December 20, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 21, ISSUE 51	December 20, 2019

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Top Stories

Article

NORAD Santa delivers joy

Volunteers and North American Aerospace Defense Command personnel will spend Christmas Eve tracking a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, a holiday tradition that began by accident in 1955. (Image courtesy of NORAD Tracks Santa via YouTube.) Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Santa-tracking secrets revealed

Canadian Army Maj. Andrew Hennessy reveals the secrets that experts use to track Santa as he flies around the world each December 24. Listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live This Week

Best scenes of 2019

Strap in for the ride of a lifetime with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, fly a seaplane with a reality show celebrity, join a desert party, reflect on the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day, and more as AOPA Live This Week® producers share their favorite stories of the year. Watch AOPA Live This Week >

Technique and Safety

Podcast

'There I was...': Julie Clark

Living Legends of Aviation member Julie Clark shares experiences and lessons from more than 40 years as a solo aerobatic pilot in the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Video

Safety Tip: Runway conditions

In this AOPA Air Safety Institute video, learn how the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix can help you anticipate your airplane's braking performance in bad weather. Watch the video >

Video

Three seconds, three choices

Relinquishing PIC authority is never a good idea, especially if the airplane you're following disappears in the fog. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story to learn about one pilot's nearly disastrous flight. Watch the video >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Takeoff over max weight?

Is an aircraft's maximum gross weight a manufacturer's guideline or a number that should never be exceeded? See PilotWorkshops.com for the discussion and poll results from 15,000 pilots.

Learn about changes coming to FAA knowledge testing

Starting January 13, anyone taking an FAA knowledge test will need an FAA tracking number. That's just one of the changes and enhancements coming to the testing process. The FAA is hosting two webinars January 8, one at 10 a.m. Eastern time and the other at 3 p.m. Eastern time, to walk you through the changes.

Advocacy

'The Hill' names AOPA among top lobbyists of 2019

Washington, D.C.-based publication The Hill released its annual list of top lobbyists on December 12. AOPA is among the nation’s top companies, labor unions, and associations. Read more >

Advocacy

Congress averts shutdown, sends spending package to president

Congress has passed and sent to President Donald Trump fiscal-year 2020 appropriations legislation that provides $17.6 billion for the FAA, including $3.35 billion for the airport improvement program and $10 million for workforce grant programs strongly supported by AOPA. Read more >

Advocacy

Aircraft certification reform continues to advance

Piston aircraft production has plummeted. New aircraft are more expensive than ever and no longer hold their value. AOPA and other stakeholders continue to press for regulatory revisions to help reverse these troubling trends. Read more >

Advocacy

AOPA helps shape recreational drone test

AOPA will pitch in on a collaborative effort to create a knowledge test for recreational drone users, aiming to keep the skies safe as newcomers arrive in droves. Read more >

Prolonged TFR set for Florida over holidays

A VIP temporary flight restriction will be in effect in the West Palm Beach, Florida, region from December 20 to January 5 for President Donald Trump's visit to his Mar-a-Lago estate. Multiple notices to airmen will be in effect, and the exact times and locations are subject to change, the FAA said. Pilots should check notams frequently before operating in the area.

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Altered states

Attitudes about cannabis products have shifted over the years, but they are still prohibited by the FAA for all classes of medical certification. Read more >

Opinion

Article

Zen Pilot crosses South Pole

Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis flew from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the South Pole—and back—December 16 during a "very challenging" 18-hour flight. He shares what was running through his head prior to launching. Read more >

Gear

Article

Garmin diversity transponders OK'd

Garmin received FAA supplemental type certification for its GTX 335D and GTX 345D diversity ADS-B transponders, which provide maximum ADS-B Out visibility in the global airspace system. Read more >

Travel

Article

Tour a GA manufacturer

With the manufacture of avionics, engines, components, and airframes scattered all around the country, there's a good chance a fascinating factory tour is a short flight away. Read more >

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

Financial

Member benefit

Buying a turbine aircraft

If you are looking to finance a turbine aircraft purchase, here are four things to consider. Read more >

Article

Group or individual life insurance?

Think about these factors when deciding whether to purchase life insurance on your own or as part of a group. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

OpenAirplane shuts down

OpenAirplane, an initiative aimed at streamlining the airplane checkout process and getting more pilots flying, has shut down. Read more >

Article

Tuskegee Airman McGee to be promoted to brigadier general

After celebrating his 100th birthday by piloting a Cirrus Vision Jet, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles E. McGee is set to be presented with an honorary promotion to brigadier general. Read more >

Article

Harrelson posts unofficial world speed record

Bill Harrelson landed his modified Lancair IV at California's Ontario International Airport December 15 after unofficially shattering Max Conrad's 58-year-old westbound circumnavigation speed record. Read more >

Changes for compassion call signs in effect

Pilots flying compassion flights must use a new method for obtaining a call sign, effective December 15. Pilots must contact their volunteer flying organization(s) and be issued a unique call sign that’s assigned to the pilot, not the aircraft. The Air Care Alliance will serve as administrator of the CMF call sign, and will assign call signs to pilots flying for groups that have completed required paperwork.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Flight instructor, AeroVenture

AeroVenture in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is seeking talented CFI candidates to lead its incoming classes of Zero-to-Hero Airline Track students. AeroVenture provides modern, well-maintained aircraft and simulators combined with an excellent salary for the right candidate. 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 marketing coordinator (membership), You Can Fly coordinator, government affairs (regulatory) vice president, and High School Aviation Outreach director. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

How can I, as pilot in command, find out whether an airport is actively conducting land and hold short operations (LAHSO)?

Answer

When LAHSO are expected to be used an announcement will be made on the automatic terminal information service. If the airport doesn't have ATIS or it is out of service, you will be advised on initial contact or as soon as practicable. More information about LAHSO can be found in the FAA's LAHSO order and on AOPA Online.

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

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
Jan. 25-26	Jackson, MS; and Romulus, MI

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. 20	Houston, TX
Jan. 21	San Antonio, TX
Jan. 22	Austin, TX
Feb. 10	McKinney, TX

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Jan. 11	Gordonville, TX; Nashville, TN; and Inverness, FL
Jan. 18	Stevensville, MD; Bethany, OK; Eden Prairie, MN; and Woodland, CA
Jan. 25	Fredericksburg, TX; Gulf Shores, AL; Clinton, IA; and Carlsbad, CA
Feb. 8	Plant City, FL; California, MD; and Corpus Christi, TX

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 Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Kristy O'Malley
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
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Sarah Deener
Tom Haines
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
Jill Tallman
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

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