Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here
News & Media October 25, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

October 25, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

AOPA ePilot
VOL 21, ISSUE 43 October 25, 2019
Click here for this week's custom content.
Top Stories
Signature announces new online fee program
Advocacy
Signature announces new online fee program
Signature Flight Support said it plans to be more transparent with its new Trip Estimator tool to be released in early 2020. While it's a good start, some aspects leave pilots underwhelmed, said AOPA President Mark Baker. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
Bright lights, new airplanes; Dragging at Dead Cow
Gulfstream put on a show at the National Business Aviation Association convention, and Pilatus had its own reveal. Also this week, we go off the grid for drag races at the High Sierra Fly-In. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
NBAA
Article
Tamarack Aerospace sees bankruptcy exit this year
Tamarack Aerospace Group, the maker of winglets used on some Cessna Citation jets, filed a plan to emerge from bankruptcy by year's end. Read more >
Article
AOPA's Horne wins lifetime achievement award
NBAA Chairman Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton honored AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Tom Horne, who edits the magazine's Turbine Edition, with the 2019 David W. Ewald Platinum Wing Award for his lifetime achievement in journalism. Read more >
Image gallery
Polish and shine
How can you top a shiny new airplane? Add some glitz and glamour. All of the big iron manufacturers brought their A game to the NBAA convention in Las Vegas. Read more and view an image gallery >
In case you missed these...
Technique and Safety
Online resource
Learn from 'CFI to CFI'
In the latest issue of CFI to CFI, read about the importance of mentors, and review exercises to help your students master landings and hot starts. Read more >
Video
Normal but never boring
Pilots use a "normal" takeoff most of the time, and routine can lead to complacency. Review some safety considerations in this video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.
Video
Survival story
Delays, poor decisions, and lack of preparation turned a four-hour cross-country flight into a 30-hour survival crisis for a pilot and his family. Watch the events in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story.
Advocacy
Advocacy
FAA defends California's Reid-Hillview Airport
The FAA has notified a California county's governing board it would vigorously oppose any renewed effort to close an important regional airport that some local officials want to replace with housing units. Read more >
Health
Pilot Protection Services
Expressions on MedXPress
The FAA recently accepted comments for a possible update to the FAA Form 8500-8 medical certification application, also known as MedXPress. Read more >
Technology
Video
Future air taxi in flight testing
German startup Lilium posted a video showing test flights of a five-seat, electric, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that the firm hopes to have in service by 2025. It's projected to fly up to an hour at 162 knots.
Opinion
Blog
Excitement builds for polar circumnavigation
Flying across the most mysterious of all continents—Antarctica—is just one aspect of an upcoming polar circumnavigation that excites Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis. Read more >
Gear
Pilot magazine
2019 'Pilot' gear guide
What type of pilot are you? Whether you wear epaulets or blue jeans, fly a Phenom or a Piper Cub, you need gear that keeps you safe, comfortable, and sharp in the cockpit as well as on the ground. Check out our 2019 gear guide >
Travel
Article
Spooky stuff
Infamous for the Salem witch trials, this New England city is turning its tragic past into lighthearted fun for Halloween. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Member Benefit
Interest rates can be 'sticky'
A recent rate cut by the Federal Reserve may not be the last, but aircraft loan rates may be slow to respond. Read more >
News and Notes
NAFI honors Kings
National Association of Flight Instructors Chairman Bob Meder presented the Jack J. Eggspuehler Service Award, the group's highest honor, to King Schools founders John and Martha King, who "revolutionized flight training" with their video lessons and decades-long commitment to safety.
Slideshow
A hard day to be a chicken
Pilots flinging rubber chickens over a Maryland airport had a better chance of inspiring future pilots than actually plunking the guy in the chicken costume. Read more and view a slideshow >
Article
Museum plans Vietnam memorial
The National Warplane Museum in upstate New York plans to build a memorial to Vietnam veterans around a Lockheed C–130 known as Saigon Lady. Read more >
Article
Rural Maine airports upgrading
The completion of a project to lengthen a rural Maine airport's runway will support the area's emergency medical services and could prove a boost to the scenic region's businesses and tourism economy. Read more >
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': One-eyed pilot Shinji Maeda
Shinji Maeda lost an eye to an injury when he was young, but he battled back to pursue his aviation dreams and earn a commercial pilot certificate. His new goal? Flying around the world. Listen to the podcast >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Crew scheduling coordinator, Aircare International
Aircare International in Tacoma, Washington, is seeking a crew scheduling coordinator to provide support to crewmembers and dispatch. Responsibilities include oversight of crew schedules and dispatching appropriate crewmembers in unique service situations and irregular operations. 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 Legal Services Plan administrative assistant, Legal Services Plan attorney, Pilot Information Center digital product specialist, marketing coordinator, High School Aviation Outreach director, and front-end developer. Learn about these opportunities >
Question of the Week
Question

Can I take a practical test under BasicMed?
Answer
Yes. The regulations include an exception for pilots taking the practical test under BasicMed (see 14 CFR 61.23(a)(3)(iii)). For more information about BasicMed operating requirements, see 14 CFR 61.113(i) and 14 CFR 61.23(c)(3).

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
Nov. 9-10 Albuquerque, NM; and Anchorage, AK
Nov. 16-17 Austin, TX; Dulles, VA; and San Diego, CA
Dec. 7-8 Northbrook, IL; Orlando, FL; and Watkins, CO
Jan. 4-5 Charlotte, NC; Spokane, WA; and Costa Mesa, CA
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. 28 Houston, TX; and Green Bay, WI
Oct. 29 Milwaukee, WI
Oct. 30 Madison, WI
Oct. 31 Eau Claire, WI
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Oct. 26 Spring, TX; Marion, IL; North Charleston, SC; Williamstown, WV; and Acampo, CA
Nov. 2 Winchester, VA; and Elizabethtown, KY
Nov. 9 Jefferson, OH; Truckee, CA; Lynchburg, VA; Englewood, CO; Allentown, PA; and Mansfield, MA
Nov. 16 Fort Wayne, IN; Jackson, TN; Bartow, FL; Henderson, NV; and Rochester, NY
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 logo
© 2019 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax
Facebook Twitter Instagram
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:
Dan Justman, 301-695-2182

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

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

AOPA Advertising website