April 27, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 17	April 27, 2018

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Top Stories

Advocacy

Shuster backs down on last-minute ATC kerfuffle

Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) backed down less than 24 hours after proposing an amendment to H.R. 4, the bill to provide long-term FAA funding. The amendment had shades of Shuster's previous effort to "privatize" air traffic control. The sudden change came thanks to an immediate outpouring of opposition by general aviation pilots. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Heart of Colombia; Skyhawk, JT-A put to test

Join a humanitarian mission that crosses Colombia's Andes mountains and touches down in a remote coastal town, bringing doctors and other volunteers who create a hospital on the spot. Also, AOPA editors pit the venerable Cessna Skyhawk against a Jet A-powered variant. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 26 >

Technique and Safety

Spring season's mood swings

Why should you update your altimeter setting regularly when crossing a frontal boundary? This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz explains. Take the quiz >

Video

Only 178 seconds

Despite the inherent lethality of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, some pilots roll the dice and lose. Don't get lured into the trap! Watch the video >

Online resource

'I'm ready to go!'

Flight instructor William Woodbury contemplates pilots' self-assessment skills in the latest issue of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's CFItoCFI newsletter. Subscribe to the free quarterly publication. Read more >

IFR Fix

Should you get an instrument rating?

There are so many reasons to get your instrument rating, it's hard to know where to begin. Read more >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

IFR Procedures: Mastering SIDs and STARs

Hall of Fame CFI and DPE Wally Moran reviews different types of departure procedures and explains the gotchas, as well as why standard terminal arrival routes shouldn't intimidate you. Watch the video >

Livestream

Tips for real-world instrument flying

Learn the ins and outs of instrument flying and get real-world advice on flying in the system during a May 2 webinar at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register today >

Survey

Take the AOPA Air Safety Institute survey

Help improve our safety programs and enhance your experience. Thanks! Take the survey >

Advocacy

FAA drops complex aircraft requirement for some flight tests

The FAA has discontinued the requirement that applicants for a commercial pilot or flight instructor certificate with an airplane-single engine rating provide a complex airplane for their practical tests. Read more >

Advocacy

DUATS service to end May 16

If you get your weather briefings by phone or on the flight service website, nothing will change for you when the DUATS II contract expires on May 16. AOPA and the FAA are encouraging DUATS users to register for the flight service website. Get the details about what will and won't change.

Technology

Article

LIFT Air takes on new projects

LIFT Air of Eisenach, Germany, which acquired light sport aircraft manufacturer Flight Design in 2017, has announced its next goals. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Child's first airplane flight was a life-changer

Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch had no idea that a first flight for his 10-year-old nephew would lead the youth to a professional pilot career and a love for aviation. Now the two have passed the passion to a third generation. Read more >

Gear

Article

CiES fuel-quantity senders approved for more aircraft

CiES Inc. announced that its new-technology digital fuel-quantity senders have received supplemental type certificate approval for use in an expanded group of general aviation aircraft. Read more >

Travel

Article

Code of the courtesy car

Getting around on the ground is a challenging aspect of general aviation travel. Here are a few things to know about courtesy cars. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Gulfstream to expand Savannah service center

Gulfstream Aerospace announced plans for a new $55 million service center that will bring 200 additional jobs to the Savannah, Georgia, area by 2019. Read more >

AOPA scholarship deadline nears

Applications are due May 2 for AOPA's three scholarship programs that offer funds for high school students pursuing a primary pilot certificate, for aviation enthusiasts ages 16 and older pursing primary certification, and for certificated pilots seeking advanced ratings.

Pilot Protection Services

What is a quiet title action?

If it's not possible to clear a "clouded" title by working with the person or entity who has a lien or encumbrance against an aircraft you are trying to sell, a quiet title action might be necessary. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Hall wins in France, Goulian maintains Red Bull lead

Nearly 84,000 Red Bull Air Race World Championship fans crowded the Riviera in Cannes, France, as Australia's Matt Hall climbed to the top of the leaderboard after what he described as a "hard fought Final 4." Read more >

Article

Air Care Alliance summit seeks common ground

Floods, hurricanes, and fires were on the minds of 65 attendees during an energetic General Aviation Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Summit national conference at the AOPA You Can Fly Academy in Maryland. Read more >

Article

Comedy flying a serious business for Eric Tucker

Eric Tucker lands a Piper J–3 Cub on an ambulance to deliver a serious message about stick-and-rudder skills. Read more >

Article

Field set for 2018 Air Race Classic

Fifty-six teams of women pilots will compete in the Air Race Classic, the annual all-women's cross-country air race, in June. Read more >

You Can Fly

Listening tour strives for flight training success

What challenges do flight schools face, and how can the programs AOPA dedicates to building a thriving general aviation community help address them? Read more >

Article

AOPA, JSfirm.com partner

AOPA announced a partnership with JSfirm.com to help job seekers find the latest career and aviation opportunities from the association's website. Read more >

Member benefit

AOPA Insurance Agency celebrates 25 years

After 25 years of service, the AOPA Insurance Agency still works to live up to the legacy of Don Flowers, one of the most-respected names in the aviation insurance industry. His insurance agency eventually became the AOPA Insurance Agency. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Flight instructors, Treasure Coast Flight Training

Treasure Coast Flight Training, a Part 141 flight school located in Stuart, Florida, has immediate openings for certificated flight instructors, CFIIs, and MEIs. Perfect weather means year-round flying and fast time building. Enjoy a fun atmosphere and fly impeccably maintained aircraft. 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, Salesforce developer, marketing coordinator, Web project manager, UI front-end developer, business analyst, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I'm concerned that I won't be able to get my flight review done before it expires at the end of this month. Are there any special requirements if it expires?

Answer

There are no special requirements for completing a flight review after a previous review has expired. However, having a current flight review is a requirement to be able to act as pilot in command, so the instructor giving the review will have to be acting PIC for the flight, since you cannot. For more information about flight reviews, see FAA Advisory Circular AC 61-98C.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

May 5-6	Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas
May 19-20	Sacramento, California
Jun 2-3	Columbus, Ohio
Jun 9-10	Santa Clara, California; and Tempe, Arizona

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

May 1	Tampa, Florida; and Stevensville, Maryland
May 2	Frederick, Maryland; and Fort Myers, Florida
May 3	Hollywood, Florida
May 7	Garden City, New York; and Green Bay, Wisconsin

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Apr 28	McKinney, Texas; Montgomery, New York; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Blaine, Minnesota; Roanoke, Virginia; and Statesboro, Georgia
May 5	Conroe, Texas; and Boise, Idaho
May 6	Anchorage, Alaska
May 12	Winter Haven, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Zionsville, Indiana; McPherson, Kansas; Frederick, Maryland; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Lincoln, California

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

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