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News & Media FAA chief quits; Airport thefts; Piper rudder trouble

FAA chief quits; Airport thefts; Piper rudder trouble

AOPA ePilot
VOL 24, ISSUE 7 February 18, 2022
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Top Stories
FAA chief to step down March 31
Advocacy
FAA chief to step down March 31
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, a former military and airline pilot whose tenure was shaped in many ways by events beyond his control, announced February 16 that he will resign on March 31. Read more >
Article
Thieves target GA aircraft in two states
Recent aircraft break-ins and avionics thefts reported in two states remind pilots to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, and make sure their aircraft insurance is up to date. Read more >
AOPA Live This Week
Our giant step into Big Bend; Taming your Tiger
Texas' Big Bend is a region of mountains and canyons—as "remote" as anywhere yet packed with pilot-pleasing surprises. Also, one of our own gets checked out in your AOPA Sweepstakes Grumman Tiger. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >
Technique and Safety
Video
Runway Safety: Over the line
Confusion and cockpit distraction led to a runway incursion that put a Beechcraft Baron within 100 feet of a landing aircraft. Watch the AOPA Air Safety Institute video >
Online resource
Instrument insight before flight
Before your next instrument proficiency check, brush up on best practices with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's IFR Procedures Safety Center.
Podcast
Parachute pull over Dallas
In the latest episode of the AOPA Air Safety Institute's There I was... podcast, Brian Lenzmeier recalls an engine and avionics failure in his Cirrus SR22 over busy Dallas airspace. Listen to the podcast >
AOPA Premier Partner created content
Engine failure: The No. 1 rule
What's the No. 1 rule for surviving engine failure? Get the answer, and stories from pilots who walked away from their own off-airport landing, from PilotWorkshops >
Advocacy
Advocacy
Rudder posts failed on pair of vintage Pipers
Rudders installed decades ago on various Piper PA–12, PA–14, and PA–18 airplanes have failed in five cases. The NTSB called on the FAA to mandate replacement. Read more >
Advocacy
East Hampton postpones airport closure
Slated to close within weeks, the airport in East Hampton, New York, will now remain open for public use into May following a last-minute reprieve by the town. Read more >
Pilot Protection Services
FAA updates investigative and enforcement regulations
The regulations governing FAA investigations and enforcement actions are codified in FAR Part 13. Read more >
Health
Pilot Protection Services
Focus on your focus
Staying focused is tough, but losing focus in the cockpit can be deadly. Read more >
Technology
Article
Joby eVTOL prototype involved in accident
One of Joby Aviation's two experimental prototype electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft was involved in an accident February 16 during a test flight. Read more >
Article
The brains that launched GPS
The next time you program your GPS, spare a thought of thanks for the remarkable mathematical mind of Gladys West. Read more >
Travel
Article
Threading the needle between Baltimore and Washington
Flying around Washington, D.C., can be stressful the first time you try, but flying in this special flight rules area builds confidence—and is not as difficult as you might think. Read more >
Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.
Financial
Article
Amelia Earhart's flight cap to go on the auction block
A flight cap worn by Amelia Earhart dating to her 1928 Atlantic Ocean crossing is among several items to be auctioned on February 26. Read more >
News and Notes
Article
'Berlin Candy Bomber' Col. Gail Halvorsen dies at 101
Remembered for dropping candy to children in Berlin during the Soviet blockade, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Gail "Hal" Halvorsen died February 16. Read more >
Image Gallery
NGPA Industry Expo returns to Palm Springs
Major airlines showed up in a hiring mood to the National Gay Pilots Association Industry Expo in Palm Springs, California—the second-largest pilot recruiting event in the country. Read more and view photos >
Article
New leader named for Sun 'n Fun
Gene Conrad was named the new president and CEO of the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo and the educational institution the show supports, the Aerospace Center for Excellence. Read more >
Article
ATP opens seventieth location amid pilot shortage
ATP Flight School has opened its newest location 10 miles from downtown Pittsburgh at the Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Read more >
Podcast
'Hangar Talk': Best CFI Ambyr Peterson
Career-switching CFI Ambyr Peterson of Minnesota, named the best flight instructor in the country during the recent 2021 AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards, explains why she loves helping others fulfill their dreams. Listen to the podcast >
Airworthiness advisories
Career Opportunities
Aviation job board
Job of the week: Production control coordinator/scheduler, Vertex Aerospace
This position is responsible for planning and scheduling maintenance operations to meet contractual requirements, providing daily oversight of all functional and operational activities of aircraft, and assisting the site manager with daily operations to meet contract 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 a vice president of brand and member experience, a Northwest Mountain regional manager, a Southern regional manager, a video editor, a UX/UI designer, and a mobile app developer. Learn about AOPA career opportunities >
Question of the Week
Question

How do I deice my airplane?
Answer
Prevention is always better than cure, and a hangar away from the elements is the best starting point. If that is not practical, a soft brush can remove frost. For more stubborn ice, warm water can be used, but that can cause other problems like refreezing in critical areas. Be certain to use a towel to dry off the water immediately. Deicing fluids can also be used, but there are specific areas on the airframe that are not tolerant of the fluid. Consult your aircraft's pilot's operating handbook or flight manual for recommended practices. 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 24, 12 p.m. EST 'Don't Get Rusty' series: Tech solutions for your New Year's resolutions
Mar 9, 7 p.m. EST AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Augusta, Kansas)
Mar 12, 9 a.m. EST AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition (Ronkonkoma, New York)
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
Aviation writer Martha Lunken
Kim Kissh: What it's like to be a corporate pilot
Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman
For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see the AOPA Live® YouTube channel.
AOPA podcasts
'Ask the A&Ps': 'You'll ruin a set of clothes for sure'
'Hangar Talk': Best CFI Ambyr Peterson
'Pilot Briefing': Week of Feb. 14, 2022
'There I was...': Brian Lenzmeier
'Never Again': Autopilot mayhem
To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.
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