The January/February issue of FAA Safety Briefing is now available online. This first issue of 2012 explores some of the resources available to help you in your initial quest for pilot certification, as well as the lifelong quest to improve your aeronautical knowledge. Feature articles show you how to leverage the power of aviation regulations […]
Pilots
New AOPA Regional Program takes off
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has created seven new, full-time regional manager positions to build strong local GA communities and strengthen the organization’s relationships with state and local governments across the country. AOPA has had a regional representative program for many years, which focused on state and local advocacy. In 2012, the organization is […]
Jiminy Cricket!
The fuselage is together, the panel in place, the primer on the airframe. Now comes the daunting task of choosing the final color for that airplane you built yourself. Sometimes, the airplane will tell you what color to paint it, notes Mark Swalley of Gig Harbor, Wash. Swalley has a green Zenith CH 701 SP […]
First solo: Chris Norton
We recently asked pilots on our Facebook page to share the story of their first solos. Here’s Chris Norton’s story: Just like all the rest of you that soloed and lived to tell the tale, mine was one of the days I will remember for the rest of my life — which is slightly disturbing […]
LoPresti First Saturday takes off with warbirds and airshows
The first First Saturday get-together of the year at LoPresti Aviation at Sebastian Airport (X26) in Florida will feature Captain Chris Avery of The Commemorative Air Force and his Corsair. Avery will show off one of the Corsair aircraft that he flies and you will learn first hand about the history of the Commemorative Air […]
Eclipse Jet Experience goes on tour
The Eclipse Jet Experience is traveling to cities across the country this month. The “experience” includes two hours of instruction. The first phase is an overview of Eclipse Aerospace and the Eclipse Jet systems and avionics on the ground. The second phase consists of 40-50 minutes of flight time. The cost for the experience is […]
Seven earn Master CFI in December
Seven aviation educators received accreditation as Masters by Master Instructors LLC in December. To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 96,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 700 have earned Master accreditation. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last 16 National Flight Instructors of […]
Looking ahead to 2012: What to expect from lawmakers next year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the new year approaches, pilots should fasten their seat belts. It could be a bumpy ride. Next year’s election is expected to be one of the most volatile in decades. It will keep the President, Congress, and heads of government agencies focused on election and re-election. Failure of the Super Committee […]
Let’s make 2012 a year to remember
This Sunday night marks a watershed moment here on Earth. On this side of midnight is 2011, the year we’ve been working with for the past 12 months. All that ends when the little hand and the big hand arrive at the straight up position on the big wall clock Sunday night because, arriving simultaneously […]


