December 8, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 49	December 8, 2017

Click here for this week's custom content.

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Tips for prop tracking

The typical general aviation aircraft propeller experiences between 10 tons and 25 tons of centrifugal force pulling the blades from the hub of the propeller during normal operation. Find out how to properly care for props. Read more >

Video

Best practices for requesting traffic advisories

After tuning in to a busy frequency, what's the most important thing to tell air traffic control? In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Calling Up a Busy Controller, Indianapolis Center Air Traffic Control Specialist Bob Obma offers advice for VFR pilots. Watch the video >

PDF download

Cessna 150/152 series reviewed

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's new Safety Highlights: Cessna 150/152 report examines how the popular two-seat airplanes' accident records differ by patterns of use. It looks at personal versus instructional accidents and how they compare to similar models. Download the report >

Video

Don't stall the airplane

What do you do when your newly rebuilt aircraft engine loses power at 200 feet? Dr. Ron Craig shares his experience in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Real Pilot Story: Power Loss on Takeoff video. Watch the video >

Advocacy

GA groups oppose funds cap on veterans' flight training

A bill to improve educational assistance to veterans in flight training programs contains needed measures to streamline the funding process, but also mandates a payment cap that could leave veterans without enough funds to complete training. Read more >

Advocacy

'Glitches' raise new questions about airline ATC takeover

Recent airline technology mishaps raise new questions about the debate in Washington, D.C., to give control of the air traffic system to the airlines and other special interests, five consumer and aviation groups said Dec. 6. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

20 reasons to keep an eye on your skin

Skin problems can hint at internal diseases. Dr. Jonathan Sackier lists 20 skin issues that point to more serious problems, and counsels pilots who might have any of those ailments to visit their doctor. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

A pilot's best friend

Of the top questions corporate pilot and Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp receives about his job, his favorite is whether flight attendants are on board corporate flights. Find out how flight attendants help the crew and passengers, and are what he calls the "forgotten soldiers of the business aviation industry." Read more >

Gear

Online contest

Enter AOPA's ultimate holiday aviation wish list contest

If a portable aviation satellite link receiver, headset, flight bag, portable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast weather and traffic receiver, iPad or iPad Mini mount, or personal locator beacon is on your aviation wish list, vote for your favorite in AOPA's gear contest to enter for a chance to win them all! A winner will be announced Dec. 17. Enter today >

Article

Garmin G5 flight instrument gains expanded approvals

Garmin announced that its non-technical standard order G5 electronic flight instrument, which earlier this year was approved for installation in many certified aircraft, has received additional authorizations from the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Civil War battlefield, modern-day playground

Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a popular destination for those interested in Civil War history, but this city offers more. In December, it's all dressed up with decorations and special festivities. Read more >

Slideshow

'Play well' by the Pacific

Lege godt means "play well" in Danish. This phrase has been translated into LEGO, the name of the colorful building bricks. Kids find endless ways to play well at Legoland in Carlsbad, California. Adults also will find many ways to play well in this sun-drenched resort town. Read more >

Slideshow

All-winter backcountry access

Savvy backcountry pilots who enjoy winter flying know that the snow-free strips are in Hells Canyon, which forms part of the Idaho-Oregon border. Read more >

Financial

Member benefit

Buyer's or seller's market

Is it time to buy or sell a used turboprop or light jet? Find out what makes a buyer's market and what signals a seller's market, and see the ebb and flow between the two that occurred in 2017. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Chesapeake island holiday tradition continues

Where the Pocomoke and Tangier sounds meet in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay sits a small and shrinking island. Visitors usually arrive at Tangier Island by boat, but for the annual Holly Run in December, pilots and Santa opt for more horsepower and arrive via airplane. Read more >

Article

National Aviation Hall of Fame names Class of 2018

The National Aviation Hall of Fame has announced the names of four aviation and aerospace achievers elected for enshrinement at the organization's 2018 Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony. Read more >

Slideshow

Pilot volunteers save sea turtles

True-Lock aviation fastener system founder Leslie Weinstein lives 2,500 miles from the Eastern Seaboard, but he plays a key role in sea turtle awareness and rescue efforts. Read more >

Article

Southern Illinois University alumni fund ADS-B for fleet

Alumni of the aviation program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale pledged $250,000 to help install Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast hardware in the university’s fleet. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Corporate pilot, Corning Inc.

Corning Inc. is seeking a full-time first officer located in Horseheads, New York. Duties include working with other flight-crewmembers and assisting with aircraft handling. Potential candidates must be willing to relocate to within one hour of Elmira/Corning Regional Airport and possess a positive and professional manner when interacting with customers. Extensive domestic and some international travel is required. 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 medical certification specialist, aviation safety analysis manager, insurance account executive, High School Aviation Initiative coordinator, customer service representative, accounting clerk, administrative clerk, legislative affairs vice president, and airports and state advocacy vice president. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

Where can pilots review information about the new braking action reports to prepare for winter flights?

Answer

For information about the new braking action reports, see the FAA's Safety Alert for Operators and the assessment matrix from Advisory Circular AC 91-79A. It may be a good idea to print the assessment matrix to keep in your kneeboard or aircraft as a reference, especially if you plan to do winter flying.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Dec 9-10	Lake Mary, Florida
Jan 6-7	Charlotte, North Carolina; and Santa Clara, California
Jan 13-14	Portland, Oregon; Costa Mesa, California; Alcoa, Tennessee; and Renton, Washington
Jan 20-21	Jackson, Mississippi; Frederick, Maryland; and Romulus, Michigan

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.

Safety Seminars

Jan 10	Fairfax, Virginia
Jan 15	Reno, Nevada; and Houston, Texas
Jan 16	Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan 17	Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Dec 9	Murrieta, California; Scottsdale, Arizona; West Chicago, Illinois; Mineola, Texas; New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and San Diego, California
Dec 16	Oxford, Iowa; and Middleton, Wisconsin

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:
Alyssa J. Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
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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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