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Top Stories
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Advocacy
A long-anticipated FAA reauthorization bill was announced Feb. 3 that calls for third class medical reform, user fees, and a federally chartered not-for-profit organization to manage ATC functions. Read more...
 
Senators warn against ATC spinoff
House appropriators oppose privatized ATC
AOPA Live This Week
The immaculate South Carolina grass strip stretches 7,000 feet and welcomes everything from warbirds and classics to modern jets and RC aircraft. Go behind the scenes at Triple Tree and hear from its creator, Pat Hartness, who realized a delightful dream. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Congress is tackling medical reform, a push to privatize ATC, and other important issues, and AOPA is in the thick of it. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, Feb. 4...
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Technique and Safety
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IFR Fix
With clouds close above and a populated marina below, a pilot departing VFR in expectation of receiving an IFR clearance found only disappointment, not vectors. Read more...
Video
Nearly half of all weather-related accidents happen as a result of continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions—sadly, the vast majority are fatal. The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Accident Case Study: In Too Deep aims to provide insight into what compels pilots to wander into this dangerous situation and to expose some of the troubling reasons why VFR-into-IMC accidents are too common. Watch the video...
Flash-based; login required
If the prospect of wading through the FAR/AIM to study and interpret instrument flight rules is daunting, you might welcome some practical guidance from the AOPA Air Safety Institute. The IFR Insights: Regulations free online course connects the rules to the real world of instrument flying to help you stay legal and safe. Take the course...
Safety Spotlight
Depending on whether you learned to fly at a towered or nontowered airport, you may feel anxious to self-announce on the unicom frequency or communicate with air traffic controllers. Whether you're new to these environments or just need a refresher, prepare with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Operations at Airports Safety Spotlight. Take a look...
Blog
Helicopter pilots may find themselves picking up unusual loads and operating in places without scales. That’s where performance charts, quick math, and rotorcraft experience can come to the rescue, reports Hover Power blogger Markus Lavenson. Read more...
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Advocacy
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Advocacy
AOPA is endorsing a draft FAA policy that would make it easier to install non-required safety enhancing equipment in existing general aviation aircraft. Read more...
Advocacy
A group chaired by AOPA has been tasked with developing new certification standards, handbooks, and test development guidance for aircraft mechanics. Read more...
Advocacy
AOPA and nine others are asking the FAA to deny Santa Monica's appeal of the agency's determination that Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California is grant obligated and must remain open at least through Aug. 27, 2023. Read more...
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Health
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Pilot Protection Services
After a heart attack, the FAA requires a waiting period before you can apply for a special issuance medical certificate. Former FAA Manager of Aerospace Medical Certification Dr. Warren Silberman explains the waiting period, as well as what documentation you will need to provide to the FAA in order to get back in the left seat. Read more...
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Technology
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Slideshow
Aircraft, spacecraft, and the teams that flew them to unprecedented heights and historic achievements are among nine nominees for the 2015 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The field, announced Feb. 2, includes past winners going above and beyond, and newcomers who set new records. Read more...
Article
Dornier Seawings, the modern descendant of an aviation icon, has chosen Diamond Aircraft to build the Dornier Seastar, a turbine twin with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 engines mounted fore and aft over centerline above the wing. Read more...
Article
Engineered Propulsion Systems reports no major issues with its clean-sheet, refined, pre-production Graflight V-8 diesel engine after 100 hours of ground testing. The engine is expected to surpass the 360 horsepower it has already produced in testing. Read more...
Article
Now that one of the original Windecker Eagles has been restored for a Chinese owner, the company announced the next phase—a complete redesign for manufacture worldwide. The effort will be led by John Roncz, a self-taught aerodynamicist who collaborated with Burt Rutan on many of his designs. Read more...
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Financial
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Member benefit
The last thing you want to deal with after an accident or incident is an undue financial burden. That's why you need to understand your insurance liability limits. Your lender will want to know too. Most loan documents will require proof of proper coverage, and failing to comply could put you in default of your loan agreement. Read more...
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News and Notes
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Article
The next time actor Jackie Chan films a movie or visits one of the dozens of charities he established, chances are good that he will arrive in his new Embraer Legacy 500 business jet. Read more...
Article
Jeppesen's long-serving leader will retire in June after more than 35 years with the company. Jeppesen, the producer of charts and other services, is among the most recognizable names in general aviation. The company will promote Kevin Crowley to take over for retiring CEO Mark Van Tine. Read more...
Article
Less than one year after attending an AOPA Rusty Pilots seminar and receiving 34 hours of instruction, William Buchanan is an aircraft owner and active pilot with a new tailwheel endorsement and fresh flight review: "And now I'm flying to my heart's content." Read more...
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Article
The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, a 12-year tradition in Sebring, Florida, will continue in 2017 under new leadership. Sebring Airport Executive Director Mike Willingham expressed appreciation to Jana Filip for her five years of service as director of the event. Bad weather has dampened attendance in recent years, and organizers may adjust the schedule. Read more...
Article
Flight Design USA, producer of popular light sport aircraft, has inked a deal with AeroJones Aviation of Taiwan to produce aircraft for the U.S. market. The agreement will allow Flight Design to fill orders faster. Read more...
Article
Invite your friends into the AOPA community and give them a lift in their personal flying. Just for sharing AOPA with them, you will get rewarded too. Read more...
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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 social media evangelist, Flying Clubs Initiative manager, marketing copywriter, Web project manager, High School Aviation Initiative senior director, member services representative, and Legal Services Plan attorney.To learn more about other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online.
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Question of the Week
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Question
After you contact the tower with your request for takeoff, the controller instructs you to "hold for wake turbulence." You thought it was your responsibility as pilot in command to determine wake turbulence avoidance. Do you have to wait, or is there a way around this clearance?
Answer
It is the controller's responsibility to provide wake turbulence separation to departing aircraft by applying time intervals. The PIC may request to waive the wake turbulence separation, at which point the controller will issue a caution for wake turbulence and clear the airplane for takeoff (assuming there are no other hazards). The PIC's request to take off is not the same as a request to waive the wake turbulence separation—the pilot must make a special request. For more information, see this AOPA Online article, or download this FAA guide.
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
Feb 6-7 - Las Vegas, Nevada; and Louisville, Kentucky
Feb 20-21 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Fairfax, Virginia; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Sacramento, California
Feb 27-28 - Kenner, Louisiana; and Melbourne, Florida
Mar 5-6 - Ontario, California
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
Feb 8 - Jacksonville, Florida
Feb 9 - Daytona Beach, Florida
Feb 10 - Melbourne, Florida
Feb 11 - Ocala, Florida
Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
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Rusty Pilots Seminars
Feb 6 - Roanoke, Virginia; Bartow, Florida; Carlsbad, California; and Trenton, Maine
Feb 13 - Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Scottsdale, Arizona
Feb 20 - Vero Beach, Florida; and Chickasha, Oklahoma
Feb 21 - Puyallup, Washington
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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