Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here

February 7, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

AOPA ePilot
VOL 22, ISSUE 6 February 7, 2020
Click here for this week's custom content.
Top Stories
Embraer rolls out enhanced Phenom 300E
Article
Embraer rolls out enhanced Phenom 300E
Embraer announced a new variant of its best-selling Phenom 300E that offers new avionics capabilities and interior upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Embraer.) Read more >
Article
Textron Aviation seen as suitor for Bombardier bizjet unit
Textron Aviation could be on the threshold of acquiring the bizjet unit of Canadian manufacturing conglomerate Bombardier. Read more >
Article
Lake Amphibian type certificate for sale
If you have deep pockets and a desire to bring a certified, boat-hulled amphibian back into production, the Lake Amphibian might be for you. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
HondaJet dials it up; Ratchet those belts
Inverted flight can be stimulating, more so when it's unplanned. We get some upset recovery training from one of the best. Also, check out HondaJet upgrades, and see why Costa Rica is a pilot's paradise. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Technique and Safety
Video
Beyond Proficient: Flying to Catalina Island
Want to know what it takes to fly to Santa Catalina Island off the coast of California? Join the AOPA Air Safety Institute in the first episode of Beyond Proficient, a new series focusing on safely getting you out of your comfort zone. Watch the video >
Video
Keeping it short
Get tips from the AOPA Air Safety Institute for keeping your short-field landings sharp. Watch the video >
Video
Deadly ice
Ride along as the AOPA Air Safety Institute re-creates and analyzes an accident that occurred when a Cirrus SR22 pilot encountered unforecast icing over the Sierra Nevada. Watch the video >
IFR Fix
The extra airspeed exception
You've added several knots to your aircraft's Category B approach airspeed for rime icing, then a few more for wind shear. Can you continue an approach at a Category C airspeed without published Category C minimums? Read more >
Advocacy
Advocacy
It's time to update the IPC
Pilots should be allowed to use aviation training devices for instrument proficiency checks, AOPA told the FAA, among other proposed IPC reforms. Read more >
Advocacy
AOPA seeks to improve drone tracking
While AOPA supports remote identification of unmanned aircraft in broad terms, the rules that the FAA has proposed would impose needless burdens on recreational users and others who keep their aircraft in sight. Read more >
Advocacy
Next generation of ADS-B should include pirep capability
AOPA is asking the FAA to adopt a technical standard for 1090 MHz ADS-B that would include the capacity to transmit and receive pilot reports. Read more >
Advocacy
Mexico's ADS-B mandate slips
Mexico has delayed its ADS-B mandate and may allow 978 MHz universal access transceivers in its revised plan. Read more >
Health
Pilot Protection Services
Know the facts
Attitudes on marijuana have shifted over the years, but it is still "incompatible with flying an airplane." Read more >
Technology
Article
Helicopter vision dialed up
A technological solution for military and civilian helicopter operators is being tested to let pilots see through dust or snow for landing. Read more >
Opinion
Blog
Focus on mentoring
Take your mentorship to a new level, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Read more >
Travel
Article
New Pilot Passport challenge of the month
We are highlighting Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California in AOPA's February Pilot Passport challenge. Check in at the most airports in those states for a cool prize. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Article
Honeywell predicts 4,100 new civil helos in 5 years
Honeywell predicts a slight uptick in demand for new helicopters in the coming five years. Read more >
Article
Number of active underwriters in GA market decreasing
The number of active underwriters in general aviation has shrunk from 20 to 15, and those insurers are getting pickier about the coverage they provide. Read more >
Member benefit
Retirement and aircraft purchases
Retirement typically brings a reduction in cash flow, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't finance an aircraft purchase. Read more >
News and Notes
Article
Triple Tree Aerodrome adds fly-in
Triple Tree Aerodrome in South Carolina will honor one of its own with its Uncle John's Fly-In March 27 through 29. Read more >
AOPA SWEEPSTAKES RV–10
Back to Canada
The AOPA Sweepstakes RV–10 flew back to Canada for the first time since its move to the United States, and the prominent, red Maple Leaf sticker on its left side ensured it got a warm welcome. Read more >
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': Pilot Markus Lavenson discusses Sikorsky S–76 helicopter
Professional helicopter pilot Markus Lavenson, who has Alaska and Gulf of Mexico flying experience, provides insight into helicopter flying and the Sikorsky S–76 model. Listen to the podcast >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: CFI/co-pilot, Lyddon Aero Center
Lyddon Aero Center in Liberal, Kansas, is seeking a CFI and co-pilot for its Part 135 operation. The position includes flying with students and co-piloting three Beechjet 400As and several turboprop aircraft. 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 facilities technician, member services representative, receptionist, administrative assistant/paralegal, front-end developer, communications senior director, government affairs (regulatory) vice president, High School Aviation Outreach director, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >
Question of the Week
Question

I'm building time for my multiengine airline transport pilot certificate. I've heard that you don't have to make a landing 50 nautical miles away for a flight to count as a cross-country. Where can I verify this statement?
Answer
Cross-country time is defined in FAR 61.1. Unlike many other certificates and ratings, for a flight to count as a cross-country for the ATP it does not have to include a point of landing that is at least 50 nm straight-line distance from the original point of departure. You do need to fly at least 50 nm straight-line distance from your original departure point, but you do not need to land.

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
Feb. 8-9 Louisville, KY; and Sacramento, CA
Feb. 15-16 Las Vegas, NV; and Fort Worth, TX
Feb. 22-23 Fairfax, VA; Nashua, NH; and Orlando, FL
Mar. 14-15 Tempe, AZ; King of Prussia, PA; and Santa Clara, 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
Feb. 10 McKinney, TX
Feb. 12 Longview, TX
Mar. 2 Fort Worth, TX
Mar. 4 Watkins, CO
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Rusty Pilots Seminars
Feb. 8 Plant City, FL; California, MD; and Corpus Christi, TX
Feb. 11 Fort Myers, FL
Feb. 15 Houston, TX
Feb. 22 Peachtree City, GA; and Cahokia, IL
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
© 2020 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