March 22, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 21, ISSUE 12	March 22, 2019

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Slideshow

GA pilots fly for Midwest flood relief

General aviation pilots helped reunite families and deliver relief supplies after devastating flooding hit the Midwest. (Photo courtesy of Josh Tocko.) Read more >

Article

'Why didn't they … fly the airplane?'

Longtime pilot Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) said foreign pilot training and standards should be scrutinized as much as the aircraft after two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Read more >

Article

Boeing's crisis: AOPA safety expert weighs in

Boeing may have failed to recognize global distinctions in pilot training, according to AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden. Read more >

Article

The Colt is out of the bag

A new light sport aircraft offers state-of-the-art safety features including passenger protection similar to a modern race car cockpit. Read more >

Article

Aviation legend Clay Lacy awarded Hoover Trophy

Clay Lacy, a record setter, military test pilot, airline captain, cinematographer, and entrepreneur, said he was humbled to receive the 2019 Hoover Trophy. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Lacy accepts Hoover Trophy; Baker borrows your airplane

Watch aviation legend Clay Lacy accept the 2019 Hoover Trophy. Also, AOPA President Mark Baker has a lot of fun flying your AOPA Sweepstakes Super Cub on floats. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, March 21 >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

25 things to do during AOPA's 80th anniversary fly-in

Join us for AOPA's Frederick, Maryland, Fly-In in May, and stay for the weekend. Here are 25 things to do in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., areas. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Pilot magazine

Expert analysis: New Jersey Learjet 35A crash

The NTSB on March 12 cited pilot error as the probable cause in the 2017 fatal crash of a Learjet 35A in New Jersey. AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden analyzes the accident. Read more >

Video

In search of the perfect landing

Struggling to nail the landing? Whether it's trouble timing the flare or managing airspeed, this AOPA Air Safety Institute video has a tip for you. Watch the video >

A day in the sun

Sun Valley, Idaho, is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, and getting there is half the fun. Try your hand at a challenging approach in this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.

Video

Pattern of safety

Don't fall into bad habits in the traffic pattern. Get tips for avoiding traffic pattern stalls in this AOPA Air Safety Institute video. Watch the video >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Win a $1,499 drone

What's better…taking off uphill into the wind, or downhill with a tailwind? Watch the video from PilotWorkshops to find out, and enter to win a $1,499 drone.

Advocacy

Former Delta executive nominated to head FAA

AOPA President Mark Baker welcomed Steve Dickson's nomination for FAA administrator. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA ADS-B mandate approaching quickly

Time is running out to equip aircraft by the FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out deadline, and fewer than 3,500 rebate spots remain. Read more >

Annual GA survey begins

The FAA's forty-first annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is underway. Pilots who receive an email or postcard invitation are encouraged to participate. The survey is the only source of GA fleet activity data.

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Five reasons a dog is a pilot's best friend

We love our dogs as much as our airplanes. Here are five ways dogs are good for our health. Read more >

Technology

Article

Helo pilots say drone tech can enhance safety

Many helicopter pilots view drones as a hazard or a competitor, but some back integration. Read more >

Article

Electric regional airline in works

One of the early electric airplanes to market might be one you've never heard of. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Airplanes break

Maintaining mechanical perfection in our airplanes can be a stretch, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis, as he details an engine refurbishment for his polar circumnavigation. Read more >

Gear

Article

Low-cost multifunction instrument certified

Standby attitude, angle of attack, slip and skid, a G-meter, and timers are among the 12 functions packed into a two-inch instrument that retails for $895. Read more >

Travel

Article

Pilots pick top 10 airport restaurants of 2019

It's official, or at least, it's published: a list of the 10 best U.S. fly-in restaurants of 2019, according to the subscribers of www.100dollarhamburger.com. Read more >

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

Financial

You Can Fly

Last chance to apply for AOPA scholarships

Time is running out to apply for AOPA's You Can Fly scholarships, with more than $1 million on offer to support initial and advanced training. Read more >

Member benefit

Why work with AOPA Aviation Finance?

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to aircraft financing. Find out how AOPA Aircraft Finance takes all of the variables into account to help you get the best deal. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Aviation Week salutes AOPA chief

Aviation Week honored AOPA President Mark Baker with a Laureate for Leadership in the Business Aviation category. Read more >

Article

Award-winning aviation writer Mary Grady remembered

Aviation writer Mary Jane Grady flew hot air balloons and airplanes, sailed on a research vessel, and taught geography. Read more >

AOPA Super Cub Sweepstakes

Baker flies AOPA's Sweepstakes Super Cub

AOPA's Sweepstakes Super Cub proved the perfect perch for AOPA President Mark Baker to spot fish and alligators in central Florida. Read more >

Demo a Diamond at Sun 'n Fun

Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo attendees who are considering purchasing a Diamond Aircraft DA40 NG single or DA42-VI or DA62 twin can get a demo flight with LifeStyle Aviation.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFI, Trident Aircraft

Trident Aircraft is seeking full-time flight instructors for its location on the Florida panhandle in Milton. The position includes the possibility for 100-plus hours per month of flight time, including paid ground instruction at competitive rates. 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 research specialist, Legal Services Plan attorney, legislative affairs director, aviation event operations senior manager, regulatory affairs director, You Can Fly operations vice president, aviation finance account executive, development operations director, development marketing and communications manager, and several interns. Learn about these and other AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I received a third class medical certificate two years ago, when I was 39 years old. Is that certificate valid for an additional one year or three years?

Answer

Your certificate is valid for an additional three years (60 calendar months in total) because you were younger than age 40 when it was issued (see 14 CFR 61.23(d)).

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

Mar. 23-24	Ontario, California; and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Apr. 6-7	Aurora, Colorado; Indianapolis, Indiana; and San Diego, California
Apr. 13-14	Dulles, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Tampa, Florida
Apr. 27-28	Dedham, Massachusetts

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

Apr. 1	Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Apr. 2	West Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Hartford, Connecticut
Apr. 3	Bellevue, Nebraska; Waltham, Massachusetts; and Dodge Center, Minnesota
Apr. 4	Olathe, Kansas; and Londonderry, New Hampshire

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Mar. 23	Cleveland, Ohio; Ogden, Utah; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and Englewood, Colorado
Mar. 30	Live Oak, Florida; Lewiston, Idaho; and Cheektowaga, New York
Apr. 3	Lakeland, Florida
Apr. 6	Omaha, Nebraska; Independence, Oregon; and Traverse City, Michigan

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.

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Kristy O'Malley
Melissa Whitehouse

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

Advertise in ePilot:
Gary Brennan, 301-695-2052

Eastern and Central United States and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Tom Linton, 301-695-2055

AOPA Advertising website