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Deck the hangars and museum halls; AOPA advocacy wins

AOPA ePilot
VOL 23, ISSUE 52 December 24, 2021
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Top Stories
Aviators, aviation museums decorate for the holidays
Multimedia
Aviators, aviation museums decorate for the holidays
Across the country, aviators and world-renowned aviation museums are getting into the holiday spirit. These photographs are sure to put you in a festive mood. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Rich.) Read more, watch a video, and view photos >
Technique and Safety
Login required
Wintertime ops
Stubborn engines, slick runways, and icy clouds are just a few of winter's wicked ways. Warm up your brain with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.
Video
Traffic insight
Air traffic control specialist Sarah Patten explains VFR and IFR traffic separation. Watch the AOPA Air Safety Institute video >
Sponsored by SiriusXM Aviation
Weather wise
Understanding the large-scale forces that create weather makes it easier to come to the right decisions about flying in weather. Learn about air masses and fronts in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight.
Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce
Aircraft Maintenance: Shimmy damper care
A little TLC for your shimmy damper could smooth your takeoff and landing rolls and protect your wallet. Read more >
Advocacy
Advocacy
AOPA's top advocacy accomplishments of 2021
Despite a fractured economic and political landscape, AOPA's advocacy arm secured several key wins in 2021. Read more >
Advocacy
FAA investigates airport safety issues in Santa Clara County, California
The FAA is investigating ongoing airport safety issues in Santa Clara County, California, including a rushed ban of 100LL fuel as of January 1, as it considers possible violations of federal law. Read more >
Health
Online resource
Review the FAA's list of OTC go/no-go medications
It's cold and flu season, so take some time to review the FAA's list of over-the-counter medications in two categories: go and no-go. Plus, check out AOPA's medications database (including prescriptions) that lists FAA allowed/disallowed medications for pilots who hold FAA-issued medical certificates.
Technology
Article
Watch the weather close in (from a safe seat)
A new add-on for popular desktop flight simulation programs simulates conditions true to what a pilot could have experienced on a given day in a particular location. Read more >
Travel
Pilot magazine
Tips for traveling light
Examine what you are packing for your next trip and see where you can shave off a few pounds, which can be traded for gallons of gas or increased performance. Here are tips for lightening your load. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Pilot Protection Services
Should you consider a living trust?
If you're curious about holding your assets in a living trust, rather than keeping them in your own name, you'll want to check this out. Read more >
News and Notes
Article
Bolden honored with Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association honored retired Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden for "his impassioned commitment to public service in aviation and aerospace," naming him the latest recipient of one of the nation's highest aviation awards. Read more >
Article
MyGoFlight's Charlie Schneider dies after Cirrus crash
MyGoFlight CEO Charlie Schneider, a pilot and software engineer, died following the December 16 crash of a Cirrus SR22 on approach to McGhee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. Read more >
You Can Fly
Aviator Zone Academy: 'Little fish in a big pond'
Aviator Zone Academy in Florida is the 2021 AOPA Flight Training Experience Award winner for best flight school in the Southern region. Read more >
Article
Satisfy your need for speed
Our short list of high-energy, fun, educational fighter pilot YouTube channels and podcasts will help keep you entertained this winter and beyond. Read more >
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': Business advocate Steven Carlson's 48-state helicopter tour
Helicopter and small business advocate Steven Carlson plans to begin an 8,300-mile helicopter tour through 48 states in April to support general aviation awareness and a post-coronavirus economic recovery. Listen to the podcast >
Airworthiness advisories
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: AOPA safety content producer
The AOPA Air Safety Institute is seeking a safety content producer to create high-quality, compelling, and engaging safety content in support of its mission to improve general aviation safety through industry-leading research, analysis, education, and outreach. 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 mobile app developer, a High School Initiative coordinator, a loan processor, a managing editor, and a development content manager. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >
Question of the Week
Question

Are pilots required to monitor 121.5 MHz (also known as "Guard") while in flight?
Answer
There is a legal requirement to monitor 121.5 MHZ at all times during flight in the U.S. national airspace system if capable. Pilots with only one com radio are excused while actively using it for other communications but otherwise must monitor 121.5 MHz. Those with two radios must have one on 121.5 MHz unless both are in use to get other 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. (Log in to the online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to see this discussion.) Have a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Education & Seminars
Stay sharp with AOPA's webinars, podcasts, and videos.
Upcoming AOPA webinars
Feb 17, 2 p.m. EST AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Feb 18, 8 p.m. EST AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Redding, California)
Mar 9, 7 p.m. EST AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Augusta, Kansas)
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
CFI, student debrief emergency landing in Hawaii
Red Bull tunnel flight behind the scenes with Dario Costa
Bonanza chase drone video pilots Matt Guthmiller and NikoFilmz
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Live® YouTube channel.
AOPA podcasts
'Ask the A&Ps': 'That little cap doesn't hold the wings on'
'Hangar Talk': Steven Carlson plans small biz 48-state helicopter tour
'Pilot Briefing': Week of Dec. 20, 2021
'There I was...': Genesah Duffy and Lynn McNorton
'Never Again': Out of focus
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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