September 8, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 36	September 8, 2017

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Top Stories

Slideshow

Pilots rush to aid storm victims

Aviators are playing key roles in relief efforts for thousands displaced by Hurricane Harvey. As Hurricane Irma ravaged the Caribbean and prompted frantic preparations in Florida, aircraft and flight crews once again swung into action. (Photo courtesy of the Civil Air Patrol.) Read more >

Advocacy

GA groups, astronauts step up effort to save ATC

Many general aviation organizations, including AOPA, are coordinating an urgent lobbying effort on Capitol Hill to preserve air traffic control, and by extension to preserve aviation as we know it. The message from aviation associations and astronauts is consistent, loud, and clear: Privatizing ATC would be a disaster. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Passing hat to protect ATC; Gilded Age landmark

AOPA is among about 145 groups raising money to counter the lobbying push by airlines to privatize air traffic control. Also this week, visit an amazing landmark in Newport, Rhode Island, and tips on caring for oleo struts. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 7 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

High-flying singer

AOPA's 2017 regional fly-ins are infused with aviation. At the Norman, Oklahoma, event Sept. 8 and 9, even the musician providing entertainment at the Friday evening Barnstormers party—which will be held on the ramp at University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport—is a pilot and active flight instructor. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Online resource

Be safe and fly healthy

Feeling perfectly fine? You still should take stock of your health. The effect of illness and medication on flying is important, as is considering your overall well-being before any flight. Keep your health in check with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Aeromedical Safety Spotlight. Explore the spotlight >

Get to know the regulations

True or false? When flying at a cabin pressure altitude above 15,000 feet msl, both crew and passengers are required to use supplemental oxygen. For the answer, explore this AOPA Air Safety Institute safety quiz, which offers a great refresher on sometimes difficult-to-remember federal aviation regulations. Be safe and test your skills >

Pilot Protection Services

Tips for flying as a safety pilot under BasicMed

AOPA Legal Services Plan Senior Staff Attorney Jared Allen explains the new BasicMed regulation and what it means for a pilot who wants to act as a safety pilot. Read more >

Video

The outlook for weather flying

While enjoying today's tools for weather planning and flying, what should we expect in the years to come? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise: The Future of Weather explores how technology will change and improve our experience. Watch the video >

Advocacy

FAA updating IFR chart formats

The FAA has begun to introduce changes designed to reduce clutter on government-produced standard instrument departure charts, and make it easier for pilots to ascertain the equipment requirements for instrument procedures. Read more >

Advocacy

Part 23 reform takes effect

Aircraft certification reforms long in the making (and backed by AOPA, among other advocates) took effect Aug. 30, creating new ways to improve safety and affordability across the general aviation fleet. Read more >

Health

Answers for pilots

Special issuance after a stent

The new BasicMed regulation offers good news for pilots who have undergone a stent procedure: The three-month recovery and observation period is no longer required for third class medical certification. However, the FAA will ask for information. Read more >

Technology

Article

Perlan 2 soars to altitude record

Perlan 2, a glider piloted by Jim Payne and Morgan Sandercock, reached 52,172 feet on Sept. 3, riding the stratospheric mountain wave above Argentina to a new altitude record (pending official validation). "All the right stuff" came together on the Airbus-supported mission's thirty-eighth flight. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

The big lie: ATC stuck in the 1960s

Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp shoots down the air traffic control privatization argument that the ATC system is stuck in 1960s technology. "Equating delays with ATC is as illogical as claiming the freeways are congested because of faded highway signage," he writes. Read more >

Gear

Article

New BendixKing radio repair policy in effect

BendixKing rolled out a new factory-only repair and exchange policy Sept. 1 for scores of legacy radio units. Aircraft owners and avionics shops now must send defective gear directly to the New Mexico factory for any type of repair, with a few notable exceptions. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Fly to Canada's Banff National Park

