June 19, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 22, ISSUE 25	June 19, 2020

Click here for this week's custom content.

Sponsored by SiriusXM Aviation

Thunderstorm challenge

Test your cross-country decision making in this interactive course from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. Be prepared to deal with pop-up thunderstorms, deteriorating weather, on-board and ATC radar realities, and fuel concerns. Take the course >

Webinar

Preparing for the worst: Part 2

Zero in on what's essential to ensure that you and your passengers are rescued after an accident during this AOPA Air Safety Institute webinar on June 25 at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register now >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Trouble with the flare?

This simple technique from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops can help your landings. Learn more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Know your Vs

Dr. Jonathan Sackier discusses efforts to develop a vaccine to combat the coronavirus, and reminds pilots to check facts before passing along health-related information. Read more >

Technology

Article

Payne notches new sailplane records aboard Nixus

Jim Payne was ready when favorable weather over Nevada's mountains on June 10 created an opportunity to break a 24-year-old sailplane distance record. Read more >

Article

Pipistrel first to certify electric airplane

Pipistrel worked for several years to get an electric aircraft certified, and European regulators signed off on the first such type certificate on June 10. Read more >

Article

Honeywell creates UAS/UAM unit

Honeywell Aerospace has joined the parade of well-known aviation companies seeking a slice of the urban air mobility pie, along with a helping of drone delivery and other unmanned missions. Read more >

Article

A new electric mission in mind

You might have heard of eVTOL, but eSTOL might be a new one. Electric short takeoff and landing could be the answer to a logistics problem. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Aviation strikes back

Maintenance misery, coronavirus shutdowns, and additional European aviation challenges temporarily sidelined Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher from flying his U.S.-registered Piper PA–11 Cub Special. Read more >

Gear

Article

Garmin GFC 500 approved for two more Piper singles

Garmin's GFC 500 autopilot has now been certified for nearly all Piper PA–28 and PA–32 single-engine airplanes, the company announced. Read more >

Article

TBM owners get upgraded app

The latest version of the Me & My TBM app includes new features to help owners of the single-engine turboprop fly more precisely and safely, and more efficiently monitor aircraft performance. Read more >

Travel

Article

Low and slow or high and fast?

Flying low and slow and flying high and fast have advantages; you can enjoy both on long trips. Here are some ideas. Read more >

Guides for flying to Bahamas during phased reopening

The Bahamas reopened to general aviation pilots on June 15. Learn about the phased reopening and entry requirements, and fill out the health card on the Bahamas tourism website before launching on your trip. Learn more >

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

Financial

Member benefit

What do timelines and inventory look like now?

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected approval and funding timelines, and about the current aircraft inventory. Read more >

Member benefit

Purchasing an aircraft for the first time

Ready to purchase your first aircraft? Here are some purchasing and financing considerations. Read more >

News and Notes

Advocacy

Cirrus Vision Jet AD now a final rule

The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive that extends the applicability of an emergency AD it issued in February in response to an electrical fire that broke out in the cabin of a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet in December 2019. Read more >

Article

Aerospace professionals discuss race in aviation

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals held the second session of its Courageous Conversations series with 11 diverse aviation industry leaders, each bringing a unique perspective to the discussion. Read more >

Article

Bumpy rides, long flights don't faze pandemic relief pilots

Two earthrounding pilots drew on their experience to deliver donated face shields from California to New Jersey to help combat the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Article

6-year-old launches airplane craft business

A 6-year-old with a big heart, a passion for crafting, and time on his hands at home during the coronavirus pandemic launched a craft airplane business with a cause. Read more >

Article

2021 Sun 'n Fun tickets on sale

Tickets for the 2021 Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo are available at a discount through July 5. Read more >

Article

Kick up the grass at Sodbusters

The 2020 Sodbusters STOL Competition in Cambridge, Minnesota, is still on and will have everything you've been missing from aviation events that have been canceled this year. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Fixed-wing CFI, Universal Flight Concepts

Universal Flight Concepts in Waco, Texas, is seeking those with a passion for teaching and a driving commitment to student success to join its team of professional aviation educators. 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, member experience senior manager, and data analyst. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

The definition of a cross-country (FAR 61.1) just says that it "includes a landing at a point other than the point of departure." So, if I fly to an airport more than 50 nautical miles away, do a touch and go, and return home, can I count that as cross-country time toward the instrument rating?

Answer

Yes. The regulations for the instrument rating merely say "landing," not "full-stop landing," as specified in FAR 61.109 for the private pilot certificate. 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

June 20, 12 p.m. EDT	Flying Clubs Workshop: Grow your membership and engage your members
June 25, 12 p.m. EDT	Don't Get Rusty Series: Keeping little problems small
June 25, 7 p.m. EDT	Preparing for the Worst: Post-crash survival tips from a combat SAR pilot Part 2
June 26, 3 p.m. EDT	Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
June 27, 12 p.m. EDT	Flying Clubs Workshop: Grow your membership and engage your members
June 30, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Flying Clubs Webinar: Maximum fun, minimum cost
June 30, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
July 7, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Flying Clubs Webinar: Maximum fun, minimum cost

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

High school scholarship winner Tristan Dawson

Flying to watch the SpaceX launch

Nick Hoffman

Supersonic ejection

Sean D. Tucker flies the GameBird GB1

AOPA Technical Editor Jill Tallman

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

AOPA Podcasts

'Hangar Talk': A–10 Warthog pilot Capt. Nick 'Rock' Sand

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Rod Machado

'Pilot Briefing': Week of June 15, 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.

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Kristy O'Malley
Erick Webb
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Chris Eads
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