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March 20, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter

Due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak and in accordance with government recommendations, most AOPA employees are working remotely. AOPA headquarters is closed to in-person tours. Some services could be limited, and we appreciate your patience while working with our Pilot Information Center and Membership Services staff (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time).
AOPA ePilot
VOL 22, ISSUE 12 March 20, 2020
Click here for this week's custom content.
Coronavirus Impact
Baker urges FAA to lift 'impossible' compliance barriers
Advocacy
Baker urges FAA to lift 'impossible' compliance barriers
With life on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, AOPA President Mark Baker urged the FAA to grant a "maximum amount of flexibility" to pilots facing currency or eligibility deadlines. Read more >
Advocacy
Aviation groups want to help fight coronavirus
When it comes to serving the public in troubled times, general aviation pilots don't need to be asked to pitch in. Read more >
Article
ATC personnel contract coronavirus
Air traffic control personnel at two major airports have tested positive for the coronavirus, causing towers to shut down for disinfecting and disrupting air traffic. Read more >
Article
Border restrictions could affect GA
A series of executive actions by the White House have complicated international commercial and general aviation air travel. Read more >
Article
Textron furloughs workers
Textron Aviation will furlough most of its U.S. employees for four weeks starting March 23 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >
Article
Prospective pilots advised to stay the course
Keep pursuing your aviation goals, pilot and career counselor Carl Valeri advises in AOPA's Hangar Talk podcast. Read more and listen to the podcast >
Article
Flight schools work to coronavirus-proof training
Flight training providers face special challenges ensuring a safe learning environment for pilots during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
Hunkering down; Seaplane fun; Big move
We're working remotely to keep you up to speed on the coronavirus. Then we take a break from all that to enjoy some seaplane fun in Canada and capture what it took to tow a C–130 to a new home. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Online resource
Latest news: Coronavirus impacts on GA
The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the general aviation community, and we're providing daily updates on flight operations, changes to scheduled events, and more. Read more >
Here's what you need to know about the status of aviation events:
News and Notes
Article
Quake shakes Salt Lake City
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake centered near Salt Lake City International Airport caused damage and closed the airport on March 18. Read more >
Article
Lonestar state of mind
Steve Henry boasted a combined takeoff and landing distance of 52 feet in his Highlander—shorter than the length of a Douglas DC–3—at the inaugural Aviat Lonestar STOL Competition and Fly-In in Texas March 12 to 15. Read more >
Article
End of the line
A retired U.S. Air Force C–130H recently departed Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland for a final journey—a 7.5-mile road trip. Read more >
Article
Tamarack bankruptcy plan approved
Tamarack Aerospace Group's plan to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection was approved by a federal judge March 2. Read more >
Technique and Safety
Podcast
'There I was...': Parking lot landing
Pilot Jeff King shares how he landed in a Walmart parking lot after an engine failure in his Piper Cherokee Six. Listen to the podcast >
Online resource
Staying sharp during social distancing
Looking for some safety-minded entertainment to keep your aviation skills sharp? Check out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety Tip videos in this YouTube playlist.
Video
Emergency management
In this AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study, we share lessons from a pilot's unfortunate decisions during a vacuum pump failure in instrument conditions. Watch the video to boost your critical decision making during emergencies.
Article
New England pilots surprise McSpadden
AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden flew to Massachusetts March 11 expecting to give a safety presentation. He came home with an award. Read more >
AOPA Premier Partner created content
Engine failure on takeoff
How would you handle an engine failure on takeoff? Do you have a plan? Get advice from a flight instructor who has done extensive training on this topic. Visit PilotWorkshops to learn more >
Health
Pilot Protection Services
An unwelcome crown: Coronavirus
Dr. Jonathan Sackier takes the long view on the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >
Technology
Article
Joining forces for organ transplant
Airline pilots, aerospace engineers, military personnel with drone management experience, and others have teamed up to use unmanned aircraft to transport human organs for transplant. Read more >
NASA plans Urban Air Mobility demonstrations
NASA signed agreements with 17 aviation companies for a series of Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge technology demonstrations that could "revolutionize mobility" in and around densely populated areas. Testing simulated environments with real-world scenarios will lay the groundwork for the first challenge, scheduled for 2022.
Opinion
Blog
The Alps' curious lack of crosswinds
Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher, who has tackled the peaks and valleys of the Alps in a 1949 Piper PA–11, says steep terrain and vertical relief help mitigate crosswinds. Read more >
Travel
Pilot magazine
Land at the lowest elevation airport in the US
Death Valley's Furnace Creek Airport in California sits 210 feet below mean sea level. It's the country's lowest, hottest, and driest airport. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Member benefit
Aircraft purchases during stock market swings
The current low interest rates make this an excellent time to buy an aircraft. Read more >
Article
Are the Boeing 737 Max issues affecting insurance premiums?
Airline-related accidents have an impact even on general aviation insurance premiums. Read more >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Flight instructor, AeroVenture
AeroVenture in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is seeking talented CFI candidates to lead its incoming classes of Zero-to-Hero Airline Track students. AeroVenture students are eager professionals-in-training who will grow and challenge your skills. 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 medical certification specialist, membership experience senior manager, major gifts officer, data analyst, associate developer of safety programs, 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

I've scheduled an instrument proficiency check, and my instructor gave me a plan of action for the flight that includes picking up an IFR clearance from our nontowered airport. The airport has a ground communication outlet. I've never used one, but I understand it's controlled by radio "clicks." Where can I find more information?
Answer
Information about ground communication outlets can be found in the Pilot/Controller Glossary and the Instrument Procedures Handbook (page 1-44). Use four clicks to contact the nearest air traffic control facility, and six clicks to contact Flight Service.

This question and answer were provided by AOPA's Pilot Information Center. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Education & Seminars
AOPA's educational courses and seminars have been canceled or postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
AOPA Courses and Seminars
Flight Instructor Refresher Courses Canceled through May
Safety Seminars Canceled indefinitely
Rusty Pilots Seminars Canceled through May 15
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ePilot Editors:
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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
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Melissa Whitehouse
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