September 27, 2019, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 21, ISSUE 39	September 27, 2019

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Article

Why Icons come to grief

Naysayers predicted that the slick sales pitch for Icon's A5 would lure inexperienced pilots in over their heads. The truth isn't so tidy. Read more >

Slideshow

Cirrus unveils trainer

A landing gear handle looks wholly out of place on a fixed-gear Cirrus SR20—but it's there for a very good reason. Read more >

Article

Colt ready to bolt from corral

A Texas-based startup announced Sept. 24 that the Colt light sport aircraft has been cleared for delivery. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Rough River, nice runway; Space shots in sight

We visit the New Mexico spaceport preparing to launch paying customers, and a choice Kentucky destination for outdoor sports and scenery has a paved runway. Also, Cirrus crafts a pro pilot trainer. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Sept. 26 >

Technique and Safety

Online resource

McSpadden: 'Ask me anything'

Ask Richard McSpadden of AOPA's Air Safety Institute (and a former U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds lead) anything you like on Oct. 2 via Twitter (3 p.m. Eastern time) and Instagram (6 p.m. Eastern time). Follow @flywithaopa on Instagram.

Podcast

Engine failure in an airshow

British warbird pilot Mark Levy shares what he learned after his P–51's engine failed to finish an airshow performance in this AOPA Air Safety Institute There I was... podcast.

Video

Underwater escape

Bryan Webster survived a crash landing in water, and says you're right to be afraid. Learn from his Real Pilot Story produced by the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

Advocacy

Baker tells senators AOPA still against privatization

AOPA President Mark Baker testified in favor of modernizing air traffic control without privatizing it. Read more >

Advocacy

Annual 'engine summit' looks ahead

Change is coming quickly, and innovation will propel general aviation into a future that has only begun to emerge. AOPA is right in the thick of the action. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Record, respond to maintain medical fitness

If the FAA requests additional medical information, be sure you keep detailed records and adhere to deadlines. Read more >

Technology

Pilot magazine

Electric revolution

Stubbornly tied to internal combustion since the Wright brothers, aviation's electric transition is being accelerated by popular demand for rides between rooftops. Read more and watch a video >

Opinion

AOPA Editor's Take

We're teaching stalls all wrong

Practicing stalls during training might get your heart moving the first time or two, but boredom sets in long before the checkride, and that's a problem. Read more >

Gear

Product Brief

Fun for your face

Just when you are fresh out of ways to personalize your pilot journey, along comes a cool little design called BuzzMuffs. Read more >

Travel

Article

Raft, fish, explore the Arkansas River and Royal Gorge

Explore Colorado's scenic Royal Gorge by train, or clinging to iron rungs along 800-foot vertical granite walls. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Protect your credit on the road

If you're planning a trip, check out these six tips for enhancing credit card security. Read more >

Member benefit

Details drive the down payment

Lenders factor in an aircraft's intended use and the loan structure to calculate your required down payment. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Longitude earns type certification

Six years after the maiden flight of Textron Aviation's Cessna Citation Longitude, type certification has arrived. Read more >

Article

Redbird shutters Skyport FBO, blasts industry

Redbird Skyport of San Marcos, Texas, a fixed-based operation that "has never made a dime" despite a flair for innovative marketing, closed on Sept. 14. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Alaska bush pilot Leighan Falley

Alaska bush pilot, artist, and parent Leighan Falley talks about flying where runways are a luxury. Listen to the podcast >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFI, Darcy Aviation

Darcy Aviation, a Part 91 flight school in beautiful Danbury, Connecticut, is hiring full-time certificated flight instructors to help students on their journey toward certification. 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 government affairs manager, member services representative, marketing coordinator, High School Aviation Initiative director, and front-end developer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I'm reviewing the topic of weight and balance because I've become rusty with the calculations and terms over the years. Where can I find guidance on this topic?

Answer

The FAA's Weight and Balance Handbook covers the topic thoroughly and includes a glossary where you can look up terms.

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

Oct. 5-6	Santa Clara, California
Oct. 19-20	Nashville, Tennessee
Nov. 9-10	Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Anchorage, Alaska
Nov. 16-17	Austin, Texas; Dulles, Virginia; and San Diego, California

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. 2	Dodge Center, Minnesota; and Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 3	Batavia, Ohio
Oct. 7	San Antonio, Texas
Oct. 14	Zionsville, Indiana; Garden City, New York; and Monroe, North Carolina

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

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Sep. 28	Santa Ana, California; College Park, Maryland; and Seattle, Washington
Oct. 5	Southbridge, Massachusetts; Palo Alto, California; and Roanoke, Virginia
Oct. 12	Hillsdale, Michigan; New Castle, Delaware; and Richmond, Virginia
Oct. 19	McKinney, Texas; and Statesboro, Georgia

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

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