AOPA's focus for 2021; FAA releases drone rules


VOL 23, ISSUE 1	January 1, 2021

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Top Stories

Pilot magazine

Back to the basics

Every member joined AOPA because of a love of general aviation—it's the reason AOPA exists today. As we look ahead in 2021, AOPA President Mark Baker encourages pilots to unite behind AOPA's mission to preserve GA and keep it alive and well. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA: Expect ATC delays in Florida and along East Coast

Top FAA air traffic officials warned pilots of expected air traffic delays in Florida and up the East Coast this holiday weekend. Read more >

Technique and Safety

Online resource

Proficiency check

Review your personal minimums and see if recent proficiency (or lack thereof) calls for a reset. Fill out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's personal minimums form and hold yourself accountable for safe flying this year!

IFR Fix

Diversion aversions

Being able to file IFR gives you options for getting through murky conditions, but there's far more to instrument flying than that. Read more >

Caring for your airplane

Learn how to refresh your tired, dirty aircraft with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz about preventive maintenance.

Video

Dangerous details

When transitioning to other airplanes, it's crucial to know all the systems on the aircraft before the flight. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute video for one pilot's story and get tips on how to avoid mistakes when flying a new-to-you airplane.

Advocacy

FAA announces final rules for drone remote ID, overflights

The FAA announced two final rules affecting unmanned aircraft operations: One will require remote identification of drones and another will permit drone overflights of people and at night without waivers under certain conditions. Read more >

Advocacy

'The Hill' names AOPA among top trade associations of 2020

Washington, D.C.-based publication The Hill named AOPA among its list of top lobbyists for the seventh year in a row. Read more >

Advocacy

President signs COVID-19 relief bill, provides support to aviation

President Donald Trump signed a $2.3 trillion package of bills December 27 that includes $1.4 trillion to fund the government through September and a $900 billion stimulus package to provide relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. Airports are slated to receive $2 billion, of which $45 million is designated for general aviation airports. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Should pilots take dietary supplements?

Pharmacist Larry Diamond reminds pilots that the FAA discourages flying while using certain dietary supplements that are purchased over the counter. Read more >

Technology

Article

Drone tech crossover

While risky behavior with drones has prompted troubling headlines, technology developed for unmanned aircraft may one day enhance situational awareness in general aviation aircraft and have other benefits you might not expect. Read more >

Travel

Article

Make a New Year's resolution to visit distinctive airfields

A New Year's resolution to broaden your horizons by flying to airports that you haven't visited before might be rewarding in more ways than one. Read more >

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

Financial

Member Benefit

2020 election result will have impact on aircraft market

Who is in office as of January 20 will affect tax policy and, in turn, people's appetite for purchasing airplanes. The tax policy will also affect the stock market, which will have a direct impact on the aircraft market. Read more >

Article

AOPA scholarship recipient shares application strategy

AOPA scholarship recipient Madison "Maddy" Seymour shares advice to help your scholarship application rise above the rest. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Remembering aviators who died in 2020

We remember major contributors to aviation who died in 2020. Read more >

Career Opportunities

AVIATION JOB BOARD

Job of the week: CFI/co-pilot, Lyddon Aero Center Inc.

A flight instructor/co-pilot is needed for a busy Part 135 operation in Liberal, Kansas. The position includes co-piloting three Beechjet 400As, as well as some turboprops. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

I'm working on my estate plan. My attorney says he has transferred an aircraft to a trust on death for larger aircraft owned by an LLC. Is this done, and is there any difference, for an aircraft owned by an individual, and registered to same?

Answer

It is a good idea to get official guidance from an estate attorney. Transferring ownership of your airplane to a trust upon your passing allows you to dictate the management of that asset. The executor of the trust carries out the instructions. When completing the bill of sale, the executor needs to include a testament that the aircraft is now owned by a trust of which he or she is the executor. 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

Jan. 14, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Wait! Are we in balance?
Jan. 19, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Jan. 27, 7 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Jan. 30, 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': 'I went to the church of lean of peak'

'Hangar Talk': iFlightPlanner founder Andy Matthews

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Dec. 28, 2020

'There I was...': Doug Stewart

'Never Again': Smoke in the cockpit

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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