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News & Media August 14, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

August 14, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

AOPA ePilot
VOL 22, ISSUE 33 August 14, 2020
Click here for this week's custom content.
Top Stories
Extra NG: Mild to wild
Multimedia
Extra NG: Mild to wild
AOPA Editor at Large Dave Hirschman loops and rolls the Extra NG—the latest unlimited aerobatic uberplane from Extra Aircraft. Read more and watch a video >
AOPA Live This Week
Inside an AOPA air-to-air; Mask brigade; Extra NG
Buckle a harness, get your knees in the breeze, and live a day in the life of an AOPA photographer. Also, Colorado pilots deliver personal protective equipment, and we fly the new all-composite Extra NG. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Technique and Safety
Video
Powerless over Paris
An instrument-rated commercial pilot flying through thick instrument meteorological conditions at night experiences a full electrical failure. The pilot and controllers involved recount the event in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story. Watch the video >
Online resource
Staying alive
No one likes to consider the unwelcome possibility of a forced off-airport landing—and the potential survival situation to follow. Prepare for the unlikely with this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight. Learn more >
Video
Taming the twin
The benefits of twins—better performance and greater safety—come with strings attached. This AOPA Air Safety Institute video explores actions pilots can take to improve safety on every multiengine flight. Watch the video >
Advocacy
Advocacy
GA groups concerned about pilot records proposal
AOPA and the National Business Aviation Association wrote to FAA Administrator Steve Dickson regarding the Pilot Records Database proposal and the negative impact it would have on general aviation. Read more >
Advocacy
EPA proposes aircraft emissions regulation
Proposed new federal aircraft emissions standards would not affect piston aviation, though AOPA supports the goal of reducing pollution and remains deeply involved in the push to create cleaner ways to fly. Read more >
Airworthiness advisories
Health
Pilot Protection Services
The pilot in the COVID-19 world
Dr. Brent Blue reminds pilots that discipline is the key to staying physically and mentally healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >
Technology
Article
SiriusXM Tour brings tunes to the cockpit
When it comes to entertainment in light general aviation airplanes, you either need to bring it with you or stream it. A new portable radio from SiriusXM makes it easier than ever. Read more >
Opinion
Blog
North Pole at last
Opinion Leaders blogger and Zen Pilot Robert DeLaurentis experienced lost navaids, balky radios, and lingering self-doubt during a successful polar circumnavigation. Read more >
Gear
Video
An old friendship rekindled
The pending reboot of Microsoft Flight Simulator has many pilots licking their chops and preparing to pounce on August 18. Read more >
Travel
Article
History lesson comes alive
Celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the end of World War II by learning more about the war, and the sacrifices made, during a visit to The National WWII Museum. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Article
EPS bankrupt $15 million short of certified diesel engine
A company seeking to bring a clean-sheet diesel engine to market warned a bankruptcy court judge that its intellectual property is at risk. Read more >
Article
Avionics market crumbles
The Aircraft Electronics Association's second-quarter industry sales report released August 11 showed a nearly 24-percent decline in total sales compared to the first half of 2019, and nobody was surprised. Read more >
Member benefit
What interest rate should I expect?
When financing an aircraft, what effect will putting down 40 percent have on the interest rate? Read more >
News and Notes
Article
Over the Divide to flatten the curve
A group of volunteer pilots in Colorado delivered more than 300,000 masks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency across the state. Read more >
Article
From pre-med student to pilot in less than 4 weeks
A college student aspiring to become a doctor took advantage of canceled classes to scoot up to Alaska for a few weeks of intensive pilot training. Read more >
Article
Meet Mel the Traveler
Mel the Traveler, a self-proclaimed aviation nerd and a full-time Boeing 737NG maintenance instructor with Delta Air Lines, shares his love of aviation on social media. Read more >
Article
New maintenance podcast coming soon
Imagine having three world-class airplane maintenance experts at your fingertips. Now you do. AOPA will soon be releasing a new podcast, Ask the A&Ps. And you guessed it—we want your questions. Read more >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Director of safety, Mountain Aviation
At Mountain Aviation, employees provide exceptional service to the company's longtime jet charter clients, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Mountain Aviation is currently seeking a director of safety to join its team in Broomfield, Colorado. Aviation experience is required for this position. 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 an HR generalist. To learn more about this and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Question of the Week
Question

I'm contemplating purchasing a 1968 Piper Arrow. During the initial walkaround, I noticed a loose exhaust pipe. The owner had a somewhat light attitude: "If something was wrong, my mechanic would have told me." Is a loose exhaust pipe a concern on such a model?
Answer
There shouldn't be any play in the exhaust pipe on a Piper Arrow. A loose exhaust pipe should be checked by a mechanic and shouldn't be accepted by a pilot during a walkaround. It could just be a loose pipe, or it could be an indicator of other damage. At any rate, it should be checked and fixed/cleared by a mechanic before you fly it. If the current owner is unwilling to do this, it may be an indicator of how the aircraft has been maintained, and it may be time to find another airplane to purchase. Read the full answer and join the discussion >

This discussion is from our online Pilot Information Center, where you can ask questions, contribute answers, earn badges, and join our growing pilot community online. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Education & Seminars
AOPA's in-person educational courses and seminars have been canceled or postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Stay sharp with our webinars, podcasts, and videos.
Upcoming AOPA webinars
Aug. 19, 9 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug. 21, 12 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug. 25, 7 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug. 27, 3 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug. 27, 7 p.m. EDT Forced landings: A plan to survive
See the full webinar schedule in our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.) View our recently recorded webinars (registration required).
Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos
How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members
'Bachelor' star Peter Weber
DK's Top 5: Everything you've always wanted to ask a controller
Kellee Edwards
High school scholarship recipient Tristan Dawson
Flying to watch the SpaceX launch
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.
AOPA Podcasts
'Hangar Talk': Armless pilot Jessica Cox
'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Jason Miller
'Pilot Briefing': Week of Aug. 10, 2020
'There I was...': Robert Clark
'Never Again': In a pickle
'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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