October 6, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 40	October 6, 2017

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Top Stories

Advocacy

ATC 'privatization' delayed

Despite a push from proponents beholden to the airline lobby, the U.S. House of Representatives again delayed a vote on a controversial proposal to reorganize the air traffic control system, a bill that AOPA and nearly 200 general aviation groups have strongly opposed, with no word as of Oct. 5 on when the vote might come. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

False ATC claims exposed; Inside look at Piper

Air traffic control privatization proponents ramp up the falsehoods about the ATC system, and AOPA sets the record straight. Students in Ada, Oklahoma, learn science, technology, engineering, and math skills through AOPA's You Can Fly high school curriculum. Plus, peek inside Piper Aircraft's Vero Beach, Florida, production factory for an advance look at a tour you can take Oct. 27 during AOPA's Tampa Fly-In, presented by Peter O. Knight Airport. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 5 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

Groton is ready for your arrival

Attendees arriving by air, land, or sea for the AOPA Fly-In at Groton, Connecticut, presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales, Oct. 6 and 7, can expect expert handling from the AOPA team, volunteers, and the host FBO, which has served general aviation since 1980. Read more >

Slideshow

Sunshine City

Whether you're in Florida for the AOPA Tampa Fly-In, presented by Peter O. Knight Airport, Oct. 27 and 28, or you just want to spend a weekend where the sun shines an average of 361 days a year, St. Petersburg makes a great aviation getaway. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Video

'Seneca 47C, radar contact is lost'

Are you prepared to do the right thing every time you fly? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study: Cross-Country Crisis probes a pilot's ill-fated decisions that led to a deadly accident. See why constantly assessing decisions before and during a flight is so important for a safe outcome. Watch the video >

Are you and ATC on the same page?

Will the words "minimum fuel" alert air traffic control that you're experiencing a fuel emergency? Review the AOPA Air Safety Institute's ATC Terminology quiz for the answer, and brush up on other terms used in the ATC system. Take the quiz >

Online resource

Take part in 'CFItoCFI'

While written for flight instructors, all pilots can benefit from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's CFItoCFI newsletter. In the latest issue, flight instructor Mark Henshall recalls an in-flight emergency that taught his student about exercising authority as pilot in command. Also, share thoughts on improving stall awareness training, and find out how a healthy dose of apprehension can make better flight instructors and pilots. Access the newsletter >

IFR Fix

The drone factor

The sightings are split-second events, and the objects spotted don't always appear where you'd expect during an instrument approach. Unmanned aircraft underscore the need for pilots flying IFR to perform the required scan for traffic. Read more >

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Flight control cables

Properly maintaining flight control cables is critical to safety of flight and should be given attention more often than just during annual inspections, writes A&P mechanic Jeff Simon. Read more >

Advocacy

BasicMed: 20,000 now airborne...and climbing

May 1 marked the official launch of BasicMed, the most significant alternative to a third class medical since the 1960s. Just five months into the program, more than 20,000 pilots are now flying under the new rule. Read more >

Advocacy

Weaponized drones prompt flight restrictions

The Statue of Liberty, Hoover Dam, and Mount Rushmore are among 10 popular landmarks and attractions ruled off-limits to drones, a prohibition that took effect Oct. 5. The FAA imposed the new restrictions citing a request by "national security and law enforcement agencies." Read more >

Advocacy

Agreements advance safety cooperation

Collaboration agreements between European and North American aviation regulators should help bring to market new aircraft, incorporating "innovative designs and technologies" without prohibitive prices, AOPA said. Read more >

Advocacy

Mandatory ICAO flight plan filing on hold

The FAA has postponed its plan to require that pilots use the international flight plan format for all civil flight plans filed with flight service for flights within the National Airspace System and to Canada. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Blood flow essential to pilots' health

A pilot flying at average general aviation speeds would need to fly almost 24 hours a day for 2.5 weeks (with aerial refueling) to fly the distance of the human body's arteries, veins, and capillaries lined up end to end, explains Dr. Kenneth Stahl, who offers advice for keeping blood flowing through all those vessels. Read more >

Technology

Article

Longitude gets Garmin's new Doppler radar

Textron Aviation's super-midsize Citation Longitude will be the launch aircraft for Garmin International's new GWX 80 Doppler-based airborne weather radar. Read more >

Article

Garmin announces 'reimagined' flight displays

Garmin has unveiled a new TXi family of products that includes three scalable touch-screen flight displays for a wide range of aircraft, and an engine information system that offers a variety of integration possibilities and displays easy-to-read, real-time engine indications. Read more >

Article

Stratus ES lands certification

The FAA issued a supplemental type certificate on Sept. 22 for the second product in Appareo's Stratus line of cost-effective, panel-mounted Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transponders. Read more >

