May 19, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 20	May 19, 2017

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Top Stories

Advocacy

GA groups speak out in support of FBO competition

In its ongoing effort to call attention to unreasonable FBO fees and prices, AOPA sent a letter to the Jackson Hole Airport Board May 15 in support of Wyoming Jet Center's application to establish a second FBO at the airport located in Grand Teton National Park and near Yellowstone National Park. AOPA has received a number of complaints about the facility and high fuel prices and fees, including a $260 handling fee "for a quick turn." Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Flying the Vision Jet; Astonishing STOL

See what it's like to fly the new SF50 Vision Jet from Cirrus, and watch a new record being set at the legendary STOL competition in Valdez, Alaska. Also this week, AOPA joins general aviation groups calling for FBO competition at Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming. (AOPA Live This Week® production was delayed, but the show was expected to be available at or shortly after 8 p.m. EDT on May 18.) Watch AOPA Live This Week, May 18 >

Technique and Safety

Slideshow

Valdez extremes

The diminutive, highly modified Piper Cub flew slowly in ground effect along the taxiway parallel to Runway 24 at Alaska's Valdez Pioneer Field, toward a white chalk line bracketed by bright orange cones. Its tundra tires planted firmly just beyond the line, and the airplane stopped 10 feet, five inches from the mark—setting a new short-field landing record at the Valdez Fly-In and Air Show. Read more >

Online resource

Anxious, frequent flier?

Help nervous passengers feel comfortable in the cockpit. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's new Pinch Hitter™ syllabus guides nonpilot companions, pilots, and flight instructors through Pinch Hitter training. After completing aircraft orientation and scenario-based training, your frequent passengers can relax and even participate as crewmembers while enjoying their flying adventure. Download the syllabus >

More safety products

VFR into IMC not recommended
Strategies for pertinent weather data gathering
Talk to ATC for your safety

Advocacy

Pilots pleased by BasicMed

Member feedback about BasicMed continues to flow to AOPA through various channels as pilots share their experiences re-upping their medical qualification through the new program that went live on May 1. Some members also shared tips to help others who may be thinking about getting on board. Read more >

Advocacy

New and revised airman certification standards published

The FAA has published the first revisions of the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for the Private Pilot—Airplane certificate and the instrument rating for airplanes, and introduced the first ACS for the Commercial Pilot—Airplane certificate, all effective June 12. Read more >

Advocacy

National Weather Service website accepts, distributes pilot reports

You have just landed after a flight marked by weather much more challenging than your preflight briefing led you to expect. Now, you can submit an electronic pilot report to detail turbulence, icing, and other information to be distributed to pilots after you have landed instead of while flying. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA issues alert on Continental engine 'kickback' damage

Field reports of fractured crankshaft gear retaining screws on Continental Motors Inc. IO-520 series, TSIO-520 series, IO-550 series, TSIO-550 series, and TSIOL-550 series reciprocating engines have prompted the FAA to issue a special airworthiness information bulletin alerting operators to the problem of potential engine "kickback" and how to inspect for resulting damage. Read more >

Advocacy

Cessna 150/152 hinge bolt inspections urged

The FAA has issued a special airworthiness information bulletin to inform operators of some Cessna 150 and Cessna 152 airplanes about the potential of loose bolts at the elevator attach points. Read more >

Technology

Article

Pilots wanted, bird brains a plus

Do you think you can fly like a falcon? A Canadian firm looking to deploy Dutch-built robotic birds at airports to chase the real ones away may soon be recruiting pilots who have a talent for imitating raptors. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Fuel-ish decisions

You might be surprised at the complexities a charter pilot must navigate just to fill the tanks. Opinion Leaders Blogger Ron Rapp describes the chore that fuel shopping becomes when even FBO staff can't name the price. Read more >

Gear

Article

Garmin goes head-up

Garmin continued its march into the business jet market, announcing that the company's new Garmin Head-up Display (GHD 2100) will be installed as an option in Cessna's upcoming Citation Longitude super-midsized jet for a price not yet announced. (Image courtesy of Garmin.) Read more >

Article

Scheyden Mustang RX dual sunglasses

For those who must wear corrective lenses when flying, constantly changing light conditions can mean the need to switch glasses frequently. Scheyden's Mustang RX glasses, which combine clear prescription lenses and flip-up sunglasses, could help. Read more >

