March 24, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 12	March 24, 2017

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Top Stories

Article

'We're here for you'

The throttle was wide open and unresponsive. Pilot Cathy Lewan needed plenty of runway—and help from the world's busiest approach controllers—to get her Cessna 172 safely on the ground. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Vegas by helicopter; BasicMed FAQs

AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines takes a helicopter tour of the Hoover Dam. Also this week, answers to often-asked questions about BasicMed, including when you should visit your doctor. And an AOPA You Can Fly success story: A Texas flying club has made good use of the Reimagined Cessna 150 awarded in the AOPA Flying Club 150 Giveaway in October, with its first student recently soloing in the club's prize. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 23 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

Channel Islands Aviation to welcome pilots to Camarillo

Pilots flying in to Camarillo, California, for the first AOPA Fly-In of the year will receive the red carpet treatment from Channel Islands Aviation, the host for the event show center. Air 7, Sun Air Jets, and Western Cardinal also will offer a warm welcome to the expanded two-day event that begins with workshops and a Barnstormers Party April 28. Read more >

Technique and Safety

The right decision at the right time

Good decision making requires anticipation, recognition, and timely action to correct a problem. Easier said than done? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's recently updated Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots online course, optimized for tablets, can help you learn best practices and develop personal minimums. Take the course >

Video

Lost in the dark

An hour before sunrise, an Atlanta-bound regional jet received a taxi clearance at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. The crew mistook their position and lined up for the wrong runway. This AOPA Air Safety Institute accident reenactment shows the importance of maintaining situational awareness. Watch the video animation >

More safety products

Set your VFR personal minimums
Go/no-go decisions: Know your IFR limits
Video: Controllers offer tips on VFR flight plans
Renew your flight instructor certificate with AOPA
'What Went Wrong?' Find out at a safety seminar near you

Advocacy

Bahamas, Canada, Mexico urged to recognize BasicMed

AOPA has requested that the governments of the Bahamas, Canada, and Mexico recognize the new FAA medical certification rule known as BasicMed, under which many pilots plan to fly when the program launches May 1. Read more >

Advocacy

AOPA, industry groups ask for specifics on ATC privatization

AOPA and 15 other general aviation industry groups signed letters to congressional leaders raising concerns over recent calls to separate air traffic control from the FAA. Read more >

Advocacy

Lantana Airport businesses scramble to survive

Small aviation businesses that once thrived at Palm Beach, Florida's Lantana Airport may be approaching a crisis point as security shutdowns ordered for President Donald Trump's stays at nearby Mar-a-Lago ground all local flying during peak weekend money-making periods. (Photo courtesy of Justin Rooks.) Read more >

Advocacy

American Flyers to exit Santa Monica in April

National flight training chain American Flyers will close its flight school at California's Santa Monica Municipal Airport April 15. The decision will end the flight school's 50-year presence on the airport that is now scheduled to close in 2028. Read more >

Advocacy

Pilots urged to comment on aviation access to Montana forests

The U.S. Forest Service has opened public comments on a revised forest plan that could directly affect aviators' access to Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. AOPA urges members to comment on the plan to ensure unfettered access to the region's natural wonders, which include 9,000-foot-tall mountain peaks, prairie grasslands, glaciers, lakes, and abundant wildlife. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

FAA requires wait periods for certain neurologic conditions

The FAA requires a wait period of two years before a pilot who has had a stroke or transient ischemic attack can apply for medical recertification. Read more >

Technology

Aircraft Maintenance

ADS-B installations: What you need to know about ADS-B In

The FAA's Jan. 1, 2020, deadline for equipping with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast applies to the ADS-B Out capability, but pilot and A&P mechanic Jeff Simon suggests that you also consider equipping with ADS-B In at the same time to get the most bang for your buck. Read more >

Gear

Livestream

Learn the latest enhancements to the AOPA Flight Planner

Get the ins and outs of the AOPA Flight Planner's new interactive graphical briefing feature powered by Leidos Flight Service, and grab a sneak peek at the beta version of the top member-requested feature—intermediate stops—during a livestream March 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register today >

Travel

Destinations

Outbound to Ocracoke

The slender strip of land that comprises North Carolina's famed Outer Banks and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore passes below the Cessna Skylane as a young couple heads to a barrier island accessible only by water or air. Discover the adventure of this barrier island and live vicariously through the couple's vacation. Read more >

