January 5, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter
 |
| VOL 20, ISSUE 1 |
January 5, 2018 |
|
|
Top Stories
|
 |
| You Can Fly |
| You are flying |
| Rusty pilots are returning to the cockpit. Flying clubs are starting up and taking off. High schools are bringing aviation into their science and technology curricula, and a spotlight is shining on best practices in flight training. Read more > |
|
| Article |
| Compliance, safety, technology made strides under Huerta |
| FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, whose last official day in office is Jan. 6, has a word of advice for his yet-to-be-named successor: Don't step into this job thinking you have all the answers. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Technique and Safety
|
| Online resource |
| Winter weather woes? |
| Don't let cold weather ground you. Tackle winter with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Icing and Cold Weather Ops safety spotlight. Learn more > |
|
|
| AOPA Premier Partner created content |
| Win this flight simulator |
| You've added quite a few handy tricks to your IFR bag, including departing VFR to get your clearance in the air. It's always worked: This time ATC asks a question you never expected. Watch the video and enter for a chance to win this three-monitor flight simulator worth more than $2,000, plus "Getting Started With Flight Simulation," a video training program for pilots. Watch the video and enter to win > |
|
|
| Safety seminar |
| Scan the sky |
| The AOPA Air Safety Institute's new winter seminar, Collision Course: Avoiding Airborne Traffic, debuts Jan. 10. The seminar explores reasons for midair collisions, identifies high-risk scenarios, and offers strategies for avoiding them. Find a seminar near you > |
|
|
| Video |
| Escape ice hazards, quickly |
| The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study: Delayed Reaction explores a 2011 accident near Morristown, New Jersey, that underlines why it's important to recognize and react to unforecast icing without hesitation. Watch the video > |
|
|
| IFR Fix |
| A flight for dinner |
| When a pilot flying a rented Piper Arrow with only an inaccurate VOR installed took two friends on a flight for dinner, the decision to fly home under low ceilings and marginal conditions resulted in an encounter with night instrument meteorological conditions. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Advocacy
|
| Advocacy |
| Shuster won't seek reelection |
| House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) announced Jan. 2 that he will not seek reelection in 2018. Read more > |
|
|
| Advocacy |
| Santa Monica Airport reopens with shortened runway |
| Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California has reopened following completion of the second phase of a project to shorten its Runway 3/21 from 4,973 feet to 3,500 feet. Read more > |
|
|
| Advocacy |
| Most-complained-about Illinois airport initiates improvement |
| Following AOPA's complaint to the FAA about fixed-base operator pricing practices at Illinois' Waukegan National Airport, local leaders have publicized free tiedowns for transient aircraft, marked a pedestrian gate for direct access to the ramp, and lowered self-service avgas prices. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Health
|
| Article |
| Survey researches when aviators seek medical help |
| Are pilots honest with their health care provider, or do they think it's in their best interest to dance around potentially serious health issues? That's what University of North Dakota aviation graduate, U.S. Air Force member, and medical student Billy Hoffman aims to find out with a short online survey available through March 1. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Technology
|
| Article |
| Pace of aviation innovation picks up |
| New and modern avionics reaching the affordable end of the general aviation fleet was not the only trend of 2017 that stands to reshape aviation in 2018 and beyond. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Hybrid helo lands certification |
| A hybrid-electric helicopter with eight rotors and two seats will make its first test flight Jan. 8 in Las Vegas, as Workhorse Group Inc. hopes to make a splashy entrance to the Consumer Electronics Show with the SureFly, a drone-like design scaled up to carry people. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Garmin gets STC for GFC 500 |
| Garmin announced Jan. 3 that it has obtained supplemental type certification for several aircraft models for its GFC 500 autopilot, geared toward lighter general aviation aircraft. The initial STC covers select Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Opinion
|
| Blog |
| 'I don't fly enough' |
| Bad things can happen to an aircraft engine if it sits for extended periods, says Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch. Despite logging more than 120 hours in his Cessna 310 during 2017, Busch wants to fly his aircraft more frequently to ward off internal corrosion. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Gear
|
| Article |
| WWI film 'The Millionaires' Unit' coming to video on demand |
| A World War I documentary detailing the lives of the U.S. Naval Air Reserve's founding members is coming to video on demand Feb. 15. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| AOPA app features upgraded video feed |
