New federal air surgeon gets GA; Joby eyes eVTOL cert in 2023


VOL 23, ISSUE 8	February 19, 2021

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Top Stories

Advocacy

AOPA, FAA medical leaders meet

New FAA Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup and Deputy Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Brett Wyrick, both private pilots, met virtually with AOPA President Mark Baker and the AOPA Board of Aviation Medical Advisors to iron out medical process issues. Northrup supports BasicMed and wants to expedite special issuance medicals. (Photo courtesy of John Hyle.) Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Florida Keys calling; End of an era for Learjet

Come away with us to the Florida Keys, say goodbye to the Learjet, and get details from AOPA President Mark Baker's meeting with the new federal air surgeon. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Podcast

'There I was...': Icing in a Cirrus

Cirrus Training Center Instructor Terry Pretzloff recalls encountering icing conditions worse than forecast in a Cirrus SR22 in the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast.

Video playlist

Webinars at your fingertips

Explore the AOPA Air Safety Institute's recent webinars, which cover topics from survival and aeronautical decision making to proficiency, glass cockpits, and more. View the playlist >

Video

Final approach

Learn from a fatal January 2013 accident in which a Piper Arrow collided with trees during an emergency approach to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study.

AOPA Premier Partner created content

How far can you glide?

A Hall of Fame instructor shares advice for quickly determining how far your airplane can glide in an emergency. Listen to the tip from PilotWorkshops >

Advocacy

Mexico urged to reverse prohibition on experimental aircraft

AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association have asked the civil aviation authorities in Mexico to reverse a recent policy change that prevents operation of U.S.-registered amateur-built aircraft in that country. Read more >

Advocacy

VFR charts to be updated more frequently

The FAA will begin updating VFR charts every 56 days, starting February 25. AOPA advocated for the chart-cycle change, and noted that based on pilot surveys, approximately 90 percent of pilots were primarily using electronic charts. Read more >

Advocacy

CDC stops short of requiring testing for domestic air travel

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not requiring coronavirus testing for passengers on domestic flights. The decision came after aviation industry leaders met on a call with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg explaining that a mandate would not be practical or necessary. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA launches forty-third annual GA survey

AOPA encourages aircraft owners who receive the General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey to complete it. The responses are used to determine safety metrics, economic output, investments in aviation infrastructure, and more. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

The stick-and-rudder skills of medication adherence

Pharmacist Larry Diamond reminds pilots of the importance of sticking with a medication regimen. Read more >

Technology

Article

Path to Joby's eVTOL certification in sight

Joby Aviation is accelerating toward electric vertical takeoff and landing certification in 2023, with new government investment and a path to FAA approval under Part 23 via a route that none have flown before. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Reflecting on five years of flying in Europe

Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher reflects on five years of flying in Europe since he relocated his U.S.-registered Piper PA–11 Cub Special. Read more >

Gear

Article

More than just your new panel clock

The AV-20-S from uAvionix does more than time turns. It also displays a trove of other useful data, including attitude, angle of attack, slips and skids, G-forces, temperature, voltage, density altitude, and true airspeed. Read more >

Financial

Article

Terrafugia pulls US plug on Transition

Amid "massive" layoffs reported by Forbes, Terrafugia abruptly pulled the U.S. plug for the two-person Transition light sport aircraft with folding wings. Read more >

Member benefit

Is now the time to pay off an aircraft loan?

In the current market, should you pay off your aircraft loan or invest your cash elsewhere? Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Bessie Coleman centennial celebrates legacy of inspiration

A 10-city U.S. tour and scholarships will honor the 100th anniversary of Bessie Coleman, the first woman pilot of African American and Native American descent, earning her certificate. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Cargo pilot and country musician Brian Wright

Freight-hauling pilot and Nashville recording artist "Big City" Brian Wright talks about cargo aviation careers, making music, and following your dreams. Listen to the podcast >

Airworthiness advisories

FAA issues AD for all Pilatus PC–7 airplanes

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Flight attendant, SkyWest Airlines

The primary role of a SkyWest flight attendant is to ensure the safety of passengers while they are on board the company's aircraft. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

Why do aircraft checklists call for the engine runup and magneto checks just before takeoff instead of in the parking area before taxiing?

Answer

One reason is to allow the engine to warm up before running it past 1,200 rpm or so. Another is to avoid blasting prop wash across a ramp full of people and airplanes. The noise level is also a detriment to ramp safety. Finally, taxiing out means running at low power for a considerable amount of time, and that's when spark plugs might become fouled. 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. 24, 6 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Mar. 6, 6 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Mar. 10, 3 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Mar. 11, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Now we're playing with gas

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': Cargo pilot and country musician Brian Wright

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Feb. 15, 2021

'There I was...': Terry Pretzloff

'Never Again': Pop quiz

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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