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AOPA What's New
Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:33:00 EDT

http://www.aopa.org

Feb 06, 2012 12:36AM

Scholarship winner earns private certificate

"It was probably the greatest thing to ever happen to me. It made me realize many things are possible, and opportunities are available if you seek them out." That's the sentiment from Zachary Alcantar, one of four winners of $5,000 flight training scholarships last fall.

Feb 03, 2012 02:07AM

Micron's Appleton lost in Boise crash

Micron Technology CEO Steve Appleton died in the crash of a Lancair airplane at the Boise, Idaho, airport Feb. 3, according to a report on the company website. He was 51.

Feb 03, 2012 07:10AM

IFR Fix: Did you peek?

Whether the view-limiting device you use makes you look like a welder, a scuba diver, or a student in a college chem lab, remember that you are preparing for the time when you can't just peel off the gizmo and squint at splendid scenery.

Feb 02, 2012 09:22AM

Idaho House passes aviation tax exemption

The Idaho House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill exempting aircraft parts, supplies, and other components from the state's sales and use tax. The bill, strongly supported by AOPA and the general aviation community, is now headed for Senate committee.

Feb 02, 2012 08:22AM

Airway access during military training urged

AOPA has requested that the Air Force, which plans to establish a temporary military operations area during military exercises scheduled for June from Volk Field Air National Guard base in Wisconsin, assure unimpeded airway access for general aviation flights. Members are encouraged to submit comments on the plan by Feb. 3.

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Aviation Consumer

Used Aircraft Guide: Piper Seneca

Most piston twins have carved themselves a market share for a few years, then vanished as market conditions changed. Piper’s Twin Comanche and Aztec are examples and so is the Beech Travel Air, Duke and Duchess. On the other hand, for various reasons, some twins have endured and Piper builds two of them, the Seminole and the Seneca. Both have endured for various reasons, although neither is made in much volume these days. It’s easy to see why the Seneca has endured. It does nothing exceedingly well—it’s not fast, nor a joy to fly nor will it turn heads on the ramp—but it does a lot well enough.

LSA Finance Woes: Crippling the Industry

The light sport aircraft market was hyped up with so much promise, but still struggles to deliver real payoff. It’s not that the aircraft aren’t selling—they are, as much as anything is selling. But market has been primarily one of cash, not credit. While credit is tight in all economic sectors today, LSAs have some specific issues that make them a tougher sell to the bean counters at the bank.

Fuel Tank Reseal: Thankless, Expensive

One of the unfortunate side effects of slow aircraft sales has been an erosion in the maintenance base. Many smaller shops have disappeared and some of those that remain are either losing the ability to do some kinds of work or are just declining to accept it. One maintenance procedure on the chopping block has been the resealing or repair of wet wing fuel tanks, especially in Mooneys, but in a few other models as well. At best, repairing weeping wet-wing tanks is a dark art, at worst, it’s something some owners say they have to have done several times to stop the leaks, if even the leaks can be stopped.

Turbine Step Ups: What’s Involved?

For the moment, let’s set aside the vulgar discussion of money and consider whether turbine aircraft are all they’re claimed to be. Well, of course they are. Case closed. Turbines are faster than piston-engine aircraft, fly higher and since all the engines’ moving parts are always rotating in the same direction, they’re generally more reliable. Moreover, the owner of a turbine aircraft is untroubled by that pesky problem of whether a high-octane fuel will be available and what it will cost. There’s no argument that Jet A is the world fuel of the future and it’s available in parts of the world where high-octane avgas has long since disappeared.

Datalink WX for iPad: ADS-B is a Better Deal

The iPad cockpit revolution has been slow to incorporate data-link weather. Many iPad fliers take their downloaded weather from the FBO and work with that, what 3G they can get in the air and calls to Flight Service. Datalink weather for the iPad via ADS-B has actually been around for a while (“Portable ADS-B WX,” May 2011 Aviation Consumer), but limited coverage and limited pilot acceptance has mean limited equipage. Now that Baron Services, who supplies the XM weather service to XM/Sirius, has entered the iPad age with their Mobile Link will datalink sweep the iPad universe?

AOPA News Online
Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:33:00 EDT

http://www.aopa.org

Feb 01, 2012 11:10PM

West Coast sanctuary overflight now a dangerous gamble

Pilots could face stiff fines - up to six figures - for violating new overflight regulations that place the National Airspace System on a slippery slope. The FAA has ceded to another federal agency - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - authority to enforce what amount to new airspace restrictions.

Feb 02, 2012 08:22AM

Airway access during military training urged

Feb 01, 2012 06:44AM

No user fees, tax hikes in long-term FAA bill

No user fees. No increase in avgas or jet fuel taxes. General aviation pilots can celebrate what wasn't included in the long-term FAA reauthorization bill. The House and Senate ironed out details on a four-year FAA reauthorization bill Jan. 31, paving the way for a full vote in both houses before the latest short-term funding extension expires Feb. 17. Highlights of the bill indicate that GA fared well.

Feb 01, 2012 09:18AM

Bank of America helps member buy LSA

After achieving his dream of learning to fly, AOPA member Carl Houghton wanted an airplane of his own. When it came time to investigate financing, he made some inquiries into AOPA's Aircraft Financing Program.

Jan 30, 2012 11:45PM

LightSquared tests offer 'no practical solution'

AOPA is calling for the Federal Communications Commission to revoke LightSquared's conditional approval to develop a mobile-satellite network. A technical committee has concluded that the transmissions pose intractable interference problems for aviation navigation and other uses of GPS.