March 16, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 11	March 16, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Article

Kitty Hawk's self-flying taxi takes flight

Kitty Hawk, the startup backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, unveiled its prototype of a two-seat flying machine that requires no runway, and no pilot, and aims to revolutionize personal transportation. (Image courtesy of Kitty Hawk.) Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Fairchild love story; Rescue drones

A Fairchild 24's remake brings a payoff measured in smiles more than miles. Also this week, a drone company brings affordable air support—and a manned aviation mindset—to first responders in Alabama. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 15 >

Technique and Safety

Winter warm-up

Tired of the cold? This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz can help, and you can test your instrument skills at the same time. Take the quiz >

Video

The danger zone

Pilots hesitant to admit they're in trouble enter dangerous territory, explains the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Trapped on top Real Pilot Story. Watch the video >

Online resource

Airspace ABCs

Clip this AOPA Air Safety Institute card to your kneeboard for a glimpse of airspace communication requirements and weather minimums. Download the card >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Caught on camera: Lost comm in IMC

Flying in instrument conditions with 40-knot headwinds, heavy precip, and a healthy dose of turbulence pushed this pilot to the edge. Then electrical gremlins knocked out his radio, turning this challenging flight into a dangerous lost comm situation. Cameras caught it all. Watch the video >

Pilot Protection Services

It's all noise

What does it mean when an air traffic controller advises, "Noise abatement procedures in effect"? Read more >

Advocacy

Part 13 complaints moving forward

AOPA believes that the fixed-based operators at North Carolina's Asheville Regional Airport and Florida's Key West International Airport have forced aircraft operators to pay for additional services they do not need or want. The FAA must now consider AOPA's two outstanding Part 13 complaints. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA to end DUATS contract in May

The FAA will discontinue the Direct User Access Terminal Service Program on May 16, according to the FAA Safety Team website. Read more >

Advocacy

Keeping NextGen on the air

An AOPA-co-chaired task group that studied how to keep civil aircraft flights on course when military training and testing interfere with GPS services has issued a wide-ranging set of recommendations to the FAA. Read more >

Technology

Article

Stratolaunch rocket lifter rolls on

The giant Stratolaunch recently conducted a new round of taxi tests, bringing Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul Allen's dream of routinely reaching space with airplanes a step closer. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

From the Pyrenees to the Portuguese coast

Communications challenges and a run-in with local police soured a carefully planned Piper Cub journey to Portugal's Atlantic coast for Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher. Read more >

Gear

Article

Dynon earns STC for SkyView HDX installation

Dynon Avionics has taken a step in the market for certified-aircraft avionics—supplemental type certification for its flagship SkyView HDX instrumentation system, with an approved model list covering many Cessna 172s. Read more >

Travel

Pilot magazine

Quest for adventure

AOPA's Tom Haines takes you along on his quest for adventure, flying a Quest Kodiak in Utah's backcountry. Read more >

Slideshow

Green River getaway

Looking down at the Colorado Plateau's immense rivers, canyons, and sandstone buttes will astound you. Then land beside the Green River and look up at the beauty of Mineral Canyon. Read more >

Financial

Strategic Partner created content

Sirius kicks off March Weather Madness

Check out these deals on the Garmin GDL® 52 portable SiriusXM®/ADS-B receiver, including a three-month trial, $200 rebate, and one-year free AOPA membership when you purchase before March 31! Learn more >

Member benefit

Borrower beware

When you borrow a friend's aircraft, you are more at risk than the aircraft's owner. Here's what you should know >

Member Benefit

Financing an LSA trike

Pilots interested in purchasing a weight-shift light sport aircraft can turn to AOPA Aviation Finance Co. for a loan. Read more >

News and Notes

Slideshow

Airport in the middle of nowhere

The town of Glasgow, Montana, was recently declared the official "middle of nowhere" in the United States, but it has an airport and a few good reasons to visit. Read more >

Article

Tuskegee Airman Floyd Carter Sr. dies

Tuskegee Airman Floyd Carter Sr., a decorated war veteran and a New York Police Department detective, died March 8. Read more >

Article

Aviation professor bridges real, artificial worlds

Western Michigan College of Aviation Associate Professor Lori Brown harnessed augmented reality technology to make learning come alive for students. Read more >

Livestream

Fun flying: Three routes to Alaska

Learn the pros and cons of flying three common routes—the coast, the trench, and the highway—from the lower 48 to Alaska during a free webinar March 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register now >

Livestream

Watch the Bob Hoover Trophy Reception live

Find out who will be honored with the R.A. "Bob" Hoover Trophy, presented by AOPA, March 21 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's Historic Terminal A Lobby. AOPA also will present the General Aviation Safety, Laurence P. Sharples, Joseph B. "Doc" Hartranft, and Freedom to Fly awards. The livestream starts at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Watch the livestream >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Dean of aviation, West Michigan Aviation Academy

West Michigan Aviation Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is seeking a dean of aviation to oversee all aspects of aviation at the school. The position includes responsibilities focusing on instructional leadership, personnel administration, and representing WMAA in the community. Candidates must have a demonstrated passion for aviation, work experience within the aviation community, and at least a bachelor's 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, Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Salesforce developer, marketing coordinator, business analyst, member services representative, legal intern, Pilot Information Center intern, Flying Clubs Initiative intern, Air Safety Institute intern, information technology intern, and marketing intern. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

After takeoff you're told to fly runway heading and switch over to departure. After switching frequencies, you make your initial call to departure but then notice that your altimeter is frozen and your vertical speed indicator is showing zero. What is the problem?

Answer

Your static port is more than likely blocked. Follow your checklist and pull the alternate static source knob to get good indications on both instruments. You can review the operation and malfunctions of the static system in Chapter 8 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Apr 7-8	Atlanta, Georgia; Salt Lake City, Utah; and San Diego, California
Apr 14-15	Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dedham, Massachusetts
Apr 21-22	Aurora, Colorado; Dulles, Virginia; and Tampa, Florida
May 5-6	Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas

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 19	Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Monroe, North Carolina
Mar 20	Independence, Ohio; and Fletcher, North Carolina
Mar 21	Columbus, Ohio; and Greensboro, North Carolina
Mar 22	Batavia, Ohio; and Morrisville, North Carolina

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Mar 17	Searcy, Arkansas
Mar 24	Lynchburg, Virginia; Rome, Georgia; Cheektowaga, New York; Huntingburg, Indiana; and Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Mar 31	Corpus Christi, Texas; and Panama City, Florida
Apr 7	Renton, Washington; Fort Myers, Florida; Truckee, California; and Saint Marys, Pennsylvania

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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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

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