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Top Stories
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Pilot magazine feature
Airplanes given the most credit for winning World War II include famous warriors such as the P-51 Mustang, the B-29 Superfortress, and the Supermarine Spitfire. A not-so-glamorous airplane, the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, also deserves inclusion in this elite group. The PBY is heralded for its yeoman work in search-and-rescue operations, especially by the thousands of sailors and downed airmen who owe their lives to one.
Read more...
 
AOPA Live This Week
Check out the biplane that launched the air travel industry, the Boeing 40. From a pile of boxes to an airworthy airplane in just one week, it's the One Week Wonder. Also this week, remembering Robin Williams' AOPA moment.
AOPA Live This Week®, Aug. 14...
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AOPA Fly-Ins
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Article
There are lots of reasons to attend the AOPA Fly-In Aug. 16 at Felts Field in Spokane, Washington, and a clever little food truck called Shameless Sausages is just one of them.
Read the top 10 reasons to attend...
Fly-in resources
Register for meals
Lodging and transportation
Educational seminar schedule
Flight procedures and notam (PDF)
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Technique and Safety
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Accident analysis
Initial reports that a King Air C90 had succumbed to apparent fuel exhaustion on the short hop from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Bentonville (about 172 nautical miles straight-line distance) on Nov. 1, 2013, inspired some incredulity. How could anyone able to operate a King Air be too cheap or too careless to ensure he had enough fuel for the flight?
Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute.
IFR Fix
The Cessna Skyhawk's cockpit is sweltering as the pilot monitors the engine oil temperature and waits for the center controller to call.
Read more...
Article
The NTSB on Aug. 12 released a lengthy factual report on the February 2012 crash that killed Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton in Idaho. The report does not specify a probable cause—a step taken later in the investigation process—but notes Appleton was relatively unfamiliar with the Lancair IV-TP he was flying, and would have had just a few seconds to react to an abnormal power condition following takeoff.
Read more...
Flash-based, login required
Confused about what Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology is and what it means to you? The Air Safety Institute's ADS-B for General Aviation: The Basics online course explains how it works, who is affected by its implementation, and the benefits of flying with ADS-B.
Take the course...
Blog
A spam email seeking daredevil pilots for online video stunts demonstrates that in spite of our best efforts, some people will insist on thrills or utility at the cost of their lives or those of others.
Read more...
Blog
Everyone talks about flying an airplane to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, but according to Flight Training Editor Ian Twombly, arriving in a helicopter is a far better experience. "I'm forever spoiled," he writes after riding to the show with Sporty's Pilot Shop's John Zimmerman in his R44.
Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
A draft revision of airman certification standards remains open for comment through Aug. 25. The industry-led effort seeks to clarify the written and practical test standards for airman certification.
Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has published a final repair station rule that strengthens some enforcement provisions of its certificated repair station regulations but drops a broad-brush overhaul of the rules that encountered the "general dissatisfaction" of the aviation industry.
Read more...
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Health
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Members only
Dr. Warren Silberman discusses the common cardiac irregularity called atrial fibrillation and what pilots who have the condition can do to get their medical certificate back.
Read more...
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Technology
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Article
Textron AirLand's Scorpion jet, designed for surveillance and light attack, is participating in military exercises and exhibitions even as flight tests continue. The company hopes a little showing off will land a buyer.
Read more...
Article
A Boston-area startup led by an aeronautical engineer (and private pilot) is working toward an unmanned, solar-powered aircraft capable of staying aloft for two years. Launched in April, Global Flight Systems recently flew a demonstration model for 35 hours, the fourth solar-powered aircraft to exceed 24 hours duration.
Read more...
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Opinion
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Blog
Pilots have been legally sharing the costs of privately operated flights for decades, but purpose-built online apps by planesharing startups have made this kind of sharing more like commercial flying. Opinion Leaders blogger Rod Rakic cautions that, "Venture capital should not be seen as some kind of signal that startups can ignore the rules the rest of us have to live by."
Read more...
Blog
As an aviation enthusiast, you are no doubt aware of the legend of Orville and Wilbur Wright. You may even be familiar with the exploits of their arch nemesis, Glenn Curtiss. "But believe me, there is so much more to the story than most of us ever suspected," Opinion Leaders blogger Jamie Beckett writes after reading Birdmen by Lawrence Goldstone.
Read more...
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Gear
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Article
Starting in 2015, AOPA will return to the AOPA Internet Flight Planner (AIFP) powered by Jeppesen, thus retiring the current flight planner, FlyQ Web. AIFP will remain a free member benefit.
Read more...
Apps of the week
Check out four apps that take the weight off doing weight-and-balance calculations.
Read more...