Travel

Article

A new hopeful Earthrounder takes off

Shaesta Waiz came to the United States as a toddler with her parents and five sisters in 1987, a family of refugees from Afghanistan. An airline flight taken as a teenager inspired Waiz to become a pilot, and she launched May 15 aiming to fly around the world. Read more >

Financial

Article

Mixed results for first quarter aircraft shipments

A mixed first quarter of 2017 for aircraft shipments brought increases in airplane and helicopter shipments, but a decline in total billings, said the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Read more >

Livestream

Co-ownership livestream postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances AOPA rescheduled the May 17 Aircraft Co-ownership livestream to June 6 at 8 p.m Eastern Daylight Time. Those registered for the May 17 event will receive email reminders for the June 6 session. AOPA apologizes for any inconvenience. Registration for the livestream remains open. Register today >

AOPA Aviation Finance

Answers to financing questions for light sport aircraft

Find out about financing light sport aircraft purchases and other lending options as AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers some of the questions he's received from pilots. Read more >

Member Benefit

Insure your financial interest during private pilot training

At what point in private pilot training should a student purchase renter's insurance? AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar explains. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Cessna Mustang light jet production ends

Textron Aviation announced May 11 the end of production of the Cessna Citation Mustang, the first fully certified very light jet, after a 12-year manufacturing run that produced more than 470 of the entry-level twin jets. Read more >

Article

jetAVIVA on the move

Just one year after merging with Kansas Aircraft Corp., jetAVIVA has recently begun steps to move its headquarters from Austin, Texas, to Olathe, Kansas' New Century AirCenter Airport. Read more >

Slideshow

Five drones at Xponential under $25K

Although the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Xponential conference has in years past been dominated by military and other high-end systems, five unmanned aircraft systems that were on exhibit in Dallas can be had for $25,000 or less. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

NTSB reports and civil litigation

Pilots often ask AOPA's Legal Services Plan attorneys what kind of effect an NTSB probable cause determination can have on a civil court proceeding. Attorney James T. Anderson explains that such a determination "is not the same thing as a jury verdict." Read more >

Article

Winning weekend at SAFECON 2017

More than 380 college aviation students participated in the National Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference May 9 to 14. Flight students representing 27 schools and aviation colleges from across the United States competed in 23 flight and ground events. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Ross, Parhelia Multimedia.) Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: TransPac Aviation Academy flight instructor

TransPac Aviation Academy is currently seeking multiple certificated flight instructors to join one of the academy's two locations in Arizona, where they will have the ability to gain 60 to 100 hours of flight time per month. The main job responsibility is to conduct flight and ground instruction under 14 CFR Parts 141 and 61. 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 copy editor, IT systems administrator, product marketing specialist, accounting clerk, legislative affairs vice president, customer service representative, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, flight training technology senior director, project manager, UI/front-end developer, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

You would like to add a multiengine class rating to your private pilot airplane certificate. After checking 14 CFR 61.109, you still have questions about what aeronautical experience requirements apply to you when adding a class rating to an existing certificate. Where can you find this information?

Answer

See 14 CFR 61.63 for information about adding ratings to existing certificates. In this case, you would not need to meet the specific training times outlined in 14 CFR 61.109.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

May 20-21	Conroe, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Sacramento, California
Jun 3-4	Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; and Tempe, Arizona
Jun 10-11	Lake Mary, Florida; and Santa Clara, California
Jun 24-25	Ashburn, Virginia; and Bloomington, Minnesota

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

May 24

Frederick, Maryland

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

May 20	Salisbury, Maryland; Zionsville, Indiana; Whitehouse Station, New Jersey; Bethany, Oklahoma; Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin; Marion, Illinois; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mason, Michigan; and New Orleans, Louisiana
May 27	Lago Vista, Texas; and Aurora, Oregon
Jun 3	Red Lodge, Montana; Fort Worth, Texas; Englewood, Colorado; Truckee, California; Selkirk, New York; Akron, Ohio; Brainerd, Minnesota; Thermal, California; and Seattle, Washington
Jun 10	Jacksonville, Florida; Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Basye, Virginia; Madison, Wisconsin; Meridianville, Alabama; Torrance, California; Rochester, New York; West Chicago, Illinois; and Henderson, Nevada

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, include 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 Miller
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

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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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