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


VOL 20, ISSUE 47	November 23, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

AOPA Super Cub Sweepstakes

Super Cub tackles mountain canyon flying

Idaho's wilderness is a playground for pilots who love a challenge. AOPA's Sweepstakes Super Cub is the perfect workhorse for exploring. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Icon across America

A new Icon A5 journeys from California across the Sierra Nevada and Plains to the East Coast. Join the adventure and get the latest on the company. Plus, check out this week's news. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Nov. 22 >

Technique and Safety

Flying to serve others

Offering to help those in need can be rewarding and demanding. Learn about public benefit flying in this AOPA Air Safety Institute online course. Take the course >

Video

No substitute for weather planning

An instrument rating doesn't simplify your flight planning. Learn how to plan an IFR flight like a pro in this video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

Online resource

Time for an upgrade?

Learning to fly a new-to-you airplane can feel like starting over. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety Spotlight on transitioning to other aircraft can help.

Advocacy

Virginia airport welcomes second FBO

After a months-long battle, a second fixed-based operator will be added to Virginia's Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA issues safety alert on jet-fuel contamination

The FAA continues to urge operators to be careful to avoid jet-fuel contamination in the aftermath of an incidence in which diesel exhaust fluid was added instead of an icing-inhibiting solution. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Mind your nose

A well-functioning nose allows you to detect beautiful and dangerous aromas—leaking fuel, burning rubber, or burning anything. So wake up and smell the roses, and if you can't smell them, don't go flying. Read more >

Technology

Article

Supersonic build begins

Lockheed Martin and NASA are excited about their new supersonic X–plane, and the public is getting a first listen to what it will sound like from below. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Become an aviation ambassador

Every pilot has a powerful opportunity to influence, inspire, and help others fall in love with flight, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis. Read more >

Gear

Slideshow

Weekend on floats

Mission-minded pilots make room in the confines of a cockpit for the equipment that will work best for their flight. Check out what you need for a floatplane trip.

Article

Sporty's courses go Android

Android users rejoice! Sporty's Pilot Shop is rolling out its popular Learn to Fly courses on the platform. Read more >

Travel

Article

Eight destinations for adventurous pilots

You can't take a major airline to see the swimming pigs in Staniel Cay in the Bahamas or the natural hot springs in California's Death Valley National Park. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Avionics sales growth an 'encouraging sign'

Worldwide avionics sales for business and general aviation aircraft in the first three quarters of 2018 were up a "robust" 15.5 percent. Read more >

Member benefit

Don't let minor injuries become major hassles

Your liability coverage is in place to cover major expenses, but what about minor injuries? Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Sonka takes Red Bull title

Martin Sonka of the Czech Republic won the Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Nov. 18. Read more >

Article

Post-solo celebration

At the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, first solo shirt-tail clippings in hallways are replaced by red clay bricks in a walkway. Read more >

Article

'Freedom to Fly': Witness to history

Eighty years in business for a specialized member-service organization like AOPA is unprecedented. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': French Air Rally pilot Amy Rose

Hear about the trip of a lifetime from Virginia student and AOPA French Air Rally participant Amy Rose. Then, stick around for the rest of the week's aviation headlines. Listen to the podcast >

Collins writing prize for youth

The family of the late Richard Collins, a longtime aviation writer and safety expert, partnered with Sporty's Pilot Shop to offer young pilots a $2,500 award for original, previously unpublished writing that highlights general aviation. Collins, who died in April, was familiar to thousands who learned from his articles and videos. The application deadline is March 1.

ERAU offers research study opportunity

A graduate student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is conducting research to improve pilots' weather-related safety. AOPA members ages 18 and older can complete a 15-minute online survey on how weather affects their daily activities.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFII/MEI, Snohomish Flying Service

Snohomish Flying Service in Washington has an immediate opening for a fixed-wing CFII/MEI for its busy and long-established Part 141 flight school. 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 development marketing and communications manager, aviation finance loan processor, digital marketing coordinator, Air Safety Institute video producer, scholarship program manager, marketing customer acquisitions director, development operations director, curriculum development director, accounts payable technician, aviation finance sales manager/senior account executive, publications senior director, regulatory affairs director, and aviation finance account executive. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I want to earn a flight instructor certificate. Do I need to maintain a second class medical to work as an instructor?

Answer

A second class medical is generally not required, though there are a few rare exceptions. Depending on the type of instruction given, a CFI is required by the regulations to maintain a third class medical (or BasicMed) (see 14 CFR 61.23(a)(3)(ii)) or no medical at all (if not acting as pilot in command or a required crewmember) (see 14 CFR 61.23(b)(5)).

This question and answer were provided by AOPA's Pilot Information Center. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Dec. 1-2	Orlando, Florida; and Denver, Colorado
Jan. 5-6	Bellevue, Washington; and Costa Mesa, California
Jan. 12-13	Charlotte, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Portland, Oregon; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan. 19-20	Alcoa, Tennessee; Romulus, Michigan; and Santa Clara, California

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

Jan. 14	Reno, Nevada; and Houston, Texas
Jan. 15	McClellan, California; and Houston, Texas
Jan. 16	Milpitas, California; and San Antonio, Texas
Jan. 17	Austin, Texas

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Dec. 1	Bartow, Florida; Chesapeake, Virginia; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Homestead, Florida; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dec. 8	Scottsdale, Arizona; Brewton, Alabama; Frederick, Maryland; Topeka, Kansas; San Diego, California; and College Station, Texas
Dec. 15	Englewood, Colorado; and Rome, Georgia

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

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Kristy O'Malley
Melissa Whitehouse

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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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