FAA prosecutes CFIs; Flight Design F2 approved


VOL 23, ISSUE 29	July 16, 2021

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Advocacy

FAA prosecutes volunteer instructors

The FAA has ordered flight instructors to obtain individual written authorization before giving instruction in experimental category aircraft owned by the student, while agency prosecutors argued in court that instructors who volunteered to teach in limited category aircraft still received "compensation" by the agency's expansive definition. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Branson rides Rutan rocket; Grass strip revival

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson reached space aboard a Burt Rutan design; young brothers make a vintage turf strip into a destination; and real air traffic controllers serve simulated flights. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Webinar

Choose your own adventure

Fly with AOPA Air Safety Institute instructor Jeanné Willerth on a cross-country quest. You will help with her planning and decision making, so have your tablets and iPads ready. The webinar airs July 22 at 7 p.m. Eastern. Register here >

Stalls and spins

It's good to know your airplane's "book" stall speed, but is that enough to avoid an unintentional loss of lift? Take this AOPA Air Safety Institute safety quiz for a spin and test your knowledge.

Video

Ill-fated takeoff

Despite choppy water and high waves, the pilot of a Lake Renegade amphibious aircraft tried to take off from the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, seaplane base during EAA AirVenture 2017 and crashed. In this accident re-creation from the AOPA Air Safety Institute, we seek to understand the circumstances that led to this fatal accident.

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Engine failure on takeoff

How would you handle an engine failure on takeoff? Do you have a plan? Get advice from a flight instructor who has done extensive training on this topic. Learn more from PilotWorkshops >

Advocacy

FAA orders stabilizer inspections of Grumman singles

The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive requiring horizontal stabilizer inspections of Grumman American AA–1, AA–1A, AA–1B, AA–1C, and AA–5 single-engine airplanes. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Getting back in the cockpit after heart surgery

Dr. Kenneth Stahl explains why recovery—and returning to the cockpit—after cardiac surgery takes time. Read more >

Technology

Article

Flight Design F2 gets SLSA nod

The first production airplane of Flight Design's new F2 series to enter the United States has earned its special light sport aircraft certificate of airworthiness. Read more >

Article

Lack of diversity did not impede uAvionix tailBeaconX

An independent analysis confirmed that a cost-saving, space-based ADS-B Out solution developed by uAvionix can meet international performance standards. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Closing time in the Alps

Unpredicted headwinds, weather, and mandatory closing times threatened Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher's flight to an airport tucked high in the Alps. Read more and view photos >

Gear

Article

Book review: 'Single-Pilot IFR Pro Tips'

Single-Pilot IFR Pro Tips by Gary Reeves is a lively read full of unconventional wisdom. The points are provocative, well-argued, and backed up with examples from his vast experience. Read more >

Travel

Article

Tips for flying the Fisk Arrival

Pilots have been following the Fisk Arrival to EAA AirVenture since 1978. Here are some important changes to brief before you fly in. Read more >

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

Financial

Member benefit

Do I need title insurance if I don't need financing?

AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith answers questions about whether title insurance is needed when purchasing an aircraft without financing, as well as how to get an aircraft appraisal. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Teen sets solo circumnavigation record

Travis Ludlow, 18, set a Guinness World Record as the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world—and he did it in a diesel-powered Cessna 172. Read more >

Article

Joby to advance carbon credits with JetBlue, Signature

Joby Aviation, an eVTOL manufacturer, is working with JetBlue and Signature Flight Support to develop a pathway to use carbon credits to incentivize clean propulsion. Read more >

Article

Fly with care as rocket launches ramp up

There are now 12 spaceport licenses issued to operators in eight states, and there have been 407 licensed space launches since 1989—and counting. Read more >

Airworthiness advisories

Career Opportunities

Aviation Job Board

Job of the Week: Aerospace Center for Excellence executive director

The Aerospace Center for Excellence executive director position is a multi-faceted leadership role. The successful candidate would execute the center's mission to "Engage, Educate and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals." The center is part of Sun 'n Fun Fly-In Inc. in Lakeland, Florida. 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 legal assistant, an email marketing manager, a data analyst, an editorial assistant, and a content producer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

How do I regain currency after an extended break from flying?

Answer

To regain currency, you need a medical certificate or BasicMed (if eligible) and a flight review. According to the regulations, the flight review must consist of at least one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight instruction. Depending on how long it has been since your last flight, you may need more. 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

Aug 3, 3 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug 20, 11 a.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Sep 2, 5 p.m. EDT	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

Hartzell President JJ Frigge talks about new products

'A Pair of Wings' author Carole Hopson

Garmin's Cliff Pemble on earning the Collier Trophy for Autoland

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'An oil filter inspection is non-invasive, unless you're an oil filter'

'Hangar Talk': Student pilot, A&P apprentice Meagan Huerta

'Pilot Briefing': Week of July 12, 2021

'There I was...': John Lancaster

'Never Again': Engine out at night

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Cobb
Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Tom Haines
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
Jill Tallman
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

Advertise in ePilot:
Initial advertising inquiries:
Donna Stoner, 301-695-2336

Eastern and Central United States, Canada, and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Dan Justman, 301-695-2182

AOPA Advertising website