional Fly-Ins to your logbook this year? Read more...
Article
A special feature at the Bremerton Regional Fly-In in Washington State this summer will be a component dedicated to seaplanes—an important constituent of the Northwest's aviation population. Bremerton is located west of Seattle, across Puget Sound. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
With Congress back in session, the question on the minds of many pilots is, "What's next for third class medical reform?" With passage of the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2 by the full Senate at the end of 2015, the legislation moves on to the House for its consideration. But with other big aviation issues on the table, the standalone legislation could take a backseat to a more comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill. Read more...
Advocacy
Members of the House General Aviation Caucus are urging the FAA to protect federally obligated airports and expressing their support for a recent finding that Santa Monica Municipal Airport must remain open and operating at least until 2023. Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has published a final rule that changes the way student pilot certificates will be issued and withdraws plans to require photos on all pilot certificates, a proposal AOPA vigorously opposed. Read more...
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Health
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Answers for Pilots
If you fail the color vision test during your FAA medical exam, a limitation preventing night flying or receiving color signal controls will be placed on your medical certificate. However, there are other methods of color vision testing available to have the limitation removed. Read more...
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Technology
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Article
Airbus drew attention at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, displaying a system made to capture and control rogue drones. It's one of many being developed around the world as public agencies and private entities race to develop defenses against unmanned aircraft that are being operated by people with bad intentions. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Aircraft misfueling left undetected can have catastrophic consequences. If you do catch it during the preflight, remedying the situation is quite the ordeal, as Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch explains from personal experience when his Cessna T310R was misfueled with Jet A. He also offers tips on how to spot fuel contamination.
Read more...
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Travel
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Article
Two New York pilots circumnavigating South America for multiple sclerosis awareness have battled unexpected challenges, equipment issues, and weather delays while trying to spread their message of hope. Read more...
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Financial
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AOPA Foundation focus
The "amazing generosity" of new and renewing members of the AOPA Foundation's Hat in the Ring Society powered it to a record-breaking 2015. Read more...
Member benefit
AOPA Aviation Finance can secure a loan for members for engine overhauls, avionics upgrades, paint, interior, and more. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
A French aerobatic champion is among three freshman pilots gearing up for Red Bull Air Race action in 2016, making history as she flies. Mélanie Astles, a national aerobatic team member in France, will be the first woman to race in the world championship series. Read more...
Article
New private pilot Stephanie Stechschulte says she was a panicky passenger before she earned a pilot certificate. Read more...
Pilot Protection Services
Many aircraft owners and pilots are fretting about the Jan. 1, 2020, mandate to equip with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out in order to continue to access certain airspace. However, Director of AOPA's Legal Services Plan Mike Yodice points out that the sky is not falling—it's just shrinking. Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
The navigation and guidance commercial sales manager will develop strategies for OEM pursuits; pursue global airline opportunities; and secure opportunities in the commercial OEM and aftermarket arena to meet operating plan, margin expansion, and long-term growth goals for the product line. 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 marketing copywriter; Web project manager; AOPA Aviation Finance account executive, analyst I, and loan processor; High School Aviation Initiative senior director; member services representative; Legal Services Plan attorney; major gift officer; and insurance account executive.To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
A friend is hoping to get some air-to-air photos of his aircraft and proposes that the two of you do some formation flying so that he can get the pictures he wants. You have no formation flying experience and are not sure this sounds like a great idea. Can this flight be done legally?
Answer
Yes, this flight can be done legally, but there are a few requirements. 14 CFR 91.111 states:
"(a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.
(b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation.
(c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight."
Whether this flight is safe is up to the pilot in command of each aircraft. Training is available from several organizations and companies. Check out AOPA's articles and videos on this topic.
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 16-17 - Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; and Elkridge, Maryland
Jan 23-24 - Rockford, Tennessee; Long Beach, California; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
Feb 6-7 - Las Vegas, Nevada; and Louisville, Kentucky
Feb 20-21 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Sacramento, 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
Jan 18 - Mesa, Arizona
Jan 19 - Tucson, Arizona; and Fort Worth, Texas
Jan 20 - El Paso, Texas; and Addison, Texas
Jan 21 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Jan 16 - Lebanon, Tennessee
Jan 20 - Racine, Wisconsin
Jan 21 - Sebring, Florida
Jan 23 - Tulsa, Oklahoma; Carson City, Nevada; Houston, Texas; Sebring, Florida; and Brunswick, 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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