February 23, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 8	February 23, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Shoulder harnesses can increase safety

Installing shoulder harnesses on an aircraft can reduce major injuries and fatalities in accidents. Find out what it takes to add them. Read more >

Online resource

Safe pilots, safe skies

Improve your skills to make the right choices—every flight. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Aeronautical Decision Making Safety Spotlight can help. Learn more >

Video

Spot landing 101

Could your short-field technique use a refresher? Nail your short-field landings with this AOPA Air Safety Institute video. Watch the video >

Video

Transition training tip

Flying experimental amateur-built airplanes is fun. But first, get training, as this video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Transitioning to Other Airplanes online course recommends. Watch the video >

Advocacy

AOPA fires back at errant ATC opinion

In a Feb. 15 editorial supporting the removal of air traffic control from the FAA, The Wall Street Journal claimed opponents, including AOPA, have orchestrated a "misinformation campaign" on the issue. AOPA fired back. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA to shift DC FRZ flight plan filing

Pilots authorized to fly in the Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone will have to call in their required flight plans to the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center instead of flight service starting March 29. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

ADHD and the FAA

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is complicated to diagnose, writes Gary Crump, director of AOPA's Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Section. Find out why medications prescribed to treat ADHD might interfere with a pilot's duties. Read more >

Technology

Slideshow

Frasca International celebrates 60 years

Rudy Frasca was fresh out of the U.S. Navy when he built his first flight simulator in the family garage in 1958, launching what would become a global flight training device powerhouse. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

If you build it, they will come

Find out how backcountry pilot, A&P IA, and airport manager Amy Helm is turning things around at Glenwood Springs Airport in the Colorado Rockies in this exclusive interview with Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Read more >

Gear

Article

Avidyne slides into Robinson helicopters

Avidyne's IFD series of navigation and communication units created as slide-in upgrades to legacy navigators have been cleared for installation in Robinson helicopters. Read more >

Article

Garmin updates helicopter glass

Garmin International has announced new helicopter products, including updated integrated cockpit displays and the GFC 600H flight control system designed to reduce pilot workload through automation. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Gliders, skiing...and a Frozen Dead Guy?

Fly to Boulder, Colorado, where you can soar over the Rockies in a glider, or head to Nederland to ski at a little-known resort and party with the locals as they celebrate the real frozen dead guy in their midst. Read more >

Slideshow

Sandstone, solitude, and silence

Mexican Mountain, Utah, boasts superlative opportunities for camping, hiking, and spotting rock art next to the San Rafael River. This may just be the quietest place you've ever been. Read more >

Financial

Member benefit

Medical liability limits for passengers

AOPA Insurance Services Director of Operations Jim Pinegar explains medical liability limits for aircraft passengers. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Last of AOPA's charter members dies

Earle Benjamin Blomeyer learned to fly before AOPA was formed and was the last of the association's first 250 members to make his final flight: Blomeyer died Feb. 8 in Atlanta, at age 102. Read more >

Article

Cracked spar cap prompts AD on Cessna twins

An airworthiness directive is scheduled to take effect Feb. 28 requiring repetitive inspections of many models of Textron Aviation Inc. twin-engine airplanes for cracks in the left and right forward lower carry-through spar caps, replacing the spar caps if cracks are found, and reporting the inspection results to the FAA. Read more >

Podcast

Hangar Talk: Tips for flying with children

Instrument-rated private pilot, mother, and AOPA Pilot Managing Editor Sarah Deener and her husband, Matt, share tips for flying with children; also, catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Livestream

Taming tailwheels

Tailwheel flying can take you on amazing adventures in even more amazing aircraft, but earning the endorsement can come with a serving of humble pie. Learn more about tailwheel flying in a Feb. 27 webinar at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Register now >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFI, Lewis University

Lewis University, located 25 miles southwest of Chicago, is seeking a full-time certificated flight instructor to assist with instruction in its flight education program. This position will be responsible for teaching flight laboratories and ground school as assigned. Potential candidates must be self-motivated and hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree. 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 facilities technician, High School Aviation Initiative manager, aviation program operations coordinator, Flying Clubs Initiative intern, Salesforce developer, marketing coordinator, and business analytics intern. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

You want to complete your flight review this weekend, but your medical certificate expired last month. Can you complete a flight review without a current medical?

Answer

Yes. You can complete the flight review as long as the instructor giving the review has a current medical. The instructor must act as pilot in command for the flight. You can still log PIC time because you will be the sole manipulator of the controls and are rated in the aircraft.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Feb 24-25	Fort Worth, Texas; and Kenner, Louisiana
Mar 3-4	Tempe, Arizona
Mar 10-11	King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Ontario, California; and Santa Clara, California
Apr 7-8	Atlanta, Georgia; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Diego, 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

Feb 25	Puyallup, Washington
Mar 12	Jacksonville, Florida; and Fresno, California
Mar 13	Melbourne, Florida; and Concord, California
Mar 14	Daytona Beach, Florida

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Feb 24	Puyallup, Washington; and Homestead, Florida
Mar 3	Henderson, Nevada; Kissimmee, Florida; Houston, Texas; Scottsdale, Arizona; San Diego, California; and Valparaiso, Indiana
Mar 10	Tuskegee, Alabama; Chickasha, Oklahoma; and San Antonio, Texas
Mar 13	Fort Myers, Florida

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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Gary Brennan, 301-695-2052

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Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Tom Linton, 301-695-2055

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