| Watch stunning aviation videos, safety tips, and shows on the AOPA app. Videos from AOPA Live®, the AOPA Air Safety Institute, and AOPA's social media team are posted regularly in the app so you can get your aviation fix anytime. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Travel
|
| Slideshow |
| Flying in paradise |
| Go flying in Maui and cruise above tidy pineapple fields, lush rainforests, tall waterfalls, and the volcanic landscape around Haleakala. Or land at Hana Airport for a taste of old Hawaii. Read more > |
|
|
| Slideshow |
| Picture-perfect mountain town |
| If a pilot's skills and equipment can handle Telluride Regional Airport's 9,070-foot elevation and surrounding terrain, this Colorado town is one of the most convenient resort destinations for general aviation travelers—no car needed. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Financial
|
| Article |
| Buying bushplanes with Bitcoin |
| It's official: Cryptocurrencies are in a "bear" market. CubCrafters is accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a payment method for aircraft and aircraft kits. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Boeing, Embraer in 'discussions,' may combine |
| The Boeing Co. confirmed that it is in talks with Brazil's Embraer. The companies said that "there is no guarantee a transaction will result from these discussions," and added that no additional comments about them will be made. Read more > |
|
|
| Member benefit |
| Movin' on up |
| How do you decide what aircraft you really need? Define the mission. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
News and Notes
|
| Article |
| Vulcanair V1.0 single earns FAA type certificate |
| Vulcanair CEO Remo De Feo made good on his promise to deliver a "rugged" FAA-certified trainer that could battle the venerable Cessna Skyhawk and Piper Archer—for about $100,000 less. On Dec. 20, the FAA awarded a utility category type certificate to the Italian four-seat single. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Legislation promotes aviation career paths for women |
| More than half the nation's workforce is female, but only 6 percent of pilots are women. Legislation in the Senate seeks to improve on those numbers. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Christmas miracle: CAP helps rescue downed pilot |
| The Civil Air Patrol added another "save" to its 2017 tally after a Cessna 172 pilot who was reported missing in western North Carolina Dec. 24 was found safe Dec. 25 by CAP crews searching the hills near Asheville. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Drone leads rescuers to stranded dog |
| A border collie named Felix spent a harrowing night on a seaside cliff in Oregon, and was rescued after a volunteer fire chief and pilot put his drone to work. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Former 'rusty pilot' calmly handles engine failure |
| There's no convenient time for engine failure—but a rusty pilot's first solo after returning to active flying is much less than ideal. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Popular Michigan airport K-9 Piper dies of cancer |
| Piper, the K-9 border collie that was well-known for his wildlife patrol antics, toothy smile, and oversized goggles, died Jan. 3. Read more > |
|
|
| Super Cub Sweepstakes |
| Bare bones |
| Restoring a 60-plus-year-old Super Cub that's been orphaned by its manufacturer takes a network of general aviation companies. Find out what's going into your AOPA Sweepstakes Super Cub. Read more > |
|
|
| Answers for pilots |
| The dark side of flying |
| Flying on a clear night can be beautiful, but there are obvious limitations to what we can see. Check out these tips to preserve your night vision. 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 medical certification specialist, writer/editorial long-term temp, insurance account executive, High School Aviation Initiative manager, accounting clerk, legislative affairs vice president, aviation program operations coordinator, and Salesforce developer. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online > |
|
|
|
|
Question of the Week
|
Question
According to the logbook, the last annual inspection of the aircraft I would like to fly was signed off on Jan. 3, 2017. Is the inspection still valid? |
| Answer |
Yes. Because annual inspections are good for 12 calendar months, the annual inspection is valid until the last day of January (see 14 CFR 91.409(a)).
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA. |
|
|
|
Education & Seminars
|
| Flight Instructor Refresher Courses |
| Jan 6-7 |
Charlotte, North Carolina; and Santa Clara, California |
| Jan 13-14 |
Portland, Oregon; Costa Mesa, California; Alcoa, Tennessee; and Renton, Washington |
| Jan 20-21 |
Jackson, Mississippi; Frederick, Maryland; and Romulus, Michigan |
| Jan 27-28 |
San Antonio, Texas |
|
|
|
| Safety Seminars |
| Jan 10 |
Fairfax, Virginia |
| Jan 15 |
Reno, Nevada; and Houston, Texas |
| Jan 16 |
Sacramento, California; and Houston, Texas |
| Jan 17 |
Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas |
|
| Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. |
|
|
| Rusty Pilots Seminars |
| Jan 13 |
Stevensville, Maryland |
| Jan 20 |
Bartow, Florida; and Fort Worth, Texas |
| Jan 26 |
Sebring, Florida |
| Jan 27 |
Waco, Texas |
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
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 |
Advertise in ePilot:
Gary Brennan, 301/695-2052
Eastern and Central United States and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089
Western United States:
Tom Linton, 301/695-2055
AOPA Advertising website |