Contest

Hidden gems galore

Pilots have been sharing their favorite destinations from across the country as part of the Hidden Gem contest, sponsored by Aviat Husky. Take a look at the breathtaking photos and descriptions of these treasures and share your own to enter the contest for a chance to win a backcountry flying experience in July. Learn more >

News and Notes

Article

GA maintains as drones surge

Drones have been added to the FAA 20-year activity forecast, and their addition brings a divergent and contrasting trend to a set of predictions that have general aviation flying more hours in a smaller fleet of newer aircraft, with fewer pilots. (iStock photo.) Read more >

Article

Waco adds floats

Waco Aircraft Corp. is taking another whack at adding floats to the YMF-5 series, and hopes to fly the prototype to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July. (Image courtesy of Waco Aircraft.) Read more >

Article

'Doc' and 'Fifi' to fly in for EAA AirVenture

EAA AirVenture attendees will get a rare treat this summer: The only two flying B-29 Superfortresses in the world will unite at Wittman Regional Airport July 24 through 30. Read more >

You Can Fly

Student pilot has first solo in Reimagined 150

The startup Texas flying club that won AOPA’s Flying Club 150 Giveaway last October celebrated another happy milestone March 18 when a student pilot in its membership accomplished his first solo flight in the Reimagined Cessna 150. (Photo courtesy of the Nate Abel Flying Club.) Read more >

Blog

Pilot reunites with sweeps 172

Did you ever train in or own an older aircraft and wonder what a makeover would do for it? Tom Johnson, the former owner of AOPA's Sweepstakes Cessna 172, got the opportunity to fly the aircraft again, this time with all the latest bells and whistles added. Read more >

Member benefit

Keep three tips in mind when planning a trip

AOPA Aviation Insurance Co. Vice President Jim Pinegar offers three tips to make sure your first trip of the spring flying season goes smoothly. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Senior systems test/integration engineer-aerospace

Solidyn Solutions Inc. is a small business in Colorado looking for exceptional employees to join its rapidly growing team of aerospace professionals. The senior systems test/integration engineer will take part in all phases of integration and testing including assisting with requirement definition, defining the test approach and validation method, developing and executing test procedures, and troubleshooting and resolving technical issues. This position also will participate in test readiness reviews and design reviews, and conduct audits of test software and facilities. 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 an airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, flight training technology senior director, design manager, aviation insurance sales director, graphic design intern, executive office manager, project manager, UI/front-end developer, public affairs and executive communications manager, communications coordinator, legal services plan attorney, aviation event operations senior manager, travel and destination products director, insurance program administration manager, donor relations director, lead aircraft maintenance and aviation technical specialist, and part-time administrative assistant. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

While looking at the requirements to fly internationally, you see you need an "English Proficient" endorsement on your pilot certificate. How can you get this endorsement?

Answer

You will need to order a replacement certificate from the FAA. The new certificate will automatically come with this endorsement. For more information about this endorsement, visit the FAA website.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Apr 1-2	Atlanta, Georgia; Dedham, Massachusetts; Dulles, Virginia; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Tampa, Florida
Apr 8-9	Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Diego, California
May 6-7	Albany, New York; Hollywood, Florida; and Pensacola, Florida
May 20-21	Conroe, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; 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

Mar 27	Northbrook, Illinois
Mar 28	Lisle, Illinois
Mar 29	East Peoria, Illinois
Mar 30	Rockford, Illinois

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Mar 25	Orlando, Florida; Kennesaw, Georgia; Spencer, Iowa; Burlington, Iowa; Sarasota, Florida; Belleville, Michigan; Van Nuys, California; Gaithersburg, Maryland; Bedford, Massachusetts; and Olathe, Kansas
Apr 1	Murphysboro, Illinois; College Station, Texas; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Aurora, Oregon; South Portland, Maine; Hayden, Idaho; Mansfield, Massachusetts; Watkins, Colorado; and Glencoe, Minnesota
Apr 5	Lakeland, Florida
Apr 8	Cleveland, Ohio; San Angelo, Texas; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Valparaiso, Indiana; Reno, Nevada; Chesterfield, Missouri; Washington Court House, Ohio; Pasco, Washington; and Worcester, Massachusetts

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.

Aviation Calendar

Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. You can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. 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 Miller 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
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