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


VOL 19, ISSUE 30	July 28, 2017

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Article

Sean Tucker protégé Jaxheimer is living his dream

Cameron Jaxheimer, 22, first experienced flight as a Young Eagle; a decade later, the Endeavor Air first officer plans to perform loops and rolls for thousands at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Coached by airshow legend Sean D. Tucker, the University of North Dakota commercial aviation graduate, career pilot, and aerobatic performer is living his dream and inspiring others to pursue theirs. Read more >

Article

Lancair Mako debuts

Lancair is going back to its elegant roots with the Mako, a roomy, powerful, four-seat, kit airplane that externally is almost identical to the Lancair ES—but faster—with a cruise speed of about 200 KTAS. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Live from AirVenture

AOPA Live This Week® brings you the action live from EAA AirVenture. Meet Sean D. Tucker's protégé and see what it's like for airshow performers to get ready to wow the crowds gathered in Oshkosh. Also this week, pilots rally against air traffic control privatization, and Piper Cubs make a mass arrival commemorating the eightieth anniversary of the iconic aircraft. AOPA Live This Week is airing special episodes on July 27, 28, and 29, so check the AOPA Live web page daily for the latest show. Watch AOPA Live This Week >

EAA AirVenture

Article

Night Stalkers visit Oshkosh

A large Boeing Chinook helicopter is on display at EAA AirVenture that's painted flat black instead of the U.S. Army's normal green. Bulbous fairings housing fuel tanks and special equipment line both sides of the fuselage, and a massive aerial refueling probe juts forward of its nose. Electrically operated, air-cooled miniguns protrude from each side of the forward cabin. Read more >

Article

Cirrus Embark training program launches

In an effort to improve the safety record among pilots buying used Cirrus aircraft, the company has launched a new "Cirrus Embark" training program. Read more >

Article

Wings of diplomacy

Daher may build the speedy TBM 910 and 930, and supply Airbus with parts for the giant A380, but the family-owned company's roots go back to a time when wood and fabric ruled the skies. The aerospace manufacturer is celebrating that heritage during EAA AirVenture by displaying a Morane-Saulnier Type L. Read more >

Slideshow

Aerial performance art

EAA AirVenture not only draws the biggest crowds of people and airplanes of any American show, it also is a venue where airshow pilots at the top of the game strut their stuff. AOPA photographers caught them in the act. View the slideshow >

Article

Swift Fuels expands unleaded avgas distribution network

Swift Fuels is the only company selling unleaded avgas in the United States and has expanded its distribution network across the country. Read more >

Article

Mooney consolidating in Texas

Mooney International is shifting its research-and-development team to its production facility in Kerrville, Texas, and shuttering operations in Chino, California, company officials said. Read more >

Article

Continental expands CD-200-series engine line

Continental announced the CD-265 diesel engine for fixed-wing aircraft and CDR-285 for rotary aircraft July 25. The engines were developed from the CD-230, which has been certified for almost five years. Read more >

AOPA Foundation Focus

Baker awards scholarship to teen at AirVenture

Chase Harting received a boost for his flight training during EAA AirVenture. Harting is an AOPA Foundation Flight Training scholarship recipient, and AOPA President Mark Baker presented him with a $5,000 check during the show. Read more >

Article

Able Flight honors eight new pilots

Eight new sport pilots earned their wings at a ceremony July 25 at EAA AirVenture. The pilots received scholarships from Able Flight, a nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities learn to fly. Read more >

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Best of Oshkosh

Hundreds of thousands of pilots have descended on Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture to celebrate everything that takes to the skies. Hear about the best of the show, plus listen to a few attendees share what makes Oshkosh special to them. Listen to the podcast >

Technique and Safety

Video

'A is for Alex too eager to go...'

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N. Pilot Safety Announcement for the unwary flier spells out the ills that can result from carelessness. Before hopping in the airplane to your holiday retreat, recite this rhyme and make sure your name isn't next on the list. Watch the video >

Roger, affirmative, or wilco?

Proper radio terminology goes a long way in clear radio communication. Get on the same wavelength with other traffic and ATC by taking the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Radio Communications quiz. Test your skills >

Article

NAFI launches professional development center

The National Association of Flight Instructors on July 24 announced the launch of a professional development program aimed at helping certificated flight instructors strengthen their marketing and customer service skills. Read more >

Accident analysis

Deferred maintenance

A poorly maintained Skyhawk that hadn't had an annual inspection for eight-and-a-half years crashed shortly after takeoff, killing the pilot who was relocating it after the aircraft was donated to a nonprofit organization. Aircraft owners and pilots alike should heed the lessons learned in this special report from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. Read more >

Advocacy

AOPA backs revised retrofit-avionics test standards

AOPA is urging the FAA to adopt two draft policies that would help avionics producers bring innovative products to the certified-aircraft retrofit market at more affordable prices. Read more >

