April 20, 2018, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 20, ISSUE 16	April 20, 2018

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Top Stories

Article

AERO showcases electric aviation

With a heavy emphasis on developments in the growing electric aviation segment, hundreds flocked to Europe's AERO Friedrichshafen general aviation show, which kicked off April 18 in Germany. Here's a look at the latest advances. (Photo courtesy of AERO Friedrichshafen.) Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

MiG master; AERO on location

Randy Ball has logged more than 1,000 airshow performances in Russian-made jet fighters. We catch up with him and his MiG–17F crew chief, Erin Kelley. Also, we check out electric aircraft at Europe's main general aviation event, and long-term FAA reauthorization is on the table. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, April 19 >

Technique and Safety

Podcast

'Hangar flying' with Michael Goulian

In this episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast, airshow performer, aerobatic pilot, and Red Bull air racer Michael Goulian shares interesting situations and lessons learned during his flying career. Listen to the podcast >

Article

Weather a shaky subject for pilots in survey

Pilots in a university survey were "stumped" by almost half the weather questions posed, a research team found, noting that a weather-knowledge deficit might not stop an applicant from passing an FAA knowledge test. Read more >

Livestream

Insights into real-world instrument flying

Tom Haines, AOPA senior vice president of Media, Communications, and Outreach and Events, and Luz Beattie, director of AOPA Flight Operations, share insights and wisdom learned from many hours of flying in instrument conditions during a May 2 webinar at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register today >

Livestream

Fun flying: Formation

Learn about the thrills, techniques, and challenges of precision formation flying during an April 25 webinar at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Register today >

Video

Listen, look, and verify

The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Communication Breakdown Accident Case Study reviews why it's critical to visually inspect the final approach path—even when cleared to land. Watch the video >

Advocacy

Pilots react to AOPA's fight for airport access

Calls for transparency were common among pilots reacting to AOPA's recent publication of an Airport Access Watch List. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA reauthorization bill 2.0 introduced in House

The House of Representatives is expected to consider a six-year FAA reauthorization bill that addresses many safety and technology reforms but makes no mention of so-called air traffic control privatization. Read more >

Health

Pilot Protection Services

Food fads debunked

Dr. Jonathan Sackier debunks three popular food fads and encourages pilots to focus on eating "a well-balanced diet, rich in fresh and not processed foods." Read more >

Technology

Article

Piper announces Continental Jet A-powered Seminole

Piper Aircraft announced a Continental-powered 170-horsepower CD-170 counter-rotating Jet A engine option for its Seminole twin-engine trainer. Read more >

Article

Learning to train with electric airplanes

Flight instructors are testing four Pipistrel Alpha Electro two-seat aircraft in California, and are studying how electricity will power the next generation of flight training. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

Uneven STARs

Not all standard terminal arrival procedures are created equal. Opinion Leaders blogger and Gulfstream pilot Ron Rapp shares his favorite and most loathed STARs. Read more >

Travel

Slideshow

From copper country to paddling paradise

Once, Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula supplied half the nation's copper. Now, it's a paddler's paradise of quiet coves and moose-filled forests. Read more >

Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.

Financial

Member benefit

Does my down payment affect my interest rate?

Find out how the amount you put down on your aircraft purchase can affect your interest rate. If it's your first aircraft purchase, take a look at AOPA's First Time Buyers resource page. Read more >

News and Notes

AOPA Super Cub Sweepstakes

Wow factor

The engine accessories Baker Air Service has mated to the AOPA Sweepstakes Super Cub's new Lycoming O-320 engine will enhance performance, boost reliability, and make routine maintenance easier for the lucky winner. Read more >

Article

Home plate hover

The April 12 home opener of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, a Minor League Baseball team in Pennsylvania, was a study in safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System. Read more >

Red Bull Air Race on the Riviera

The French Rivera will be a spectacular setting for the second race of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship season April 21 and 22 in Cannes, France. Red Bull provides online streaming and live timing, and NBC will broadcast the race.

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Backcountry flying with 'SkyChick'

Ramona "SkyChick" Cox is an aviation adventurer who has taken her Cessna 206 to scores of remote airfields. She shares tips you can use for a successful off-airport journey; plus, catch up on the latest aviation news in this week's Hangar Talk podcast. Listen to the podcast >

Article

Entries invited for 2018 Combs Gates Award

The National Aviation Hall of Fame is seeking entries for the 2018 Combs Gates Award, a $20,000 cash award presented annually to an individual or group for a project judged as "exemplary in the promotion and preservation of America's air and space heritage." Read more >

Survey

AOPA Air Safety Institute needs your help!

Remember to take the AOPA Air Safety Institute's user survey to help improve our safety programs and enhance your experience. Thanks for your help! Take the survey >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Hillsboro CFI program chief instructor

Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon is one of the largest multicampus airplane and helicopter flight schools in the United States. The chief instructor is responsible for management of the CFI program and its instructors, and will assist in operational aspects of the Part 141 pilot training school in accordance with FAA regulations. Read the full description and apply today >

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a High School Aviation Initiative manager, Air Safety Institute assistant editor, Salesforce developer, Web project manager, UI front-end developer, business analyst, member services representative, and several interns. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I'm planning a vacation to Brazil and would like to do some general aviation flying there without going through the expense and effort of converting my FAA certificates. Where can I find more information about GA flying in Brazil?

Answer

AOPA has many international affiliates, including one in Brazil. Details on how to reach out to AOPA Brazil and other international affiliates can be found on the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations website.

Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

Flight Instructor Refresher Courses

Apr 21-22	Aurora, Colorado; Dulles, Virginia; and Tampa, Florida
May 5-6	Hollywood, Florida; Albany, New York; and Conroe, Texas
May 19-20	Sacramento, California
Jun 2-3	Columbus, Ohio

For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the AOPA Air Safety Institute's Online eFIRC.

Safety Seminars

Apr 23	Dodge Center, Minnesota
Apr 24	Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Cheektowaga, New York
Apr 26	Milan, Illinois; Moffett Field, California; and Ithaca, New York
May 1	Tampa, Florida; and Stevensville, Maryland

Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.

Rusty Pilots Seminars

Apr 21	San Jose, California; Lima, Ohio; Montgomery, Alabama; Greeley, Colorado; Moody, Texas; Williamstown, West Virginia; and Live Oak, Florida
Apr 28	McKinney, Texas; Montgomery, New York; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Blaine, Minnesota; Roanoke, Virginia; and Statesboro, Georgia
May 5	Conroe, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho
May 6	Anchorage, Alaska

AOPA Rusty Pilots Seminars are sponsored by Sporty's. For a complete schedule, visit the AOPA Hangar. (Log in to the AOPA Hangar using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)

Aviation Calendar

Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. You can filter events, add an event, or search all events in the calendar. (Log in to the AOPA Hangar using your AOPA website username and password to search the events or to add an event.) Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

For airport details, including FBO fuel prices, see AOPA Airports. AOPA does not endorse or assume responsibility for the events submitted and listed in the calendar.

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Jim Moore
Dan Namowitz
David Tulis

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Melissa Whitehouse

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Sarah Deener
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Tom Horne
Warren Morningstar
Jill W. Tallman
Ian J. Twombly
Julie Summers Walker

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