September 29, 2017, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 19, ISSUE 39	September 29, 2017

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Top Stories

Article

AOPA's 2018 Fly-Ins: Gateways for exploration

AOPA's 2018 Fly-In locations are gateways to explore the mountain Northwest, the high desert mountains, a cutting-edge center for the automobile and aviation industries in the Midwest, and a relaxed beach town along the Gulf Coast—all great family vacation destinations strategically located within easy flight for tens of thousands of AOPA members. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Lawmakers pass FAA extension; Next stop AOPA's Groton Fly-In

Legislation that would reauthorize the FAA and keep the air traffic control system intact passed the House and Senate just days before the Sept. 30 deadline. Also this week, get ready for the AOPA Fly-In presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales on Oct. 6 and 7 in Groton, Connecticut; and watch the AOPA chapter of Women in Aviation International spend a day inspiring girls. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 28 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

AOPA Fly-In: Maritime magic

With more to see and do than you can fit into a single weekend trip, you'll probably want to visit Groton, Connecticut—the site of AOPA's Fly-In, presented by Columbia Aircraft Sales, Oct. 6 and 7—more than once. Read more >

Slideshow

Mariner's haven

Mystic, Connecticut, is a great getaway, especially when the weather starts to cool off and the leaves begin turning. Maritime history awaits your exploration after landing at Groton, Connecticut, the site of AOPA's upcoming fly-in. Read more >

Slideshow

Pilgrims and cranberries make for a great fall getaway

Fall in New England is simply glorious. The beech and maple trees blaze gold and crimson, and cranberry season is in full swing in southern Massachusetts. Fly in to Plymouth Municipal Airport on your way to or from the AOPA Fly-In at Groton, Connecticut. Read more >

Article

Bahamas, Piper fly-outs, MacDill tour highlight year's final fly-in

Tour a U.S. Air Force base, visit an aircraft factory that must surely rate as a shrine to general aviation, and keep an unforgettable weekend going for a few extra days by flying to the Bahamas. All of this is within reach during the AOPA Fly-In at Tampa, Florida, presented by Peter O. Knight Airport, Oct. 27 and 28. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Article

Forum seeks solutions to runway incursions

Two facts about runway incursions should cause any pilot to sit up and stay sharp in the cockpit, the National Transportation Safety Board said during a recent forum. Read more >

Tackle airspace like a pro

Do you need a clearance from air traffic control to enter a terminal radar service area? Can you fly through special-use airspace? Find the answers in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace online course, which offers practical advice to help you fly from point A to point B. Take the course >

Video

Do you have traffic in sight?

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC: Traffic Alerts video explains VFR and IFR traffic separation. This second installment in the updated Ask ATC series was produced in partnership with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA. Watch the video >

Online resource

Moving up

If you want to fly higher and faster, find out what kind of training and endorsements you need to be able to pilot complex and high-performance aircraft. Learn more >

Accident analysis

Check and double check

Performing a detailed, rigorous preflight inspection of any aircraft that's just had maintenance work is a well-known practice for pilots. The same should be true for pilots who are also airframe and powerplant mechanics who work on their own airplanes. Read more in this special report from the AOPA Air Safety Institute >

Advocacy

Congress passes FAA extension

Both the House and Senate have passed a six-month FAA funding extension. The legislation, which does not contain language to remove air traffic control from the FAA, heads to President Donald Trump for his signature just days before the Sept. 30 funding deadline. Read more >

Advocacy

Santa Monica leaders waste millions of taxpayer dollars

The city of Santa Monica, California, announced that it will begin work shortening what is arguably the most controversial runway in the country Oct. 9, and conclude by Dec. 30. Read more >

Technology

Article

$2 million offered for solution to 'personal flight'

The vision of personal flight for the masses has been out there for a long time, seemingly just beyond reach. The GoFly Prize competition is challenging teams of innovators to make the dream a reality. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Annual inspections: Unobtanium and unaffordium

Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch writes about his Cessna Turbo 310's recently completed annual inspection that made him conclude, "Aircraft ownership isn't for sissies...and that goes double for twins." Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

High Sierra Fly-In: Desert drag racing—with airplanes

Once a year, a dry lakebed in the Nevada desert changes overnight from a desolate expanse to a party zone that's more fun than Burning Man. The High Sierra Fly-In brings together hundreds of pilots to land in seemingly impossible places and to compete—in airplane drag racing. Read more >

Financial

Article

Cape Air begins Tecnam transition

Massachusetts-based Cape Air is lined up and waiting for delivery of the first 20 Tecnam P2012 Traveller twins, expected to enter service in early 2019, replacing the original Cessna 402s the regional carrier has flown since 1989. Read more >

AOPA Aviation Finance

Tax documents needed for aircraft loan approvals

Pilots planning to buy an airplane will need to provide two consecutive years of filed tax returns so that a lender can verify income and check cash flow, among other things. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

GA relief aiding Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

General aviation pilots, business owners, and celebrities pitched in to step up relief efforts for Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after federal efforts initially fell flat. Read more >

Article

Ontario airshow makes triumphant return

The theme was "Power and Pride" in Ontario, Canada, when Airshow London returned to town Sept. 22 to 24, drawing large crowds under bright, sunny skies. Read more >

Article

Beechcraft fly home to celebrate milestone anniversaries

Concurrent anniversaries caused a surge of attendance at the American Bonanza Society convention in Wichita, Kansas, Sept. 21 through 24. The association's fiftieth anniversary aligns with the seventieth anniversary of the certification of the legendary Beech Bonanza. Read more >

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Reno unlimited air race winner Jay Consalvi

Hear National Championship Air Races Unlimited Class winner Jay Consalvi explain the strategy for his Reno, Nevada, victory flying Strega, a super-modified P-51D Mustang, and catch up on the latest aviation news with this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Article

Youth flock to annual Girls in Aviation Day

Nearly 10,000 youth attended Women in Aviation International programs at airports, museums, and education centers in the United States and 12 other countries during Girls in Aviation Day Sept. 23. Read more >

Member benefit

Scholarship winner credits AOPA with enhancing his aviation experiences

Andrew Treulich, an AOPA member and 2016 AOPA High School Scholarship winner, has already earned his private pilot certificate and will be working on his instrument rating. After receiving a boost from AOPA to make his dream of flying come true, he safeguards his flight activities with AOPA's Pilot Protection Services and renter's insurance. 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, and legal services plan attorney. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

Your local aviation group has asked you to give a safety presentation at this month's meeting. Where can you find resources to help you make an interesting presentation?

Answer

The AOPA Air Safety Institute offers a "Safety To Go" download portal, where you can find safety presentations and videos covering a variety of topics. Because all the resources are downloadable, there is no need to secure an internet connection during the presentation.

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 2	Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Tampa, Florida
Oct 3	Independence, Ohio; Fort Myers, Florida; and Fort Worth, Texas
Oct 4	Columbus, Ohio; Hollywood, Florida; and Addison, Texas
Oct 5	Batavia, Ohio

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Sep 30	Weslaco, Texas; Kissimmee, Florida; and Millington, Tennessee
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
Oct 14	New Knoxville, Ohio; Bethany, Oklahoma; Iowa City, Iowa; and Maricopa, Arizona

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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