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Pilot of the month
Meet James Frank
Solo flight on his sixteenth birthday in a T–6
By Cayla McLeod Hunt
Although he has yet to earn his pilot certificate, 16-year-old James Frank is well on his way to being an aviation overachiever. On his sixteenth birthday Frank soloed four tailwheel airplanes: a Piper Super Cub, North American T–6 Texan, Piper J–3 Cub, and an Aeronca Champ at the Peach State Aerodrome in Georgia.
Frank is anxiously awaiting his seventeenth birthday to experience the complete “freedom to fly” package, without being dragged down by 90-day solo endorsements or the permission of his “old man.”
In the meantime, Frank dreams of the day where he will be paid to fly for a living, conduct tailwheel training, and fly any warbird he can get his hands on.
Frank might just be getting started in his aviation career, but he says his biggest piece of advice to others who might also be getting started with a career in aviation is to “just keep after it and never stop learning. Always try to surround yourself with the best people you can, the most knowledgeable people you can.” [email protected]
Follow James Frank @jamesfrank1639
Watch this reel
AOPA Director of Photography Chris Rose was on assignment in the Eastern Caribbean for a feature story in the upcoming March “Destinations” issue of AOPA Pilot.
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Post of the month
Keeping it legal
It’s increasingly common for FAA investigations to begin based on a complaint about a video shared on social media or on sites such as YouTube. These videos are often admissible as evidence against the airman. AOPA Attorney Chad Mayer explains in this reel.
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Landing 30 miles out to sea
For the past 40 years Lance Panepinto’s company, Panther Helicopters, has specialized in offshore flying; serving several independent oil rig platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and transporting pipeline workers.
aopa.org/pilot/pantherheli
Up, up, and away
Blair Preston of Northern Light Balloon Expeditions calls a flight in one of his company’s hot air balloons over Sedona, Arizona, “one of the few firsts in an adult’s life” and a worthy experience.
A challenging approach
How did a Mooney M20J pilot end up suspended in power lines attempting to land at Montgomery County Airpark in Maryland?
airsafetyinstitute.org/EarlyAnalysis/PowerLineStrike
View the video
These and other videos can be accessed in the AOPA Pilot Digital Edition and on YouTube.
aopa.org/digitaleditions
Hangar talk
Voices of aviation
Hear the story behind the story from incredible pilots, policy makers, and the people who make flying real in the Hangar Talk podcast.
aopa.org/hangartalk
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