Flight deck tech; Safe holiday flying; Wright facts


VOL 23, ISSUE 51	December 17, 2021

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Top Stories

Article

Flight deck tech

Complete engine failures are rare, but they do happen. Garmin's Smart Glide could be a welcome aid in the cockpit during those times. AOPA Editor in Chief Tom Haines details how it works. Read more >

AOPA Live This Week

Retirement salute

After more than 30 years of setting the standard, AOPA Senior Photographer Mike Fizer has decided to retire from AOPA. Enjoy this look back at Fizer's incredible photography and videography career. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Video

Fly safely this holiday season

Flying general aviation over the holidays? These tips from the AOPA Air Safety Institute can help you manage the added pressure and stress of the season that could otherwise negatively impact your decision making. Watch the video >

Podcast

'There I was...': Florida Mooney ditching

In the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast, we talk to two pilots who had a chance encounter in Florida's Tampa Bay—the Mooney M20M pilot who was forced to ditch and the Icon A5 instructor who rendered assistance. Listen to the podcast >

Video

Three seconds, three choices

Relinquishing pilot-in-command authority is never a good idea, especially if the airplane you're following disappears in the fog. Watch this AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story to learn more about one pilot's nearly disastrous flight.

AOPA Premier Partner created content

Trouble with the flare?

Here is a simple technique to help with your landings provided by AOPA Premier Partner PilotWorkshops. Learn more >

Advocacy

GA seeks to mitigate 100LL ban at two California airports

A rushed decision by Santa Clara County officials in California to ban 100LL fuel at county airports as of January 1 spurred AOPA and industry organizations to take immediate action. Read more >

Advocacy

Flight training amendment not included in final NDAA bill

A bipartisan provision supported by the general aviation community and included in the House National Defense Authorization Act to address the FAA's misguided interpretation of flight training policy did not make the final cut. Read more >

Advocacy

Mexico ADS-B rule takes effect in new year

Starting January 1, aircraft flying in Mexico will be required to have a functioning 1090 MHz Mode S extended squitter transponder that complies with an ADS-B mandate. Read more >

Technology

Article

Trio Pro Pilot autopilot certified for Piper Comanches

The STC Group on December 10 received FAA supplemental type certificate approval to install its Trio Pro Pilot autopilot in Piper PA–24 Comanches. Read more >

Article

Flight Design F2 earns EASA certification

Flight Design announced on December 8 that its new, two-seat, composite-construction F2 had earned European Union Aviation Safety Agency certification standard CS-23 certification. Read more >

Gear

Article

Top drone gifts, and how to fly them safely

A drone makes a great gift, but flying it requires a focus on safety. Read more >

Travel

Article

Resolve to keep these winter flying tips in mind

Flying family or friends for the holidays can add a host of stressors to a seemingly simple flight. Here are tips to keep you and your passengers safe. Read more >

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

Financial

Article

AOPA, Breitling renew partnership, announce new scholarship

AOPA and Breitling mark the renewal of their historic partnership with the Breitling Aviation Scholarship. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Kentucky airport takes direct tornado hit

A Kentucky airport in the path of a tornado that killed scores of people as it cut across multiple states on December 11 was heavily damaged, but thankfully no one in the airport community was harmed. Read more >

Article

What you never knew about the Wright brothers

Amaze your pilot friends during hangar talk sessions with these 15 little-known facts about the Wright brothers as we celebrate the 117th anniversary of their first flight. Read more >

You Can Fly

Discovering a talent for teaching

Aspiring airline pilot Sergio Ramirez discovered a talent for teaching that made him stand out as the best instructor in the Western Pacific region in the 2021 AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA seeks information from Piper owners about fuse installation

A Piper Cadet made an emergency landing in the Netherlands after an electrical fire broke out during flight, prompting the FAA to ask owners to confirm compliance with a 1996 service bulletin that applies to many Piper models. Read more >

Article

National Aviation Hall of Fame announces 2022 inductees

The National Aviation Hall of Fame announced its "Class of 2022" on December 6, which includes pilots, inventors, and an "aerospace hero." Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

Flight tracking and privacy

Let's take a deeper look into the FAA's rules surrounding the implementation of ADS-B. Read more >

Podcast

'Ask the A&P's': 'That little cap doesn't hold the wings on'

Ever wonder what you're looking for when you preflight a Cessna with those small oil doors? So did our caller this month. Our A&Ps also field questions about a burned valve, winterizing for cold-weather operations, performing in-flight magneto checks, and more. Submit your questions to Ask the A&Ps. Listen to the podcast >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of flight operations, Fargo Jet

Fargo Jet in Fargo, North Dakota, is seeking a director of flight operations to be responsible for the safety and operational control of all flight operations, including charter and flight management functions. 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 mobile app developer, a High School Initiative coordinator, a safety content producer, a loan processor, a managing editor, and a development content manager. Learn more about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

My airplane is undergoing an annual inspection. The mechanic has completed the work to comply with the airworthiness directives but not the annual because a new prop has been ordered. He says he cannot enter the AD work in the logbooks until he finishes the annual. Can I require him to do so?

Answer

There is no legal requirement for a mechanic to make a logbook entry before returning the airplane to service. That said, if a mechanic leaves work unfinished, the mechanic should make an entry noting what was done, but stating that it is incomplete and the aircraft is not returned to service. But until the mechanic either finishes the work or walks away from the job, there is no requirement to make progressive logbook entries. Join the discussion >

This discussion is from our online Pilot Information Center, where you can ask questions, contribute answers, earn badges, and join our growing pilot community online. (Log in to the online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to see this discussion.) Have a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

Stay sharp with AOPA's webinars, podcasts, and videos.

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Feb 17, 2 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
Feb 18, 8 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Redding, California)
Mar 9, 7 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Augusta, Kansas)

See the full webinar schedule in our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.) View our recently recorded webinars (registration required).

Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos

CFI, student debrief emergency landing in Hawaii

Red Bull tunnel flight behind the scenes with Dario Costa

Bonanza chase drone video pilots Matt Guthmiller and NikoFilmz

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Live® YouTube channel.

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'That little cap doesn't hold the wings on'

'Hangar Talk': Corporate pilot Kim Kissh

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Dec. 13, 2021

'There I was...': Genesah Duffy and Lynn McNorton

'Never Again': Out of focus

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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