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News & Media April 28, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

April 28, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

AOPA
VOL 19, ISSUE 17 April 28, 2017
Click here for this week's custom content.
BasicMed News
AOPA
Advocacy
Members sizing up BasicMed
As thousands of pilots hurried to get on board with the FAA's new BasicMed rules that will allow eligible pilots to fly starting May 1 without a third class medical certificate, members kept the AOPA Pilot Information Center on its toes fielding procedural questions and requests for guidance. Most expressed relief and delight that BasicMed has "finally crossed the finish line." Read more >
Member Benefit
Insurance marketplace embraces BasicMed
AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar has good news for pilots who plan to fly under BasicMed: Renters and aircraft owners can be covered, and rates shouldn't increase because of BasicMed. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
BasicMed arrival; Channel Islands adventure
With BasicMed set to take effect May 1 and the pieces now in place, we'll get you lined up and ready for takeoff. Also, as AOPA members and friends converge on Camarillo, California, we take you on a scenic side trip for one of general aviation's best-loved island hops. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 27 >
BasicMed resources
Download the BasicMed Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist
Watch 'A Guide to Understanding BasicMed'
Get answers to your questions with AOPA's Fit to Fly resources
Take AOPA's 'Medical Self-Assessment: A Pilot's Guide to Flying Healthy'
AOPA Fly-Ins
Article
Camarillo's Waypoint Café: More than a dining experience
There are many noteworthy $100 hamburger restaurants across the country, but the food and ambience at Camarillo Airport's Waypoint Café are hard to beat. It's a hangout for famous aviators, and it's adjacent to the ViewPort Community Park popular with families. Stop by during AOPA's Camarillo Fly-In April 28 and 29, presented by California Aeronautical University. Read more >
Technique and Safety
Video
Remove control lock—Check
Before taking off, pilots should confirm the flight controls move freely and operate as expected. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's ASI Safety Tip: Box the Controls video offers a practical, quick way to do this. Watch the video >
Aircraft Maintenance
ADS-B installations: Plan ahead
The last step in most Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast upgrade strategies is installation, but it's an important consideration that should be evaluated up front. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Simon.) Read more >
Accident analysis
Planning group fly-outs
A systematic approach to planning group fly-outs might not seem to foster the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of a casual pleasure outing, but the chance that a pleasant day could turn into a tragic one should justify making the preflight preparations feel more like work. Read more in this special report from the AOPA Air Safety Institute >
More safety products
Advocacy
Advocacy
FAA begins drone map release
The FAA on April 27 began to publish electronic maps for airports across the country that detail where and at what altitudes remote pilots may hope to achieve clearance to fly unmanned aircraft in certain types of controlled airspace. This information will be useful to all pilots. (Google Earth base map with FAA data overlay.) Read more >
Advocacy
AOPA, NTSB meet on aviation safety, accident reporting
The NTSB will participate in periodic meetings with AOPA and other aviation organizations in a joint effort to improve flight safety by establishing a regular channel for airing concerns and proposing solutions. Read more >
Advocacy
Military withdraws plan for Florida temporary restricted areas
The U.S. Air Force has withdrawn a proposal AOPA had opposed to establish temporary restricted areas south of the Eglin Air Force Base Range Complex in Florida to test technology to counter unmanned aircraft systems. Read more >
Technology
Article
Perlan soars near stratosphere
Airbus Perlan Project Chief Pilot Jim Payne expects the 17-mile vertical climb he aims to make in a glider will be easier than some might think. (Photo courtesy of James Darcy / Airbus.) Read more >
Article
Uber promises flying cars by 2020
Silicon Valley put down an ambitious marker in Dallas, with the multibillion-dollar, international ride-sharing giant Uber on April 25 predicting that long-elusive, practical flying cars will arrive by 2020, ready to be scaled for the masses. Read more >
Opinion
Blog
Continental's war on camshaft gears
Continental Motors has indicated it will mitigate some of the costly compliance requirements in its mandatory service bulletin that would require tens of thousands of Continental IO-470/520/550 engines to be torn down prematurely to replace the camshaft gears with slightly thicker gears. Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch spoke with the FAA and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the issue. Read more >
Gear
Article
SiriusXM receiver adds tunes to weather
Pilots interested in entertainment as well as timely weather data streamed into their cockpits can access both for an initial investment of less than $300. Sporty's Pilot Shop recently announced the addition of subscription-based SiriusXM satellite radio to the SXAR1 Aviation Receiver. Read more >
Travel
Pilot Getaways
Oceanfront opulence
Even though the views scream South Pacific, you're not in Fiji, and you don't need a passport to visit this island. Little Palm Island, a five-acre slice of heaven in the lower Florida Keys, is accessible only by seaplane or boat. It is a refuge of palm trees, dense tropical foliage, powder-white sand, island wildlife, and pristine ocean views. (Photo courtesy of Rob O'Neal/Key West Seaplanes.) Read more >
Financial
AOPA Aviation Finance
What you need to apply for an aircraft loan
Applying for an aircraft loan is more like getting a loan for a home than for a car. Find out what documents you'll need to provide when applying. Read more >
News and Notes
Article
Mooney CEO out
Mooney CEO Vivek Saxena appears to have stepped down after less than one year at the helm of the aircraft manufacturing firm. Read more >
Advocacy
Continental works to amend mandatory service bulletin
Continental Motors is working with the FAA to ensure that owners and operators of aircraft equipped with Continental IO-520/550 and some IO-470 engines "will not be burdened with unnecessary costs" by a mandatory service bulletin that could lead to an airworthiness directive requiring replacement of some camshaft gears, the company said. Read more >
Article
GA pilot Sonny Perdue confirmed as Agriculture Secretary
General aviation pilot and former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue was confirmed April 24 as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by an 87-11 Senate vote. Read more >
Article
Plaintiffs say lawsuit won't block Chino airshow
A cloud of doubt has been lifted from the 2017 Planes of Fame Air Show at California's Chino Airport after a group suing the show's sponsor dropped its request for an injunction against the event scheduled for May 6 and 7. Read more >
Article
International airshow Hall of Fame nominations open
The International Council of Air Shows, which inducted legendary performer R.A. "Bob" Hoover as the first Hall of Fame member in 1995, has opened nominations for the 2017 class. Past winners include a who's who of aerobatic pilots and other significant aviators, including the AeroShell Aerobatic Team. Read more >
Pilot Protection Services
Take note of aircraft condition notices
FAA inspectors issue aircraft condition notices on aircraft when potentially unsafe conditions are observed. Find out when inspectors typically tag aircraft and what to do if you receive a notice for your aircraft. Read more >
Blog
Top questions about AOPA's 172 Sweepstakes
AOPA's Cessna 172 Sweepstakes airplane is almost ready, and members are anxious to find out what the final product will look like—and when the winner will be announced. Read more >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: GTA Air captain
GTA Air is seeking pilots who meet 14 CFR Part 135 IFR single-pilot minimums to be based in Oklahoma City and various cities in Texas including Addison, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Austin. Applicants must be willing to relocate to their base city and be eligible to work in the United States. Flight time meeting 14 CFR 135.243 IFR minimums is required (1,200 total hours, 500 point-to-point cross-country, 100 night, 75 instrument). Read the full description and apply today >
AOPA career opportunities
Join the AOPA team
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for an accounting clerk, fleet captain, legislative affairs vice president, temporary UAS program coordinator, safety program coordinator, director of philanthropy, customer service representative, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, flight training technology senior director, aviation insurance sales director, project manager, UI/front-end developer, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Question of the Week
Question

