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News & Media Top topics of 2022; Aviators who left their mark

Top topics of 2022; Aviators who left their mark

AOPA ePilot
VOL 24, ISSUE 52 December 30, 2022
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Top Stories
FAA approves unleaded fuel for piston fleet
Most-read 2022 article
FAA approves unleaded fuel for piston fleet
Years of effort culminated September 1 with the first FAA approval of an unleaded fuel fit to power any spark-ignition engine. Our coverage included a video interview with a leader of the company that created that fuel, General Aviation Modifications Inc. cofounder George Braly. Read more and watch a video >
Fly with AOPA
What caught your eye in 2022
We close out the year with a look at new aircraft that had pilots talking, and a few high-profile pilots who flew afoul of the FAA. We cap it all off with some sage advice to help you fly safely in 2023—and beyond. Watch Ep. 12 >
Technique and Safety
Early Analysis
First lessons
The AOPA Air Safety Institute debuted in 2022 a video series detailing lessons from recent accidents that can benefit pilots immediately. Jet crash at Reno air races, Midair at Watsonville Municipal, and North Las Vegas midair were the most widely viewed.
Online Resource
Not just a passive passenger
The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Companion Copilot video series was in the works long before a Cessna 208 passenger was forced to take over and land the airplane in May. The finished product followed in August. Watch the video series >
Online Resource
VFR into IMC avoidance, escape
The AOPA Air Safety Institute launched a new safety campaign in April that spotlights the most significant cause of weather-related accidents in general aviation: inadvertent visual flight into instrument conditions. Visit the resource center >
AOPA Premier Partner created content
Land this flight simulator
Choose what you would do to handle this challenging aeronautical scenario, then enter online and you might wind up with a complete desktop flight simulator to show for it. Take the PilotWorkshops challenge >
Advocacy
Article
FAA LODA requirement eliminated
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 was signed by President Biden on December 23, officially eliminating a 2021 FAA policy reinterpretation that grounded nearly 40,000 pilots. Read more >
Advocacy Spotlight 2022
Working for you in 2022: EAGLE rises
The singular importance of developing and distributing unleaded aviation fuel at scale, as soon as possible, was clear long before California airports summarily banned 100LL as of January 1. AOPA asked the FAA to intervene, and joined an industry-government initiative to Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions by 2030. View all coverage on this topic >
Advocacy Spotlight 2022
Working for you in 2022: BasicMed limitation lifted
The FAA was persuaded by AOPA and other advocates to allow pilots who medically qualify under BasicMed to act as safety pilots. Read more >
Health
Top Pilot Health issue 2022
Mental health came into focus
Whether the July 29 fatality in North Carolina was an accident or suicide, the surviving pilot's account became part of a larger conversation about pilot mental health also reflected in FAA policy updates.
Technology
Most-viewed Multimedia 2022
Van's RV–15 struck a chord
The Van's Aircraft RV–15 illustrates how Van's has grown far beyond a homebuilding niche with a "total performance" philosophy that makes sense to a wide range of owners. Read more, watch a video, and view photos >
Gear
Article
AOPA staff pilots' favorite flying finds
Active pilots, aircraft owners, a designated pilot examiner, and a rusty pilot share their favorite finds of the year that help them with their everyday flying and aviation daydreaming. Read more >
Travel
Top travel tale 2022
'A spectacular journey'
Intrepid aviators flew brand-new high-wing Slings to Wisconsin for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh—from Johannesburg, South Africa, a tale that became our most-read story about aviation travel and adventure in 2022. Read more and view photos >
Financial
AOPA Aviation Finance
'Adam Answers'
Before we start our next chapter in 2023, let's review what we learned with a few of our favorite answers from AOPA Aviation Finance President Adam Meredith in 2022. Read more >
News and Notes
Pilots in hot water 2022
The FAA was not amused
An unusual number of high-profile pilots faced certificate action or its aftermath in 2022. Martha Lunken talked to us in January about regaining certificates revoked after she flew under a bridge. A made-for-YouTube misadventure was another high-interest item on the FAA docket, along with a Red Bull-sponsored attempt at in-flight pilot exchange, with consequences.
Article
Remembering aviators who died in 2022
AOPA honors aviators who made major contributions to the general aviation world before they left us in 2022. Read more >
Pilot protection services
Protecting your certificate
Recognizing when you've made a mistake in your aircraft can provide an opportunity for reflection and protection. The Aviation Safety Reporting System offers a voluntary, confidential, and non-punitive process to report potential safety issues—particularly unintentional errors. Read more >
Podcast/Video
'Ask the A&Ps': Do you really want to pull that prop?
Should you really pull a propeller through before starting the engine? Plus, how lean-of-peak operation impacts exhaust longevity, and our experts take your questions. Find it in your favorite podcast app, or watch Ep. 4 on YouTube >
Career Opportunities
Job of the week: AOPA flight training initiative digital product support specialist
The flight training initiative digital product support specialist ensures that AOPA Flight Training Advantage (AFTA) users receive specialized assistance, and that the program is maintained to the quality expected of AOPA. This position requires expertise in digital/web-based troubleshooting and maintenance to support any user issues, while also leveraging basic aviation knowledge. 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 chief flight instructor, a digital media photo editor, an aviation event specialist, an email marketing coordinator, an Aviation Finance loan assistant, a data entry/travel products representative, and a vice president of membership and event marketing. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities visit AOPA Online >
Question of the Week
Question

If one portion of the flight review is completed one month, and the other the next month, what date should go on the logbook endorsement?
Answer
FAR 61.56 specifies (with some exceptions) that "a flight review consists of a minimum of 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training." It seems that the date it was accomplished (i.e., completed) is the date on which the final portion was accomplished. (This is supported by the endorsement recommended by FAA Advisory Circular 61-65H in item A.65 of Appendix A: "I certify that [First name, MI, Last name], [grade of pilot certificate], [certificate number], has satisfactorily completed a flight review of § 61.56(a) on [date].") 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. (Log in to the online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to see this discussion.) Have a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.
Education & Seminars
AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars
Jan 28 Orlando, Florida; and Carlsbad, California
Feb 18 Buckeye, Arizona
Feb 25 Puyallup, Washington
Mar 4 Queensbury, New York; Austinburg, Ohio; and Billings, Montana
For a complete schedule, visit our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)
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