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


VOL 20, ISSUE 12	March 23, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Taming tailwheels

Question: What is small, round, and mischievous? Answer: The tailwheel. Here are tips to keep it in top condition. Read more >

Article

Van's Aircraft founder established successful safety program

Van's Aircraft Founder Richard VanGrunsven credits professional transition training for a dramatic improvement in the safety record for the RV series of kit aircraft in the last decade. Read more >

Advocacy

TSA drops onerous GA security proposal

The Transportation Security Administration has scrapped a decade-old proposal to impose commercial air-carrier security measures on larger general aviation aircraft, acknowledging vigorous objections to the plan from the "overwhelming majority" of those who commented on it. Read more >

Advocacy

House members join AOPA in voicing support for contract towers

Almost 140 House members agree with AOPA and aviation industry leaders that the FAA contract tower program needs to be protected. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Awesome human machine

If you have ever wanted to know how the human body's complex systems compare to those of a Boeing 777, Dr. Kenneth Stahl offers some examples. Read more >

Technology

Mooney Aircraft created content

Mooney—Celebrating 70 years of innovation

There are airplanes built for the masses. And then there are airplanes built for pilots. For 70 years now, Mooney International has been committed to building the latter. From the first single-seat Mooney Mite that rolled off the line in Wichita, Kansas, Mooney has forever been the fan favorite of fighter pilots, visionaries, and aeronautic purists alike. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

'Follow your smiles'

Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas gathers stories from aviators around the country about what makes them smile. You won't be able to keep from smiling as you reminisce about your favorite moments in aviation. Read more >

Gear

Article

Aspen teams with drone company

Aspen Avionics and drone maker Sensurion Aerospace are teaming up to develop avionics for autonomous air taxis and other unmanned aircraft. Read more >

Financial

AOPA Foundation Focus

AOPA presents first 2018 flight training scholarship

AOPA presented its first 2018 flight training scholarship to Madelief Schelvis, who is already in the cross-country phase of her training for the private pilot certificate, during the 2018 International Women in Aviation Conference. Read more >

Member benefit

New Bonanza owner works toward commercial certificate

Beechcraft Bonanza A36 owner Randy Adams purchased his aircraft with the help of AOPA Aviation Finance Co. He is pursuing his commercial pilot certificate with the goal of becoming a flight instructor. Read more >

Member benefit

Insurance carriers adjusting their premiums

For several years, aircraft owners buying insurance have benefited from a steady drop in premiums. Unfortunately, those days appear to be over: In the fourth quarter of 2017, premiums started to rise. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Drones map devastated Dominica

Relief organization Global Medic assembled a team, including two flight test engineers who work for the U.S. Navy on the MV-22 Osprey and designed a tiltrotor drone, to create high-resolution digital maps of Dominica. Read more >

Article

Helicopter pilot helps rescue lost Utah snowmobiler

An air-and-ground race to find a snowmobiler missing in the Utah mountains for four days ended with a save when a volunteer pilot flying a donated general aviation helicopter located the man just hours before the arrival of stormy weather. Read more >

Article

FAA predicts drone growth, stable GA

The FAA expects general aviation to remain "stable" by most measures in the coming decades but predicts growth of unmanned aircraft, particularly commercial drones flown under Part 107, for which even the conservative estimate calls for a fourfold increase in five years. Read more >

Article

Record-setting aviator Fran Bera remembered

Pilot Frances "Fran" Bera, who accumulated more than 25,000 flight hours, ferried surplus military aircraft after World War II, set a world altitude record, and taught and examined pilots for more than seven decades, has died at age 94. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Shaesta Waiz

Shaesta Waiz recounts how she encouraged young people to consider aviation during a solo around-the-world journey; plus, catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of operations, OZ1 Flying Club

OZ1 Flying Club in Bentonville, Arkansas, 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 safe, efficient operation 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 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, and marketing intern. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I use an aviation training device at the local flight school to maintain instrument currency. How long does that currency last?

Answer

If you use an ATD to maintain instrument currency (see 14 CFR 61.57(c)(3)), you will be current to act as pilot in command under IFR or in instrument meteorological conditions for only two calendar months, which is a third of the time you get with other methods of maintaining currency.

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 26	Butler, Pennsylvania; and Northbrook, Illinois
Mar 27	Lisle, Illinois; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Greenville, South Carolina
Mar 28	East Peoria, Illinois; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Marietta, Georgia
Mar 29	Poplar Grove, Illinois; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; and Huntsville, Alabama

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

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
Apr 11	Lakeland, 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
Kristy O'Malley
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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