Flocking to Sun 'n Fun; Medical consultant charged


VOL 23, ISSUE 16	April 16, 2021

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Top Stories

Article

Sun 'n Fun kicks off airshow season

Airshow season is back with the sounds of thundering jets and cheering crowds. No one is more excited than attendees at the 2021 Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack.) Read more >

Image gallery

Sun 'n Fun in photos

Formations of vintage fighters, the first U.S. Navy Blue Angels arrival, and hot air balloons glowing in the twilight are a few of our favorite images from the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. View an image gallery >

Article

Mentors serenade Sun 'n Fun

The T–34 Association arrived at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo as a group determined to show the world that pilots know how to balance caution with celebration. Read more >

Article

NTSB finds pilot mishandled B–17G emergency

Failure to properly manage a loss of engine power was the probable cause of the deadly October 2019 crash of a Collings Foundation Boeing B–17G in Connecticut, the NTSB determined, with inadequate maintenance and oversight contributing factors. Read more >

Article

Oklahoma aeromedical consultant accused of bilking pilots

A woman doing business as an aeromedical consultant has been charged with 10 felonies for allegedly bilking pilots who told state investigators they paid hundreds of dollars for help with their medical certification and got nothing. The defendant said she would prove her innocence with documents. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Scheme to defraud pilots alleged; Return of Sun 'n Fun

Offers to "expedite" medical certificates enticed pilots to open their wallets; felony charges ensued. Lakeland, Florida, is hopping as the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo returns. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

AOPA Live YouTube playlist

Watch AOPA's seminars from Sun 'n Fun

Learn about navigating with an iPad, using the Garmin Pilot app, caring for your engine, becoming a safer pilot, flying with Aspen Avionics products, and more in these recorded seminars from the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. Watch the videos >

Webinar

From paper to EFB

Find out how you can be a safer pilot while using an electronic flight bag during an AOPA Air Safety Institute webinar at 7 p.m. Eastern time on April 22. Register now >

Video

Engine failure in IMC

It was a perfect day for instrument approaches—but the engine wasn't up to the task. Was the pilot able to find an emergency landing field before the airplane shook itself to pieces? Learn more in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story.

Video

No greater burden

Living with the consequences of an aircraft accident is hard. Living with the loss of a son is excruciating. This AOPA Air Safety Institute video offers a sobering look at one pilot's tragedy, and the lessons all of us can learn from it.

AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops created content

Engine failure: The No. 1 rule

What's the No. 1 rule for surviving total engine failure? Get the answer, and stories from pilots who walked away from their own off-airport landing.

Pilot Protection Services

Low-flying aircraft: How low is too low?

Before your next "low and slow" flight, review FAR 91.119. Read more >

Advocacy

AOPA's call for ramp, FBO transparency gains momentum

More than 300 general aviation organizations have signed on to the Know Before You Go initiative, encouraging ramp fee transparency as a best practice. Read more >

Health

Online resource

Check your allergy medication before flying

It's allergy season. Before you fly, make sure your over-the-counter medication is allowed by the FAA. The FAA offers a list of over-the-counter medications and instructions to help you determine if you can fly or if you need to wait. AOPA also offers a searchable list of allowed/disallowed medications.

Technology

Article

Bearhawk 4-Place adds floats, skis

The rugged Bearhawk Aircraft 4-Place kitbuilt backcountry taildragger adds more utility—and more fun—with the availability of floats and skis. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

'Citizen of the World' embarks on STEM mission

Polar circumnavigator and Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis revealed a new look and a new mission for the Citizen of the World during a visit to the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. Read more >

Travel

Article

History and charm on 'The Forgotten Coast'

For a unique look back in time, fly to Apalachicola, Florida, a historical river port with a working waterfront and no high-rise condos. Read more >

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

Financial

Member benefit

Top 5 high-end piston aircraft financed in 2020

The Cirrus SR22 topped the list of aircraft in the high-end piston category financed by AOPA members in 2020, according to AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

US Air Force demo squadron launches new show

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have redesigned their airshow demonstrations to present a shorter, tighter, more intense show. Read more >

Article

Introducing Flyjets founder and CEO Jessica Fisher

Jessica Fisher is the brains and brawn behind the innovative company Flyjets that works to provide low charter rates by taking advantage of "empty leg discounts." Read more >

Webinar

Air Care Alliance virtual town hall is April 28

The Air Care Alliance, an organization of aviators and support personnel who volunteer to help communities and individuals during natural disasters, health emergencies, and other critical needs, is hosting a virtual town hall at 7 p.m. Eastern time on April 28 to discuss "hot topics" in public benefit flying, including call signs and pandemic response.

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Mentor pilot Neil Singer

Nearly every pilot dreams of flying his or her own jet. Accomplished mentor pilot Neil Singer talks about what it takes to fly these incredible aircraft. Plus, hear the top news of the week. Listen to the podcast >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Tour pilot/instructor Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures

Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures, a busy seaplane tour, charter, and training company in Tavares, Florida, is hiring a tour pilot/instructor. 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 member experience specialist, an office coordinator, and a Legal Services Plan representative. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

Who can and should make changes to the pilot's operating handbook required to be carried in an aircraft? Most of the equipment listed in the Section 9 supplement of the 1979 model that I fly is no longer installed in the aircraft, and new equipment has been installed but is not listed. Manuals for the equipment are carried with the aircraft.

Answer

If that new equipment came with an airplane flight manual supplement (which happens with pretty much all new avionics), the supplement should be added to Section 9 of the POH. This should have been done by the installer, but as pilot in command, you are responsible to ensure it's been done. You can remove old supplements for equipment that has been removed, but it is not required. 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

Apr. 22, 7 p.m. EDT	Responsibly transitioning from paper to EFB
Apr. 24, 6 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Rensselaer, Indiana)
Apr. 28, 7 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
May 1, 10 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

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

Simon Caldecott on his retirement from Piper

AOPA General Aviation Town Hall

John Mohr, Piaggio Royal Gull

CST Flight Services COVID-19 travel guides

Earthrounder, crash survivor, and public speaker Ryan Campbell

George Antoniadis - PlaneSense

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'I don't see anything that makes me want to attack the engine with tools'

'Hangar Talk': Mentor pilot Neil Singer

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: Jamie Patterson-Simes

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Apr. 12, 2021

'There I was...': Doug Rozendaal

'Never Again': Night fright

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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