October 13, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter
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| VOL 19, ISSUE 41 |
October 13, 2017 |
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Top Stories
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| Article |
| Scaled Composites flies new jet |
| Engineers at California's Scaled Composites announced Oct. 11 the first flight of Model 401, a single-engine experimental jet, built "to demonstrate advanced, low-cost manufacturing techniques." (Photo courtesy of Scaled Composites.) Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Tips for airport operators: How to pick the right FBO |
| AOPA is helping airport operators make good decisions when selecting fixed-base operators. The association released recommendations Oct. 6 with guidelines for what to look for in a customer-focused FBO. Read more > |
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| AOPA Live This Week |
| Bizav in focus; Going big in Groton |
| The National Business Aviation Association paid tribute to the strength and resilience of Las Vegas, where the business aviation world gathered this week, and continued an all-out, all-hands effort to save air traffic control. Also from NBAA, progress on the XTI TriFan 600. Then revisit the highlights of another successful AOPA Fly-In, one that drew some head-turning arrivals to Groton, Connecticut. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 12 > |
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NBAA News
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| Advocacy |
| GA groups launch campaign against ATC privatization |
| Leaders of U.S. general aviation organizations unanimously oppose so-called air traffic control privatization, and they're launching a media campaign to counter "gross misrepresentations" by airline-backed supporters. Read more > |
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| Article |
| Stratos building second prototype |
| Stratos Aircraft reported that it is constructing a second prototype of its Stratos 714 very light jet. Read more > |
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| Article |
| XTI TriFan 600 draws the curious at NBAA |
| The XTI Aircraft TriFan 600 hybrid electric aircraft drew a steady crowd at the National Business Aviation Association's convention in Las Vegas. The pedestal-mounted mockup of the six-seat vertical takeoff and landing craft is a far cry from a flying vehicle, but it sparks the imagination. Read more > |
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| Article |
| RocketRoute builds customer base |
| Although 80 percent of its customers are European, U.K.-based flight planning service RocketRoute says it is experiencing rapid growth in the United States. Read more > |
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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| Article |
| AOPA Fly-In: Extend your summer |
| Let's end fly-in season on a high note. If you've never been to Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, Florida (and if you have, you know where this is going), you're in for a treat. Situated on the tip of Davis Islands, Peter O. Knight sits in a gorgeous setting bordering Hillsborough Bay and the shipping channel. Read more > |
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| Slideshow |
| Albatross, Skytrain, C-130 wow crowds at Groton Fly-In |
| Novelist Tom Casey and his partner Silvia Erskine have the ultimate airplane camping setup in a restored Grumman HU-16A Albatross flying boat, and they had the ultimate camping spot at the AOPA Fly-In at Groton, Connecticut, presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales, Oct. 6 and 7. Read more > |
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Technique and Safety
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| Login required |
| Keep your airport safe |
| As members of the general aviation community, we can help ensure the safety and security of our airports and aircraft. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's recently updated General Aviation Security online course offers guidance to protect airport property, identify and report suspicious activity, and stay safe. Take the course > |
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| Article |
| Overcome mic fright |
| It's not unusual to feel intimidated keying the mic when you're introduced to radio communication, particularly when talking to air traffic controllers. The rapid-fire instructions can be startling at first. Read more > |
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| Video |
| Say again |
| What should you do if an air traffic controller rattles off instructions so fast that you miss the message? In the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Fast Talkers video, air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten explains how to handle the situation. Watch the video > |
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| Video |
| On the verge of a stall |
| Would you like a precise way to gauge when a wing is about to stop producing lift? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Margins of Safety: Angle of Attack Indicators video explains how an angle of attack indicator can help. Watch the video > |
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Advocacy
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| Advocacy |
| District judge halts Santa Monica runway shortening |
| Senior U.S. District Judge Ronald S. W. Lew on Oct. 8 issued a two-week restraining order to delay the city of Santa Monica from shortening the embattled California airport's runway. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| Many circling approaches eyed for elimination |
| Circling approaches are a longstanding custom in instrument pilot training. Many of these approaches will be on the chopping block as the FAA transitions to its NextGen system. Read more > |
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| Advocacy |
| How not to buy the wrong AWOS or navaid |
| Airports that don't qualify to have a federally owned AWOS or navigation aid installed at the field can still provide the services, if they can take on the cost of buying and maintaining a non-federal system. A newly released publication provides guidance for avoiding common pitfalls. Read more > |
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Health
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| Pilot Protection Services |
| FAA using new stroke risk assessment |
