September 22, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 38	September 22, 2017

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Top Stories

Advocacy

AOPA forms Airport Access Advisory Panel

A cross-section of the general aviation industry met at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, Sept. 19 to discuss how to work with the FAA, elected officials, airport leaders, pilots, and fixed-base operators to develop policies that support access to airports as well as FBO transparency, pricing, and competition. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Dunk to survive; Garmin's 360 action cam

Survival Systems USA has put thousands of air crews through immersion training to prepare them to escape a sinking aircraft after ditching. Also this week, get the latest on the battle to save air traffic control from ruinous change by Congress, and watch 360-degree views of flight with Garmin's VIRB 360 action camera. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 21 >

Hurricane disaster relief

Article

Hurricane Maria slams Puerto Rico airfield

Puerto Rico's Isla Grande Airport, a general aviation airfield in the capital, San Juan, was littered with destroyed aircraft after Hurricane Maria tore through the island Sept. 20 as a Category Four storm. Read more >

Slideshow

GA pilots deliver medicine to Virgin Islands, evacuate people

A mission to deliver life-saving antibiotics and insulin to Hurricane Irma victims in the U.S. Virgin Islands began with a phone call from an Ocala, Florida, general aviation ramp and ended 12 hours later with the evacuation of six people and two dogs from Saint John. Read more >

Slideshow

Florida Keys airport plays major role in Irma relief

Summerland Key Cove Airport played a critical role in the relief efforts after Hurricane Irma devastated the Florida Keys with an epic storm surge, ferocious winds, and torrential rain. Read more >

Slideshow

Small efforts add up to help Texans clean up, rebuild

After Hurricane Harvey battered much of Texas, pilots, air traffic controllers, airport personnel, and volunteers on the ground banded together to make a big difference for affected residents. Read more >

Article

Behind the scenes of grassroots success Operation Airdrop

What has become one of the largest overnight grassroots general aviation disaster relief groups—Operation Airdrop—started with a phone conversation Aug. 29 between pilots who wanted to make a difference in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. What a difference they made: More than 200 aircraft delivered over 225,000 pounds of supplies. Read more >

Article

Drones deliver storm response

In the aftermath of two major hurricanes, drones were deployed in unprecedented numbers to search for victims, assess critical infrastructure, and support live television coverage. Successful deployments cemented a perception of drones as tools for public benefit. Read more >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

AOPA's Tampa Fly-In remains on schedule

The AOPA Fly-In at Tampa, Florida, presented by Peter O. Knight Airport, will continue as planned Oct. 27 and 28. The host airport was not damaged by Hurricane Irma. Read more >

Article

'Ditching, ditching'

Exiting an aircraft that's inverted and submerged in water can become a battle against panic. AOPA Editor at Large Tom Horne goes inside a dunk tank at Survival Systems USA in Groton, Connecticut. (Those attending the AOPA Fly-In at Groton presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales will be able to tour the center Oct. 6 and 7.) Read more >

Slideshow

The thinking pilot's getaway

You'd expect a town near Boston to be of critical importance to early American history. Concord, Massachusetts, is that, and much more. It's the site of the first battle of the American Revolution and a perfect side trip on your way to or from the AOPA Fly-In at Groton, Connecticut. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Video

Ready to roll

Are you prepared to stop on the runway if the takeoff roll isn't going as planned? Consider these tips and techniques from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Takeoffs and Landings: Determining an Abort Point video before you shove the throttle full open. Watch the video >

Step on the high wing?

