Raising earthrounders; Holiday Early Analysis


VOL 24, ISSUE 51	December 23, 2022

Click here for this week's custom content.

Top Stories

Article

Not to be outdone

Sam Rutherford and Beatrice De Smet are clearly two of the world's coolest parents, having raised a pair of pilots now recognized as the youngest earthrounders. (Photo courtesy of the Rutherford family.) Read more >

Fly with AOPA

Spreading cheer, supplies; Helo bill halted; North Pole mystery

Pilots celebrate the holidays by bringing gifts and supplies to the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Also, New York's governor vetoes the "stop the chop" bill, and we detail a holiday "accident" near the North Pole. Watch Ep. 11 >

Technique and Safety

Early Analysis

Mysterious North Pole mishap

Nobody was hurt in this holiday season "mishap," though carefully wrapped packages were scattered in the snow. The AOPA Air Safety Institute examines what all pilots can learn from a peculiar set of "facts." Watch the video >

Know before you go

There are no sky signs alerting pilots to special-use airspace or temporary flight restrictions. So, you need the practical approach this AOPA Air Safety Institute course provides to prepare to navigate the national airspace system.

Pilot short story

Heavy cost

In this AOPA Air Safety Institute Pilot Short Story, Cody Goodan recounts the confluence of events that led to an accident while carrying friends in a Cessna 172. Watch the video >

Online resource

Icing and cold weather operations

Don't let the cold weather ground you. It often yields the best chances for a smooth ride. Get prepared now with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's award-winning courses and videos. Learn more >

Sponsored by Aircraft Spruce

Aircraft Maintenance: Inspecting your oil filter and screen

Inspecting an oil filter allows us to see the particles captured in the engine's filtration system that could otherwise have damaged the engine. Read more >

Advocacy

One step closer to eliminating FAA LODA requirement

The Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act passed in the Senate on December 15 with an 83–11 vote—containing language that eliminates a 2021 FAA policy reinterpretation that grounded nearly 40,000 pilots. Read more >

Advocacy

FAA proposes pilot certification regulation

The FAA set a January 11 deadline for public comment on a proposal to combine dozens of existing standards for pilots and other certificated personnel into a regulation, despite concerns about resulting rigidity. Read more >

Advocacy

NY governor vetoes contentious 'stop the chop' bill

A bill that would have allowed citizens to sue pilots and other associated company personnel for alleged helicopter noise pollution statewide was vetoed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Read more >

Health

Pilot protection services

The itch that distracts

There are many causes of itching from minor to life-threatening. Often it is something benign, but if it is irritating enough to cause a distraction to you as pilot in command, self-ground until resolved. Read more >

Gear

Pilot magazine

'Trust your instruments'

Analog instruments have limitations that make them unreliable during extreme pitch and roll excursions, but a new generation of electronic instruments solved that problem. Read more >

Travel

Multimedia

Southern crossroads with treats for every sense

On the east bank of the Mississippi River, a crossroads of music, food, and culture beckons in Memphis, Tennessee. Read more, view photos, and watch a video >

Financial

Article

Commemorative Air Force seeks help with P–47 restoration

The Commemorative Air Force hopes generous donations will help propel a Republic P–47 Thunderbolt back to active flight status in Georgia. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

Fulfilling a mission; fueled by aviation

A former congressman who earned his pilot certificate—and the 2018 AOPA Joseph B. "Doc" Hartranft Jr. Award while in office—has taken on a new mission using aviation to serve others. Read more >

Podcast

'Hangar Talk': Serving five presidents aboard Air Force One

Howie Franklin, the Air Force One chief steward who served five presidents, tells us what it's like to have an office that is also a symbol of power, and a testament to the skill of the U.S. Air Force. Listen online or watch the video >

You Can Fly

Club spotlight: What's in your library?

One of the benefits of a flying club is sharing knowledge among the members. That includes suggestions on what to read to improve your piloting skills. Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: IT program manager, Garmin International

Garmin International in Olathe, Kansas, is hiring a program manager to manage medium and large programs and projects across multiple teams and stakeholders. 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 chief flight instructor, a digital media photo editor, a flight training initiative digital product support specialist, an aviation event specialist, an email marketing coordinator, an Aviation Finance loan assistant, a data entry/travel products representative, and a vice president of membership and event marketing. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

I'm training for my instrument rating at a Part 141 flight school. I bought into a flying club thinking I could control costs by using the airplane for training, but the school said I have to use its airplane for training. Is that true?

Answer

That's correct. A Part 141 school must meet specific maintenance and aircraft requirements. Your best bet is to find an independent CFI or a Part 61 flight school if you really want to use your own aircraft. Read the full answer and 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

AOPA Rusty Pilots seminars

Jan 28	Orlando, Florida; and Carlsbad, California
Feb 18	Buckeye, Arizona
Feb 25	Puyallup, Washington
Mar 4	Queensbury, New York; Austinburg, Ohio; and Billings, Montana

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.)

421 Aviation Way Frederick, MD 21701
800-872-2672
301-695-2375 Fax

ePilot Editors:
Niki Britton
Alyssa Cobb
Lillian Geil
Jim Moore

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse

Contributors:
Sarah Deener
Alicia Herron
Dave Hirschman
Tom Horne
Cayla McLeod
Warren Morningstar
Kollin Stagnito
Jill Tallman
David Tulis
Ian Twombly
Julie Summers Walker
Amelia Walsh

Advertise in ePilot:
Initial advertising inquiries:
Donna Stoner, 301-695-2336

Eastern and Central United States, Canada, and International:
Jeff Rockwood, 301-695-2089

Western United States:
Jonathan Taylor, 301-695-2338

AOPA Advertising website