You might as well jump; eVTOLs draw dollars


VOL 23, ISSUE 12	March 19, 2021

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Article

New school teaches pilots to use parachutes

Skydiver and Jumpers Away founder Ed Scott is prepared to coax fellow pilots out the door to learn the fine points of flying jumpers or remain on the ground for a primer on emergency parachutes. (Photo courtesy of Don Carrington, Jumpers Away.) Read more >

Article

Redbird releases flight training survey results

Redbird Flight Simulations reports good news for general aviation in a new survey of stakeholders across the industry who are active, or otherwise. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

High desert adventure; Green Mountain soaring

We present two flavors of mountain flying, taking in the spectacular sun-painted cliffs of Utah's Canyonlands and soaring over verdant vistas in Vermont. Also, Women in Aviation International's virtual conference. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Article

PilotWorkshops releases instrument 'accelerator' course

Follow a private pilot as he trains for the instrument rating from the introductory lesson through a simulated checkride in PilotWorkshops' recently released video course. Read more >

Video playlist

Brush up your technique

Looking for some safety-minded entertainment? Check out the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Safety Tip series in this YouTube playlist.

Video

Emergency management

We share lessons drawn from a pilot's unfortunate decisions during a vacuum pump failure in instrument meteorological conditions in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Case Study. Watch the video >

Video

From the Archives: Mountain flying

Pulled from the AOPA Air Safety Institute archives, this video (circa 1991) introduces pilots to the challenges of mountain flying and offers ways to minimize the associated risks.

Advocacy

AOPA seeks to ensure airshows have access to vital relief

A coalition of general aviation advocates called on key lawmakers to consider the financial losses from forced airshow cancellations in 2020, and to ensure aviation events receive recovery funding. Read more >

Advocacy

Ramping up transparency

It would be easier for pilots to find appropriate airport parking if labels on FAA diagrams were simplified; 300 aviation groups signed on to support this change. Read more >

Advocacy

Airport advocates push back on runway-shortening plan

Organized opposition to shortening the runway at Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport in Colorado helped persuade city councilors to walk back that idea. Read more >

Technology

Article

Two eVTOL leaders emerge

While many contenders hope to bring advanced air mobility to the masses, investors have coalesced around Joby Aviation of California and German startup Lilium. Read more >

Article

King Air 260 certified

The newly certified King Air 260 has a number of new features, including autothrottles, digital pressurization, and a multiscan weather radar system. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Flying with personal minimums can lead to learning experiences

Opinion Leaders blogger Jolie Lucas explores the psychology of personal minimums and flying experiences, some remembered for hidden gems, others for "pucker factors." Read more >

Gear

'Low Level' coffee table book highlights helicopter world journey

Helicopter pilot Peter Wilson has released Low Level, a coffee table book chronicling three epic low-level journeys including a 32,000-nautical-mile adventure through 42 countries in a Robinson R66 with fellow pilot Matthew Gallagher. The hardcover book is available online for $53.99, and proceeds will be donated to charities.

Travel

Article

AOPA, ForeFlight reward pilots for flying

AOPA and ForeFlight, a Boeing company, are teaming up this spring to encourage and reward pilots to get out and safely support local airports and FBOs through the ForeFlight Fly-Out program. Read more >

Article

Cherokees to Oshkosh resumes in 2021

Pilots plan a mass arrival of Piper Cherokees to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July. New participants are welcome; registration is open. Read more >

Pilot Magazine

Natural wonder

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a wonderful flying destination with six airports that are all within easy reach of attractions. Read more, watch a video, and view photos >

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

Financial

Article

Student pilot digs deep to continue training

Student pilot Meagan Huerta sold her motorcycle and handmade artwork to pay for flight lessons, and her AOPA scholarship will help her finish what she has started. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Does your insurance policy cover your operations?

Aviation attorney Jon Morse reminds pilots of the importance of reviewing insurance coverage regularly and checking with a broker if in doubt. Read more >

Member benefit

Can you finance the purchase of a hangar and airplane?

Learn whether you can finance a hangar and an airplane together, or finance a Sling TSi, from AOPA Aviation Finance Co. President Adam Meredith. Read more >

News and Notes

You Can Fly

AOPA's high school program changing students' lives

AOPA's High School Aviation STEM Curriculum is changing students' lives in more than 200 schools in 38 states. Help this effort grow by connecting us with your local educators. Read more and watch a video >

Article

Report offers insights on aircraft-wildlife collisions

Bird strikes by general aviation aircraft are more common below 500 feet but more damaging at higher altitudes, according to a new study that looked at 30 years of strike data involving aircraft hitting birds, or other wildlife. Read more >

Article

Air Race Classic will be Air Race Derby for 2021

The Air Race Classic remains in a pandemic-induced hold for 2021, but organizers of the women's cross-country race came up with a one-day version open to all types of aircraft. Read more >

Article

Wrong way, Douglas Corrigan

Irish-American pilot Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan took off from New York in 1938 with a flight plan for California but "accidentally" landed in Ireland. Read more >

Article

Spread the word on lasers

Recent data reveal there is work to be done raising public awareness about the persistent misuse of laser pointers, and the aviation hazard that creates. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Pilot, explorer Victor Vescovo conquers sky, ocean

The discipline he learned as a pilot led adventurer, explorer, investor, and retired military intelligence officer Victor Vescovo to conquer both poles. Listen to the podcast >

Airworthiness advisories

Revised AD addresses potential electrical short in Mooney M20Vs

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Operations manager, Bombardier Aviation

The operations manager is responsible for the daily and overall operation of the aircraft maintenance department, to include schedules, budgets, personnel, and quality. 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 digital marketing coordinator and a web app developer. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

I have been troubleshooting several issues with my airplane including a left-yawing tendency. A visit to a manufacturer workshop sorted that out: The aircraft has since flown straight. However, there is no mention of a modification in the aircraft documentation. When I asked about it, I was told it was "an internal procedure" that is done "on a standard basis." Can a modification be made without recording it?

Answer

Modifications must be recorded. The procedure might not be an authorized modification of the airplane, so it might not be legal even with a log entry. 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

Mar. 24, 6 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Cleveland, Ohio)
Apr. 1, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Apr. 6, 6 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Covington, Louisiana)
Apr. 14, 1 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

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': 'If it moves, squirt it with something'

'Hangar Talk': Pilot, explorer Victor Vescovo conquers sky, ocean

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

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

'There I was...': Kelly Keller

'Never Again': In the dark

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

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
Kristy O'Malley
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