September 15, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 37	September 15, 2017

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Top Stories

Slideshow

'The right thing to do'

The Sun ‘n Fun campus at Florida's Lakeland Linder Regional Airport buzzes as groups that led the general aviation relief effort in Texas after Hurricane Harvey shift to aid in the wake of Hurricane Irma. GA pilots and volunteers gather food, water, medicine, and other supplies for flights to devastated communities. Veteran hurricane photojournalist and AOPA Online Associate Editor David Tulis takes you to the front lines. Read more >

Article

Tips for flying disaster relief missions

In the wake of natural disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, general aviation serves as a key link in delivering much-needed relief supplies to areas that have become inaccessible by road. Patient Airlift Services recently released disaster relief best practices. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

GA helps hurricane victims; Remembering Flight 93

Take a look back at the record-breaking AOPA Fly-In at Norman, Oklahoma, and reflect on the sixteenth anniversary of 9/11 during a visit to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. Also this week, general aviation brings critical supplies and tools to hurricane-ravaged regions. As of publication deadline, AOPA Live This Week® producers were still finalizing the show, which will be available Sept. 15. Watch AOPA Live This Week >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Slideshow

Norman sets new fly-in record

Near-perfect weather helped to draw more than 500 aircraft and 7,500 people to the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport in Norman Sept. 9 for AOPA's regional fly-in. The airport hosted its eleventh annual Aviation Festival in conjunction with the fly-in. Read more >

Article

Experience coastal Connecticut

The AOPA Fly-In at Groton, Connecticut, presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales, will coincide with the arrival of the colors of autumn that New England is known for. During the two-day fly-in Oct. 6 and 7, expand your aviation knowledge and take part in exciting excursions. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Video

Avoid CFIT with a terrain avoidance plan

Have you been caught off guard flying too close for comfort to terrain or obstacles? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Look Out! Avoiding Terrain and Obstructions video presents potentially dangerous situations. Learn how heightened situational awareness and a terrain avoidance plan minimize risks. Watch the video >

Video

Ask ATC video series—fresh content, new look

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's popular Ask ATC video series is getting a makeover. In Ask ATC: Bothering ATC, the first installment in the updated series, air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten debunks the notion that talking to flights squawking 1200 is an inconvenience for controllers. Watch the new video, produced in partnership with NATCA and the FAA >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Caught on Camera: Cessna 172 lands at Logan International

Landing a Cessna 172 at a busy Class B airport isn't something general aviation pilots do often. Watch how this experienced pilot handles the rapid-fire air traffic control communications and task saturation. Watch the video by AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops >

Article

Letters from a fellow pilot

A general aviation pilot who survives a serious accident can expect mail from the FAA, insurance companies, and an Indiana pilot who has made it his mission to help fellow pilots cope with the consequences, and eventually return to flying. Read more >

Online resource

Peek behind the firewall

Whether you own or rent, consider factors that influence your aircraft's health and aging process. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Aircraft Ownership and Maintenance safety spotlight offers an opportunity to learn about preventive maintenance and how to mitigate risks of aircraft aging. Learn more >

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Inspecting flight control cables

Most general aviation aircraft control systems include flexible steel cables, and it is critical to inspect the cables' interior and exterior carefully. Read more >

Advocacy

GAO report: ATC system performing well

A newly released report by the Government Accountability Office backs up what AOPA and other general aviation groups have been saying for months: Air traffic control technology upgrades are on budget and already increasing efficiency despite claims by the airlines. Read more >

Advocacy

Conservative group speaks out against ATC 'privatization'

The American Conservative Union Foundation, a leading Washington, D.C., conservative group, spoke out against H.R. 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act, which would hand air traffic control over to the airlines. The group said the proposal does not meet the criteria of a truly privatized entity. Read more >

Advocacy

Thunderbirds, Blue Angels join anti-privatization fight

What do astronauts, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger have in common? They all oppose so-called air traffic control privatization. Read more >

Advocacy

Don't privatize ATC, AOPA Germany warns

During an AOPA Live® interview, Michael Erb, vice president of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations in Europe and managing director of AOPA Germany, spoke about the downsides of so-called air traffic control privatization, and warned the United States not to follow in Germany's path. Read more >

Advocacy

GA groups ask for longer term FAA funding extension

With the Sept. 30 deadline to continue funding authorization for the FAA quickly approaching, Congress needs to pass at least a six-month funding extension to keep the agency running and not derail progress on modernizing the air traffic control system, AOPA President Mark Baker and the heads of five other general aviation advocacy groups wrote Sept. 14 to key leaders in the House and Senate. Read more >

Advocacy

Wildfire ahead? Check for a TFR

Pilots who observe smoke while flying in remote areas should contact the local air traffic control facility or flight service to get an update on temporary flight restrictions en route. Read more >

Advocacy

NavWorx AMOCs updated

The FAA has updated three alternate methods of compliance issued in August for the airworthiness directive affecting certain NavWorx Inc. universal access transceivers. Read more >

Advocacy

Second GA Engine Summit stresses cooperation

Two days of meetings between aviation industry representatives and government officials resumed discussions from a prior session of ways the parties can work together to find the best solutions to airworthiness concerns that arise with aircraft engines. Read more >

Advocacy

AOPA backs streamlined RVSM approvals

The FAA's proposal to allow the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out to support flight operations in reduced vertical separation minimum airspace could cut costs and enhance efficiency without degrading safety, AOPA said in a regulatory filing. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

'Stop bugging me'

Dr. Jonathan Sackier explains 10 infections transmitted by bugs to beware during the summer and fall months when spending time outdoors. Read more >

Technology

Advocacy

Do you want $500?

