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January 4, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

AOPA
VOL 21, ISSUE 1 January 4, 2019
Click here for this week's custom content.
Top Stories
AOPA
Advocacy
Navigating the government shutdown
With U.S. lawmakers and the president deadlocked over funding a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, the federal government has been shut down since midnight Dec. 22. Find out which FAA operations are open and which are closed. Read more >
Technique and Safety
Video
Be wise when it comes to ice
In Accident Case Study: Delayed Reaction, the AOPA Air Safety Institute examines a pilot's failure to recognize the hazards of airframe icing. Watch the video >
Online resource
Need a New Year's resolution?
Use the AOPA Air Safety Institute's personal VFR and IFR minimums contracts before every flight to make 2019 general aviation's safest year yet!
Login required
Turn on the lights
Shorter daylight means more time for night flying. Test your recall of airport lighting with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz. Take the quiz >
IFR Fix
A missed opportunity
You break out of the clouds on an instrument approach to a nontowered airport and have the runway in sight. Then you spot an airplane landing. Read more >
Advocacy
Advocacy
FAA slimming down 'Notices to Airmen Publication'
The FAA has started to streamline one of its core flight information publications in response to safety-minded recommendations. Read more >
Advocacy
ADS-B broadens access to reduced-separation airspace
General aviation aircraft operators who fly in the flight levels are expected to benefit from a new FAA rule that cuts through red tape to allow appropriately equipped aircraft to fly with reduced vertical separation minimums. Read more >
Technology
Article
Awaiting technology for drone accountability
Realizing the full potential of drones to do good hinges on development of a reliable way to detect bad actors with tiny aircraft, a technological puzzle that remains unsolved. Read more >
Opinion
Blog
Dealing with pre-departure delays and jitters
When everything leading up to a polar circumnavigation started going wrong, Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis relied on his intuition. Read more >
Blog
Spark the wonder of flight
Make one of your New Year's resolutions volunteering at aviation events, suggests Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Read more >
Gear
Article
Garmin helicopter touch-screen flight display certified
Garmin has received certification of its new G500H TXi touch-screen flight display for normal category VFR helicopters. Read more >
Article
What pilots are packing in their flight bags
From tablets to treats and from headlamps to handheld GPS units, pilots share what they pack in their flight bags. Read more >
Travel
Article
10 beautiful places to see from the air
From awe-inspiring works of Mother Nature to marvelous manmade structures, these 10 places are best seen from the air. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
News and Notes
Article
NAA names four distinguished statesmen of aviation
Two of the best-known personalities of the flight training industry, a veteran aviation journalist, and an aerospace executive were named distinguished statesmen of aviation. Read more >
Article
Hayward Air Rally offers EAA Air Academy scholarships
The Hayward Air Rally, which lays claim to the longest continually held proficiency flying event in North America, is again offering scholarships to this summer's EAA Air Academy. Read more >
Article
Trending trainers
Whether you are learning to fly for a future career or for fun, your flight training aircraft options range from traditional trainers to new arrivals. Read more >
Pilot magazine
Match the movie with the airplane
Here are 20 popular aviation movies and their plots. Can you match the movie and its iconic aircraft? Read more >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Certificated flight instructor, Horizon Aviation
Horizon Aviation in Providence, Rhode Island, is offering those who have a passion for teaching and a driving commitment to their students' success the opportunity to join its team. 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 social media marketer, development marketing and communications manager, digital marketing coordinator, Air Safety Institute video producer, marketing customer acquisitions director, development operations director, curriculum development director, regulatory affairs director, and aviation finance account executive. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >
Question of the Week
Question

I'm no longer instrument current (as of a week ago). I have access to a simulator and I've heard that currency in a simulator now counts the same as it does in the airplane. Is that true?
Answer
Yes, provided the simulator's Letter of Authorization allows it to be used for instrument currency. A November 2018 change to 14 CFR 61.57(c) allows you to complete instrument currency requirements in any combination of aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device.

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. 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
Jan. 26-27 Frederick, Maryland
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
Jan. 5 Stevensville, Maryland
Jan. 12 Fort Worth, Texas
Jan. 19 Houston, Texas
Jan. 25 Sebring, Florida
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.
AOPA
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ePilot Editors:
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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

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Sarah Deener
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Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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