February 14, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter
 |
| VOL 22, ISSUE 7 |
February 14, 2020 |
|
|
Top Stories
|
 |
| Podcast |
| 'There I was...': Fire in the cabin |
| Utah pilot Greg Soter was forced to make an emergency off-airport landing when equipment in the Cessna 172 he was flying caught fire. He shares his story in the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast. |
|
| AOPA Live This Week |
| Experimental upsides; Adventures in Avalon |
| Watch what happens when a talented team turns a stock Cessna 175 "experimental" with amazing, affordable upgrades. We also tour California's Catalina Island. Watch AOPA Live This Week® > |
|
|
|
|
AOPA Fly-Ins
|
| Online resource |
| AOPA Fly-In registration opens |
| We are gearing up for all three of our fly-ins—San Marcos, Texas; Casper, Wyoming; and Rochester, New York. Let us know you're attending! Learn more > |
|
|
|
|
Technique and Safety
|
| Video |
| Push to safety |
| When your world starts to turn upside down in an aircraft, knowing exactly what to do is crucial. Read more and watch a video > |
|
|
| Login required |
| Night flight |
| Flying at night can offer breathtaking views, but it comes with challenges. Prepare for your next night flight with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz. |
|
|
| Video |
| Ambushed by ice |
| For Dean Clark, the flight was old hat: a familiar route, a trusted airplane, and no serious weather in the forecast. But airframe icing nearly brought down his Cessna 182. Hear his tale in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story. |
|
|
|
|
Advocacy
|
| Advocacy |
| FAA takes another step toward drone integration |
| An unmanned version of a kitbuilt motorglider may one day patrol Florida power lines. The FAA is preparing to write new rules for certification of such aircraft. Read more > |
|
|
| Advocacy |
| Superior Air Parts crankshaft assembly AD proposed |
| A proposed airworthiness directive would require the removal from service of some Superior Air Parts crankshaft assemblies. Read more > |
|
|
| Advocacy |
| PilotWeb notam site sunsets |
| The FAA's PilotWeb notam system will no longer be available after February 14. Pilots will be directed to a new, user-friendly notam search webpage. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Health
|
| Pilot Protection Services |
| Predicting and preventing errors |
| Dr. Kenneth Stahl describes several error-producing conditions and encourages us to predict what factors might lead to an adverse outcome in our own flying. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Technology
|
| Article |
| Pilatus PC–24: No pavement? No problem |
| The Pilatus PC–24 twinjet has been approved for operations on grass, wet earth, and snow-covered surfaces. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Opinion
|
| Rays of bureaucratic hope in Europe |
| Things are getting a little better for general aviation in Europe, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher, who has been jumping through hoops to fly his 1949 Piper PA–11 in various areas of the continent for four years. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
Travel
|
| Spring fling |
| Pitchers, catchers, and pilots: It is time to report for Major League Baseball's spring training. We give you the scoop on the hot spots to watch your favorite teams in Florida and Phoenix. |
|
|
| Article |
| On thin ice: Alton Bay ice runway to stay closed |
| Disappointing news for pilots who want to land at New Hampshire's Alton Bay ice runway: The ice isn't thick enough for safe use this season. Read more > |
|
|
| Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter. |
|
|
|
|
Financial
|
| Article |
| What causes the cyclical swings in insurance premiums? |
| Swings in insurance premiums are caused by protracted periods of soft market pricing, large losses to a line of business, a catastrophic shock to the line of business, or poor performance by other lines of insurance business. Read more > |
|
|
| Member benefit |
| Tax returns and aircraft loans |
| Applying for a credit-based aircraft loan? Have your tax documents and credit reports handy. Read more > |
|
|
|
|
News and Notes
|
| Article |
| Collings Foundation works to resume passenger flights |
| The Collings Foundation has scheduled a handful of Wings of Freedom tour stops for 2020 as the organization works to resume passenger flights aboard vintage warbirds following a fatal accident in October. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Witness saw Bryant's helo crash |
| A witness on a mountain bike trail was close enough to see the belly of the rolling Sikorsky S–76B before it hit the ground 50 feet below. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Superior Air Parts settles fatal crash suit for $5 million |
| Superior Air Parts settled a lawsuit over a 2016 fatal accident for $5 million. Read more > |
|
|
|
| Article |
| New chief to lead Women in Aviation International |
| Allison McKay is one successful woman in aviation with more than 20 years of experience at aviation and aerospace companies. She's been tapped to lead Women in Aviation International. Read more > |
|
|
| Article |
| Online Pilot Information Center launches |
| Ask just about any aviation-related question, and we will have an answer and resources for you through our online Pilot Information Center that replaces the AOPA Hangar discussion area. Read more > |
|
|
| ERAU surveying instrument-rated pilots |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers are asking instrument-rated private pilots and airline pilots to complete a five-minute questionnaire about the non-revenue flying they do in light aircraft. The information, combined with accident data, could lead to improved general aviation safety. |
|
|
|
|
Career Opportunities
|
| Aviation job board |
| Job of the week: King Air C90 captain, LifeSave Transport |
| LifeSave Transport is seeking a single-pilot captain for its King Air C90 air ambulance aircraft in Liberal and Garden City, Kansas, and McCook, Nebraska. This position will involve working with a medical team engaged in the transport of critically ill and injured patients. 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, administrative assistant/paralegal, front-end developer, communications senior director, government affairs (regulatory) vice president, High School Aviation Outreach director, and several interns. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online > |
|
|
|
|
Question of the Week
|
Question
My local flight school has an aviation training device (ATD) that I'm told can be used toward my instrument rating. Where I can find out how much time in the sim I can use toward my instrument rating? |
| Answer |
Each ATD should come with a letter of authorization (LOA) from the manufacturer that lists the ratings toward which the ATD can be used. If your flight school's LOA has expired, an updated one should be sourced from the manufacturer. You'll also want to review FAR 61.65(i) for simulator/FTD/ATD time allowances for the instrument rating.
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. 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 |
| Mar. 21-22 |
Ontario, CA |
|
|
|
| Safety Seminars |
| Feb. 22-23 |
Puyallup, WA |
| Mar. 2 |
Fort Worth, TX |
| Mar. 4 |
Watkins, CO |
| Mar. 9 |
Monroe, NC; Olathe, KS; and Reno, NV |
|
| Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. |
|
|
| Rusty Pilots Seminars |
| Feb. 15 |
Houston, TX |
| Feb. 22 |
Peachtree City, GA; and Cahokia, IL |
| Feb. 29 |
Bemidji, MN; and Bloomsburg, PA |
| Mar. 7 |
Redding, CA; and Reedsburg, WI |
|
| AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars are sponsored by Sporty's. For a complete schedule, visit our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center 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 our online Pilot Information Center 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. |
|
|
|
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 |
