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Top Stories
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Article
For a fighter with a bad reputation, a group of pilots can't get enough of the North American F-100 Super Sabre, also called the Hun. The first jet to reach supersonic speeds in straight-and-level flight had qualities that would "bite you" if you exceeded its flight envelope, but for these men, it always got them home. Members of the Super Sabre Society are flying the F-100 again after nearly 50 years. Ed Haerter, whose last flight in the aircraft was a combat mission in Vietnam in February 1969, was all smiles May 17 after he flew, saying it felt "like I'd never been gone." Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
In Tornado Alley, news helicopters track storms to help warn people in the path of destruction. It's a life-saving mission that requires steady nerves and an expert approach. Also, David Wakefield spotted the vintage Navion in which his father learned to fly, crumbling into the pavement at Bermuda Dunes Airport. He decided to do something about that. And, watch America's Cup racing yachts slice through waves off New York with amazing speed that owes much to aviation technology. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, May 19...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
Who better to tell the story of general aviation, advise you on best flying practices, and bring you up to date on GA reforms and revitalization than the expert staff from your association? AOPA presenters are a highlight at the AOPA Fly-In May 20 and 21 in Beaufort, North Carolina. Read more...
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Technique and Safety
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Article
Lessons learned from investigating loss-of-control accidents involving general aviation aircraft, and new ideas to reduce the often-fatal mishaps, were in focus at a National Transportation Safety Board seminar held in partnership with AOPA and the FAA in Ashburn, Virginia, May 14. Read more...
Video
Pilots must fully understand the limitations of in-cockpit weather information, such as Nexrad radar, which can be as much as 20 minutes older than the age indication on the cockpit display. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study: Time Lapse looks at a pilot's mistake of relying on datalink weather displays to navigate around quickly developing weather systems with fast-moving convective activity. Watch the video...
AOPA Premier Partner created content
AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops has released a new video training program called Real World Coast to Coast. The program lets pilots experience long-range IFR and VFR flying like never before with a left-seat view of an epic journey from New Jersey to Southern California that teaches and inspires. Throughout the legs of the trip, the viewer will experience a wide range of flight conditions, ATC interactions, and the kind of real-world circumstances not normally seen in traditional training programs. Detailed briefings and debriefs accompany each leg and focus on what went right, what went wrong, and how to avoid or correct mistakes. Details and samples are available from PilotWorkshops...
PDF
Although accidents and injuries from propellers are not widespread, they are serious. Most are easily avoidable. The propeller deserves respect on the ground and in the air. Learn about propeller maintenance and how to ensure passenger safety in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Advisor. Download the PDF...
Online resource
If you want to share general aviation safety information at a local community event, just visit the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety To Go portal and download seminars and videos that you can present at your flying club, fly-in, fixed-base operator, or flight school. New products are added quarterly. Download your favorite products...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
Third class medical reform will once again go to the full Senate for a vote, this time as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has made the form used to apply for a certificate of aircraft registration available online, saving many registrants the need to acquire a paper copy of the form from an FAA office. Read more...
Advocacy
Both the U.S. House and Senate have passed legislation to allow veteran Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) back into Arlington National Cemetery. Read more...
Advocacy
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that a district court prematurely dismissed a lawsuit that was brought by the city of Santa Monica to resolve the issue of whether it is obligated to continue operating Santa Monica Municipal Airport. The May 16 decision sends the case back to the federal district court, and reopens the question of whether the property on which the airport is located could revert to the federal government if it ceases to be used as an airport. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
AOPA Director of Medical Certification Gary Crump shares what the FAA is working on to streamline the medical certification process. Read more...
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Technology
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Article
A proof of concept of the Sun Flyer, a two-seat aircraft from Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. that flies on solar power, made its debut May 11 at Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
If you ask a mechanic about some mechanical discrepancy and get the response, "They all do that," or "It's the nature of the beast," consider this a big red flag, and go get an expert second opinion. Doing so might just save your bacon, according to Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch. Read more...
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Travel
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Online resource
Some of the world's most beautiful natural landscapes and incredible cities lie just across the Canadian border. Learn how to fly there safely with AOPA's subject report on flying to Canada. The online resource covers pre-trip preparations, regulations for flying in the country, cross-border operations, and more. Read more...
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Financial
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Member benefit
You're buying or have bought an airplane, and you need insurance for it. Before calling your insurance broker, follow these tips to gather some facts and figures about your new airplane. There are different types of coverage the broker will talk to you about. Read more...
Member benefit
When buying an aircraft, having a good sales/purchase agreement in place is as important as, or even more important than, securing appropriate financing. A sales/purchase agreement allows the buyer to move more quickly and confidently toward the purchase. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
American Airlines first officer Steve Clarke was confident and dapper in his flight uniform inside Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport's terminal while airline passengers scurried past him for their early morning connections. At age 50, he credits determination, luck, and a timely AOPA Rusty Pilots seminar as the cornerstones for his new aviation career. Read more...
Article
Robinson Helicopter Co. is ready to sell the R44 Cadet following FAA certification announced this month. The two-seat trainer shares the airframe, rotor system, and Lycoming engine of the R44 Raven, minus two seats, and is priced to appeal to the training market. Read more...
Article
AOPA is committed to helping more pilots take flight through flying clubs, and is promoting the creation of flying clubs by awarding a Reimagined Cessna 150 to a startup flying club this October with the Flying Club 150 Giveaway. Read more...
Article
Students at Weyauwega-Fremont High School in Wisconsin erupted in applause and high-fives when they were announced as the winners of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association/Build A Plane Aviation Design Challenge. The team, which consists of four students, a teacher, and a chaperone, will travel to Arlington, Washington, to help build a Glasair Sportsman. 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 financial analyst, Great Lakes regional manager, medical certification specialist, marketing specialist, communications director, pilot community development coordinator, Great Lakes "You Can Fly" ambassador, donor relations director, AOPA Foundation communications director, and marketing copywriter. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
While on a long cross-country flight, you receive a request from ATC for a pilot report about the "ride" or turbulence. You can't remember the precise terminology for describing the intensity and frequency. You struggle your way through an answer, but you want to be better prepared in the future. Where can you find this information so you can review it and add notes to your kneeboard?
Answer
Information on the terms used to describe turbulence can be found in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Section 7-1-23, "PIREPs Relating to Turbulence." Turbulence reports are subjective, but they are even harder to interpret if pilots don't use the same terms and definitions. For more information, take the SkySpotter: Pireps made easy online course from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.
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
May 21-22 - Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas
Jun 4-5 - Tempe, Arizona; and Orlando, Florida
Jun 11-12 - Bloomington, Minnesota; Ashburn, Virginia; and Charlotte, North Carolina
Jun 25-26 - Santa Clara, California; and Columbus, Ohio
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
May 21 - Beaufort, North Carolina
Jun 3 - Garden City, New York
Jun 15 - Frederick, Maryland
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
May 21 - Cozad, Nebraska; Broomfield, Colorado; and Stevensville, Maryland
May 28 - Ocala, Florida; and Conroe, Texas
Jun 1 - Northampton, Massachusetts
Jun 4 - Southbridge, Massachusetts
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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