The AOPA Air Safety Institute is launching four new webinar series in 2022, including NTSB Insider, Flight Deck Tech, Flying the Backcountry, and Weather Flying.
Pilots
Mechanic’s error leads to MayDay call
At about 7 nm out and 3,000 feet the propeller RPM began climbing sharply well beyond 2,600 RPM. I tried to change the prop and throttle settings to get the prop RPMs back under control and I had no success getting the RPMs out of the red. This continued for a short time (well under a minute) and I distinctly remember a bang, and then smoke began to fill the cabin. I opened the small window to my left in an attempt to clear the smoke and I continued to fly the plane.
Picture of the Day: Shadow chasing in Nevada
Dana Vanderark submitted this photo and note: “Chased my shadow around this morning. He is a rock solid wingman!”
EPA sets sights on lead emissions from general aviation aircraft
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on air pollutants and sources of air pollution to determine whether they threaten human health or welfare. This is referred to as an “endangerment finding.” EPA officials said in a Jan. 12, 2022, announcement that the plan is to issue a proposed endangerment finding for piston-engine aircraft that run on leaded fuel in 2022 for public review and comment.
Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee flies west
One of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen — and perhaps the most well-known — Charles McGee died Jan. 16, 2022. He was 102.
Applications now being taken for $2,000 aviation scholarship
Deadline to apply for high school seniors pursuing studies in aviation is April 15, 2022.
Picture of the Day: The siblings
Curtis Penner submitted this photo and note: “My Bearhawk Patrol and RV-10…the siblings.”
Cirrus refines G6 for reduced drag
The 2022 model is the “fastest to date featuring sleeker wing and tail surfaces and redesigned wheel pants, resulting in true airspeeds of up to 9 knots faster,” company officials reported. “The new model’s ice panel transition seams are smoothed and wheel pant tolerances tightened to reduce drag. These aerodynamic refinements contribute to both reduced fuel consumption and faster flight segments.”
Garmin Smart Glide now available for G3X and G5
Garmin’s Smart Glide technology, a safety tool that helps pilots in loss of engine power emergencies by automating tasks to reduce pilot workload, is now available as a free software update for the G3X Touch and G5 electronic flight instrument in certified aircraft equipped with a GTN Xi series navigator. Experimental aircraft with G3X Touch and a G3X autopilot can also enable Smart Glide technology.