New AOPA sweeps unveiled; Honoring aviation legends


VOL 23, ISSUE 6	February 5, 2021

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Top Stories

Article

AOPA Sweepstakes Tiger will growl once more

In May 2022, a randomly selected pilot will get the first Grumman airplane ever offered in an AOPA sweepstakes—a speedy Tiger AA–5B. It could be you! Read more >

Article

Remarkable aviators honored during Hoover presentation

AOPA honored designer Burt Rutan, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, Air Force Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin, and BRS Aerospace founder Boris Popov during the virtual R.A. "Bob" Hoover Trophy presentation. Read more and watch a video >

Article

You could be the next astronaut

Jared Isaacman invites you to join the fight against childhood cancer, and possibly wind up with a seat on the first orbital flight by an all-civilian team of astronauts. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Sweepstakes reboot; Training in a classic; Hoover recap

We unveil the AOPA Sweepstakes Grumman Tiger, take you along on Beech 18 seaplane training, and honor pilots including Burt Rutan and retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles McGee. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

AOPA Fly-Ins

Article

AOPA Aviator Showcases planned for Virginia, Texas

Explore new products and aircraft at AOPA's one-day 2021 Aviator Showcase events in Manassas, Virginia, and Fort Worth, Texas. Read more >

Technique and Safety

IFR Fix

Pilots who pop up

A current instrument pilot flying a VFR cross-country observes that the solid cloud deck below is getting higher, the broken layer above is getting lower, and it's thickening. No matter; he can still file IFR—right? Read more >

Video

Ambushed by ice

A familiar route, a trusted airplane, and a lack of serious weather in the forecast didn't keep Dean Clark from picking up enough ice to nearly bring down his Cessna 182. Hear what happened in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story.

All the lights

When ceilings are low and visibility is poor, approach lighting can guide you in safely. Test your airport lighting knowledge with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.

Online resource

Aging aircraft

Whether you own or rent, you should consider factors that influence an aircraft's health and aging process beyond its factory age. Learn more in this new Safety Spotlight from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

Article

From the Flight Deck series keeps runway operations fresh

Watch taxiway and runway operations from the pilot's perspective at some of the nation's trickiest airports in the FAA's From the Flight Deck video series that identifies hot spots and other safety-sensitive areas. Read more >

Podcast

'Ask the A&Ps': We just saved your engine

A&Ps Mike Busch, Paul New, and Colleen Sterling delve into "must" versus "should." Must you open all those inspection ports, is the prop and governor overhaul mandatory, and should one owner retorque his cylinder after a reinstallation mistake? Submit your questions for the next episode. Listen to the podcast >

Advocacy

CDC mask mandate prompts questions

AOPA is learning more details about how the new federal mask mandate will be enforced, and encouraging members to submit questions that can be posed to the agencies involved. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA not extending coronavirus pandemic SFARs

The FAA has not extended the special federal aviation regulations that since last April have eased the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on pilots by extending certain compliance deadlines. Read more >

Advocacy

Pete Buttigieg confirmed as secretary of transportation

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Pete Buttigieg, who contended for the Democratic presidential nomination until early in 2020, as the new secretary of transportation. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA creates gateways for new presidential TFR

President Joe Biden's visit to his Delaware home prompted temporary flight restrictions with a few welcome changes to the draft versions. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Correcting your medical application

What should you do if you realize you made a mistake on your FAA medical application? Read more >

Technology

Article

Extra NG is FAA certified

The all-composite and carbon fiber-constructed Extra NG unlimited aerobatic aircraft that Walter Extra unveiled in 2019 has received FAA certification. Read more >

Article

Terrafugia Transition gets LSA approval

More than a decade of development is behind the Terrafugia Transition that was just deemed an airworthy light sport aircraft, though a "roadable" version is still a ways off. Read more >

Article

Bye begins conforming prototype production

Bye Aerospace has begun building the first conforming prototype of its all-electric eFlyer 2 that will be flown to achieve FAA certification. Read more >

Article

RotorWay sold to Rotor X Aircraft Manufacturing Co.

Rotor X Aircraft Manufacturing Co. purchased RotorWay International Helicopter Manufacturing and will produce new kits, offer parts for existing models, and eventually offer factory flight training. Read more >

Travel

Article

Go Wheels Up! Texas is a go

Go Wheels Up! Texas, an airshow, car show, and concert event, is on track for May 29 and 30 at San Marcos Regional Airport in San Marcos, Texas. Read more >

Article

It's February, love must be in the air

If you love flying as much as we do, share your February flying experiences on social media through the AOPA app's Pilot Passport feature. The participant with the most social shares will snag a prize. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

Wheels Up to be publicly traded

Private aviation platform Wheels Up has entered into an agreement to become publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange via a merger with acquisition company Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle Corp. Read more >

Member benefit

Aircraft loan demand-side primer

A drop in interest rates set by the Fed doesn't always mean lenders are eager to make aircraft loans. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Cirrus creates commemorative edition

You can't help but notice that this limited-edition Cirrus livery stands out from all the others. Only eight will be sold. Read more >

Article

WASP member Bernice 'Bee' Haydu dies

Bernice "Bee" Falk Haydu, 100, died January 30. Haydu was a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the women's cadre of pilots who served during World War II. Read more >

Article

Europe's EBACE changes to virtual format

The European Business Aviation Association and the National Business Aviation Association have canceled the 2021 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Article

Fashion, flying, and freedom

Morgan Johnson was the first woman to earn her private pilot certificate through the historic Red Tail Scholarship Foundation and is leading the way for others. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Katie Writer explores the environment

Alaska aviator, artist, and AOPA Pilot contributor Katie Writer explores how general aviation pilots can help scientists studying environmental and weather changes. Listen to the podcast >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Cabin interior specialist, Nicholas Air

Nicholas Air in Oxford, Mississippi, is seeking a cabin interior specialist to assess the cabins of aircraft upon arrival, determine restoration needs, and restore cabins to service-ready condition. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

I just received my medical certificate and am happy that I will finally to be able to solo. However, the "Limitations" part of the certificate specifies that I need to wear glasses or lenses. I have never had either, and my eyesight tests were positive during my medical exam. My flight instructor said that to fly solo, I would technically need to be wearing glasses because of this statement. How can I get this corrected?

Answer

The quickest and easiest way to fix it is to ask your AME to call the FAA. Then have the AME ask the FAA to send you a "wire" confirming the medical certificate without that limitation. 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

Feb. 11, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Ace your next checkride
Feb. 18, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Feb. 24, 6 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Mar. 6, 6 p.m. EST	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

John Mohr, Piaggio Royal Gull

CST Flight Services COVID-19 travel guides

Earthrounder, crash survivor, and public speaker Ryan Campbell

George Antoniadis - PlaneSense

You Can Fly Champions

How a PPS panel attorney protects AOPA members

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'We just saved your engine'

'Hangar Talk': Alaska Pilot Katie Writer explores environment

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Feb. 1, 2021

'There I was...': Dennis Martin

'Never Again': Pop quiz

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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