Article

Faster, feature-rich G1000s for Citation Mustangs

Cessna Citation Mustang owners and operators will soon be able to swap out their legacy Garmin G1000 avionics for a retrofit with Garmin's latest G1000 NXi flight deck. Garmin announced that a supplemental type certificate for the Mustang upgrade should be approved in the second half of 2018. Read more >

Article

BRS announces Cessna parachute installation network

Cessna 172 and 182 owners seeking an extra margin of safety can now turn to a nationwide network of parachute installation centers authorized to add the life-saving devices. Read more >

Gear

Article

AOPA app version 1.1 features landscape view

The ability to rotate between portrait and landscape views and to pinch zoom are two new features in version 1.1 of the AOPA app. The popular app has more than 7,000 installations in two months, and high user ratings. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Unique fly-ins across America

Almost as long as Americans have been flying, they've been gathering their airplanes together at fly-ins. Here are a few fly-ins from across the spectrum, the country, and the calendar year to give you an idea of what's out there. Read more >

Slideshow

Vibrant river city

There's more to San Antonio than the Alamo, the River Walk, and the Spurs. Read more >

Financial

Article

Recreational Aviation Foundation opens online auction

The Recreational Aviation Foundation has launched a fundraising auction to bolster the organization's financial resources for projects to expand pilots' choices of fun flying destinations. Read more >

Article

UND introduces freshman scholarship

For the first time, a freshman at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will soon have the opportunity to earn a scholarship to the world-renowned school at the University of North Dakota. Read more >

Answers for pilots

Tips for selling an aircraft

When you're ready to sell your aircraft, you'll need to understand the sales process. Here are some tips to get you started. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Drone pilot provides data from Black Hawk midair

NTSB investigators have tracked down and interviewed the pilot of a DJI Phantom 4 quadcopter that was destroyed in a Sept. 21 collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at 500 feet just off the shoreline of Staten Island, New York. The collision damaged the helicopter and required the Army crew to make an emergency landing. Read more >

Article

GA airfield plays crucial role in Puerto Rico

Carlos Reyes, the owner-operator of San Juan, Puerto Rico's Isla Grande Flying School at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, said the general aviation airfield has played a crucial role in relief efforts after Hurricane Maria. Read more >

Article

Giving Kids Wings aviation camp soars

California educator and pilot Dan Mikkelsen, founder of Giving Kids Wings, an aviation camp that teaches high school students to fly gliders, hopes to transform the traditional high school curriculum by making "aviation as commonplace as algebra and history." Read more >

California Aeronautical University created content

'Mobile Flight Experience' tours California to promote aviation

California Aeronautical University's "Mobile Flight Experience" tours California to promote aviation and encourage the next generation to start their careers as aviation professionals. This year, the highly popular interactive exhibit has made appearances at airshows, high schools, and community events across California. Read more >

You Can Fly

AOPA High School Aviation Symposium set for Nov. 6 and 7

Educators should plan to attend the third annual AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium, presented by American Airlines, Nov. 6 and 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. Attendees will share best practices, resources, and strategies to inspire high school students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The event also includes tours of American Airlines and the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center. Register today >

Member benefit

Understanding your insurance limits

Have you ever stared blankly at your insurance policy, trying to understand all the industry jargon, unsure of how it applies to you? AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar decodes the jargon. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Instructor, Tarrant County College District

Tarrant County College District in Fort Worth, Texas, is seeking an instructor for its professional pilot program. Duties include teaching classes based on varied schedules, aiding in the development of curricula, and selecting textbooks, among other things. A flight or ground instructor certificate is required. 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 administrative clerk, survey analyst/survey researcher, marketing program coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

Can a pilot complete a phase of the FAA's Wings program as an alternative to a flight review? If so, is it necessary to fly with an instructor?

Answer

Yes, a phase of the Wings program can substitute for a flight review if it is completed within time limits set by regulation. Yes, you must fly with a flight instructor to receive credit.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Oct 7-8	Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct 14-15	Nashville, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Oct 21-22	Wichita, Kansas
Nov 4-5	Austin, Texas

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.

Safety Seminars

Oct 9	Mesa, Arizona; and Murray, Kentucky
Oct 10	Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Tucson, Arizona; Germantown, Tennessee; and Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Oct 11	Nashville, Tennessee; Frederick, Maryland; Northglenn, Colorado; and Blaine, Minnesota
Oct 12	Albuquerque, New Mexico; Maryville, Tennessee; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Dodge Center, Minnesota

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Oct 6	Groton, Connecticut
Oct 7	Groton, Connecticut; Russellville, Alabama; Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Greensboro, North Carolina; Stevensville, Maryland; South St. Paul, Minnesota; Griffin, Georgia; and Watkins, Colorado
Oct 14	New Knoxville, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Iowa City, Iowa; and Maricopa, Arizona
Oct 21	Fremont, Ohio; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Burlington, Washington

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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