The FAA's yearlong $500 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast rebate program is in its final days. The last day to reserve a rebate is Sept. 18. Read more >

Video

ABCs of ADS-B

With the FAA rebate program deadline looming for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, learn about the equipment available and what will work best for your airplane in this recorded livestream. Then, register in the FAA rebate program before the Sept. 18 deadline and get started equipping your aircraft. Watch the video >

Opinion

Blog

GA's work-to-reward ratio

Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher continues to fly his Piper J-3 Cub overseas and writes that "Europe adds nonsense into flight procedures, and that arbitrariness has a way of killing off the desire to go flying—whether or not those procedures involve paying a fee." Read more >

Gear

Article

Trio autopilots now shipping

A non-TSO autopilot now available for Part 23 airplanes (and selling for $7,500 as a complete kit) is shipping to owners of Cessna 172, 175, and 182 models, with more models of Cessnas and Pipers close behind. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

A castle in the Catskills

Nestled in the Hudson Valley area of the southern Catskills, New Paltz, New York, is the perfect place to escape from it all. Spend your days exploring a nature preserve where waterfalls tumble over rocks, and forests blaze orange and red in fall. Then, sleep in a world-famous castle perched above a gorgeous, glacier-carved lake. Read more >

Slideshow

Divine wines and friendly folks

Paso Robles, California, is making people sit up and take notice: The quality of the wines and the interest some of the wineries take in coddling their visitors long after they've left the tasting room make this California's most exciting wine region. Read more >

Slideshow

Hike, climb remote Robber's Roost

Thinking about flying to one of Utah's outstanding backcountry airstrips? Angel Point makes an excellent choice. The airstrip is on the Outlaw Trail used by Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, as well as other outlaws. Rumor has it there's buried treasure in the surrounding canyons. Read more >

Financial

Slideshow

Buddy Holly secretly flew this Skyhawk

If Larry Ray Stewart has one regret about his vintage Cessna 172, it is replacing the upholstery covering the seat once occupied by a student pilot who also happened to be one of the most famous figures in the history of rock-and-roll music. Read more >

News and Notes

Slideshow

Flight 93 National Memorial a chilling 9/11 reminder

A Pennsylvania field is a "beautiful and yet so ugly" reminder of how 40 ordinary citizens stood up to terrorist hijackers who tried to turn an aircraft into a device of mass destruction. The Flight 93 National Memorial near general aviation's Somerset County Airport honors the passengers and crew for sacrificing their lives to prevent further human casualties on Sept. 11, 2001. Read more >

Article

National Championship Air Races back on solid footing

The National Championship Air Races—the always thrilling annual aerial event featuring six classes of racing aircraft—opened at Nevada's Reno/Stead Airport on Sept. 13 while continuing an emergence from recent financial difficulties. Read more >

Article

Continental takes next step toward new Alabama facility

As part of Continental Motors Group's ongoing effort to modernize its North American operations, the company announced Sept. 11 that it had signed a letter of intent with Stonemont Financial Group and Clayco Inc. to "finance, design, and build" its new Mobile, Alabama, facility that is estimated to cost $25 million. Read more >

AOPA Foundation focus

Passing along the passion

Ceci Stratford's Flight Training Scholarship granted to Genevieve Anonsen through the AOPA Foundation not only helped Anonsen earn her private pilot certificate, but spurred her on to a career in aviation. Plus, Anonsen and her benefactor have become friends. Read more >

Article

Lone Star museum to open after Hurricane Harvey

The planned Labor Day weekend grand opening of the Lone Star Flight Museum in new quarters at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas, was postponed after Hurricane Harvey swept into the state. The opening has been rescheduled for Sept. 16. Read more >

You Can Fly

The AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium, presented by American Airlines, is scheduled for Nov. 6 and 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. The symposium, geared toward high school educators and administrators, will include breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and tours of American Airlines and the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center. Register before Sept. 30 for a discount.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Chief pilot, Infinity Flight Group

Infinity Flight Group in New Jersey is seeking a chief pilot who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all certificated flight instructors. A key aspect of this position is to hire, train, and lead all CFIs. The chief pilot also will monitor student progress and maintain training records. 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 associate project manager, 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

You plan to take a business trip to South Africa and hope to go flying while you are there. Where can you find information about flying in the country?

Answer

AOPA is part of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA). The IAOPA website lists the contact information for any of the 73 IAOPA affiliates around the world, including AOPA South Africa. Contact the local IAOPA affiliate for answers to your questions about flying in that country during your visit.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Sep 16-17	Sandston, Virginia
Sep 23-24	Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Tempe, Arizona
Oct 7-8	Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct 14-15	Nashville, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut

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

Sep 18	Madison, Wisconsin; and Salt Lake City, Utah
Sep 19	Racine, Wisconsin
Sep 20	Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sep 25	Reno, Nevada; Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey; and Northbrook, Illinois

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Sep 16	Gilford, New Hampshire; Chamblee, Georgia; San Diego, California; Burnet, Texas; and Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Sep 23	Spring, Texas
Sep 30	Weslaco, Texas; Kissimmee, Florida; Millington, Tennessee; and San Juan, Puerto Rico
Oct 6	Groton, Connecticut

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:
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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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