March 9, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 10	March 9, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Home sweet homebuilt

A&P IA Jeff Simon transformed his dining and living rooms into a workshop to build a Titan T–51D Mustang, a three-quarters-scale replica of the famous P–51D Mustang. Follow his homebuilt journey to learn what you can do to better maintain your certified aircraft. Read more >

Transition thrill

Planning to fly a different airplane or learn new avionics? Explore this AOPA Air Safety Institute online course for advice about transition training. Take the course >

Online resource

Airspace 101

Can a VFR flight cross a military operations area without a clearance? Review these AOPA Air Safety Institute flash cards for a quick airspace refresher. Learn more >

Video

Mayday

You've just made a forced landing. Now what? In Survive: Beyond the Forced Landing, the AOPA Air Safety Institute shares how to keep everyone safe until help arrives. Watch the video >

Advocacy

Senate addresses maintenance tech shortage

What is quickly becoming a critical shortage of aviation maintenance technicians has caught the attention of the U.S. Senate. Read more >

Advocacy

PA–28 fuel selector placard inspection deadline extended

The FAA has accepted AOPA's proposal to extend until April 9 the deadline for inspecting 17,957 Piper PA–28-series single-engine airplanes for the proper position of their fuel tank selector cover placards. Read more >

Advocacy

Groups urge Congress to back contract tower program

AOPA and eight other industry organizations urged members of Congress to allocate $172 million for the highly successful FAA Contract Tower Program. Read more >

Change set for FRZ flight plan filing

AOPA reminds members that 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.

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Flu season

If you have avoided the flu so far, congratulations! Here are some tips that can help you make it through the rest of the flu season without coming down with this dangerous virus. Read more >

Technology

Article

Progress made toward electric GA

While the pace of efforts to bring electric propulsion to general aviation has frustrated some, many key tasks are nearing completion. Read more >

Article

FAA expands drone authorization program

Remote pilots certificated under Part 107 will gain faster access to controlled airspace around hundreds of airports beginning in April, the FAA announced March 6 during the agency's annual gathering of drone stakeholders. Read more >

Gear

Article

Garmin avionics connect with FltPlan.com

FltPlan.com users who fly with Garmin avionics can download flight plans wirelessly, the companies announced March 6, pointing to their "strategic relationship." Read more >

Article

GDL 50 ADS-B receiver announced

Garmin has released the GDL 50, a portable device that receives Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast traffic and weather, GPS, and attitude information and displays it on select portable and mobile devices. A remote-mount version, the GDL 50R, is also available. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Fly to island time

Warm up and chill out at the same time on the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. Wiggle your toes in the sand and relax—you're on island time. Read more >

Financial

Member benefit

Movin' on up: On the way to a jet

So your skills, missions, or passenger/cargo requirements have outgrown piston singles and twins, but you're not quite ready for a jet. Enter the sleek, speedy, heavy-hauling turboprop market. Read more >

Member benefit

Minor vs. significant insurance claims

You can handle minor insurance claims for your aircraft with your smartphone, but if you have a significant claim, you'll need to call your broker or insurance carrier. Read more >

News and Notes

You Can Fly

AOPA offers free high school aviation curriculum

Schools are invited to use AOPA's free, innovative, aviation-based ninth-grade science, technology, engineering, and math curriculum to engage students and help build the future of aviation. Read more >

Super Cub Sweepstakes

Smooth ride

Lycoming's 160-horsepower, four-cylinder O-320 engine will power AOPA's Sweepstakes Super Cub, offering excellent performance on wheels, floats, or skis, and ensuring a smooth ride. Read more >

Article

Young aviators to descend on Triple Tree

College student Cayla McLeod and commercial pilot Ryan Hunt are launching "the young people's Oshkosh" at the Triple Tree Aerodrome in South Carolina in June. Read more >

Article

Effect of a cancer diagnosis can vary

When you get a cancer diagnosis, it will set you back on your heels. It doesn't necessarily mean an end to your flying—as with most things aviation, it depends. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Quest Kodiak's Mark Brown

Quest Kodiak factory demo pilot Mark Brown talks about what many say is the best job in aviation; plus, catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Article

Canada avgas producer reports progress against disruption

Imperial Oil, Canada's lone supplier of 100LL aviation fuel, said on March 7 it has made "significant progress" toward resolving a quality-control issue that has disrupted the country's avgas supply for much of 2018. Read more >

Standard time ends March 11

If you live in an area that observes daylight saving time, don't forget to move your clocks forward one hour March 11. Remember that the conversion to Coordinated Universal Time will change, too. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's time conversion chart can help you avoid confusion.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of operations, Bentonville, Arkansas

OZ1 flying club is seeking a full-time director of operations to join its executive/management team, commencing duties during the club's creation process and continuing to oversee all daily operations. Responsibilities include ensuring the safe, efficient operation of all flying club aspects and maintaining an excellent standard of customer service. Requirements include a pilot certificate; an associate (or higher) degree in aviation, management, or a related field; and a strong knowledge of aircraft and airport operations including scheduling software. 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, Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Salesforce developer, marketing coordinator, business analyst, member services representative, Pilot Information Center intern, Flying Clubs Initiative intern, Air Safety Institute intern, information technology intern, and marketing intern. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

Another aircraft owner has asked me to relocate his 200-horsepower Piper Arrow for an annual inspection. I have a complex-airplane sign-off, but no endorsement for high-performance airplanes. Can I legally fly this aircraft?

Answer

Yes. A high-performance airplane endorsement is only required for airplanes with more than 200 hp (see 14 CFR 61.31(f)). Because this aircraft is rated at 200 hp, you can legally fly it without a high-performance airplane endorsement.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

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
Apr 21-22	Dulles, Virginia; Tampa, Florida; and Aurora, Colorado

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 12	Jacksonville, Florida; and Fresno, California
Mar 13	Melbourne, Florida; and Concord, California
Mar 14	Daytona Beach, Florida
Mar 15	Ocala, Florida

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Mar 10	Tuskegee, Alabama; Chickasha, Oklahoma; and San Antonio, Texas
Mar 13	Fort Myers, Florida
Mar 17	Searcy, Arkansas
Mar 24	Lynchburg, Virginia; Rome, Georgia; Cheektowaga, New York; Huntingburg, Indiana; and Lake Havasu City, Arizona

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:
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Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

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