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December 6, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

AOPA ePilot
VOL 21, ISSUE 49 December 6, 2019
Click here for this week's custom content.
Top Stories
Something for everyone: AOPA's 2020 fly-ins announced
Pilot magazine
Something for everyone: AOPA's 2020 fly-ins announced
From music to rodeo, car shows to airshows, and Wild West excursions to a metropolitan vibe, AOPA's 2020 fly-ins will have something for everyone. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
Fly-in fun; Perfect pilot gift; Rare airplane flies
AOPA has three great fly-ins planned in 2020—find out where they will be. Take a look at MyGoFlight's new flight bags released just in time for the holidays. Plus, see the rare Golden Age Kinner Sportwing. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Technique and Safety
Article
'Classrooms' offered as new aviation learning environment
How's this for innovation: Instead of studying all alone for FAA knowledge tests by answering test bank questions on an app, why not gather with other students to learn from a live instructor? Read more >
IFR Fix
He's making a list (of instrument procedures)
Improving IFR facilities at your airport may not be as simple as telling Santa your wish—but it's close by government standards. Read more >
Login required
IFR to Reno
An instrument approach is a busy, demanding phase of flight. And when it comes to understanding the procedure, it is no time to gamble. Test your knowledge of approach plates with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.
Video
Flying blind
In December 2015, a noninstrument-rated pilot took off despite a poor weather forecast—a decision that led to tragedy. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study to learn how you can avoid making the same mistakes.
Online resource
Pireps made easy
Pilot reports are invaluable in the weather decision-making process. Brush up on the basics with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's new "Pireps Made Easy" Safety Advisor.
Holiday flying—Good decisions make happy memories
Flying general aviation to visit friends or family during the holidays? In this YouTube Live broadcast, AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden will share tips to help you identify potential traps unique to the holidays. Watch live December 17 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Advocacy
Video
AOPA advocacy in the spotlight
Flight instructor and The Finer Points host Jason Miller takes you behind the scenes of AOPA's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. See what we are doing every single day to fight for your rights. Watch the video >
Advocacy
FAA, AOPA experts to discuss ADS-B Out live
Learn about the few exceptions, waivers, and deviations from the ADS-B Out mandate during a December 10 webinar to be streamed live on the FAA's Facebook page at 6 p.m. Eastern time. Read more >
Health
Pilot Protection Services
Tracking errors
Do you know what errors you tend to make when you fly? Keeping a log of mistakes can help you identify and correct them to become a safer pilot. Read more >
Technology
Article
Small drones have traffic 'in sight'
Two different technological approaches to enabling drones to detect and avoid aircraft of all kinds are logging successes. Read more >
Gear
Garmin, SiriusXM offer rebates
Garmin is offering a $100 rebate on the Garmin GDL 52 portable SiriusXM/ADS-B receiver until December 31. The offer combines with a $200 rebate from SiriusXM Aviation, a three-month SiriusXM free trial, and a free one-year AOPA membership, for a total value of up to $600. Learn more >
Travel
Article
Vacation with a bird's-eye view
There is nothing better in the world when traveling than getting a bird's-eye view of a destination. Here are some tips for renting, borrowing, and flying an aircraft overseas. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Article
Steady increases continue for avionics sales
Worldwide sales of avionics for business and general aviation aircraft increased by 14.3 percent over the comparable 2018 period, continuing a trend of steady growth, according to an industry report. Read more >
Member benefit
Tax time is around the corner
Looking to finance an aircraft purchase? AOPA Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about income tax considerations. Read more >
News and Notes
Article
Textron Aviation announces layoffs
Textron Aviation announced layoffs in its Wichita, Kansas-based engineering and professional support workforce to take effect at year's end. Read more >
Article
Mooney again making parts, aircraft
Mooney workers are once again hand-driving rivets and curving sheet metal at the company's Kerrville, Texas, facility. Read more >
Article
Italian aviator Francesco Volpi dies at age 105
Francesco Volpi, a decorated Italian Air Force pilot who earned his military pilot certificate at age 21 and went on to count more than 80 years of active flying, died November 19 at age 105. Read more >
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': AOPA airspace guru Rune Duke talks ADS-B
AOPA airspace guru and former military air traffic controller Rune Duke talks about airspace, outer space, and aviation acronyms. Listen to the podcast >
Celebrate International Civil Aviation Day
Go flying December 7 to celebrate International Civil Aviation Day! The date was established in 1994 to commemorate the International Civil Aviation Organization's fiftieth anniversary and "reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States."
Pilot magazine
End the year right with this AOPA challenge
Don't miss your chance to earn prizes for checking in at airports using the AOPA app's Pilot Passport feature. The top 80 with the most airport check-ins during AOPA's eightieth anniversary year will win a Freedom to Fly book, and the top three will be awarded with a tactical jacket! Read more >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Director of flight standards and training, Sky Palace
Sky Palace in Tampa, Florida, is seeking a director of flight standards and training. This position is responsible for the training and standardization of pilots, flight attendants, flight logistics coordinators, and aircraft dispatchers. 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 You Can Fly coordinator, government affairs (regulatory) vice president, High School Aviation Outreach director, and marketing coordinator. Learn about these opportunities >
Question of the Week
Question

A friend of mine is a U.S. citizen who lived abroad for several years. During this time, he took flight training from a non-FAA CFI. Now that he is back in the United States, can he use that training time toward his FAA private pilot certificate?
Answer
He can use that time if the instructor is from a "foreign contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation" (the entity that established ICAO), and is authorized to give that training by that country's licensing authority (see FAR 61.41).

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. 7-8 Northbrook, IL; Orlando, FL; and Watkins, CO
Jan. 4-5 Charlotte, NC; Spokane, WA; and Costa Mesa, CA
Jan. 11-12 San Antonio, TX; Portland, OR; and Alcoa, TN
Jan. 18-19 Bellevue, WA; and Elkridge, MD
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
Dec. 7 Eden Prairie, MN
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Dec. 7 Carlsbad, CA; Frederick, MD; Gulf Shores, AL; Spartanburg, SC; Homestead, FL; and San Jose, CA
Dec. 14 Scottsdale, AZ; and Mosinee, WI
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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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

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Melissa Whitehouse
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Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
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Kollin Stagnito
Jill Tallman
Ian Twombly
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