@flywithaopa
On final for the weekend. What numbers will you be lining up with today?
@loubelle
Podcast: Hangar Talk
Freight-hauling pilot and Nashville recording artist “Big City” Brian Wright talks about cargo aviation careers, making music, and following your dreams.
aopa.org/ft/hangartalk
RESOURCE
Aircraft guide
Dreaming about the aircraft you can fly someday? Learn about more than 90 aircraft that are currently in production.
aopa.org/aircraftguide
Pilots pursuing an instrument rating in 2021, are you mainly interested in:
Other: 3%
More than one: 40%
Accessing airports during instrument conditions: 15%
Becoming a more well-rounded pilot: 36%
Lowering insurance rates: 6%
Aviation eBrief poll. For more information about putting your instrument rating to use, see “Welcome to the Real World."
Explore more training topics in our expanded online content hub
aopa.org/ft
Video: Chicago skyline
With an aerial tour of the Chicago skyline, the view of the city is breathtaking and the route relatively easy to navigate.
aopa.org/ft/chicagoskyline
Video: Missed approach in the mountains
Five miles from the threshold, a few airport buildings are visible—but not the runway itself. Fly along on a missed approach.
aopa.org/ft/missedinmountains
#flywithaopa
In Memoriam
Beloved editor succumbs to COVID-19
Mike Collins leaves a legacy of contributions to aviation, AOPA
Mike Collins, AOPA technical editor and director of business development, died February 25 from COVID-19. He was an integral part of the AOPA media team for nearly 30 years. He was 59.
Mike was a photojournalism graduate of Western Kentucky University, co-founder of The Southern Aviator, and held many key editorial roles at AOPA Pilot, Flight Training, and AOPA Online. He was a gifted writer, photographer, and an instrument-rated pilot and drone pilot. One of his most memorable stories was a 25-day flight around the world in 2013 with Mike Laver in Laver’s Mitsubishi MU–2.
Mike was well known in the aviation industry—and widely admired for his big grin and helpful attitude. When tasked with helping the average aircraft owner to understand the emerging ADS-B mandate, Mike, as usual, dove into the topic and soon became an industry expert on the subject, writing dozens of stories and speaking at events.
“Mike’s always positive and helpful attitude opened many doors for him and gained him great respect here at AOPA and around the industry,” said AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker. “All of us in aviation have suffered a loss with his untimely passing.”
Mike is survived by his wife, Janette, a member of the AOPA Pilot Information Center, and his children Jennifer, Matthew, and Bridget.
“Words cannot convey the grief we feel with the passing of our friend and colleague,” said Tom Haines, AOPA vice president of media, communications, and outreach, and editor in chief. “Anyone who has ever read a story in our magazines or our email newsletters has benefited from Mike’s expertise. He and Janette are a part of our family here at AOPA. His passion for knowledge and educating will be missed for years to come.”
Memorial donations are appreciated to Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp., 499 Kirkland Avenue, Irvine, Kentucky 40336; the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County, 23 Poor Farm Road, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430; the AOPA Foundation (aopa.org), or the charity of your choice. If you’re able, donate blood or platelets in his memory—even one pint makes a difference (Mike regularly donated).
For more on Mike Collins’s life and legacy, please read AOPA’s story online.
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