July 3, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 22, ISSUE 27	July 3, 2020

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Top Stories

Article

High insurance rates continue to concern GA leaders

AOPA President Mark Baker and general aviation industry leaders voiced concerns about rising insurance premiums during a webinar that highlighted how training and communication can help pilots mitigate rate hikes. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Sweep-ish grin; Goodyear pilot's perspective

Mark Levy's P–51 Mustang emergency was much-watched online. He had a better time flying your AOPA Sweepstakes RV–10. Also, a Goodyear pilot talks about flying an icon, and viewers mark Independence Day. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

'Because it's legal now'

A January revision of the Aeronautical Information Manual gave instrument pilots more flexibility when flying approaches, but raised new questions. Read more >

Online resource

CFI words of wisdom

In this issue of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's CFI to CFI newsletter: Simplify airspace lessons, review the limitations of on-board weather, take a quiz, and learn tips to give the highest quality instruction possible. Learn more >

Video

Bothering ATC?

Air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten debunks the notion that talking to flights squawking 1200 inconveniences ATC in this installment of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC series.

Video

Single-point failure

A vacuum pump failure in IMC without backup instrumentation is a serious emergency. This AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study shares lessons learned from such an emergency in a Beechcraft Bonanza. Watch the video >

Advocacy

AOPA opposes new rule on pilot records

AOPA raised concerns over the FAA's proposal to create an electronic pilot records database that could place an undue burden on many pilots. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA proposes corrosion AD for Aerostar twins

The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive requiring inspections of several Aerostar Aircraft Corp. twins for balance tube corrosion. Read more >

Advocacy

What's behind the FAA's switch from 'student' to 'learner'?

When the FAA announced that the 2020 update of the Aviation Instructor's Handbook would drop the terms "student" and "cockpit" in favor of "learner" and "flight deck," many aviators wondered what was behind the move. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

COVID-19 blues

The coronavirus pandemic could have long-term effects on pilots' mental and physical health. Read more >

Technology

Article

Virgin Galactic closing in on commercial space service

Virgin Galactic's June 25 glide test advanced the quest to launch paying space passengers. Read more and watch a video >

Opinion

Blog

Pilots reach out during pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic played havoc with fly-ins but opened doors for general aviation pilots to help one another, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas. Read more >

Gear

Pilot magazine

Aircraft paint protection

Postflight duties during bug season involve painstakingly wiping splatter from leading edges. A new product makes that chore easier. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

Sandhills offer wide-open beauty

Float the Niobrara National Scenic River and view nearly 200 waterfalls in the Nebraska Sandhills. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Shadin Avionics under new ownership

A New York investment firm with Minnesota roots has added Minnesota-based Shadin Avionics to its portfolio. Read more >

Member benefit

Budgeting to own an aircraft

What's the best way to manage the expense of owning an airplane? Set your budget before you buy. Read more >

News and Notes

Reno Air Races, NBAA convention, Triple Tree events canceled

The 2020 Stihl National Championship Air Races, the National Business Aviation Association's 2020 Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, and upcoming events at Triple Tree Aerodrome are off because of COVID-19.

Article

Sporty's virtual airshow highlights events, experiences

Sporty's Pilot Shop has kicked off a five-week virtual airshow that includes weekly webinars, livestreams, product introductions, fun flying videos, and show specials. Read more >

Article

Virtual, in-person summer camps for kids

Feed your kids' appetite for exploration through online and in-person aviation summer camps. Read more >

You Can Fly

Flight training videos wanted

If you have been training during the coronavirus pandemic, share your story for our Flight Training Experience project. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Chief inspector, Carpenter Avionics

Carpenter Avionics in Smyrna, Tennessee, has an immediate need for an experienced avionics-focused chief inspector to join a dedicated team committed to the highest quality workmanship, integrity, and customer satisfaction. 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 (regulatory) vice president, and a data analyst. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

While selecting the VFR cruising altitude (odd thousands plus 500 feet or even thousands plus 500 feet), should I look at the overall magnetic course between the origin and destination airports or consider each individual segment? If the overall magnetic course is easterly, but a segment is westerly, do I need to fly only that segment at even thousands plus 500 feet?

Answer

According to FAR 91.159, you should cruise at an altitude consistent with your current course. So, if your first leg is on a westerly heading, and the second leg is on an easterly heading, and you're cruising above 3,000 feet agl for both, you should use even thousands plus 500 feet for the first leg, and odd thousands plus 500 feet for the second. Keep in mind that the purpose is to help VFR pilots see other traffic, and nearby pilots only know which way you're going right now.

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

July 7, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Flying Clubs Webinar: Maximum fun, minimum cost
July 9, 12 p.m. EDT	Don't Get Rusty Series: Getting comfortable with airspace
July 11, 11 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
July 11, 12 p.m. EDT	Flying Clubs Workshop: Maintenance considerations and insurance
July 16, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
July 18, 12 p.m. EDT	Flying Clubs Workshop: Maintenance considerations and insurance

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

Kellee Edwards

High school scholarship winner Tristan Dawson

Flying to watch the SpaceX launch

Nick Hoffman

Supersonic ejection

Sean D. Tucker flies the GameBird GB1

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.

AOPA Podcasts

'Hangar Talk': Flight path artist Dimitri Neonakis

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Rod Machado

'Pilot Briefing': Week of June 29, 2020

'There I was...': Mark Murphy

'Never Again': Close call

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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