July 14, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter
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| VOL 19, ISSUE 28 |
July 14, 2017 |
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Top Stories
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| Article |
| Superior Super Cub in the works |
| Bush plane, seaplane, ski plane: AOPA's Super Cub Sweepstakes can do it all. For the first time in AOPA's sweepstakes history, we'll be giving away the airplane with tundra tires, amphibious floats, and hydraulic skis so the lucky winner can land, splash in, or ski in for adventure. Read more > |
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| AOPA Live This Week |
| The bill that could kill GA; New sweepstakes revealed |
| Pilots at a Missouri fly-in had plenty to say about a bill that could kill general aviation by privatizing air traffic control. Also this week, hear the first word on the next AOPA sweepstakes airplane, and learn about taking maintenance into your own hands: Mike Busch and a panel of experts are lined up and waiting for the next AOPA Fly-In. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, July 13 > |
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ATC PRIVATIZATION
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| Advocacy |
| Now is the critical time to oppose ATC privatization |
| With the House of Representatives nearing a possible vote to turn the air traffic control system over to a private corporation dominated by the airlines, AOPA urged members to call their members of Congress "at this critical time" and ask them to oppose the privatization effort. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| ATC privatization pitfalls: Point by point |
| The issue of air traffic control reform surfaces in Washington, D.C., from time to time, and with the 21st Century AIRR Act (H.R. 2997) under consideration for a vote in the House of Representatives, the debate has begun again. Here's what you need to know. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Privatization debate hits Missouri |
| General aviation pilots in Missouri gathered in force July 8, united against transferring air traffic control to an airline-dominated private monopoly. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Conservative group calls ATC privatization 'cronyism' |
| The Institute for Liberty voiced its opposition to air traffic control privatization in a letter addressed to Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.), chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. Read more > |
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| Podcast |
| Efforts to resist ATC privatization explained |
| Tune in to this week's Hangar Talk for an in-depth interview with AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon, who explains AOPA's efforts to resist air traffic control privatization. Plus, get the latest aviation news. Listen to the podcast > |
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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| Article |
| Oklahoma Odyssey |
| Tour the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, during AOPA's Norman Fly-In Sept. 8 and 9. AOPA Technical Editor Mike Collins gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the national center where meteorologists track convection across the country and develop forecasting tools of the future. Read more > |
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Technique and Safety
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| Video |
| The trouble with convective turbulence |
| Living on the edge is not without its perils. Some are minor, but others, such as thunderstorms, can be downright dangerous. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Pilot Safety Announcement: Living on the Edge serves as a reminder that venturing too close to a thunderstorm can ruin a pilot's day quickly. Watch the video > |
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| Article |
| Home simulation made easy |
| If you are among the many pilots who would like to try flying a computer to stay sharp, but are not sure where to start, AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops has released a new course that will guide you through choosing, assembling, and using a desktop flight simulator. Read more > |
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| Login required |
| No tower, no problem |
| True or false: Approaching a nontowered airport, your initial call on the common traffic advisory frequency should request, "All traffic in the area, please advise." Review the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Nontowered Operations quiz for the answer and discover more nontowered airport etiquette. Take the quiz > |
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| Video |
| 'A Simple Mistake' |
| This AOPA Air Safety Institute case study from the Transitioning to other Airplanes online course explores the importance of getting a thorough checkout in an unfamiliar make and model aircraft. Even if you have flown similar aircraft before, nuances can make a big difference. Watch the video > |
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Advocacy
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| Advocacy |
| AOPA helps battle egregious pricing at Heber City FBO |
| Following an AOPA review of member complaints concerning high fuel prices, egregious fees, and lack of competition, OK3 Air, the sole fixed-base operator at Utah's Heber City Municipal Airport, has drawn the largest number of complaints from AOPA members. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| 'Aviation Safety' echoes AOPA's call for transparency |
| Aviation Safety magazine recently voiced concerns that echo AOPA's efforts to increase transparency toward fair and equal access for general aviation pilots at specific fixed-base operations across the country. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| FAA awards airport grants |
| The FAA has begun doling out more than $520 million to help finance improvements to 341 airports, including one that does not yet exist. The fiscal 2017 grants were announced in batches starting July 6 as Congress considers legislation that would afford general aviation airports more flexibility to spend federal funds in a way that best matches local needs. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Security TFRs should do no local harm |
| Six members of Congress whose constituents' businesses stand to suffer losses when temporary flight restrictions are imposed for presidential visits to Bedminster, New Jersey, have called on security officials to work with the aviation community to lessen the impact of President Donald Trump's weekend trips to the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Senate amendment could benefit Alaska weather coverage |
| Pilots flying in Alaska could conduct safer flights through enhanced access to weather reports under an amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill pending in the Senate. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Piper AD affects 23,000 airplanes |
| The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive to clarify a 1995 AD requiring inspections of Piper PA-28 and PA-32 airplanes equipped with oil cooler hose assemblies that do not meet certain technical standard order requirements. Read more > |
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Health
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| Pilot Protection Services |
| Advice for BasicMed success |