If a wing drops at the onset of a stall, the airplane's nose will yaw in the direction of the low wing. Do you know how to recover? Review aerodynamic principles involved in maneuvering flight with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Aerodynamics quiz. Test and polish your knowledge >

Article

Tips to customize your flight review

Before your next flight review, sit down with your flight instructor to discuss how much and what kind of flying you do so that the CFI can tailor the ground and flight training to help make you a better pilot. Read more >

Video

Surviving after an aircraft accident

The reality of life after an aircraft accident can be devastating. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's special half-hour presentation, No Greater Burden: Surviving an Aircraft Accident, is a sobering look at one pilot's tragedy, the desolation it wrought, and the lessons we all can learn from it. Watch the video >

Advocacy

AOPA releases guide for cross-border flying

AOPA has released a new flying guide, Cross Borders, to help make planning and executing cross-border flights easier for general aviation pilots. Read more >

Advocacy

White House intends to nominate safety expert to NTSB

Well-known safety advocate Bruce Landsberg is set to be nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board. Following Senate confirmation, Landsberg would serve a five-year term and would be designated vice chairman for two years. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA issues AD for Ameri-King ELTs

The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive requiring repetitive inspections of Ameri-King Corp. Model AK-450- and AK-451-series ELTs in response to multiple reports of failures and a report of "noncompliance to quality standards and manufacturer processes." Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Three-tiered airport advocacy works

Successful airport advocacy efforts require local, state, and national support, according to Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. She uses the successful AOPA Fly-In at Norman, Oklahoma, to show how aviation groups at all three levels can work together to make an airport successful in its community. Read more >

Gear

Article

Rugged Nomad solar panel charges phones

The rugged, waterproof Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel is about the size of an iPad Mini when folded and provides enough power to charge mobile devices. Read more >

Travel

Article

Fly to the NFL football stadiums

Football fans: Travel writer Crista Videriksen Worthy has you covered with tips on the closest airports to each National Football League stadium, as well as locations with the best fuel prices and courtesy or rental car availability. Take a look at the lists for the American Football Conference and National Football Conference, and plan to fly yourself to the next big game.

Financial

Member benefit

Time to review your life insurance needs

Just as your aircraft requires an annual inspection, you should periodically review your life insurance needs to make sure you're adequately prepared for the future. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Red Bull closes in on season finale

Both Americans vying for the 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championship suffered setbacks in Germany, while a resurgent Yoshihide Muroya closed to within striking distance of leader Martin Sonka heading into the final race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Read more >

Slideshow

'Strega' dethrones 'Voodoo' at Reno air races

Strega, long a fan favorite P-51D air racer, won the Gold race in the Unlimited Class at the fifty-fourth National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, Sept. 17. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Attorney offers advice for handling maintenance disputes

When a mechanic and an aircraft owner dispute the scope, quality, or cost of the maintenance performed, the disagreement can be resolved one of two ways, explains AOPA Legal Services Plan panel attorney Jerry Eichenberger. Read more >

Article

Aerospace educator honored for hands-on approach

A third-grade teacher in Palmdale, California, known for her hands-on teaching style and nontraditional lessons has been named the 2017 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of Year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Read more >

Career Opportunities

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a 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 >

Question of the Week

Question

You have been asked to donate a sightseeing flight for a local nonprofit organization's silent auction. Where can you find information about offering such a flight?

Answer

See 14 CFR 91.146, "Passenger-carrying flights for the benefit of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event." For additional information, see AOPA's "Guide to charitable/nonprofit/community event sightseeing flights." If after reviewing these resources you still have questions, contact AOPA's Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

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
Oct 21-22	Wichita, Kansas

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 25	Reno, Nevada; Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey; and Northbrook, Illinois
Sep 26	Sacramento, California; Hartford, Connecticut; and Lisle, Illinois
Sep 27	Milpitas, California; Waltham, Massachusetts; and East Peoria, Illinois
Sep 28	Santa Rosa, California; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Rockford, Illinois

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Sep 23	Spring, Texas
Sep 30	Weslaco, Texas; Kissimmee, Florida; Millington, Tennessee; and San Juan, Puerto Rico
Oct 6	Groton, Connecticut
Oct 7	Groton, Connecticut; Russellville, Alabama; Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Greensboro, North Carolina; Stevensville, Maryland; South Saint Paul, Minnesota; Griffin, Georgia; and Watkins, Colorado

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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Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089

Western United States:
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