| The FAA is using a new scoring system for stroke risk assessment when evaluating pilots who have a history of atrial fibrillation and are using anticoagulants. Read more > |
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Opinion
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| Blog |
| GA during a revolution |
| To break away from the stress and civil unrest in Catalonia, Spain, Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher flies over France and Spain in his Piper Cub to capture dramatic views of the landscape. Read more > |
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Travel
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| Slideshow |
| Great fall getaway |
| Fly to Great Falls, Montana, your base camp for art and adventure with seasonal treats, fall foliage, craft beers, and a cornucopia of outdoor activities. Read more > |
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| Slideshow |
| Nature's gold rush |
| When autumn beckons, many leaf peepers head for New England. But out West, there really is "gold in them thar hills"—the mighty Sierra Nevada. Read more > |
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| Slideshow |
| Red Rock fantasyland |
| Famous sandstone formations in Sedona, Arizona, are particularly spectacular from October through December when the sun hangs low in the sky. Read more > |
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Financial
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| Online resource |
| AOPA offers resources for buying aircraft |
| From the prepurchase inspection to signing the aircraft bill of sale, AOPA offers resources to help pilots through the aircraft buying process. Learn more > |
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| Member benefit |
| Lenders leery of leasebacks |
| Pilots who plan to buy an aircraft and put it on leaseback with a flight school or flying club might find it difficult to secure financing, explains AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more > |
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News and Notes
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| Article |
| Cal Fire calls for 'the largest tool' |
| California firefighters are calling in the new king of air tankers, a recently converted Boeing 747, to fight what could become the deadliest, most destructive wildfire outbreak in the state's history. Read more > |
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| Article |
| Chambliss has a shot at Red Bull title |
| American Kirby Chambliss needs some luck to win the season title during the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Indianapolis Oct. 14 and 15. AOPA is throwing a party, and members can buy discounted tickets to the season finale. Read more > |
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| Article |
| Space council targets moon, Mars |
| The National Space Council has been revived with a focus on public-private partnerships; science, technology, engineering, and math education; and aspirations for Americans to return to the moon "within five years" as a stepping stone to Mars. Read more > |
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| Article |
| Exporting the passion |
| Michael Magnell has become pretty good at predicting where his next flight may take him each time he gets a call to deliver a newly purchased airplane to a foreign buyer. Read more > |
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| Podcast |
| Hangar Talk: Former astronaut, adventurer Scott Parazynski |
| Hear former space shuttle astronaut Scott Parazynski, an author, adventurer, medical doctor, and instrument-rated commercial pilot, describe how aviation paved the way for his summit of Mount Everest, and catch up on the latest aviation news with this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast > |
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| AOPA Day at Sporty's coming up |
| Sporty's has been a proud AOPA supporter for more than 50 years, and on Oct. 18, we're celebrating: AOPA members will receive free shipping on every product at Sporty's that day. Enter promo code AOPA1017 and your member number when you check out. If you're not already an AOPA member, Sporty's will be extending an attractive signup offer. |
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Career Opportunities
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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 an operations clerk, administrative clerk, survey analyst/survey researcher, marketing program coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, legal services plan attorney, and part-time administrative assistant. Learn about AOPA career opportunities > |
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Question of the Week
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Question
You have experienced a bird strike. The airplane is fine, as confirmed by a mechanic. Is there anything else you need to do? |
| Answer |
In addition to having the airplane checked by a qualified mechanic, you should fill out a Wildlife Strike Report. The information collected from these forms helps the FAA's research on hazard assessments and wildlife management. For more information, see this AOPA subject report.
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA. |
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Education & Seminars
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| Flight Instructor Refresher Courses |
| Oct 14-15 |
Nashville, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut |
| Oct 21-22 |
Wichita, Kansas |
| Nov 4-5 |
Austin, Texas |
| Nov 11-12 |
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Anchorage, Alaska; and Atlanta, Georgia |
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| Safety Seminars |
| Oct 16 |
Garden City, New York |
| Oct 17 |
Poughkeepsie, New York |
| Oct 18 |
Albany, New York |
| Oct 19 |
Milan, Illinois; and Brockport, New York |
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| Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. |
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| Rusty Pilots Seminars |
| Oct 14 |
New Knoxville, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Iowa City, Iowa; and Maricopa, Arizona |
| Oct 21 |
Fremont, Ohio; West Palm Beach, Florida;
and Burlington, Washington |
| Oct 27 |
Tampa, Florida |
| Oct 28 |
Tampa, Florida; Pacoima, California; and La Crosse, Wisconsin |
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| 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.) |
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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 |
