Membership: New York fly-in canceled

Pandemic ends hopes for AOPA’s 2020 events

August 1, 2020

AOPA Canceled its September fly-in at Rochester, New York, as a result of ongoing issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The fly-in was originally scheduled to take place September 11 and 12.

Ask AOPA

Remembering regulations

Is your memory playing tricks?

By Craig Brown

Pop quiz. True or false? A pilot must complete a flight review every 24 months.An aircraft requires an annual inspection every 12 months.

The answer to both is, of course, false.

What? Most pilots learned in their primary training that a pilot must complete a flight review every 24 months, but that is not what the regulation says. FAR 61.56 says to act as pilot in command, a pilot must have satisfactorily accomplished a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months. If a pilot is inactive or not flying as PIC, a flight review is not required. Many pilots were also taught that annual inspections were required every 12 months. FAR 91.409 states that no person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had an annual inspection in accordance with Part 43 of this chapter, and has been approved for return to service. If an aircraft is never operated, it never needs an annual inspection.

Neither regulation mandates a check at the specified calendar time. Rather, each requires a check within the calendar time, prior to something occurring.

Pilots learn and comply with many regulations to fly safely and legally. That’s probably the least exciting part about learning to fly. How you choose to remember them is entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong way, as long as you understand them. However, if this story causes you to turn a slightly more critical eye to the regulations, then I have done my job. Fly safe.

Questions? Contact the AOPA Pilot Information Center at 800-872-2672, or email [email protected].

Craig Brown is a senior aviation technical specialist in the AOPA Pilot Information Center.

“As we have anticipated the reopening of most activities following the early COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, our AOPA events team has worked hard to maintain the viability of our Rochester fly-in with the hopes that it could be our first big event of this unique year,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “A number of factors went into this decision: the continuing constraints that COVID-19 is expected to have on large-scale events in New York state, and local staffing issues related to the health crisis and resulting slowdowns. The serious challenges and potential restrictions ahead of us just won’t allow us to create the type of member and exhibitor experience that would meet our high standards.”

Those who registered for the event will receive a full refund. Registrants don’t need to take any action to initiate refunds; AOPA will process credit card refunds. Please expect delays for refunds by check.

Earlier this year, AOPA canceled its fly-in events in San Marcos, Texas, and Casper, Wyoming. AOPA is working with local officials and organizers for all its 2020 fly-ins on potential future dates for those events.

For pilots looking to return to the skies in these uncertain times and as states modify social distancing restrictions, AOPA and its Air Safety Institute have created aviation resources. The COVID-19 Flight Operations Guide is designed to help flight schools, flying clubs, FBOs, and other aircraft operators; the Return-to-Flight Proficiency Plan, created in partnership with Hartzell Propeller Inc., helps to ensure that pilots safely return to the air after a period of inactivity.

aopa.org/fly-ins

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
The annual meeting of the members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at the headquarters of AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, located on Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), for the purpose of receiving reports and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, specifically including the election of trustees. If you are not able to attend, but would like to appoint your voting proxy, please visit aopa.org/myaccount or call 800-872-2672. —Justine A. Harrison, Secretary