August 11, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 32	August 11, 2017

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Top Stories

AOPA Foundation focus

AOPA Foundation awards 2017 Flight Training Scholarships

Eighteen scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 were awarded to individuals nationwide who will now be able to fulfill their dream of completing flight training. Through the support of generous donors, the AOPA Foundation awards scholarships annually. Read more >

Slideshow

Behind the scenes with the Phillips 66 Aerostars

Preparation for the Phillips 66 Aerostars' precision aerobatic performance begins in the dead of winter, months before crowds crane their necks toward the sky. "We pretty much live, eat, and sleep aviation," said Phillips 66 Aerostars pilot Paul "Rocket" Hornick. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Into the heart of storm prediction; BasicMed thrives

With the Norman, Oklahoma, AOPA Fly-In less than a month away, we tour the National Weather Center, where watchful eyes follow storms across the country and the science of future forecasting is developed. Also this week, BasicMed is thriving, and ride with a popular airshow act. As of publication deadline, producers were still finalizing the Aug. 10 edition of AOPA Live This Week®. Watch the show Aug. 11 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

Experience Sooner hospitality at AOPA Fly-In

The first Sooners entered the Unassigned Lands in today's Oklahoma before the Land Rush of 1889. Today the term's a nickname for Oklahoma natives and residents. Sooners are well known for their hospitality; you'll see when you touch down in Norman for the AOPA Fly-In Sept. 8 and 9. Read more >

Slideshow

Sailboats, Gilded Age mansions delight in Newport

In Newport, Rhode Island, visitors can cruise Narragansett Bay, help sail an America's Cup racing yacht, explore mansions and lighthouses, and see the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Check it out on your way to or from AOPA's Groton, Connecticut, Fly-In Oct. 6 and 7. You can sign up for a fly-out to Newport on Oct. 6. Read more >

Technique and Safety

AOPA Insurance Services

Life-saving training

Step inside an altitude chamber with AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar and learn about the effects of hypoxia. Read more >

Video

Tackling the touchdown

Having trouble gauging your touchdown point on the runway? Check out this handy trick to help you stay on target during short final. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety Tip: Aiming Point teaches a simple technique for touching down at the right place at the right time. Watch the video >

Airspace 101

Do you need an air traffic control clearance to fly through complex airspace using a published VFR transition route? Find the answer and learn other airspace tidbits in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Airspace quiz. Take the quiz >

Video

Out of options

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study: Final Approach reviews mistakes and missed opportunities that led a Piper Arrow to collide with trees. This tragedy reminds us to recognize an emergency for what it is and deal with it before it's too late. Watch the video, brought to you by AOPA Insurance >

Advocacy

BasicMed: 15,000 cleared for takeoff

BasicMed launched fewer than 100 days ago, and more than 15,000 pilots have completed the checklist, exam, and AOPA Medical Self-Assessment online course and are now eligible to fly under the new rule that provides an alternative to third class medical certification. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA denies FBO's lease termination complaint

In a decision that should put airport operators and fixed-base operators on notice regarding reasonable access and prices, the FAA denied Signature Flight Support's Part 16 complaint to repeal its lease termination at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. Read more >

Advocacy

AD issued for Lycoming engine bushings

The FAA has issued a direct final rule airworthiness directive requiring inspection of some Lycoming engines to identify and replace connecting rods with non-conforming small end bushings that could fail and cause the engine to lose power. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Don't miss a beat

Palpitations, although usually innocuous, can be the early warning sign of a problem that needs to be treated so you can continue flying. Read more >

Technology

Article

Solar eclipse on FAA's ATC calendar

Everyone wants a piece of the upcoming solar eclipse. Add in the launch of nearly 100 high-altitude balloons that will capture images of the rare passage of the moon in front of the sun's disk for the Eclipse Ballooning Project, which will include 58 teams of high school and college students from 31 states. The event is looming large on ATC's radar scope. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Know thyself

Before jumping headlong into a particular aviation career, take time to do some soul searching and determine what kind of flying you want to do, counsels Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp. Read more >

Blog

ATC privatization 'best practice worldwide' refuted by reality

Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher describes firsthand experience flying in Europe's privatized air traffic control environment and refutes the assertion that ATC privatization is "a best practice worldwide." Read more >

Gear

Article

Avionics retrofits increase

The Aircraft Electronics Association said an increase in avionics retrofits during the first half of 2017 more than made up for a decline in factory avionics sales during the period. Read more >

Article

Free app turns iPhone into airport spotter

FlyQ Insight is an unconventional new aviation app that moves the iPhone directly into the pilot's line of sight and uses the device's internal camera to interpret the landscape. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Rare warbirds, thrilling airshow

