May 11, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 19	May 11, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Explaining experimental

Pilot and A&P Jeff Simon explains experimental aircraft certification. Read more >

Video

Low and slow

Every flight has low-altitude phases: taking off, landing, or flying the traffic pattern. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Margins of Safety: Low altitude maneuvering video explores the safety considerations. Watch the video >

Cross-country quirks

This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz tests your knowledge of rules and procedures that pop up en route. Take the quiz >

Online resource

Anxiety axed

Do you fly with nervous nonpilot companions? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Pinch Hitter syllabus, which introduces passengers to flight basics, can help. Download the publication >

Advocacy

Reversing a power shift

General aviation transient pilots understand that fixed-base operators have largely become the only option for parking at many commercial-service airports. Some of those airports routinely cite security regulations as the reason for the policy, but AOPA believes there are other options. Read more >

Advocacy

Leidos wants to hear your upgrade ideas

Missing some features from DUATS as you transition to 1800wxbrief, the flight service online system? If so, Leidos, the government contractor providing weather and flight planning services for the FAA, wants to hear about it. Read more >

Advocacy

Building a better chart supplement

AOPA and the FAA are cooperating to ensure that flight information publications deliver reliable content. That led to an overhaul of the chart supplement, with special focus on data published in the flight planning resource's back pages. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Guarding your good health

By using natural compensations that the brain develops with age, you can stay sharp and maintain your problem-solving skills. Read more >

Technology

Article

Embraer unveils electric air taxi concept

Embraer unveiled its concept for an electric air taxi capable of rooftop service during the Uber Elevate Summit May 8, marking another small step toward realizing Uber's vision of on-demand urban mobility. Read more >

Article

SureFly eight-rotor electric aircraft lifts off

The SureFly electrically powered eight-rotor, two-person helicopter made its first manned flight May 3 in Cincinnati, proving the concept of a short-haul, people-moving aircraft. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Protecting what we love with smiles

Every chance to welcome newcomers or old friends to visit an airport and connect with aviation and aviators on a personal level presents an opportunity to help protect what we love, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Read more >

Gear

Article

Stay in touch with Garmin InReach Mini

Garmin has unveiled a miniature satellite communicator. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Aviation inspiration

It's airshow season! Fly in to a wonderful airshow in a town near you. Read more >

Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.

Financial

AOPA Foundation focus

AOPA Foundation donors encourage legacy giving

Two donors to the AOPA Foundation encourage others to follow their lead and sustain the important work being done for years to come. Read more >

Member benefit

Does aircraft insurance cover repairs?

Although most aircraft insurance does not cover mechanical breakdown or repairs, insurance sometimes can help pilots out of a jam following an off-airport landing or other situations. Read more >

Member benefit

Levels of liquidity

Lenders have varying amounts of minimum required liquidity, writes Adam Meredith, president of AOPA Aviation Finance Co. Find out what that means for potential aircraft owners seeking an aircraft loan. Read more >

News and Notes

You Can Fly

AOPA high school aviation curriculum ready

There has never been a better time to introduce students to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. AOPA's You Can Fly program built a high school curriculum to do that, and more. Read more >

Slideshow

Great Alaska Aviation Gathering kicks off flying season

The ice is gone from Lake Hood, and pilots are swapping skis for floats or conventional landing gear and readying their aircraft for summer. It's the perfect time for the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering in Anchorage. Read more >

Article

Fly-in crafted for youth

College representatives, RC demonstrations, Young Eagles flights, free food, and travel discounts await attendees at the inaugural Young Aviators Fly-In at South Carolina's Triple Tree Aerodrome June 8 through 10. Read more >

California Aeronautical University created content

CAU student pilot accepted into Mesa Airlines cadet program

A California Aeronautical University student pilot has been accepted into the Mesa Airlines Southern Airways Cadet Program. Thanks to a partnership between the university and the air carrier, the student pilot is well-positioned to join the airlines as a first officer. Read more >

Article

Aerospace teacher of the year nominations sought

The National Aviation Hall of Fame is looking for nominations for the thirty-second annual A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award. Read more >

Daher scholars' passports punched for France

Students Noa Garcia-Brown and Riley Ferguson were awarded the 2018 EAA/Daher International Scholarships, and they are making plans to join a team of engineers at the aircraft manufacturer's Tarbes, France, facility for five-week internships followed by a week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture. Ferguson, a private pilot, is double-majoring in neuroscience and English at Vanderbilt University. Garcia-Brown is majoring in aeronautical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona, campus.

Have a great weather photo?

From spectacular sunrises to ominous thunderstorms, pilots have access to unique weather situations that are not observable from ground-based vantage points. If you have a unique weather photo, consider sharing it with AOPA for possible posting on social media, where subject matter experts can weigh in, describe the phenomenon, and help other pilots better understand our changing weather environment.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Flight instructors, Trident Aircraft Inc.

Trident Aircraft, located in Easton, Maryland, is looking for certificated flight instructors who want to fly (a lot)! The position offers advancement potential into Trident's managed and charter aircraft fleet including twins, turboprops, and jet aircraft. Trident also is building a tailwheel program and twin time-building program. 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 renewals account executive, High School Aviation Initiative manager, Salesforce developer, marketing coordinator, Web project manager, contracts manager, and business analyst. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I've heard that using a complex aircraft for the commercial rating is no longer required. Is that true?

Answer

The FAA has dropped the requirement to use a complex aircraft for the commercial and certificated flight instructor single-engine practical tests. However, there are no changes to the existing aeronautical experience requirements for either certificate or to the requirements for the complex airplane endorsement. For more information about the changes, see this AOPA Online article.

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

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

May 19-20	Sacramento, California
Jun 2-3	Columbus, Ohio
Jun 9-10	Santa Clara, California; and Tempe, Arizona
Jun 23-24	Lake Mary, Florida

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

May 19	Brainerd, Minnesota
Jun 16	Missoula, Montana

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

May 12	Winter Haven, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Zionsville, Indiana; McPherson, Kansas; Frederick, Maryland; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Lincoln, California
May 19	San Marcos, Texas; Loveland, Colorado; Burlington, Iowa; Southbridge, Massachusetts; Ithaca, New York; New Roads, Louisiana; West Chester, Pennsylvania; Warrens, Wisconsin; Bethany, Oklahoma; and Idaho Falls, Idaho
Jun 2	Woods Cross, Utah; Selkirk, New York; Vacaville, California; Jackson, Tennessee; Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and Elkhart, Indiana
Jun 9	South Lake Tahoe, California; Palo Alto, California; Wichita, Kansas; and Batavia, Ohio

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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