Our ATC heroes; Reno fatality; Page pulls eVTOL plug


VOL 24, ISSUE 38	September 23, 2022

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Top Stories

Article

'I knew...that he knew he was in trouble'

Timely assists honored by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association included the actions of two Fort Worth Center controllers who helped an instrument pilot who was quickly running out of options. Read more >

Article

Air race pilot mourned, Reno races suspended

The Stihl National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, were cut short by tragedy during the final heat of the jets on September 18. Read more >

Early Analysis

G-loads, mechanical factors possible in Reno race accident

Video suggests control surface separation, though the fatal jet accident at the Stihl National Championship Air Races also has another plausible cause. The AOPA Air Safety Institute looks at what we can learn right away. Watch the video >

AOPA Pilot Video News Brief

Tragedy in Reno; Underwater egress training

An accomplished race pilot died in Reno, Nevada, among a disturbing number of recent accidents. Also, underwater escape tank training, the FAA holds the 1,500-hour line, and a more luxurious Tecnam. Watch the September 23 edition >

Technique and Safety

Early Analysis

PiperSport pitched up suddenly

A PiperSport approaching to land soon after a Beechcraft King Air departed from Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California pitched up abruptly and crashed. Clues point to more than one theory about why. Watch the video >

Essential aerodynamics

In this AOPA Air Safety Institute online course you'll learn about aerodynamic principles, gain a better understanding of how your airplane flies, and develop an improved awareness of what could lead to unintended upsets during flight.

Online resource

Takeoffs and landings

Because of their proximity to the ground, takeoffs and landings leave little margin for error. Learn what you need to know in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Center.

Online resource

Recent midair collisions raise concern

Midair collisions involving instructional flights have alarmed the general aviation community. Now is a good time to review procedures and renew focus on situational awareness. Find detailed guidance in this AOPA Air Safety Institute Safety Spotlight.

Gyro Hero

Controlled emergencies

With such simple systems and relatively low cruise speeds, gyroplanes can be very safe aircraft, and emergencies are where they really shine. Read more >

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: The most dangerous aircraft system

Aircraft trim and autopilot malfunctions can surprise a pilot, often remaining hidden until the worst possible moment. Read more >

Advocacy

AOPA seeks input from Cessna, Piper owners facing spar inspection

AOPA seeks information from the owners of airplanes subject to, or potentially subject to, eddy current inspection of wing spars as outlined in an airworthiness directive for Piper PA–28/32 aircraft and a proposed AD for Cessna 210/177 aircraft. Affected owners who complete this survey will help AOPA understand inspection costs and availability.

Technology

Article

eVTOL hopeful Kittyhawk done, dusted

The fate of Kittyhawk's eVTOL prototype and U.S. Air Force Agility Prime test aircraft Heaviside was unclear after Larry Page announced the company will "wind down." Read more >

Article

Boeing, Wisk envision uncrewed aircraft

Boeing and Wisk Aero released an urban air mobility roadmap to make uncrewed air transportation a reality. Read more >

Travel

AOPA Pilot Passport Challenge

Finish the mission

AOPA's Poker Run National Flight Challenge ends September 30, leaving just enough time to join the ranks of more than 1,000 fellow pilots with full hands. Hundreds more are so close we can feel it.

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

Financial

Article

Cirrus Aircraft expands Duluth operations

Cirrus Aircraft plans to develop a state-of-the-art workspace for an expanded roster of engineering talent. Read more >

Pilot magazine

Mitigating the skill loss to high fuel cost

It's a simple truth that high fuel prices limit hours flown for most of us. There's no getting around that, but there are other ways to keep skills from fading. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Salukis join United Aviate

Southern Illinois University Carbondale and United Airlines forged a partnership to provide SIU students the most secure and direct path to a United flight deck. Read more >

AOPA Pilot Video Producer's Pick

'It always wants to pitch up'

Fokker triplane owner Chris Hill organized a fly-in of rare early warplanes. He relishes his aerodynamically unstable airplane propelled by a piston-powered gyroscope. "You have to be the master of the airplane, or it'll make a fool of you." Watch the video >

You Can Fly

Club Spotlight: Learning from mistakes

We've all done things we wish we hadn't. That's true for clubs as well as individuals. The Monticello Flying Club based in Charlottesville, Virginia, found the key to improving procedures...after making a mistake that might have been overlooked by many clubs. Read more >

Pilot protection services

A healthy dose of skepticism

Optimism is a fine quality, but pilots are best served by expecting unwelcome surprises. Read more >

CORRECTION: An article in the September 16 issue about Aspen Avionics incorrectly identified the types of avionics that Aspen manufactures. AOPA regrets the error.

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Manager of maintenance training, Mountain Air Cargo

This position is responsible for the daily tracking and scheduling of maintenance training for the maintenance department and requires a current FAA certificate with an A rating, a P rating, or A&P ratings. 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 an Aviation Finance account executive, a high school initiative coordinator, a medical certification specialist, and a senior manager of communications. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I am seeking advice on flying in smoky conditions. Any tips or references to other resources for VFR pilots would be appreciated.

Answer

There are a lot of reasons to avoid flying through smoke plumes, which affect your health (breathing bad chemicals) and that of your airplane (clogging the engine air filter with particulates), even if you can see through the smoke. That's not to say you can't safely fly through a light haze of smoke such that you can see through all the way to the far horizon, but stay out of the thicker smoke plumes. 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

Oct 8	Naples, Florida; and La Crosse, Wisconsin
Nov 5	Tampa, Florida; West Chicago, Illinois; Hayden, Idaho; Aurora, Oregon; and Henderson, Nevada
Dec 3	Frederick, Maryland; and Glendale, Arizona

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

Nov 15, 7 p.m. EST

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.

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 choir boy in the church of lean of peak'

'Hangar Talk': Team USA aerobatic soaring competitor Shad Coulson

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Sep 19, 2022

'There I was...': Devin Miller

'Never Again': Into a monster

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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