Madras, Oregon, is home to the Erickson Aircraft Collection, as well as the annual Airshow of the Cascades, held each August. Madras also is expected to be one of the best viewing spots for the solar eclipse on Aug. 21. A notam establishing a temporary control tower and Class D airspace will be in place for the occasion. Read more >

Article

Gates to Heaven's Landing opening for solar eclipse

Pilots looking for a high-mountain solar eclipse adventure on the East Coast are invited to Heaven's Landing Airpark—a private airstrip tucked among tall Georgia pines, rolling hills, and forests—as long as they make prior arrangements. Read more >

Slideshow

Fly to the national parks in Arizona

Arizona's national parks include one of the greatest spectacles on Earth: the Grand Canyon. But there are many other scenic wonders in this diverse state. Read more >

Slideshow

Explore national parks in the Central Southwest

Whether you're deep inside a cave under the New Mexico desert, high above St. Louis inside the Gateway Arch, or floating down a quiet stretch of the Rio Grande, these National Park units will surprise and thrill you. (Photo by Nick Hristov, courtesy of the National Park Service.) Read more >

Financial

Video

Weigh the pros and cons of aircraft co-ownership

Learn about the benefits and challenges of aircraft co-ownership in this recorded livestream brought to you by the AOPA Aviation Finance Co. Watch the video >

AOPA Aviation Finance

Avoid common mistakes that can delay an aircraft purchase

Buying and selling an aircraft can be a lengthy process. Learn from AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith how to avoid four common mistakes that could delay the transaction. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

The Phantom of the Oshkosh

Retired fighter pilot Greg Hughes of Austin, Texas, waited patiently during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, hoping to catch a glimpse of a McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom like the ones he flew during his years in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air National Guard. Read more >

Survey

Last chance to rate your flight training experience

AOPA's 2017 Flight Training Experience Survey closes Aug. 14, so be sure to share what your training has been like during the past 12 months. Survey results are used to honor the best flight instructors and flight schools in five regions and nationwide. Just for completing the survey, you are eligible to enter to win one of six prizes. Award winners will be announced at Redbird Flight Simulations' annual conference in October. Take the survey >

Article

Ditching pilot charged with fraud

Texas pilot Theodore R. Wright III emerged from the Gulf of Mexico in 2012 with a story to tell about ditching a Beechcraft Baron. He and his passenger now face trial for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud in connection with that event, among others. Read more >

Article

NTSB finds wrong turn led to fatal Icon crash

The fatal accident that claimed the life of renowned aircraft designer Jon Karkow and a passenger took place after Karkow mistakenly turned into a steep-sided canyon at low altitude, the NTSB concluded. Read more >

Article

Airshow legend Sean D. Tucker's next move

Legendary aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker, known to thousands for his 40 years of airshow sky dancing, will soon be hanging up his 13-minute solo set for a seven-ship formation routine. Tucker gave AOPA a glimpse into his future during EAA AirVenture. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Citation Excel captain

Meridian Air Charter, a Teterboro, New Jersey-based aircraft charter and management company, has an immediate opening for an experienced Citation Excel captain in Hayward, California. The successful candidate must be highly motivated and organized, and must exhibit strong leadership skills. The captain will be responsible for conducting Part 135 charter flights in accordance with Meridian Air Charter policy and procedures and within FAA regulations and guidelines. 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 a Flying Clubs Initiative manager, graphic designer, video producer, research and analysis director, operations clerk, copy editor, marketing project coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

You recently became instrument current in a helicopter but have not done any approaches in airplanes for eight months. Does your instrument currency in helicopters carry over to airplanes?

Answer

No. Instrument currency must be maintained separately for helicopters and airplanes. Although 14 CFR 61.57(c) is ambiguous on this requirement, this FAA letter of interpretation specifically states currency must be maintained in each category of aircraft in which the pilot wishes to exercise privileges.

Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Aug 12-13	Atlanta, Georgia; and Costa Mesa, California
Aug 19-20	Allentown, Pennsylvania
Sep 9-10	Elkridge, Maryland; and Sacramento, California
Sep 16-17	Sandston, Virginia

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

Sep 9

Norman, Oklahoma

Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Aug 12	Atlanta, Georgia; Ronkonkoma, New York; Medford, New Jersey; Huntingburg, Indiana; Greeley, Colorado; Novato, California; Waterford, Michigan; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Bennington, Vermont; and Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
Aug 19	San Antonio, Texas; Marion, Iowa; Renton, Washington; and Plant City, Florida
Aug 26	Jacksonville, Florida; Albany, Oregon; Lawrenceville, Georgia; Muskegon, Michigan; and Allentown, Pennsylvania
Sep 8	Norman, Oklahoma

AOPA Rusty Pilots Seminars are sponsored by Sporty's. 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, add 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.

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ePilot Editors:
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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

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Melissa Whitehouse

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Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

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