| If you are reporting a medical condition or treatment on the BasicMed exam form that might be questioned by the doctor administering the exam, it would be helpful to have a report from your treating physician to explain the situation. Read more > |
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Technology
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| Article |
| Cockpit computer watches, advises |
| A new kind of digital pilot does not just fly the airplane, it keeps an eye on the human pilot(s), too. Read more > |
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Opinion
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| Blog |
| Provence: A Monet of control zones |
| Complex airspace in France complicates Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher's attempts to photograph France's lavender fields. Follow along for some breathtaking views. Read more > |
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Gear
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| Article |
| Jeppesen charts available for ForeFlight mobile users |
| Aviation industry powerhouses Jeppesen and Foreflight followed through July 12 on a May announcement to join forces. The companies released a library of standard chart coverages with enhanced data and situational awareness. Read more > |
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Travel
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| Slideshow |
| Explore the Northwest |
| You'll find big trees, pristine lakes, rugged mountains, and endless beauty in all of these Northwestern national parks. Read more > |
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| Slideshow |
| Visit national parks in the Northeast |
| These Eastern U.S. parks provide wonderful escapes from city life. From thickly forested mountains and iconic, windswept beaches to a sacred place of remembrance, each reveals a piece of "America the Beautiful." Read more > |
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| Slideshow |
| Fly to the national parks in Nevada and Southern California |
| Three of these parks showcase the diversity of desert environments, from remote mountains to scorched, dry lakebeds below sea level. Go under the sea at the fourth park to see colorful fish, or stay dry while you look for whales. Read more > |
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Financial
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| Member benefit |
| AOPA Insurance helps member whose avionics were stolen |
| After filing one claim for a nose gear collapse on his Piper Lance during taxiing, and another after his avionics and most of his instruments were stolen from the aircraft on an overnight trip, John Johnson worked with AOPA Insurance and said he couldn't have "expected better service on a disheartening problem." Read more > |
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| AOPA Aviation Finance |
| International flyers: Review loan documents in advance |
| Pilots flying internationally should check their loan agreement documents and insurance policy to confirm coverage before they depart, according to AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more > |
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News and Notes
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| Article |
| Cub anniversary approaches |
| A gaggle of Piper Cubs—and their pilots—will assemble at Hartford Municipal Airport in Wisconsin July 21 and 22 to mark the venerable Cub's eightieth anniversary. Then they'll depart July 23 for EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, where they will be parked together on the flightline. Read more > |
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| You Can Fly |
| Top three reasons to take the Flight Training Experience Survey |
| If you have received any kind of flight instruction during the past 12 months, share your experience in the AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey. Read more > |
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| Blog |
| Sweepstakes 172: Last stop before Oshkosh |
| AOPA's Sweepstakes 172 is getting the final upgrades before heading to EAA AirVenture. The aircraft is currently in Tennessee getting a Trio autopilot installed. Read more > |
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| Online resource |
| Twitter chat answers ADS-B questions |
| AOPA will join the FAA Equip 2020 Team for a live Twitter chat about Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline to equip, and how to apply for a rebate on ADS-B equipment. The discussion will be live July 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Use #ADSBchat to participate. Read more and join the conversation > |
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Career Opportunities
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| Aviation job board |
| Job of the week: Chief instructor, BSU Aviation Training Center |
| The Bridgewater State University Aviation Training Center, located at New Bedford Regional Airport in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is seeking a chief instructor to serve as the central point of contact for development and delivery of flight and ground training content. This position provides critical leadership and supervision and works cooperatively with a variety of internal and external agents to provide the highest level of safe, efficient service. Read the full description and apply today > |
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| AOPA career opportunities |
| Join the AOPA team |
| Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a graphic designer, video producer, research and analysis director, operations clerk, copy editor, marketing project coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, customer service representative, 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 > |
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Question of the Week
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Question
While preparing for a flight to the Bahamas, you are surprised to see a requirement for FCC radio licenses. Where can you apply for these licenses? |
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Education & Seminars
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| Flight Instructor Refresher Courses |
| Jul 15-16 |
Englewood, New Jersey; and Jacksonville, Florida |
| Jul 22-23 |
Memphis, Tennessee; and Coraopolis, Pennsylvania |
| Aug 5-6 |
Fort Worth, Texas; and Reno, Nevada |
| Aug 12-13 |
Atlanta, Georgia; and Costa Mesa, California |
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| Safety Seminars |
| Jul 25-29 |
Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
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| Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. |
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| Rusty Pilots Seminars |
| Jul 15 |
Perkasie, Pennsylvania; Vidalia, Georgia; and Lincoln, California |
| Jul 22 |
Apopka, Florida |
| Jul 26 |
Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
| Jul 29 |
Snohomish, Washington |
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| 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.) |
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Aviation Calendar
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| 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:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker |
Advertise in ePilot:
Gary Brennan, 301/695-2052
Eastern and Central United States and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089
Western United States:
Tom Linton, 301/695-2055
AOPA Advertising website |
