October 5, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 40	October 5, 2018

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Advocacy

Signature publishes fees for piston airplanes

Signature Flight Support quietly published online its piston airplane handling and infrastructure fees at most of its U.S. locations. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

FBO giant posts prices; Odd prop

A major fixed-base operation chain has changed course on price transparency. Also this week, the AOPA Fly-In Oct. 26 and 27 in Alabama features a Continental Motors factory tour, and, in other news, the strangest propeller you've ever seen. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 4 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Presented by Southern Illinois University Aviation

See you in Carbondale!

Come for the airplanes, safety seminars, and pilot gear at AOPA's third regional fly-in of the year and stay to explore the great outdoors in Carbondale, Illinois. The AOPA Fly-In runs Oct. 5 and 6. Read more >

Presented by Alabama DOT Aeronautics Bureau

Top 10 things to do in Gulf Shores

Plan your beach getaway to the AOPA Fly-In at Gulf Shores, Alabama, Oct. 26 and 27. Here are the top 10 (other) things to do while you're there. Read more >

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

Disoriented in Des Moines

The approach controller quickly grasped that the pilot who had just accepted an en-route IFR clearance to a socked-in destination had no business flying in instrument weather. Read more >

Flash-based; login required

How to avoid VFR into IMC

A VFR pilot attempting flight into instrument meteorological conditions invites tragedy. Learn how to recognize and avoid this persistent problem with this AOPA Air Safety Institute online course.

Podcast

Become a better instrument pilot

Learn about advanced IFR flying with a modern glass panel from 2008 National CFI of the Year Max Trescott, who has written books on the topic. Trescott will speak about instrument flying at the AOPA Fly-Ins in Carbondale, Illinois, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. For weekly safety tips, check out his Aviation News Talk podcast.

Video

When in doubt, ask

Some airports are confusing, and pilots can quickly find themselves where they shouldn't be. In this episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC series, a controller talks about how to avoid this scenario. Watch the video >

Advocacy

Senate passes long-term FAA reauthorization

The U.S. Senate gave final legislative approval to a five-year FAA reauthorization bill on Oct. 3 with a 93-to-6 vote. Read more >

Advocacy

Action taken to break practical test logjams

A notice from the FAA seeks to simplify the scheduling of practical tests for flight instructor and other pilot candidates, and reduce wait times. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA sees mid-2020 completion of unleaded avgas project

The FAA has reaffirmed its commitment to develop a replacement for leaded avgas but delayed expected testing completion to mid-2020. Read more >

Advocacy

Nations unite to modify medical requirements

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations urged worldwide acceptance of medical certification reforms for general aviation pilots. Read more >

Advocacy

Lawmakers back bilateral GA agreements

Lawmakers around the world are reforming requirements for general aviation pilots in a number of areas, and urging their respective governments to recognize these changes. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Tips for taking your first FAA medical exam

The FAA online medical application can be intimidating at first. Here's what you need to know. Read more >

Technology

Article

Electric aviation faces a physics problem

Aviation regulations and laws may change to facilitate an electric vertical takeoff and landing future, but the laws of physics may prove problematic. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

No place for self-loathing

Push through feelings of self-doubt during tough moments in your training. Glacier/air taxi pilot Leighan Falley shares lessons learned from her bout with insecurity. Read more >

Blog

Exiting the hold: Be a flexible thinker

Adults can have a difficult time being learners, yet that is what pilots need to do to reach their goals, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Read more >

Gear

Product Brief

X-naut iPad mount cools

How many times did your iPad overheat in the airplane this year? It's a common problem for which X-naut has a solution. Read more >

Article

New aviation-themed holiday cards unveiled

Spread some aviation cheer this holiday season with cards from the AOPA Pilot Gear Store. Cards come in bundles of 24 for $35.95. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Icon across America

Fly along with AOPA Editor at Large Dave Hirschman as he crosses the country in an Icon A5. Read more >

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

Career Opportunities

JSfirm aviation job board

Job of the week: Flight instructor, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

West Bend Air is seeking a full-time CFI/CFII for Part 61 ground and flight training, with the opportunity to advance into the company's charter department. 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 customer acquisitions director, development operations director, medical certification technician, curriculum development director, aviation finance loan processor, accounts payable accounting technician, aviation finance sales manager/senior account executive, human resources director, publications senior director, renewals insurance agent, regulatory affairs director, new business aviation insurance agent, aviation finance account executive, and marketing project manager. Learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

There is a symbol on the sectional that doesn't appear in the legend. Where can I find out what this symbol means?

Answer

The Aeronautical Chart User's Guide covers both VFR and IFR charting.

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

Oct. 6-7	Santa Clara, California
Oct. 13-14	Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dulles, Virginia
Oct. 20-21	Columbia, South Carolina; and Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Nov. 10-11	Atlanta, Georgia; and San Diego, 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

Oct. 8	Tampa, Florida; and Ypsilanti, Michigan
Oct. 9	Fort Myers, Florida; Germantown, Tennessee; Poughkeepsie, New York; and Independence, Ohio
Oct. 10	Hollywood, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Albany, New York; and Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 11	Brockport, New York; Maryville, Tennessee; and Batavia, Ohio

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Oct. 6	Murphysboro, Illinois; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Wichita, Kansas
Oct. 13	Sanford, North Carolina; Syracuse, New York; Roanoke, Virginia; Wiley Ford, West Virginia; and Weslaco, Texas
Oct. 20	Spring, Texas; Sebring, Florida; Abilene, Texas; London, Kentucky; Rock Falls, Illinois; and Lawrence, Kansas
Oct. 27	Richmond, Virginia; Broomfield, Colorado; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Gulf Shores, Alabama; and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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:
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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
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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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