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News & Media Back to school fun with aviation; Getting the lead out

Back to school fun with aviation; Getting the lead out

AOPA ePilot
VOL 23, ISSUE 34 August 20, 2021
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Top Stories
Students kick off school year with aviation curriculum
You Can Fly
Students kick off school year with aviation curriculum
Kids are heading back to school across the country, and students at a record 300 schools in 44 states are now lined up and waiting to learn from the AOPA Foundation You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. Read more and watch the video >
AOPA Live This Week
Youth bring energy to aviation; Serious fun in the mountains
Young pilots arrive in numbers to an Ohio fly-in, the AOPA Foundation You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Curriculum gains steam, and adventure flying in the Grand Teton mountain range. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
AOPA Events
Article
Talk to experts at the AOPA Aviator Showcase in Virginia
Whether you are interested in the latest portable electronic devices for the cockpit or want to buy an aircraft, you can talk to aviation experts during the AOPA Aviator Showcase in Manassas, Virginia, August 27. Read more >
Technique and Safety
Webinar
Post-maintenance flying
Learn how to avoid post-maintenance dangers and costs during an AOPA Air Safety Institute webinar on August 26 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. FAA Wings program credit and an AOPA Pilot Passport badge are available. Register here >
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
Aircraft Maintenance: Grad school for owners, mechanics
We're used to hearing the phrase, "A good pilot is always learning." Conscientious mechanics and aircraft owners follow the same rule. Read more >
Login required
Hamburger hop at night
A night flight with friends to your favorite airport restaurant can be a breathtaking experience for everyone. However, flying at night requires some extra planning. Feed your appetite for knowledge with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.
Video
Power loss on takeoff
When the engine quits at 200 feet, there's not much time to make decisions. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story to see what happened when a Piper Lance lost engine power on takeoff.
AOPA Premier Partner created content
How to practice landings
Challenge yourself with these proven exercises for smooth, consistent landings. A master CFI shares his techniques in this PilotWorkshops resource. Learn more >
Advocacy
Advocacy
GA pilots help bring unleaded fuel to California airport
After nearly two years of requesting that unleaded fuel be available to aircraft based at San Jose's Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport, the first tankful of Swift Fuels UL94 has arrived. Read more >
Advocacy
FAA updates list of cold temperature airports, renames program
The FAA on August 12 released an updated list of cold temperature airports at which pilots must apply altitude corrections on certain segments of instrument approaches when outside air temperature drops below a published limitation. Read more >
Health
Pilot Protection Services
Basic medications
AOPA Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Director Gary Crump explains the difference between flying with traditional medical certificates and flying under BasicMed when it comes to medications. Read more >
Opinion
Blog
Rotors on takeoff
Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher shares his recent encounter with rotors on takeoff in his 1949 Piper PA–11 in Switzerland—he captured it all on video. (Image courtesy of Garrett Fisher.) Read more and watch the video >
Gear
Article
Time on his hands, pilot takes watchmaking turn
California pilot Ralph Freshour is among many professional pilots waiting to get their old jobs back or find new ones. However, he does not seem very worried. (Photo courtesy of Ralph Freshour.) Read more >
Travel
Pilot magazine
Flying the Appalachian Trail
Follow along on an aerial hike of the southern half of the Appalachian Trail. Read more, view photos, and watch a video >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Article
It's official: Joby goes public
Joby Aviation is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (Photo courtesy of Joby.) Read more >
News and Notes
Survey
Helicopter pilots' input sought
PSI Services is surveying helicopter pilots to gather data for an analysis it will provide to the FAA "to update the specifications for certification examinations" to better align with current practices. The survey is open until August 31 and should take 25 minutes to complete. Take the survey >
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': AeroShell pilot Jimmy Fordham, AirVenture wrap-up
Ride along with AeroShell Aerobatic Team slot pilot Jimmy Fordham; plus, get a wrap-up of the top news from EAA AirVenture. Listen to the podcast >
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Flight instructor, Eagle Aviation Inc.
Do you love teaching others to fly? Eagle Aviation in West Columbia, South Carolina, is hiring a full-time flight instructor. This position offers the flexibility to build your own schedule, but you must be able to work days, evenings, and weekends to meet students' needs. 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 an eMedia assistant editor, a paralegal, a major gifts officer, a loan processor, and a graphic designer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >
Question of the Week
Question

Is a rotating beacon on a 1973 Cessna 172 required to be functional when the aircraft is flown even though it was not required equipment when the aircraft was built?
Answer
Once you install an anticollision lighting system on an airplane that did not originally require one, it must be operational and operating for all flights. The only exceptions are continuation to destination after in-flight failure or one-time flight to a repair station. The pilot in command can also turn off the lights when needed in the interest of safety. Note that FAR 91.209(b) applies to aircraft that are equipped with an anticollision lighting system, regardless of whether they were required to have one when they were certified. 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
Aug 26, 7 p.m. EDT AOPA Air Safety Institute presents: Post-maintenance flying
Sep 2, 5 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Sep 8, 12 p.m. EDT AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Sep 16, 3 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
XPrize Foundation cofounder Gregg Maryniak
Hartzell President JJ Frigge talks about new products
'A Pair of Wings' author Carole Hopson
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.
AOPA podcasts
'Ask the A&Ps': 'Sticky valves, making metal, oversquare, oh my'
'Hangar Talk': AeroShell pilot Jimmy Fordham, AirVenture wrap-up
'Pilot Briefing': Week of Aug. 16, 2021
'There I was...': Thomas Marrow
'Never Again': Engine out at night
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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