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Top Stories
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Advocacy
More than 60 percent of voters oppose privatizing the air traffic control system and turning it over to a nonprofit corporation, according to a telephone survey released Feb. 9 by the Alliance for Aviation Across America, the League of Rural Voters, and the Air Care Alliance. Read more...
 
Article
In the spirit of the Grammy Awards coming up Feb. 12, we reached out to Nashville session drummer and pilot Paul Leim, fellow AOPA staff members, and others to compile a playlist for aviators. How many of these aviation-inspired songs do you already have? Read more...
AOPA Live This Week
The deal struck in secret between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica, California, sparked protest and anger from airport advocates and opponents. In Texas, go for a formation flight that includes two of the five remaining Beechcraft Starships. Also this week, learn how to build an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In unit for as little as $200. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Feb. 9...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Online resource
With two days of activities planned for AOPA's 2017 Fly-Ins, you will want to mark your calendar and plan to take part in hands-on workshops, social gatherings, aircraft displays, and exhibits. The popular regional fly-ins have been expanded to two-day events to give you more of what members have been asking for—more of everything! AOPA has launched a special web section detailing the activities at each of the four fly-in locations. Learn more and RSVP today.
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Technique and Safety
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Aircraft Maintenance
Pilot and A&P Jeff Simon provides tips to help you select the right Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out strategy for your aircraft. Read more...
Flash-based; login required
Learn more about Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and what it means to you. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's ADS-B for General Aviation: The Basics online course offers practical information. Take the course...
Video animation
A combination of inattention and inappropriate—though well-intentioned—communication started a chain of events that ended with a collision at Quincy Regional-Baldwin Field in Illinois. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Runway Safety: Quincy, IL video is designed to bolster pilots' awareness of the need for extraordinary vigilance, especially critical to safety at a nontowered airport. Watch the animation...
Video
In Takeoffs and Landings: Base-to-Final Turn, the AOPA Air Safety Institute guides pilots through the process of thinking through the setup for final approach. Make every turn to final the foundation of a smooth landing. Watch the video...
Article
Former military aviator Taylor Boaks of Edison, New Jersey, is used to a rigorous approach to maintaining proficiency. While he appreciates the freedom and flexibility of recreational flying, this airline transport pilot with multiple type ratings and about 3,000 hours said the Captain Jepp Challenge fits perfectly within a strategy to maintain skills and stay sharp. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
The court-approved FAA settlement with the city of Santa Monica, California, over the future of its municipal airport was negotiated in secrecy, and the terms sparked anger and surprise from airport supporters and airport opponents when the deal became public. As both sides look to the future, much remains in question. Read more...
Advocacy
All eyes were on the Super Bowl Feb. 5, but not just for the game. FAA and North American Aerospace Defense Command officials were watching the airspace for any violations of the associated temporary flight restriction. Pilots boasted a perfect record: zero violations. Read more...
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Pilot Protection Services
If you are trying to figure out whether you can continue flying the aircraft you typically fly under BasicMed, you might need to look at the type certificate data sheet for the number of occupants and takeoff weight for which the aircraft is certificated to determine whether it qualifies. Read more...
Advocacy
The proposed transfer from the National Weather Service to the FAA of a program that augments automated weather reporting at 11 Alaska and three Pacific locations with information from human observers could reduce critical safety information available to users, AOPA said. Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive requiring repetitive detailed visual inspections of wiring below the main circuit breaker panel of certain Piper Aircraft PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, and PA-31P-350 airplanes. The condition had been the subject of a special airworthiness information bulletin issued in December. Read more...
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Technology
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Article
The companies behind the cutting-edge technology for a six-seat suborbital space vehicle, a fuel-efficient airliner that cuts carbon emissions and noise, and a head-up display that combines synthetic mapping and thermal images have been nominated for the National Aeronautic Association's 2016 Robert J. Collier Trophy along with two U.S. Air Force squadrons. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Formation flying isn't just for military pilots. Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas takes you inside her formation training and shows you how learning the new skill can make you a more proficient pilot. Read more...
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Gear
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Article
The European Aviation Safety Agency has approved Garmin's G5 electronic flight instrument for installation in certain certificated fixed-wing general aviation aircraft in Europe, Garmin announced Feb. 7. Read more...
