Warbirds, crews honor WWII vets; FAA extends relief


VOL 22, ISSUE 40	October 2, 2020

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Top Stories

Multimedia

101-year-old WWII B–29 pilot honored with Superfortress flight

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Vaucher, a Boeing B–29 pilot during World War II, flew in a Superfortress once again on September 26 as nearly 70 warbirds gathered to honor veterans. Read more, watch a video, and view a photo gallery >

Advocacy

Pandemic relief scaled back in latest SFAR amendment

The FAA has revised the special federal aviation regulation that has governed training and testing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Tribute to Greatest Generation; Kit Cub; Hydrogen flight

Weather did not stop a massive tribute to World War II veterans—it only scrubbed the flyover. Experience the Arsenal of Democracy flights firsthand. Also, a CubCrafters kit, and hydrogen powers a Piper. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

Holiday flying in 2020

Consider checking your basic skills before reaching for instrument currency when taking on proficiency training for a holiday flight. Read more >

Webinar

Different displays, same mistakes

CFI and practicing psychologist Dr. Penny Levin joins the AOPA Air Safety Institute on October 8 at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss human factors and how we can improve decision making in technically advanced aircraft. Register here >

Online resource

Head in the clouds

Review what spatial disorientation is, how it happens, and how you can avoid its hazards with this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight. Learn more >

Video

Cross-country crisis

Learn from an ill-fated VFR flight from Chicago to Raleigh, North Carolina, in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study that examines a pilot's actions as weather deteriorates and fuel becomes critical. Watch the video >

McSpadden to participate in NBAA's new Safety Town Hall

AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden, aviation legends John and Martha King, and pilots who handled a dual engine flameout in a Cessna Citation will discuss "new standards for performance and professionalism" in a National Business Aviation Association virtual event on October 7 at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register here >

Technology

Article

Hydrogen-powered Piper circuits pattern

A Piper M-class airplane with a highly unusual powerplant that cuts carbon emissions to zero made a brief flight with historic implications on September 24. Read more >

Article

All-electric aircraft racing league announced

Beringer Aero is partnering with Air Race E to establish an all-electric aircraft racing league in 2021 with at least 12 teams representing nine countries. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Lessons learned as a 'Citizen of the World'

After crossing the North and South poles, Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis describes what it means to be a "Citizen of the World." Read more >

Gear

Article

Will the Garmin D2 Air make pilots wear watches again?

A pilot watch must do a few things well: Look good; be comfortable; tell local and Zulu time, and have a stopwatch. Garmin's new D2 Air does that and more. Read more >

Travel

Article

Airport and nearby restaurant guide

Many pilots have sought tips on socially distanced dining on or near airports. Our list includes options in 49 states. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Tamarack Aerospace expands, cites demand

Tamarack Aerospace has hired new staff and expanded facilities to meet demand for fuel-saving winglets for business jets as the Idaho firm works through the final stages of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Read more >

Article

Royal Thai Air Force buys Texan IIs

Textron Aviation Defense LLC announced a $162 million contract with the Royal Thai Air Force for 12 Beechcraft T–6C Texan IIs. Read more >

Member benefit

You don't really need all this financial information, do you?

An exhaustive analysis of your creditworthiness is necessary for you to secure the best deal on an aircraft loan. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Hayward Air Rally launches October 3

Like almost everything else this year, the Hayward Air Rally will look a little different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more >

Article

George Biggs, member of Tuskegee Airmen, was 95

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. George W. Biggs, who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, died at age 95 on September 19. Read more >

Article

Longtime ag pilot Randy Berry killed in crash

Randy W. Berry, the chief pilot and co-owner of Eagle Vistas agriculture flying school in Florida, died September 23 in a crash during an aerial application. Read more >

Article

Ohio State professor honored by Brewer Trophy

Ohio State University professor James Gregory, who is known for engaging students through a "classroom-flipping approach," is being honored with a prestigious aerospace education award. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

The 709 ride: What is a reasonable request?

While the FAA's recent notice requiring reexamination for pilots and instructors who were tested by a particular examiner during a specified time period may seem questionable, it is within the agency's authority. Read more >

Article

Calling all former Marine aviators

The U.S. Marine Corps is hoping to bring furloughed airline pilots who are former Marine aviators back into its ranks. Read more >

'Operation Thank You' flight relay needs you

Pilots are still needed to fly legs during America's Operation Thank You: The Relay in the Sky—a cross-country aviation relay that salutes health professionals working the front line of the coronavirus pandemic. Multiple Midwest and Southeast flight legs are available before the relay ends in Washington, D.C., on October 30. The effort began in San Diego September 24.

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Reno Air Races pilot Dennis Sanders

Reno Air Races Unlimited Class champion Dennis Sanders describes how he flew the Hawker Sea Fury Dreadnought to victory during the 2019 Stihl National Championship Air Races. Listen to the podcast >

Airworthiness advisories

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: CFI, Horizon Aviation

Horizon Aviation in Warwick, Rhode Island, is seeking a flight instructor. The company believes that CFIs should be treated as professionals and earn a good living. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

I am in the process of purchasing a used aircraft from out of state. A fresh annual and prepurchase inspection have been completed. I plan to have the airplane ferried within 10 days of final payment, and I have an insurance policy ready to purchase on the date of the sale. Aside from completing and submitting the proper paperwork (FAA Forms 8050-1, 8050-2, and 8050-3), is there anything I have not addressed?

Answer

Be sure to send FAA Form 8050-1 with original signatures (no copies), and send the $5 processing fee in a check or money order payable to the FAA. Keep copies of everything for your records. Also, send your paperwork to the FAA by a trackable method, such as registered mail, that includes a tracking number and requires a signature. It also is a good idea to use an escrow service to handle the payment (see this AOPA webpage for more information). Finally, get a title search unless you have a lender that has already completed one. Read the full answer and 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

Oct. 6, 11 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Oct. 7, 9 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Oct. 8, 12 p.m. EDT	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Handling emergencies with poise and aplomb
Oct. 8, 7 p.m. EDT	Pilots in glass cockpits: Different displays, same mistakes
Oct. 10, 11 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Oct. 15, 12 p.m. EDT	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

George Antoniadis - PlaneSense

You Can Fly Champions

How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members

'Bachelor' star Peter Weber

DK's Top 5: Everything you've always wanted to ask a controller

Kellee Edwards

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'You're never in a situation where the IA can hold you hostage'

'Hangar Talk': Reno Air Races pilot Dennis Sanders

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Zoan Harclerode

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Sep. 28, 2020

'There I was...': Loren Kopseng

'Never Again': Whispers of trouble

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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