Top Stories
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Advocacy
The Department of Transportation and the FAA have published new details about plans to register drones and set out their legal authority to regulate all drones of any size, including model aircraft. Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
The FAA will soon require drone buyers to register their aircraft, enabling the agency and law enforcement to track down operators who break rules. Paul Bonhomme became the first pilot to win three Red Bull Air Race World Championships despite his second-place finish in the season finale in Las Vegas. Also, AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman explores the many ways to customize your Cirrus. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Oct. 22...
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Tektober 2015
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Article
Technology has helped owners to get more utility from their airplanes and make them safer and more comfortable. In some cases, technology has resulted in after-market modifications that simply make life a little easier. Read more...
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Technique and Safety
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Article
A de Havilland DHC-3 Otter crashed on July 7, 2013, because it was overweight and out of balance, the NTSB determined. The final report on the crash that killed 10 people just after takeoff from Soldotna Airport in Alaska was released Oct. 21. Read more...
Video
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Aviation Weather Center is an excellent source to get a complete weather picture before flying. Discover some of the many resources available at its revamped website, www.aviationweather.gov, with this three-minute video—the second in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Weather Wise series focused on practical weather flying. Watch Weather Wise: The AWC Website...
Competition Aerobatics 101
Turning toward the ground at the top of the hammerhead, a moment of confusion proved costly, putting a trophy just out of reach. But trophies and medals are far from the only things a pilot can win in aerobatic competition. Read more...
Flash-based; login required
Ever faced a difficult go/no-go decision and needed a second opinion? The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Flight Risk Evaluator offers a systematic approach to risk management. Based on your certificate level, flight experience, and environment, the online tool provides objective feedback about the intended flight. Try it now...
Aircraft Maintenance
Any time you replace a component or fix a leak in the brake system, you must completely purge the system of air by "bleeding the brakes." Read more...
Blog
After aiding scores of pilots with en route weather decisions, Flight Watch services on 122.0 MHz were recently retired. AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Safety Advisor Bruce Landsberg pays homage to the En route Flight Advisory Service for its assistance. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
Efforts to move medical reform legislation through Congress continue as support for the measure, known as the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2, grows steadily. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
Dr. Warren Silberman discusses breast cancer awareness as well as when a pilot can apply for a medical certificate after being treated for the disease. Read more...
Webinar
Maintaining your health can help you keep your medical certificate and enjoy flying longer. AOPA's Pilot Protection Services experts will offer tips to help you stay healthy during a webinar Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register today...
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Technology
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Article
Blackhawk Modifications is now offering an 867-shaft-horsepower PT6A-140 engine to replace older Cessna Caravans' 600- and 675-shp powerplants. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
"Professionalism has nothing to do with being paid to fly," writes Opinion Leaders blogger Rob Mark. "It's about wanting to be the best you can, every time you're PIC." Read his suggestions for how all pilots could improve their professionalism. Read more...
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Travel
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Answers for Pilots
As the holidays approach, so do opportunities to fly the family to celebrate with far-away relatives and friends. These flights, particularly with children, may involve some special planning. Feeling the pressure to get there on time, overpack, and meet the needs of children in the back seats can be challenging for the pilot. Read some tips to make family flights less stressful and more fun. Read more...
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Financial
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Article
All assets of the Canadian Sam Aircraft company are on the market for $100,000, including the lone, fully tested prototype that founder Thierry Zibi values at $120,000. It is the second time in 14 months that the company has announced the assets are for sale, although there was no price when the first announcement was made in 2014. Read more...
Article
Pets topped people after pilots voted online for their favorite aviation-based charity to select the top five 2015 Lightspeed Aviation Foundation grant winners. Read more...
Article
Quicksilver, an ultralight company with a long history and 15,000 aircraft flying, has dissolved, but one vendor intends to keep the parts flow going, and maybe build aircraft. Other sources indicate the company is not alone—2015 is turning into a flat year for aviation. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
After flash floods unleashed mudslides that stranded motorists just north of Los Angeles, pilots at nearby Tehachapi Airport scrambled to provide help. Read more...
Article
Tecnam, builder of leading light sport aircraft and a certified four seater, has reached an agreement for three models to be produced in China, starting immediately. Read more...
Article
Seven years after a fire burned Idaho's historic Big Creek Lodge to the ground, the structure is rising from its ashes with the help of an active pilot community, financial donations, and the cooperation of the U.S. Forest Service. Read more...
Article
Britain's Paul Bonhomme won the Red Bull Air Race World Championship Oct. 18 after the final race of the season at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, breaking the three-way tie of two championships with Americans Mike Mangold and Kirby Chambliss. Days later, Bonhomme announced that 2015 was his last racing season. Read more...
Registration
The registration deadline for school administrators, guidance counselors, and aviation program directors to attend the first symposium of the AOPA Aviation Education Leadership Alliance is drawing near. Those planning to attend must register by Nov. 4. The symposium, which will take place Nov. 9 in Lakeland, Florida, is part of AOPA's larger effort to pair the joy and career opportunities of aviation with science, technology, engineering, and math programs in high schools. Register today...
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Career Opportunities
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Aviation job board
Axis Jet, founded in 2004, is currently seeking a King Air 300/350 captain. The successful candidate must be highly motivated and organized, and must exhibit strong leadership skills. King Air pilots will be responsible for conducting flights in accordance with company policies and procedures as well as within FAA regulations and guidelines. In addition, the successful candidate must be a team-oriented individual, capable of providing first-class customer service and care. Learn more about this exciting opportunity...
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for an account executive; human resources coordinator; legal services plan specialist; payroll technician; database developer; aviation event planner; manager of aviation safety programs; ambassador—Texas; director of aviation security; and director of regulatory affairs.To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
Every 28 days or so you update your panel-mounted GPS database. Do you need to enter this task in the aircraft logbook?
Answer
As of Jan. 28, 2013, updating databases for self-contained, front-panel, or pedestal-mounted GPS units is a non-maintenance task, which does not require logging. Before this date, database updates were listed under preventive maintenance and had to be recorded in the aircraft logbook. FAR 43.3(k) covers what conditions must be met so that the updates are not considered maintenance. For background information on the new rule, see the final rule in the Federal Register.
Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA. |
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Oct 24-25 - Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov 7-8 - Atlanta Georgia; and San Diego, California
Nov 14-15 - Ashburn, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Anchorage, Alaska
Dec 5-6 - Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; and Northbrook, Illinois
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Oct 26 - Everett, Washington
Oct 27 - Seattle, Washington; and Charlotte, North Carolina
Oct 28 - Portland, Oregon; and Jamestown, North Carolina
Oct 29 - Eugene, Oregon; and Morrisville, North Carolina
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Oct 24 - Santa Paula, California; Swanton, Vermont; and Burlington, Washington
Nov 7 - Auburn, California
Nov 14 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and San Jose, California
Dec 5 - Scottsdale, Arizona; and Winter Haven, Florida
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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ePilot Editors:
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
David Tulis
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Mike Collins
Sarah Deener
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Alton K. Marsh
Warren Morningstar
Dan Namowitz
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
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