April 13, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 15	April 13, 2018

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Top Stories

Advocacy

Airport Access Watch List released

AOPA has released an Airport Access Watch List of 10 locations where the association believes fixed-base operators with monopoly positions may be preventing reasonable airport access. Read more >

You Can Fly

AOPA Flight Training Experience Survey opens

If you have flown with a flight instructor in the past 12 months, AOPA has a question for you: How would you rate the experience? Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Sweeps Super Cub debuts; High-tech airshow

AOPA's Sweepstakes Super Cub debuts at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida, and we give you an up-close look. Also this week, new technology puts airshow spectators in the middle of the action, and Bob Carlton wows crowds in a SubSonex microjet. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 12 >

Sun 'n Fun News

Slideshow

Sights of Sun 'n Fun

After a soggy opening day, skies cleared and crowds gathered at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. AOPA photographers stayed busy keeping up with the action. Read more >

Article

King Schools goes online

King Schools, after evolving its content delivery for more than 40 years—from in-person delivery using chalkboards and overhead transparencies, to distance learning with VHS tapes that later transitioned to CDs and DVDs—has said goodbye to discs. Read more >

Article

AmSafe aftermarket universal airbag seatbelt in the works

Airbag seatbelt manufacturer AmSafe is closing in on FAA approval of a universal-fit airbag kit aftermarket replacement for two- and three-point seatbelt systems for Part 23 standard category general aviation aircraft (non-Part 23.562 aircraft), the company announced. Read more >

You Can Fly

AOPA, California Aeronautical University renew partnership

AOPA and California Aeronautical University renewed a Supporting Sponsor agreement April 11 to continue working together to reach a new generation of pilots. Read more >

Article

Piper inks 100-aircraft deal with ATP

Building on a prior relationship, Piper Aircraft and ATP flight schools announced an order for 100 Piper Archer TX models. Read more >

Article

Searey LSA to help seaplane pilots spread goodwill

Steve McCaughey, the executive director of the Seaplane Pilots Association, was at a momentary loss for words when Progressive Aerodyne sales director Kevin Oaks handed over the keys to a new Searey Adventure light sport aircraft. Read more >

Article

Tecnam teams with new collegiate program

International Aero Academy and Central Christian College teamed up with Tecnam U.S. to establish a new, four-year aviation degree program based in Lakeland, Florida, that aims to slash the cost of an aviation education and replenish the career pilot pipeline. Read more >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

Pitch us your airport

AOPA regional fly-ins have grown since 2014 into one of our most successful efforts, drawing members together for events hosted at the airports where we love to fly. We'd love to have you add your favorite airport to our list. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Webinar

Learn the fine points of formation flight

Join AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman and Mike Filucci, vice president of flight operations and the AOPA Pilot Information Center, for a webinar in which they will share the benefit of their long experience in formation flying on April 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register now >

Online resource

Guide your flight

Flying season is open—are you ready? Review your personal minimums with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's VFR personal minimums and IFR personal minimums contracts for guidance.

Instrument chart cues

What does the "A" inside a black triangle on an instrument approach chart's upper left corner denote? This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz explains. Take the quiz >

Video

Climb atop the clouds

This AOPA Air Safety Institute Ask ATC video explains a "VFR on top" clearance. Learn how to request it and how it works. Watch the video >

AOPA Premier Partner Created Content

Win this flight simulator

You are flying in instrument conditions when an unusual malfunction puts your flight in immediate jeopardy. See if you can get this airplane on the ground safely. Watch the video, learn some practical tips, and enter for a chance to win a personal, three-monitor flight simulator worth more than $3,000, plus "Getting Started With Flight Simulation," a video training program for pilots. Watch the video >

Advocacy

Comment period open on aviation maintenance technician ACS

The FAA continues to replace its practical test standards publications with modernized airman certification standards, and has published a new draft set of standards for aviation maintenance technician applicants. Read more >

Advocacy

GA airport funding gets a 'shot in the arm'

General aviation pilots and GA's infrastructure scored a significant victory when the omnibus spending bill signed into law March 23 assigned a high priority—and banked $1 billion—for funding improvement projects at small airports. Read more >

Advocacy

More efficiency, less privacy?

The introduction of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast as the next-generation air traffic control technology promises gains in efficiency, capacity, and safety. Privacy, however, stands to suffer.Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Drug test refusal

Pilots and mechanics must appreciate the requirements of the drug testing program and the serious ramifications of a failed drug test. Read more >

Technology

Article

Sun Flyer 2 prototype marks first test flight

The Sun Flyer 2, a prototype electric airplane being developed by Bye Aerospace in Colorado, took to the air on April 10 for a "fantastic first flight," the company said in a news release. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Stormy Atlantic flying

Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher reflects on the challenges, and the rewards, of getting comfortable flying in a new place, such as Portugal, where winds blasted rocky shores in March.Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Hub of the Treasure Coast

The airport restaurant was rated No. 1 in the United States. The airport was rated the No. 1 location for U.S. Customs clearance to the Bahamas. Need more reasons to visit Florida's spectacular Treasure Coast? Read more >

Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.

Financial

Member Benefit

Tax time is here

Pilots often have questions about the best time to buy an airplane and how financing an aircraft can affect their taxes, or how taxes can affect financing applications. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Flying-car venture Terrafugia expands workforce

Flying car company Terrafugia has added 75 jobs to its workforce and expects to hire 50 or more additional workers by the end of 2018. Read more >

Blog

Radius of range

Fuel on board and flight conditions determine a measurement that changes constantly during a flight, and changes in this radius of range become particularly important when landing options are limited. This is math you can do on the fly. Read more >

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Rivet basics

Until we can stamp out or 3-D-print a complete aircraft from a single piece of material, airplanes will continue to be constructed by assembling many smaller parts into a larger, finished product. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of instruction/aviation flight, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell

Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is seeking a director of instruction/aviation flight. The director serves as the chief flight instructor for the ENMU-Roswell flight school. Responsibilities include the safe day-to-day operations and oversight of the 14 CFR Parts 61 and 141 aviation flight program, ensuring compliance with federal aviation regulations, and communicating with the flight standards district office and Roswell fixed-base operations. 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 High School Aviation Initiative manager, Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Salesforce developer, Web project manager, business analyst, member services representative, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I've moved and need to update the address the FAA has on file for me. How do I update it, and how long do I have to do it?

Answer

You must update your permanent address with the FAA within 30 days after a change (see 14 CFR 61.60). If you fail to do so, you cannot exercise your certificate privileges until you do. The update can be done electronically or through the mail.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Apr 14-15	Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dedham, Massachusetts
Apr 21-22	Aurora, Colorado; Dulles, Virginia; and Tampa, Florida
May 5-6	Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas
May 19-20	Sacramento, California

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

Apr 17	Hartford, Connecticut
Apr 18	Waltham, Massachusetts; and West Lafayette, Indiana
Apr 19	Nashua, New Hampshire; and Zionsville, Indiana
Apr 23	Dodge Center, Minnesota

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Apr 14	Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Henderson, Nevada; Mansfield, Massachusetts; Chesterfield, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Redding, California
Apr 21	San Jose, California; Lima, Ohio; Montgomery, Alabama; Greeley, Colorado; Moody, Texas; Williamstown, West Virginia; and Live Oak, Florida
Apr 28	McKinney, Texas; Montgomery, New York; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Blaine, Minnesota; Roanoke, Virginia; and Statesboro, Georgia
May 5	Conroe, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho

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
Kristy O'Malley
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:
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