March 2, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 9	March 2, 2018

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Top Stories

Article

Vashon Ranger debuts

The qualities of an ideal trainer usually don't match those of an adventure airplane. Any aircraft that excels as one can’t be expected to thrive as the other—or can it? (Photo by Lyle Jansma.) Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

ATC battle over for now; Adventure on ice

The leading proponent of separating air traffic control from the FAA said he won't pursue the controversial proposal, and AOPA sees opportunity for long-term stability. Also this week, land on an icy lake; and find out how the new Vashon Ranger combines backcountry capability, economy, and ease of use. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 1 >

Heli-Expo

Article

Bell announces 407GXi

Bell announced the new 407GXi, an upgraded version of the 407, as well as a new brand strategy rooted in the company's focus on innovation. Read more >

Article

Honeywell forecasts 4,000 new civil helos

Light, single-engine turbine helicopters will be in greatest demand over the next five years, according to Honeywell Aerospace's twentieth annual Turbine-Powered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook. Read more >

Article

Rotorcraft pilot, mechanic shortfalls quantified

The helicopter industry is predicted to see a pilot shortfall of 7,649 between 2018 and 2036, according to a study by the University of North Dakota, the Helicopter Association International, and its charitable foundation, the Helicopter Foundation International. Read more >

Article

Sikorsky to focus on larger helicopters

Sikorsky sold its light helicopter line—essentially, the former Schweizer 300 series—to Schweizer RSG in January, and will focus on its larger helicopters such as the CH–53K King Stallion, Firehawk, optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter, and experimental X2. Read more >

Article

Honeywell ups predictive maintenance game

Recon, Honeywell's new Health and Usage Monitoring Systems technology, facilitates predictive, condition-based maintenance and shares helicopter health data in real time with maintenance crews on the ground. Read more >

Article

Kopter announces SH09 orders

Marenco Swisshelicopter, now rebranded as Kopter, detailed orders for its SH09 single-engine helicopter. Read more >

Article

Airbus Helicopters announces Texas training center

Airbus Helicopters will join forces with Thales and Helisim to construct a new, state-of-the-art helicopter pilot and maintenance crew training center at its headquarters in Grand Prairie, Texas. Read more >

Article

FlightSafety expands helicopter instruction

FlightSafety International has added a Sikorsky S–76B simulator at its Lafayette, Louisiana, Learning Center, and is offering a new series of courses at its West Palm Beach, Florida, center for FAA type certification and recurrent training in the S–70A Black Hawk. Read more >

Article

Helicopter foundation awards 18 scholarships

The Helicopter Foundation International has announced 18 scholarship recipients for 2018. Read more >

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

Spring training

Regaining instrument proficiency after a winter of hibernation involves finding out what has changed. Start by becoming familiar with new weather resources. Read more >

Video

Get a grip on runway surface codes

You may have heard of TALPA, RCAM, and FICON. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's new safety tip breaks down these acronyms to help you understand runway conditions in bad weather. Watch the video >

Cleared for takeoff

When told to "maintain runway heading after takeoff," are you expected to track the extended runway centerline or the runway heading, regardless of drift? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's quiz about towered airport operations explains. Take the quiz >

Video

Unforecast icing agony

Pilots need to keep up their guard if any possibility of icing exists. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study: Airframe Icing video reviews a pilot's in-flight decisions that sealed the flight's unfortunate outcome. Watch the video >

Advocacy

Group provides feedback on AOPA's FBO fee strategy

Why do some fixed-base operators believe it is OK to hide their fee information from pilots? That was among the questions debated at the second meeting of the AOPA Airport Access Advisory Panel on Feb. 15 in Naples, Florida. Read more >

Advocacy

Push to give away ATC ends—for now

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said Feb. 27 that he will drop efforts to remove air traffic control from the FAA, and will work toward a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Read more >

Advocacy

Report: Trump wants personal pilot to head FAA

According to a report in Axios, President Donald Trump is pushing for his personal pilot, John Dunkin, to be the next FAA administrator. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA readies annual GA survey

The FAA is preparing to launch its fortieth annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey. Pilots who receive an emailed or mailed invitation to participate are strongly encouraged to do so because the survey data provides the only source of information about the GA fleet and activity. Read more >

Advocacy

'Say flight conditions'

Any pilot who has benefited from a pilot report filed by another flight a few miles ahead on the airway, or by a pilot who encountered unforecast conditions, appreciates the value of a firsthand account. Read more >

Technology

Article

Falcon 6X announced

Dassault Aviation may have canceled its Falcon 5X program, but the company announced on Feb. 28 that a replacement is in the works: the Falcon 6X. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

It's about time!

Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch just added Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out to his airplane, something he has been looking forward to for 48 years. Busch reminisces about technological advances and his first aviation article, "The role of computers in air traffic control," published almost five decades ago. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Sandhill spectacle

Like a visit to Oshkosh is for aviators, the sandhill crane migration is a bucket-list item for birdwatchers. Make this your year to experience an unforgettable display of nature's exuberance. (Photo by Brad Mellema.) Read more >

Financial

Member benefit

Preparing for tax season

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith tackles tax questions about aircraft financing. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Sonex Aircraft holds anniversary sale, debuts new website

Experimental kit airplane manufacturer Sonex Aircraft is marking its twentieth anniversary with a sale on many products, the launch of a new website, and plans to expand online services in 2018. Read more >

Super Cub Sweepstakes

'Do-it-yourself' fabrication

A complete restoration such as the one AOPA's Super Cub Sweepstakes aircraft is undergoing might not be feasible for all rag-wing aircraft owners, but with some time, elbow grease, help from an A&P, and expert advice, owners can refurbish much of their aircraft on a budget. Read more >

Article

Aircraft sought for Henry Post Army Airfield centennial

A historic Army airfield at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, is celebrating its centennial this year, and will mark the occasion with an open house and airshow. Organizers are seeking former military aircraft to participate in the event. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Inoperative anticollision lights: Go or no go?

If your aircraft's anticollision lights include a red rotating beacon and white strobe lights, can you operate in day VFR conditions if one is inoperative? Read more >

Article

Flying UAS: Tips to get a remote pilot certificate

Check out the two ways available to earn a remote pilot certificate and decide which is best for you. Read more >

Article

TFRs issued for Billy Graham's funeral

A temporary flight restriction was scheduled to be in effect in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the funeral of evangelist Billy Graham, who died Feb. 21 at age 99. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Lecturer, engineering technologies

Bowling Green State University in Ohio is seeking a full-time instructor, lecturer, or senior lecturer to teach and develop undergraduate-level courses for its aviation program and department of engineering. This position also will serve as safety coordinator for the flight technology and operations specialization and provide quality assurance of flight training performed by Bowling Green Flight Center. Potential candidates must hold at least a master's degree and an FAA commercial pilot certificate with single- and multiengine ratings, and be a CFI, CFII, and MEI. 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, AOPA Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Air Safety Institute intern, Salesforce developer, information technology intern, marketing coordinator, and business analytics intern. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

Am I required to obtain another student pilot certificate when adding additional ratings to my existing pilot certificate?

Answer

No. You do not need a student pilot certificate to add additional privileges to an existing pilot certificate. If the additional ratings require solo operations, you must obtain an endorsement from your instructor to act as pilot in command during solo flights because you don't hold the appropriate category or class rating on your certificate (see 14 CFR 61.31(d)(2)). For an example of such an endorsement, see FAA Advisory Circular AC 61-65G.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

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
Apr 14-15	Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dedham, Massachusetts

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

Mar 5	Bedford, Massachusetts
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

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
Mar 17	Searcy, Arkansas

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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Western United States:
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