Advocacy

Mixed signals on House ATC vote ahead of recess

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), told FOX News that the House would not consider a vote on air traffic control privatization until after the chamber's recess, which runs through Sept. 5. Read more >

Article

Chinese delegation gets a look at American-style GA

Of 5,178 civil public-use airports in the United States, just 559 are set up to serve air carriers. The remainder are general aviation airports that support communities and businesses across the country, International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations Secretary General Craig Spence told a delegation from Chengde, China, during the group's visit to Frederick, Maryland, July 25. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Five ways to strengthen or weaken your body

Dr. Jonathan Sackier writes, "Materials that we use to construct airplanes are important and the materials that are used to construct humans are also important." He shares five actions pilots should note that could either strengthen or weaken the body. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Wonderful news for Continental 520/550 owners

A collaborative approach among aircraft owners, advocacy groups, the FAA, and Continental Motors developed an alternative to an onerous airworthiness directive affecting Continental 520- and 550-series engines and some IO-470 engines. Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch writes that the cooperative approach could be a model for handling future issues. Read more >

Gear

Article

All-in-one annunciator panel announced

The latest in the growing number of new avionics that enhance safety in certified aircraft at a significantly lower cost is a compact annunciator panel from Approach Aviation that can deliver many alerts in one unit. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Fly to the national parks: Northern Plains and Great Lakes areas

Want to really get away from it all? With the exception of Mount Rushmore, most of these National Park units see relatively little traffic. Read more >

Slideshow

Summer cool-off spot

Need a spot to cool off after EAA AirVenture? Head 220 nautical miles north from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Duluth, Minnesota, at the west end of Lake Superior. Walk along the beach in search of agates, watch huge container ships pass under one of the world's largest aerial lift bridges, or, in case you didn't see enough airplanes at EAA AirVenture, tour the Cirrus factory. Read more >

Financial

Livestream

Aircraft ownership: Leasing to an FBO

Get a briefing on the legal and tax implications of leasing an aircraft to a fixed-base operator or flight school, and learn why it might be a great arrangement for some owners but not for others. The free livestream, brought to you by AOPA Pilot Protection Services, will take place Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register now >

AOPA Aviation Finance

How is aircraft financing structured?

Find out from AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith how aircraft loans are structured for repayment and interest, and whether they can be financed as fixed- or adjustable-rate. Read more >

AOPA member benefits

What does the future have in store for drones?

How will drones evolve as technology and safety for unmanned aircraft continue to improve? AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar ponders the future. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Super and Xtreme Decathlons updated to address AD

The wait is over for Super Decathlon and Xtreme Decathlon aircraft owners who were temporarily grounded from performing aerobatic maneuvers in certain American Champion Aircraft. An updated 8KCAB wing design for new-production aircraft and a reinforcement kit for aircraft built after 2012 address an airworthiness directive for aileron hinge rib and support structures. Read more >

Article

CAP awards private pilot scholarships

Five Civil Air Patrol cadets are learning to fly this summer at Delaware State University in Dover, thanks to generous scholarships. Read more >

Article

North Americans sweep Red Bull Air Race in Russia

American pilot Kirby Chambliss flew himself into first place in a rainy Russian rendition of the 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championship, and moved to the top of the overall standings with his second consecutive race victory. Canadian pilot Pete McLeod finished a close second, and American pilot Michael Goulian claimed the third spot on the podium. Read more >

Article

Aviat Aircraft displays wares at White House

Fifty companies, one from each state, displayed their products in a Made in America Week event at the White House on July 17. One business that produces general aviation aircraft in a small town in Wyoming found itself in the impromptu role of GA's sole emissary to the proceedings. Read more >

Blog

Sweeps winner meets his airplane

When AOPA surprised Gary Walters with the news that he had won the Sweepstakes 172, the airplane was already in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. So, Walters stopped by EAA AirVenture July 25 to get a look at his new airplane. Read more >

Career Opportunities

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, 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 >

Question of the Week

Question

During a flight in the local practice area, you had a near midair with another aircraft. Because such incidents are becoming more common in your local area, you would like to make a report. Can you report the incident without calling the local flight standards district office?

Answer

Yes. Pilots may submit a report about a safety-of-flight concern with the Aviation Safety Reporting System, administered by NASA. The system exists to identify issues in the aviation system that need to be addressed. In addition, filing a report may help a pilot avoid sanction for an unintended or inadvertent violation. To learn more about this form, read this article on AOPA Online.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Aug 5-6	Fort Worth, Texas; and Reno, Nevada
Aug 12-13	Atlanta, Georgia; and Costa Mesa, California
Aug 19-20	Allentown, Pennsylvania
Sep 9-10	Elkridge, Maryland; and Sacramento, 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

Jul 28-29

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Jul 29	Snohomish, Washington
Aug 5	Bethany, Oklahoma; Aransas Pass, Texas; and Dothan, Alabama
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

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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Jim Moore
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