Retracing Air Mail history; Twin Mustang available


VOL 22, ISSUE 37	September 11, 2020

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Top Stories

Slideshow

Airmail relay commemorates century of service

More than three dozen pilots volunteered to retrace the original transcontinental airmail route, celebrating the centennial by flying a fresh bag of mail in a relay from New York to California. Read more >

Article

The only Skyhawk in the New York sky

A Civil Air Patrol crew of three officers photographed what was left of the World Trade Center on September 12, 2001, a mission that affected their lives in different ways. (Photo courtesy of Lt. Col. Warren Ratis, Civil Air Patrol.) Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Hauling mail; Ground Zero mission; Flying farmer

A general aviation relay celebrates a postal centennial, we visit with the Civil Air Patrol crew that photographed New York City on September 12, 2001, and a Tennessee farmer loves his Zenith. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Podcast

'There I was...': Bird strike at night

In the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast, longtime general aviation pilot Loren Kopseng recalls a bird strike at night in his Aviat Husky. Listen to the podcast >

Video

Fire in the cockpit

One minute it was a routine training flight—the next, a desperate struggle for survival. Would the instructor be able to land before the cockpit was engulfed in flames? Find out in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story.

Video

Flare with flair

Having trouble gauging your touchdown point? This AOPA Air Safety Institute video includes a handy trick to keep your approach on target. Watch the video >

AOPA Premier Partner created content

What would you do here?

A circling approach in limited visibility, complicated by traffic and terrain, requires a quick decision. Make your choice, then enter to win a $2,295 flight simulator. Watch the PilotWorkshops video >

Pilot Protection Services

FAA updates guidance for reporting laser strikes

More than 6,000 laser strikes against aircraft were reported in 2019. Learn about the FAA's recently updated advisory circular on the topic in case you need to report a laser strike. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA to open two workforce development grant programs

Two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs will soon accept online applications. Aviation advocates welcomed the development. Read more >

Article

PA–12 accident prompts rudder failure inquiry

The FAA is reaching out to owners of several models of older Piper single-engine airplanes as it analyzes possible causes of a recent accident involving in-flight rudder failure above the upper hinge on a Piper PA–12 on floats. Read more >

Health

Article

FAA conservative on cardio history

The FAA takes a conservative approach to a pilot's medical history when considering discretionary issuance of medical certification for cardiovascular conditions. Read more >

Technology

Article

Diamond earns European certification of 'flagship' single

Diamond Aircraft announced receiving certification in Europe for a five-place, retractable-gear airplane that will be the new flagship of the company's single-engine line. Read more >

Article

ADS-B to the rescue

When a pilot overflying Massachusetts reported engine trouble, ADS-B data fed to the Civil Air Patrol's National Radar Analysis Team led to a crash site rescue within moments in sub-freezing conditions. Read more >

Gear

Article

AOPA app adds Airport and Destinations Directory

Restaurant options, an activity finder, airport data, FBO information, and color-coded METARs and TAFs are now at your fingertips in the AOPA app. Read more >

Travel

Article

Sun 'n Fun announces December festival

Sun 'n Fun's Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show will feature a STOL competition, a night airshow, a balloon launch, and more on December 4 and 5. Read more >

Article

Fun fall foliage flights

Fly over these areas the Farmers' Almanac calls idyllic for leaf peeping—and plan your trip so your peek falls during peak. Read more >

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

Financial

Member benefit

Should I purchase an aircraft for my flight training?

Purchasing an aircraft for flight training allows you to leverage consistency, comfort, control, and cost, writes AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Only flying XP–82 listed for sale

The Twin Mustang has loads of ramp appeal, a low-time engine, upgraded avionics, and rarity that helps explain the eye-popping asking price. Read more >

Article

Flying relay recognizes medical professionals

General aviation pilots can participate in a 50-state flight relay thanking medical professionals on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Article

Meet Sisters of the Skies founder Lt. Christine Angel Hughes

Sisters of the Skies is paving the way for a new generation of Black female pilots who might not be used to seeing many commercial pilots who look like them. Read more >

Article

Erickson acquires Bell type certificates

Erickson Inc. and Bell Textron Inc. signed agreements September 4 to transfer the type certificates for Bell's model 214ST and B/B1 helicopters to Erickson. Read more >

Article

'Flying Carpet' tales make podcast debut

Aviation adventure columnist Greg Brown is bringing some of his most popular tales to life in a new podcast series. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: A&P Mechanic, Prairie Air Inc.

Prairie Air Inc., a full-service FBO serving west central Minnesota, has an opening for an A&P mechanic. The position includes servicing and major and minor repairs to all systems of general aviation aircraft. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

I have already passed the private pilot knowledge test and have training hours toward the private pilot certificate. If I earn a sport pilot certificate before my private pilot knowledge test expires, and then complete the additional training for the private pilot certificate after my private pilot knowledge test expires, will I have to take the private pilot knowledge test again before taking the practical test for a private pilot certificate?

Answer

Yes. If you do not take and pass the private pilot practical test before the private pilot knowledge test expires, you will have to take and pass the private pilot knowledge test again before taking the private pilot practical test. Also, you will have to take and pass the sport pilot knowledge test before taking the sport pilot practical test; the private pilot knowledge test does not fulfill the knowledge test requirement for the sport pilot certificate. The main reason for that is the sport pilot knowledge test covers the privileges and limitations of a sport pilot, and the private pilot knowledge test does not. Although there is a shorter transition knowledge test for recreational pilots upgrading to the private pilot certificate, there is no similar transition knowledge test to upgrade from sport to private. 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

Sep. 15, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Sep. 19, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Sep. 24, 7 p.m. EDT	Seasons of Safety: A cross-continent VFR journey
Sep. 25, 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

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

High school scholarship recipient Tristan Dawson

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

AOPA Podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': I'm upside down and there's no oil in my engine!

'Hangar Talk': Outreach pilot Jerome Stanislaus

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Zoan Harclerode

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Sep. 7, 2020

'There I was...': Loren Kopseng

'Never Again': Deadly decisions

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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