Flying car future moves closer; Salute to veterans


VOL 22, ISSUE 46	November 13, 2020

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Top Stories

Article

Florida fosters flock of future flyers

Florida officials are eager to host a hub for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft on the doorstep of one of the state's busiest airports; elsewhere, aspiring flying cars hit the road, take flight, and approach approval. (Image courtesy of Lilium.) Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

For love of a rare bird; Honoring veterans; Safe integration

We take you inside a lifelong fascination with a rare seaplane. Also, we thank veterans for their service, join one World War II pilot for a special flight, and detail North Dakota's drone safety investment. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Article

Sporty's upgrades online training courses

Sporty's Pilot Shop recently upgraded its online pilot training courses to allow students to study however, wherever, and whenever they want. Read more >

Webinar

Drone safety: Real-world risks, rewards

AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Director Paul Deres, AOPA Drone Pilot Editor Jim Moore, and public safety pilot Steve Rhode will examine unmanned mishaps to highlight useful lessons on November 18 at noon Eastern time. Register here >

Webinar

Invisible, odorless, deadly

Learn how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when risk increases with the use of cabin heat in the winter during an AOPA Air Safety Institute webinar on November 19 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Register here >

Video

Easy as a pirep

Controllers cover the fine points of filing pireps in this installment of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Ask ATC series.

In-flight icing

Structural icing is one of the greatest hazards of winter flying for light aircraft. This AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz will help you recognize and avoid icing conditions.

Advocacy

Pilots weigh in on records database plan

Pilots and flight departments surveyed about the proposed electronic Pilot Records Database expressed a range of concerns including undue burdens and lack of transparency. Read more >

Article

Drone integration advances

When the FAA recently announced the end of one drone integration effort and the beginning of another, one state stood out for offering a solution that would place no new burdens on pilots. Read more and watch a video >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Medical falsification and the FAA

The FAA recently adopted a prompt settlement policy for legal enforcement actions against individuals alleged to have committed several types of violations related to medical certification. Read more >

Gear

Article

Time traveler

Watchmaker Jack Mason has teamed with AOPA to create a purpose-built luxury chronometer that's ruggedly stylish. Read more >

Sporty's ornament celebrates Piper Cherokee

The 2020 Sporty's Pilot Shop Crystal Christmas Ornament celebrates the line of single-engine Piper Cherokee aircraft that first appeared as a two-person model in 1960. The ornament is available online for $24.95.

Travel

Pilot magazine

'Third Thursday' airport gathering 11 years strong

An unofficial dinnertime gathering—no agenda, no budget, no speeches—at Iowa's Mason City Municipal Airport has attracted pilots for 11 years. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Avionics sales hit by coronavirus pandemic

Sales of avionics for business and general aviation aircraft in the first three quarters of 2020 declined 27 percent from those in the same period in 2019 as the industry absorbed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Member benefit

I'm looking to upgrade. What rate is normal for me?

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith explains the factors that influence interest rates for aircraft purchases. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

STOL showdown to headline Sun 'n Fun holiday event

Up to 125 pilots flying five classes of aircraft will compete December 4 and 5 to achieve the best short takeoff and landing performances, with money and a national ranking up for grabs. Read more and watch a video >

Article

Breaking barriers: Meet Anthony Lawrence

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Anthony Lawrence always knew he wanted to fly. Earning his place among some of the world's top pilots required persistence and consistency. Read more >

Article

Spotlight on service

Sport pilot, Airport Support Network volunteer, and U.S. Army veteran George Chase shares how his military service inspired him to learn to fly. He has given many introductory flights and helped revitalize his local airport. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Polar circumnavigator Robert DeLaurentis

Citizen of the World pilot Robert DeLaurentis reflects on what he learned, the people he met, and the science experiments he conducted during a polar circumnavigation in a Gulfstream Twin Commander 900. Listen to the podcast >

Airworthiness advisories

AD affects Austro Engine GmbH E4, E4P engines

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: A&P mechanic, Haggan Aviation

Haggan Aviation, located in Englewood, Colorado, is seeking experienced A&P mechanics. Since 1996, Haggan has been performing heavy and light inspection checks on small and midsize corporate aircraft, including but not limited to Lear and Hawker airframes. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

I am an instrument-rated private pilot, and I am considering pursuing additional certificates and ratings, and becoming a flight instructor. I have a first class medical with third class privileges. Would I need to get a new first or second class medical to work toward my goal?

Answer

No. The federal aviation regulations require a medical with third class privileges to act as pilot in command for your commercial and CFI practical tests and to act as a flight instructor and pilot in command. A medical certificate is not required for flight instructing unless the instructor is acting as PIC or a required crewmember. See FAR 61.23 for additional information. 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

Nov. 18, 12 p.m. EST	Drone safety: Real-world risks, rewards
Nov. 18, 7 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Nov. 19, 7 p.m. EST	CO … It's a gas
Dec. 2, 7 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Dec. 4, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition

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

CST Flight Services COVID-19 travel guides

Earthrounder, crash survivor, and public speaker Ryan Campbell

George Antoniadis - PlaneSense

You Can Fly Champions

How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members

'Bachelor' star Peter Weber

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'You're not going to fall out of the sky because the camshaft wears'

'Hangar Talk': Polar circumnavigator Robert DeLaurentis

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: John Zimmerman

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Nov. 9, 2020

'There I was...': Todd Clark

'Never Again': Rental pilot reluctance

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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