FAA admin Dickson seeks LODA patience; Unleaded STC


VOL 23, ISSUE 31	July 30, 2021

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Article

GAMI receives unleaded avgas STC

General Aviation Modifications Inc. has received two supplemental type certificates authorizing the use of its G100UL high-octane unleaded avgas in a limited number of models of Lycoming engines and Cessna airframes. Tests indicate that the amber fuel also performs well in high-compression engines. Read more and watch videos >

Advocacy

Support for unleaded avgas development continues

General aviation leaders and the FAA remain committed to bringing a drop-in unleaded avgas to market that will be safe for the entire GA fleet. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA's Dickson: LODA is 'a four-letter word'

"I'm not any happier about this situation than you are," said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson regarding the July 12 directive that requires a letter of deviation authority for flight training in experimental aircraft. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Roaring Oshkosh; Unleaded approval

EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, started big and got bigger. Other big news includes an unleaded aviation fuel advancing toward fleet availability, and an electric air taxi stretching its legs. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

EAA AirVenture

Slideshow

'Scrappy' comes to life

Scrappy, an overbuilt short takeoff and landing CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX3 that was souped up by social media star Mike Patey, drew a curious crowd to its public debut at EAA AirVenture July 28. Read more and view photos >

Image gallery

Packed house, heroes welcomed

Our helicopter flight revealed row after row of parked airplanes, tents, and crowded grounds at EAA AirVenture, while on the ground we saw Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, 101, receive a hero's welcome. View the gallery >

Article

eVTOLs fly for the crowd

Two electric aviation pioneers raced to be the first to fly their revolutionary aircraft before the crowd at EAA AirVenture. Read more >

Advocacy

'Aviation boom' expected to continue

AOPA leaders updated pilots on our latest initiatives and advocacy work, and said general aviation is experiencing a tremendous amount of growth while becoming safer. Read more >

Article

Backcountry Van's RV–15 in the works

The next airplane from Van's Aircraft, the RV–15, is going to have one striking difference from all those that came before it: a high wing. Read more >

Article

New Gabriél trainer makes US debut

A new all-carbon-fiber Italian trainer features tandem seats, retractable landing gear, a Hartzell three-blade composite constant-speed propeller, and a 160-horsepower Lycoming IO-320. Read more >

More news

Technique and Safety

Article

FAA introduces animated runway safety messages

The FAA has created animated online presentations of runway safety scenarios and encourages pilots to speak up when they are "unable" to comply with a clearance. Read more >

Video

P–51 engine-out

British warbird pilot Mark Levy was performing in an airshow when the P–51 he was flying experienced a partial loss of power. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute video for in-flight footage and lessons learned.

Hot days, thin air

Get a better grasp of how the unseen danger of density altitude can affect your flight with this AOPA Air Safety Institute quiz.

Online resource

Decisions, decisions

Learn practical advice to help you improve your aeronautical decision making as well as guidance and recommendations for developing your own set of personal minimums in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight. Learn more >

Advocacy

FAA stands by directive that created flight training crisis

The FAA stood by its directive requiring letters of deviation authority for compensated flight training in experimental category aircraft and exemptions for training in limited category aircraft (like warbirds) and primary category aircraft. Read more >

Health

Online resource

Medical resources to keep you flying

From health conditions that might affect your medical certification to a database listing what medications you can and cannot take and fly, AOPA's Medical Resources section contains a wealth of information to help you stay healthy and flying.

Technology

Article

Joby stretches eVTOL legs, preps for air taxi

Joby Aviation recently flew 154.6 statute miles using current commercial batteries and announced that it's working on its FAA Part 135 certification to launch an air taxi.

Article

North Carolina makes drone delivery to Ocracoke

Many drone delivery milestones have involved food, and the latest from North Carolina is no exception. Read more >

Financial

Member benefit

Aircraft valuation

Vref, the AOPA Aircraft Valuation Service, helps aircraft buyers ballpark the price of an airplane, writes AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Airshow pilot Dale Snodgrass killed in Idaho crash

Airshow performer and former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Dale Snodgrass, known in aviation circles as "the real Top Gun," was killed in an aircraft accident at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport in Idaho on July 24. Read more >

Article

Gleim Publications founder dies

Thousands of pilots have Irvin Gleim, founder of Gleim Publications, to thank for their high FAA knowledge test scores. Gleim died peacefully on July 14 at the age of 78. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

In remembrance

AOPA Pilot Information Center Medical Certification Director Gary Crump remembers Dr. John Hastings, an aviation neurologist and "tireless advocate for medical certification reform" who died in April. Read more >

You Can Fly

Flying club events help promote safety

Many clubs host fly-ins or participate in airport days to engage the community. Hosting a safety seminar fly-in is another great idea. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Buyer/planner, Med-Trans Corp.

Med-Trans Corp. in Denton, Texas, is hiring a buyer/planner to manage "spares operations for the entire fleet of aircraft." 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 graphic designer, a legal assistant, an email marketing manager, and a content producer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I've completed my introductory flight and am enthusiastic about learning to fly. I think it would behoove me to buy an airplane—I'm specifically interested in a bushplane—to lease back to the flight school to offset my eventual ownership costs. Any advice?

Answer

First, it is a good idea to hold off on buying an airplane until you've at least soloed, and preferably after you've earned your private pilot certificate. Second, leasebacks do not always benefit the aircraft owner financially. Also, a flight school probably would not want to lease a bushplane. All things considered, it might be best to start training in a school airplane, and then think further about buying an aircraft after you solo. 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

Aug 3, 3 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Aug 12, 12 p.m. EDT	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Weather and how to read it - Part 2
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

Xprize Foundation co-founder Gregg Maryniak

Hartzell President JJ Frigge talks about new products

'A Pair of Wings' author Carole Hopson

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': Teen pilot Travis Ludlow circles the world

'Pilot Briefing': Week of July 26, 2021

'There I was...': Thomas Marrow

'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