For pilots looking for the scenic general aviation trip of a lifetime, follow travel writer Crista Worthy as she breaks down a flight along the Canadian Rockies in a four-part series: Alberta's Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway, and Jasper. Each scene is so perfect, so stunningly beautiful, it's like you've become part of a fairy tale. First up: Banff National Park. Read more >

Slideshow

Explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

After two nights in Banff, Alberta, Canada, it's time to head north to some of the most mind-blowingly beautiful scenes anywhere in the world—Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Read more >

Slideshow

Take a scenic trip along Icefields Parkway

It might be hard to leave the beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but more adventures lie ahead along the Icefields Parkway, with more than 100 visible glaciers perched above long forested glacial-river valleys. Read more >

Slideshow

Flightseeing the Canadian Rockies

The wildlife-rich area surrounding Jasper, Alberta, Canada, delivers exceptional beauty and Canada's top-rated golf course. After you return to your airplane, if the weather is good, you can retrace your entire trip through the Canadian Rockies by air for an incredible day of flightseeing. Read more >

Financial

AOPA Aviation Finance

Time to refinance?

Interest rates are creeping up, and that trend is expected to continue. Now is a good time to look at refinancing your aircraft loan. Read more >

Article

UTC makes bid to buy Rockwell Collins

A $30 billion purchase of Rockwell Collins by United Technologies Corp. drew skeptical reactions from some customers, investors, and analysts after it was announced Sept. 4. Rockwell Collins, maker of Pro Line Fusion avionics suites and other general aviation products, would join Pratt & Whitney as part of the UTC family, in one of the biggest aerospace business deals ever. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Penalty pushes Chambliss off podium

Kirby Chambliss has been coming on strong, but suffered a setback as the Red Bull Air Race World Championship returned to Porto, Portugal. The two-time champ from Texas missed a chance to get a firm grip on the 2017 trophy with two races to go after taking a final-round gate penalty Sept. 3. Read more >

Article

Eclipse wing passes flight test

The wings of the forthcoming Eclipse EA700 jet (formerly known as "Project Canada") from One Aviation made a successful first flight attached to an Eclipse 550, the company announced Sept. 1. Read more >

Blog

Storm operations

Airline pilot Chip Wright offers an inside look at how the airlines, and their staff, adjust plans and reallocate resources on the fly to cope with hurricanes that may or may not follow predicted paths. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFI, Norfolk Flight Center

Norfolk Flight Center in Chesapeake, Virginia, is seeking certificated flight instructors who are enthusiastic and professional. The school's abundance of new and current students will allow instructors to fly as much as they want, ranging from 75 to 100 hours monthly. 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 marketing program coordinator, legislative affairs vice president, airports and state advocacy vice president, flight training business support senior director, legal services plan attorney, and part-time administrative assistant. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

Can a U.S. private pilot get a Canadian pilot certificate without taking a practical test?

Answer

Yes. You can convert your U.S. certificate to a Canadian certificate without a practical test; however, there are other requirements and prerequisites. This process has been available since late 2006, though it isn't a well-known option. See the Transport Canada website for details.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Sep 9-10	Elkridge, Maryland; and Sacramento, California
Sep 16-17	Sandston, Virginia
Sep 23-24	Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Tempe, Arizona
Oct 7-8	Indianapolis, Indiana

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

Sep 9	Norman, Oklahoma
Sep 11	Houston, Texas; Butler, Pennsylvania; and Seattle, Washington
Sep 12	Wichita, Kansas; Houston, Texas; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Washington
Sep 13	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; and Melbourne, Florida

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Sep 8	Norman, Oklahoma
Sep 9	Millville, New Jersey; Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin; Boulder, Colorado; Blaine, Minnesota; Norman, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; Washington, Pennsylvania; Downers Grove, Illinois; and Cleburne, Texas
Sep 16	Lakeland, Florida; Gilford, New Hampshire; Chamblee, Georgia; San Diego, California; Burnet, Texas; and Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Sep 23	Spring, Texas

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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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

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