Article
Lightspeed Aviation has updated the Zulu headset with new ear seals, cables, and other tweaks that aim to increase comfort and durability. Read more...
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Financial
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Article
Able Flight, a nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to fly, has named nine scholarship recipients for 2017. Read more...
AOPA Aviation Finance
When you purchase an airplane with a partner, you can share expenses. That means you'll be able to afford to fly more. Read more...
Member benefit
Did you know that you can earn accident forgiveness if you complete certain AOPA Air Safety Institute programs every six months? Learn more about this and other services and coverage from AOPA Insurance. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
A Memphis, Tennessee, screening of the Academy Award-nominated film Hidden Figures inspired youth who learned the little-known story of a team of African-American women working for NASA during the 1960s space race. The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals recently invited dozens of aviation-minded middle- and high-school students to view the biographical drama. Read more...
Article
Doris Lockness, a noted pilot whose career earned her recognition as one of the 100 most influential women in aviation and aerospace, died Jan. 30 in Folsom, California. She was 106. Read more...
Article
American fans eager to see Michael Goulian and Kirby Chambliss take on the air racing world will not have to wait until after the fact: The Red Bull Air Race World Championship opens the 2017 season in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with qualifying to be broadcast online via NBC Sports Feb. 10, and the finals to air live on the NBC Sports Network Feb. 11. Read more...
Article
The Experimental Aircraft Association will expand its Sport Pilot Academy in 2017, holding three sessions at its headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Read more...
Podcast
Tune in to this week's Hangar Talk podcast and hear AOPA Senior Features Editor Julie Walker speak with a third-generation pilot and a fourth-generation farmer who embraced drone technology to boost the harvest from Idaho's golden fields. Ag pilot Robert Schoepflin and farmer Robert Blair describe how they use a computer and a fixed-wing drone to manage crops and cows. Listen to the podcast...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
The aircraft structures engineer position, part of Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering within UPS Airlines, is focused on providing structures engineering support for Airbus A300; Boeing 747, 757, and 767; and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft. The engineer will work primarily in an office environment with some tasks at aircraft maintenance facilities and other locations as required to support project activity and for hands-on interfacing with aircraft and maintenance personnel. The position requires skills and experience in project development and management as well as structural repair design and approval. 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 legal services plan attorney, accountant, graphic designer and digital asset manager, aviation event operations senior manager, flying clubs initiative director, travel and destination products director, insurance program administration manager, donor relations director, aviation technical specialist, part-time administrative assistant, public affairs and executive communications manager, and communications coordinator. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
While reviewing the sectional in preparation for your upcoming practical test, you notice a symbol that looks like a rocket ship. You correctly assume that this symbol pertains to space/rocket operations, which is confirmed by the legend on the sectional. Where can you find out what this information means to pilots flying in the area?
Answer
You can find this information by looking up the airport closest to the symbol in the "Special Notices" section in the back of the chart supplement (formerly the airport/facility directory) under the heading "Space Launch Activity Areas."
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
Feb 11-12 - Fort Worth, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Kenner, Louisiana
Feb 18-19 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lake Mary, Florida; and Sacramento, California
Feb 25-26 - Fairfax, Virginia; and Las Vegas, Nevada
Mar 4-5 - Lake Mary, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; and Virginia Beach, Virginia
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
Feb 20 - Jacksonville, Florida
Feb 21 - Wichita, Kansas; and Melbourne, Florida
Feb 22 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Daytona Beach, Florida
Feb 23 - Rogers, Arkansas; and Ocala, Florida
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Feb 11 - Houston, Texas; Watkins, Colorado; and Fort Myers, Florida
Feb 18 - Fort Worth, Texas; Farmingdale, New York; Plymouth, Massachusetts; Chamblee, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Sacramento, California
Feb 25 - San Marcos, Texas; Winter Haven, Florida; Panama City Beach, Florida; Scottsdale, Arizona; Chickasha, Oklahoma; Louisville, Kentucky; Puyallup, Washington; and Duluth, Minnesota
Mar 4 - Berwyn, Illinois; Burlington, Washington; Weyers Cave, Virginia; Georgetown, Texas; Aransas Pass, Texas; Butler, Pennsylvania; and Billings, Montana
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis
Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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