Airplane transformations; Wire strike analysis


VOL 24, ISSUE 48	December 2, 2022

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Top Stories

Pilot magazine

Flipping airplanes for stacks, 'gram

Two young entrepreneurs turn a "Banana Bonanza" into a bombshell fit for a flip—but not before having some fun. Read more, view photos, and watch a video >

Multimedia

Washington Executive Airport-Hyde Field closed

While the end was less than a surprise, tenants at Washington Executive Airport/Hyde Field still had to scramble to clear out of their historic home base by November 30. Read more, view photos, and watch a video >

Fly with AOPA

Wire strike analysis; Hyde Field closed; Caravan checkout

Early findings from the Maryland Mooney M20J suspended in power lines. Also, an airport in the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone closed its doors, and come along for a checkout in a Cessna Caravan on floats. Watch Ep. 8 >

Technique and Safety

Early Analysis

Mooney strikes wires on approach, all survive

A Mooney pilot and passenger endured hours dangling from power lines in Maryland after attempting an approach in poor weather. Read more and watch the Early Analysis >

Airworthiness Alert

Garmin GFC 500 runaway trim possible

The FAA issued a notice November 29 that Garmin GFC 500 autopilots installed with optional pitch trim in certified, experimental, and light sport aircraft may be subject to runaway trim events. Operators are required to disable and placard the autopilot "inoperative" before further flight. A Garmin software update to resolve the issue is expected by year-end.

Video

The terrible truth about wire strikes

As relevant today as it was in 1995, this video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute's archival collection demonstrates the risks posed by power lines and how to avoid them. Watch the video >

Stalls, spins, and safety

Forget about dry textbooks and complicated equations. If you want to understand the fundamentals of how your airplane flies, check out this online course covering aerodynamic principles from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

Online resource

Survival safety

Although an unplanned off-airport landing is unlikely, preparedness is essential. In this Safety Center from the AOPA Air Safety Institute, you'll learn survival strategies you can rely on to keep you safe until help arrives. Learn more >

Advocacy

Article

FAA weather camera webinar

Pilots, controllers, and others in the aviation community can all benefit from the FAA's expanding weather camera network, and learn more about that during a December 6 webinar. Read more >

Gear

Article

Modified King Air claims speed records

Tamarack Aerospace submitted two city-pair record claims for flights involving a Smartwing winglet-equipped Beechcraft King Air 350 in October. Read more >

Travel

Pilot Magazine

From rescued to rescuer

Qualities that made this chocolate Labrador retriever a handful also made him perfectly suited to search and rescue. But he needed a ride to school. Read more >

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

Financial

AOPA Aviation Finance

On the way to a jet

You're now an experienced pilot who outgrew your single-engine airplane and want to move up, but to what? This is the third installment of a four-part series about helping you decide when to move to a larger aircraft. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Caravan crashes during test flight, wing separation likely

An unmodified 2021 Cessna Grand Caravan 208B leased to Raisbeck Engineering crashed during a test flight in Washington on November 18, killing all four crewmembers. Read more >

Article

AOPA collaborator, air boss John Walsh dies

John Walsh, well-known air boss, AOPA events collaborator, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and retired air traffic controller, died November 16, at age 64. Read more >

Article

A ride that is hard to resist

A First Flight Society fundraiser will put one lucky entrant in a vintage North American P–51 Mustang for one of aviation's ultimate bucket list flights. Read more >

Article

Scholarships at your fingertips

Angelina Tsuboi spent a lot of time hunting for scholarships before coming across the AOPA Foundation. Now she's designed a website so other aspiring pilots can find financial help faster. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: QC inspector, Aviation Placements

Aviation Placements is hiring a QC inspector to perform receiving, in-process, and final inspection of material and components to ensure compliance with the quality management system; industry standards; and OEM, regulatory, and customer requirements. 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 an Aviation Finance loan assistant, a data entry/travel products representative, a marketing administrative coordinator, and a vice president of membership and event marketing. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >

Question of the Week

Question

I am an instrument-rated private pilot, and I am considering pursuing additional certificates and ratings, and becoming a flight instructor. I have a first class medical with third class privileges. Would I need to get a new first or second class medical to work toward my goal?

Answer

No. The federal aviation regulations require a medical with third class privileges to act as pilot in command for your commercial and CFI practical tests and to act as a flight instructor and pilot in command. A medical certificate is not required for flight instructing unless the instructor is acting as PIC or a required crewmember. See FAR 61.23 for additional information. 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 seminars, webinars, podcasts, and videos.

AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars

Jan 28	Orlando, Florida; and Carlsbad, California
Mar 4	Queensbury, New York; Austinburg, Ohio; and Billings, Montana
Mar 18	Fishers, Indiana; and Nashville, Tennessee

For a complete schedule, visit our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.)

Upcoming AOPA webinars

Dec 8, 12 p.m. EST	AOPA Rusty Pilots—Webinar edition
Dec 15, 12 p.m. EST	'Don't Get Rusty' series: Riddle me this—Best questions from 2022

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.

Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos

Aviation101's Josh Flowers

Building the aviation community—Vermont Aviators Association

New Aerospace Center for Excellence leader Eric Crump

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

AOPA podcasts

'Ask the A&Ps': 'You have two options and a top overhaul isn't one of them'

'Hangar Talk': Jumpers Away founder Ed Scott

'Pilot Briefing': Week of Nov 28, 2022

'There I was...': Ken Urban

'Never Again': Fire is not your friend

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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Alyssa Cobb
Lillian Geil
Jim Moore

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Dave Hirschman
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Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
Jill Tallman
David Tulis
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
Amelia Walsh

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