Article
An app designed by John Hill to help pilots and companies handle ordering of FBO services more efficiently has made the final round of Entrepreneur magazine's College Entrepreneur of 2014 contest.
Read more...
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Travel
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Pilot Getaways feature
Coeur d'Alene is a premier resort destination of the inland Northwest. Surrounded by pine-carpeted mountains, Coeur d'Alene Lake has been called one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world by National Geographic. Consider visiting on your way to the AOPA Fly-In in Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 16.
Read more...
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Financial
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Article
After experiencing air turbulence when flying, comedian Kevin Hughes decided to learn how to fly to help ease his fears. He's getting checked out in three airplanes through OpenAirplane after 500 hours of flying and relies on AOPA renter's insurance for his insurance needs.
Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
Bearhawk Aircraft owner Mark Goldberg flew the company's first quick-build light sport kitplane to EAA AirVenture, a 9.7-hour journey from Texas. The LSA introduced in 2012 is billed as a clean-sheet aircraft, although it is similar to the four-seat and tandem two-seat taildragger versions previously developed, and shares short-field capabilities.
Read more...
Advocacy
The FAA has issued a special airworthiness information bulletin urging inspections of air inlet hoses used on some models of Piper single- and multiengine aircraft.
Read more...
Article
FourPoints Television Productions, creators of The Aviators, saw its second show, Air Boss, reach No. 1 on iTunes Reality TV charts hours after its debut.
Read more...
Poll
Join the hundreds of AOPA members who have been voting for their favorite AOPA Pilot cover, and help us narrow them down to the winner—the best Pilot cover in history. This week, take a look at the magazine covers from 1978: Piper PA-38, Cherokee Six 300, Seminole, and Turbo Lance II; Grumman American Cougar and Tiger; Rockwell 700; Beech Duchess; Cessna P210, 206 on Edo amphibious floats, and Hawk XP; and 1929 Travel Air 4000.
Vote for your favorite cover...
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Article
Disadvantaged students from three Massachusetts cities attended a two-week, on-campus program at Bridgewater State University, where aviation was used to teach science, technology, engineering, and math.
Read more...
Blog
Annabelle Fera, a legend in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area, gave more than 9,000 checkrides during a career as a designated pilot examiner that spanned three decades. Fera started flying at a time when few women did, when the airlines wouldn't hire female pilots. She retired at the end of 2013, and pilots recently gathered to thank her for all she has done for them and the aviation community.
Read more...
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Career Opportunities
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Article
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is seeking a dynamic, experienced strategic relationship manager who will expand the depth and breadth of AIAA's long-term corporate relationships, increase revenues from each corporate membership demographic, and grow their assigned market.
Learn more about this exciting opportunity today.
AOPA career opportunities
Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? We're looking for a financial analyst, contract Air Safety Institute presenter, member services representative, major gift officer, AOPA Live producer/videographer I, and account manager II. To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities,
visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
American ace Eddie Rickenbacker scored how many victories during World War I?
Answer
Rickenbacker scored 26 victories. (Source: Horrido! Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe, by Raymond F. Toliver and Trevor J. Constable.)
Got a question for our aviation services staff? The AOPA Pilot Information Center is a service available to all members as part of the annual dues. Contact AOPA. |
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Forums
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Can you recommend a study list for flight instructor renewal?
Read more...
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Education and Seminars
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Flight Instructor Refresher Courses
Aug 16-17 - Atlanta, Georgia
Aug 23-24 - Long Beach, California
Sept 13-14 - Sacramento, California; and Tempe, Arizona
Sept 20-21 - Colorado Springs, Colorado; Baltimore, Maryland; and Bellevue, Washington
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the Air Safety Institute's new Online eFIRC.
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Air Safety Institute Safety Seminars
Sept 2 - Germantown, Tennessee
Sept 3 - Salt Lake City, Utah; and Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Sept 4 - Boise, Idaho; and Maryville, Tennessee
Sept 8 - Wichita, Kansas; Florham Park, New Jersey; and Detroit, Michigan
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilot Seminars
Aug 15 - Spokane, Washington
Aug 22 - Bemidji, Minnesota
Sept 6 - Fredericksburg, Virginia; and Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sept 9 - Knightdale, North Carolina
For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Aviation Calendar
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Check out user-submitted events from your region. To include an event or to search all events in the calendar, visit AOPA Online. AOPA does not endorse the events listed below, nor have ePilot editors edited the submissions. AOPA assumes no responsibility for events listed.
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ePilot Editor:
Benét Wilson
Production Assistant:
Melissa Whitehouse
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Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alyssa Miller
Jim Moore
Jill W. Tallman
Elizabeth Tennyson
Warren Morningstar
Alton K. Marsh
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Ian J. Twombly
Dan Namowitz
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