March 30, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 13	March 30, 2018

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Top Stories

Advocacy

California comeback

The negative effects of unreasonable pricing on airport access can be reversed when airport sponsors take action, AOPA research shows. A new general-aviation-friendly fixed-base operator is drawing piston traffic back to John Wayne Airport-Orange County in California. (Image courtesy of ACI Jet.) Read more >

Article

Cirrus transition: Jumping from the SR22 to the Vision Jet

Jay Jolley waited 5,003 days to get his new Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet, and it might take him longer than that to quit grinning when he talks about the transition. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Queenstown challenge; Inspiration in Oregon

Watch an Erickson S–64 Aircrane inspire the next generation of aviators in Oregon. Also this week, we fly one of the most challenging instrument approaches in the world in Queenstown, New Zealand, and check out the new avionics at the Aircraft Electronics Association convention. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 29 >

AEA News

Article

New autopilots announced at AEA

Autopilots for general aviation aircraft made headlines at the sixty-first annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention and Trade Show. Read more >

Article

Aspen unveils affordable electronic flight instrument

Aspen Avionics has debuted its supplemental-type-certificated Evolution E5 Dual Electronic Flight Instrument, which consolidates a digital attitude indicator and a directional gyro/course deviation indicator into a single display with a rechargeable backup battery. Read more >

Article

Wingtip ADS-B nearing certification

UAvionix said it expects FAA certification of its skyBeacon wingtip light and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out transmitter within four to six weeks, and is working on the new tailBeacon. Read more >

Article

Trig streamlines ADS-B Out compliance

Trig Avionics launched Express Lane service, a more cost-effective path to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out compliance based on its TT31 Mode S extended squitter transponder. Read more >

Article

Small, inexpensive PLB debuts

ACR Electronics Inc. has introduced the affordable, small, lightweight Artex personal locator beacon. Read more >

Article

Avidyne taps FreeFlight for ADS-B In

Avidyne Corp. has partnered with FreeFlight Systems to provide FreeFlight's Rangr Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In products for Avidyne customers who desire ADS-B In capability. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Video

No one on final

Before taxiing onto the runway, visually check that final approach is clear. This AOPA Air Safety Institute video reviews two incidents at towered airports that demonstrate why it's important. Watch the video >

VFR waypoint or checkpoint?

Rediscover the lost art of dead reckoning. This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz will help you navigate the sectional chart on your next flight. Take the quiz >

Flash-based; login required

Check the mode you're in

Flying an area navigation approach isn't too difficult. Programming the GPS receiver can be. Tips offered in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Chart Challenge: RNAV approach online course can help. Take the course >

Advocacy

President Trump signs government funding bill

President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill March 23 that will fund the federal government and reauthorize FAA operations through Sept. 30. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA offers guidance on 'non-depicted' special airspace

The FAA has added information about temporary restricted areas to the Aeronautical Information Manual in an update effective March 29. AOPA objects to the rarely used form of special-use airspace because it isn't charted. Read more >

Advocacy

Student aviators oppose closing UNC-Chapel Hill's airport

AOPA is urging the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to reverse a November 2017 decision to close historic university-run Horace Williams Airport, which UNC students have mobilized to keep open. Read more >

Advocacy

Annual GA survey arriving soon

The FAA has for 40 years been gathering data from general aviation pilots about how they fly, information that helps shape policy and improve safety. Aircraft owners (including Part 135 operators) might receive an invitation to participate soon by mail or email. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Note BasicMed expiration dates

To ensure uninterrupted compliance with BasicMed, you must complete the required medical examination and online education course within different time periods. Here's what you need to know. Read more >

Technology

Article

Siemens: Electric propulsion aircraft standard by 2050

Siemens' all-electric eAircraft made its U.S. debut March 27 during an Innovation Day demonstration in Chicago. The two-person airplane is powered by a 55kW electric SP55D motor. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Mag check

If you fly a piston-powered aircraft, you were taught to perform a mag check during the pretakeoff runup. But do you know how to do it correctly and interpret the results? Many pilots don't. Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch explains. Read more >

Travel

Article

Explore the world from the airport out with 'AOPA Travel Pilot'

When you have access to a general aviation airplane, a new adventure is just over the horizon. Our new biweekly publication, AOPA Travel Pilot, will give you ideas, motivation, travel discounts, and tools for your next adventure. Read more >

Slideshow

Serious history, seriously good food

Get the lowdown on this historic Lowcountry mecca for fantastic food, creative cocktails, and antebellum architecture. Read more >

Slideshow

Haunting natural beauty, great golf near Charleston

While visiting Charleston, South Carolina, explore beautiful Edisto Island. And if you love golf, stop by Kiawah Island, home to five championship golf courses and a luxury resort. Read more >

Financial

Member benefit

Your airplane might be worth more than you think

The value of your airplane has likely risen in the past year or two, according to AOPA Insurance Services Vice President and Director of Operations Jim Pinegar. Now's the time to re-evaluate your insurance coverage. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Rob Holland unhurt after forced landing

Aerobatic showman Rob Holland walked away from a forced landing after a catastrophic engine failure in his MXS-RH. The aircraft was badly damaged. Read more >

Article

Pilot jobs highlight WAI conference

While aviation-industry hiring was not the primary focus of the International Women in Aviation Conference, it was an objective for more than 40 of the 162 companies and organizations with booths in the exhibit hall. Read more >

Article

Airworthiness directive targets Bonanza v-clamps

The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive affecting several of Textron Aviation's Beechcraft Bonanza models, limiting the life of an exhaust-pipe v-band coupling and requiring repetitive inspections of the part. Read more >

Article

FAA bans some restraint systems after helicopter crash

The FAA has issued an emergency order prohibiting the use in flights for hire of supplemental passenger restraint systems that cannot be released quickly in an emergency in doors-off flights. The ban follows the crash of a helicopter into New York City's East River that took the lives of all five passengers. Read more >

Young Aviators Fly-In registration opens

Registration is open for the first Young Aviators Fly-In, a fun, low-cost "young people's Oshkosh" June 8 through 10 at South Carolina's Triple Tree Aerodrome.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFI, Chesapeake, Virginia

Norfolk Flight Center is seeking a full-time CFI, CFII, and MEI. Responsibilities include flight and ground instruction, submitting student pilot certifications via IACRA, and opportunities to teach classroom ground school. Candidates should be enthusiastic and professional and must hold a minimum of a high school diploma/equivalent, FAA commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates, and a second class FAA medical certificate. 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, Web project manager, marketing coordinator, business analyst, member services representative, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I passed my private pilot airplane single-engine land practical test on June 8, 2016. I am currently training for my multiengine rating. Can I just get a flight review from my instructor on my next training flight in the twin?

Answer

Unfortunately, no. Because you aren't currently rated in a multiengine aircraft, you can't accomplish a flight review in one (see 14 CFR 61.56). However, when you do complete the practical test for the add-on, it will reset the time until your next required flight review.

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

Apr 2	Greenville, Kentucky
Apr 3	Morehead, Kentucky
Apr 9	West Des Moines, Iowa; and Burlington, Washington
Apr 10	Seattle, Washington; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Morris Plains, New Jersey

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

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
Apr 14	Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania; Henderson, Nevada; Mansfield, Massachusetts; Chesterfield, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Redding, California

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:
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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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