Beauty on a lake; FCC keeps GPS threat alive


VOL 23, ISSUE 4	January 22, 2021

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Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Adjusting to winter

An extra layer of clothing or two might do the trick for you, but your airplane needs a bit more help warming up to winter. Read more >

Video

Involuntary IMC

An instrument-rated pilot who is not current faces a failed engine and an unexpected IFR descent. Listen as air traffic control mounts a heroic effort to get the pilot down safely in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story.

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Trouble with the flare?

Here is a simple technique from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops to help with your landings. Learn more >

Advocacy

FCC nudges Ligado plan forward

A controversial plan to develop a 5G wireless network that critics deem a threat to GPS navigation remains on track after the Federal Communications Commission declined to call a halt. Read more >

Advocacy

New app simplifies online FAA document searches

A new app on the FAA website makes it easier to find a wide variety of regulatory and guidance documents, including advisory circulars and airworthiness directives. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA finalizes Piper wing spar inspection AD

The FAA has finalized an airworthiness directive ordering wing spar inspections of some Piper PA–28 airplane models in the wake of a 2018 fatal accident that killed a commercial pilot applicant and designated pilot examiner. Read more >

Advocacy

Drone regulation overhauls published

AOPA welcomed significant changes to drone regulations, noting many upgrades to what the FAA originally proposed. Read more >

Advocacy

Pilots: Plan on Florida Super Bowl restrictions

Pilots flying in Florida from February 3 to 9 should keep an eye on special air traffic procedures and restrictions related to the Super Bowl in Tampa. Read more >

Advocacy

Presidential flight restrictions updated

Future visits to his home state by President Joe Biden will prompt temporary flight restrictions in Delaware centered on two possible destinations. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Looking without seeing

These practical tips can help pilots avoid complacency by increasing attention to detail during routine tasks. Read more >

Technology

Article

Electric air taxis aim for US cities

An 18-rotor electric aircraft may be the first to secure FAA approval, though many challenges remain before urban air mobility gets off the ground at scale. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Personalize your 2021 aviation goals

A New Year's flying plan can help you stay focused on self-improvement and encourage others to explore aviation, writes Opinion Leaders blogger and polar circumnavigator Robert DeLaurentis. Read more >

Gear

Article

AeroLEDs' landing, taxi lights approved for Part 27 helicopters

AeroLEDs taxi and landing lights are available for more than 200 makes and models of rotorcraft. Read more >

Travel

Article

Air Journey begins Caribbean tours

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected escorted-tour groups over the past year, but Air Journey has recently resumed tours to certain Caribbean destinations. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

First flight, last flight

A retired police captain and pilot of 47 years bids farewell to his beloved Cessna 150K after giving one last ride to a first-time passenger. Read more >

Member benefit

High-time airframe, twin engine replacement

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about financing an aircraft with more than 10,000 hours on the airframe and financing engine replacements. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Pilot ranked among 100 Best Jobs of 2021

Making a living as a pilot ranked No. 26 in U.S. News and World Report's 100 Best Jobs of 2021. Read more >

Article

Join virtual Hoover awards ceremony

Tune in live as AOPA honors pioneers in aviation during the virtual, fifth annual AOPA R.A. "Bob" Hoover Trophy Award presentation on February 3. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Pilot Madison Seymour shares scholarship tips

Michigan high school senior, private pilot, and AOPA scholarship recipient Madison "Maddy" Seymour shares tips that can make scholarship, college, and job applications shine. Listen to the podcast >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Aircraft mechanic, Metro Aviation Inc.

Metro Aviation Inc. is seeking an aircraft mechanic with exceptional skills for its Part 145 repair station located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Read the full description and apply today >

Question of the Week

Question

I have an oil pan heating pad that heats up the oil indirectly by heating up the pan it sits in. Although I try, I am not always able to fly as much as I'd like, especially during the winter. Are there any concerns about leaving this type of oil pan heater plugged in all the time throughout the winter, or should I plan to go out to the airport a couple hours before flying to plug it in each time?

Answer

In addition to driving up your electric costs, leaving an engine preheater plugged in risks inducing corrosion in the cylinders. The sump pad heats the oil to near boiling, so it releases any moisture that's in the oil. That moisture will rise and condense in the cylinder heads, causing corrosion. 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. 27, 7 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Jan. 30, 6 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Feb. 4, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Feb. 10, 7 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': 'Did you float the dog?'

'Hangar Talk': Pilot Madison Seymour shares successful scholarship tips

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

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Jan. 18, 2021

'There I was...': Dennis Martin

'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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