We fly Diamond's apex; FBO consolidation


VOL 24, ISSUE 27	July 8, 2022

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Top Stories

Pilot Magazine

Flying the new V-6 'apex' Diamond DA50 RG

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Tom Horne shares his takeaways from flying "the apex Diamond single." (Photo by Mark Wagner.) Read more, view photos, and watch a video >

Article

Signature Aviation buys TAC Air

TAC Air FBO and hangar operations in nine states have been acquired by the world's largest FBO chain. Read more >

AOPA Pilot Producer's Pick

Living up to the legacy

Sixteen-year-old Iain Lanphier, the great-grandson of Tuskegee Airman Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, is working to follow those fighter pilot footsteps. Watch the video >

AOPA Pilot Video News Brief

Bahamas rebound; SubSonex jet; Biggest FBO gets bigger

Three years after a one-two hurricane punch, the Bahamas has bounced back. Also this week, FBO consolidation continues, a homebuilt eVTOL is plugged, and a new FAA administrator is nominated. Watch the July 8 edition >

Technique and Safety

Video

More backcountry learning for pilots

Register to join us online July 14 for the second of three AOPA Air Safety Institute webinars on backcountry flying, and if you missed the first, watch the video >

Online Resource

Mountain flying

Mountain flying can be an exhilarating experience. It also demands special skills. Learn how to manage the risks in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight.

Video

'The impossible turn'

In this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story, a pilot shares his experience with making the "impossible turn," along with footage from the event.

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Score 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 >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Don't miss details

On the ground and in the air, it is essential to avoid distraction and pay attention to the "little things." Read more >

Technology

Article

Skyfly announces Axe homebuilt eVTOL

U.K.-based Skyfly announced a two-seat eVTOL with a projected range of up to 200 miles that will be marketed for personal transportation and possibly for pilot training. Read more >

Travel

Video/Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Mooney Caravan leader Chuck Crinnian

Our popular podcast (still available in audio form) arrives on YouTube as Mooney Caravan President Chuck "Cowboy" Crinnian explains how 50 pilots prepare for a mass arrival to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin. Watch the podcast >

Podcast

'Ask the A&Ps' live at AirVenture

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh attendees are invited to watch our first-ever live Ask the A&Ps podcast recording, and/or email your questions in advance. Read more and listen to the podcast >

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

Financial

AOPA Aviation Finance

First things first

AOPA Aviation Finance counsels it's best to buy an airplane before any other major purchase or life move that might affect cash flow. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Denver airport chief nominated to lead FAA

The White House confirmed on July 6 that Denver International Airport CEO Phillip A. Washington will be nominated to become the next FAA administrator. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Legal considerations for volunteer pilots

Pilots should exercise caution when volunteering to fly for causes that they are passionate about. AOPA Legal Services Plan attorney Ian Arendt explains the issues that can arise. Read more >

Article

Longest-serving AOPA board member mourned

Robert Anderson "Andy" Pew, who served for 44 years as an AOPA trustee, died June 25 just outside Philadelphia. He was 85. Read more >

Article

Shockwave Jet Truck driver dies in crash at airshow

Longtime airshow entertainer and driver of the Shockwave Jet Truck Chris Darnell, 40, died in a high-speed accident during a performance at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow in Michigan on July 2. Read more >

Article

Garmin GI 275 available for Robinson helicopters

Garmin announced its GI 275 electronic flight instrument now has FAA approval for use in Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters. Read more >

Article

Sullenberger departs ICAO

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger resigned for unspecified reasons a little more than six months after Congress confirmed his appointment to serve as ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Read more >

Airworthiness advisory

Diamond DA40 baggage net buckle prompts AD

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Aircraft crew lead, Dassault Falcon Jet

Dassault Falcon Jet is hiring an aircraft maintenance crew lead. This position reports to the aircraft crew chief(s). 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 medical certification specialist, a product marketing coordinator, a senior manager of communications, a Legal Services Plan attorney, a Western Pacific regional manager, and a graphic designer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

If I complete an instrument proficiency check in January, that makes me current for six months (February to July 31). If I do not complete six approaches, a hold, and a track by August 1, I will be unable to file and fly IFR. Would I still have six months (August to January) to regain currency (flying with a safety pilot or CFII) before an instrument proficiency check is required?

Answer

For maintaining currency before having to fly with a safety pilot, look within the six calendar months preceding the month in which you want to file an IFR flight. To file IFR in August, the six-month period you have to meet the FAR 61.57(c)(1) requirement is February through July. If the requirement is not met during that time you then have six months (August through January) to fly with a safety pilot. After that time, you would need an IPC. 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

Stay sharp with AOPA's seminars, webinars, podcasts, and videos.

AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars

Jul 16	Cheektowaga, New York, and Terre Haute, Indiana
Jul 27	Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Aug 6	Cleveland, Ohio, and Amarillo, Texas
Aug 13	Nashville, Tennessee, and Rochester, Minnesota

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.)

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Jul 14, 7 p.m. EDT	Flying the backcountry: Risks and rewards - Group flying dynamics
Aug 24, 12 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

Building the aviation community—Vermont Aviators Association

New Aerospace Center for Excellence leader Eric Crump

'The Aviators'/'The RVers'/'The Boaters' TV shows' Anthony Nalli

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Live® YouTube channel.

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'I'm a reformed shock cooling worrier'

'Hangar Talk': Mooney Caravan leader Chuck Crinnian

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Jul 4, 2022

'There I was...': Paul Loewenstein and Larry Suter

'Never Again': Geese on final

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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Tom Horne
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Ian Twombly
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