If the weather at your destination is forecast to be three statute miles visibility and overcast at 1,000 feet at your time of arrival, are you required to file an alternate under instrument flight rules?
Answer
Yes. You must file an alternate unless the weather at your destination is forecast to be at least three statute miles visibility with a ceiling at or above 2,000 feet agl for at least one hour before and after your estimated time of arrival.

Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Education & Seminars
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
May 6-7 Albany, New York; Hollywood, Florida; and Pensacola, Florida
May 20-21 Conroe, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Sacramento, California
Jun 3-4 Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; and Tempe, Arizona
Jun 10-11 Lake Mary, Florida; and Santa Clara, California
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
Safety Seminars
May 1 Hampton, Virginia
May 2 Tampa, Florida; and Brandy Station, Virginia
May 3 Blacksburg, Virginia; and Fort Myers, Florida
May 4 Hollywood, Florida; and Richmond, Virginia
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Apr 28 Camarillo, California
Apr 29 Blaine, Minnesota; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Live Oak, Florida; Longmont, Colorado; Savoy, Illinois; Stevensville, Maryland; Camarillo, California; Corvallis, Oregon; and Chamblee, Georgia
May 6 Cincinnati, Ohio; Renton, Washington; Tampa, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Appleton, Wisconsin; Groveland, California; West Chicago, Illinois; and Gypsum, Colorado
May 7 Anchorage, Alaska
For a complete schedule, visit the AOPA Hangar. (Log in to the AOPA Hangar using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)
Aviation Calendar
Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. You can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region; include an event; or search all events in the calendar. (Log in to the AOPA Hangar using your AOPA website username and password to search the events or to add an event.) Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.
For airport details, including FBO fuel prices, see AOPA Airports. AOPA does not endorse or assume responsibility for the events submitted and listed in the calendar.
AOPA
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ePilot Editors:
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Jim Moore
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