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Top Stories
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AOPA Pilot feature
No one personifies the question "Where were you?" more than the photographer, the one on the scene who saw the event through a viewfinder and pressed the shutter at just the right moment. Click! A moment caught forever for everyone to remember. Which of the iconic photos in the May photography issue of AOPA Pilot is your favorite? View the photos...
 
Photo contest
Combine your love of flying and photography in AOPA's photo contest, sponsored by Faro Aviation. Submit your best photo in one of three categories—aircraft, places, or people—before May 15. AOPA will choose the top three submissions in each category, and you can vote between May 27 and June 6 to pick the winners. Finalists will receive an AOPA T-shirt and hat, and winners will receive a Faro headset and AOPA backpack. Learn more...
AOPA Live This Week
The AirCam has earned a following among photo and video professionals who appreciate flying low, slow, and steady—and their work, in turn, helps sell the airplane. Also this week, Red Bull Air Race pilot Hannes Arch flies slalom through a set of wind turbines, and a father and daughter earn their seaplane ratings together. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 14...
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Technique and Safety
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Digital publication
Get firsthand tips on checkride preparation from a designated pilot examiner, learn why cell phone distractions and delayed decision making have no place in the cockpit, and get practical guidance on the new student pilot certification process from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's chief flight instructor. Read the institute's free newsletter brought to you by Lockheed Martin Flight Service...
Flash-based; login required
During instrument flying, aeronautical charts correspond to various segments of a flight from departure to arrival. Understanding how to use the charts is essential to flying IFR safely. Boost your skills with practical tips and solid guidance offered in the AOPA Air Safety Institute's IFR Insights: Charts online course. Take the course...
AOPA Premier Partner created content
What before-takeoff checks do you perform between applying full throttle and pitching for rotation? If you pause to think about that or wonder what checks are possible during the takeoff roll, it's time to review your takeoff procedures. Watch this powerful, six-minute video that explains a simple mnemonic for light general aviation airplanes that can help you catch a problem before liftoff so you can abort before it becomes an emergency. Watch the video from AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops...
Video
VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions causes the highest number of fatal weather-related accidents in general aviation. Despite the inherent danger, pilots continue to gamble and lose. This AOPA Air Safety Institute Pilot Safety Announcement reminds pilots to not get lured into the trap. Watch the video...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
AOPA and nine other aviation groups signed a letter opposing a proposed amendment to the U.S. Senate's FAA Reauthorization Act that would do away with federal preemption in the integration of drones into the National Airspace System.
Read more...
Advocacy
Beginning May 12, pilots will again be able to count up to 20 hours in an approved aviation training device toward the instrument rating. Read more...
Advocacy
The National Weather Service's Aviation Weather Center has extended the public comment period on the experimental graphical forecasts for aviation to June 11. Read more...
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Advocacy
The FAA is moving forward with changes to chart printing and is closer to releasing the replacement products for the world aeronautical charts that are being discontinued. Read more...
Advocacy
Demonstrations of straight-in or 180-degree autorotations to touchdown are no longer required on helicopter instructor practical tests. Read more...
Advocacy
Two airworthiness directives that will take effect April 26 affect some Cessna twins and Piper single-engine models. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
Take advantage of AOPA's TurboMedical tool and do a "trial run" of the medical application before you complete the FAA's online MedXPress. TurboMedical will save all your responses so you can refer to the completed form when you are ready to submit your application via MedXPress. Read more...
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Technology
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Article
The Sun Flyer proof-of-concept aircraft, designed by Arion Aircraft LLC to be a two-seat trainer, will have its official rollout in "a couple weeks," Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. CEO George Bye announced at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Ever thought about throwing caution to the wind and moving to a foreign country for endless hours of pleasure flying over new scenery? Opinion Leaders blogger Garrett Fisher did just that, moving to Germany and shipping his Piper PA-11 so he could fly it around Europe for an aerial photography book. Follow along as Fisher shares monthly updates about his adventure...
Blog
Why does Opinion Leaders blogger Mike Busch believe prematurely overhauling an engine is like committing a capital crime? Find out in his latest post...
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Travel
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Article
If turquoise water, white sand beaches, and aviation fuel credits sound enticing, there are deals to be had in the Bahamas. Read more...
Article
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) flew west around the world in a Mooney, on a mission to honor those who died in the Vietnam War. Through the connections he made with people of different cultures and faiths along the way, the journey evolved into something even more profound. Read more...
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Financial
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Article
AirMap, the Santa Monica, California, firm founded by pilot Ben Marcus, has raised $15 million to support safe integration of drones. The new funding will further development of sophisticated airspace management tools. Read more...
Member benefit
When purchasing a turbine aircraft, you should insist on a prebuy inspection, a title search, and a fair purchase and sale agreement. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
An Alabama builder of light sport aircraft has struck a deal with Zenair to produce factory-built Zenith STOL CH 750s, priced at $99,990. Paul Mather of M-Squared Aircraft will build factory-authorized (and supported) special light sport aircraft versions of the popular kit. Read more...
Article
Five bio-based jet fuels have been authorized for use for air travel, now that the FAA has announced approval of another renewable fuel. Read more...
Article
Wildlife experiences no significant increase in stress as a result of recreational aircraft activity, according to a study released by the Recreational Aviation Foundation. Read more...
Member benefit
Every pilot should know what to do when an accident happens to ensure that no regulations have been violated and insurance matters are handled properly and expediently. Find out the first three things you must do immediately after an accident. Read more...
Webinar
Drones and other unmanned aircraft are the largest-growing segment of aviation. AOPA Pilot Protection Services is sponsoring a webinar April 27 at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time to provide answers to frequently asked questions about drone registration, and information about integrating into the National Airspace System, applying for a Section 333 exemption, and enforcement relating to rule violations. Register now...
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Career Opportunities
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AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a communications director, pilot community development coordinator, Great Lakes "You Can Fly" ambassador, donor relations director, AOPA Foundation communications director, aviation technical specialist, Flying Clubs Initiative senior manager, marketing copywriter, interactive project manager, and member services representative. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
You have already started flight training and have a paper student pilot certificate that was issued eight months ago. Does the student pilot certificate regulation that went into effect April 1 mean you need to get a new student pilot certificate, or is your paper certificate still valid?
Answer
Your paper student pilot certificate is still good for its original valid period, which is 60 calendar months if you were under 40 years old when it was issued and 24 calendar months if you were over 40. You will need to get a new plastic student pilot certificate if your paper certificate expires before you earn your pilot certificate. (See 14 CFR 61.19(b)).
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
Apr 16-17 - San Diego, California
Apr 23-24 - Atlanta, Georgia
May 14-15 - Sacramento, California; Pensacola, Florida; and Kansas City, Missouri
May 21-22 - Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas
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
Apr 18 - Portland, Oregon
Apr 19 - Towson, Maryland; Blaine, Minnesota; and Eugene, Oregon
Apr 20 - Rochester, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; and Frederick, Maryland
Apr 25 - East Hartford, Connecticut
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Apr 16 - Lansing, Michigan; Dallas, Texas; and San Diego, California
Apr 23 - Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Apr 27 - Logan, Utah
Apr 29 - Blaine, Minnesota
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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