IDWEST FLYER M AGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2017 Published For & By The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978 midwestflyer.com Are you Fit to Fly under BasicMed? Now that the FAA has announced BasicMed, the new third class medical reform rule, will go into effect on May 1, it’s time for pilots to start learning how to take advantage of the benefits. We know our members are relying on us as the new rule rolls out. So, that’s why we launched our Fit to Fly resources to help pilots make the most of BasicMed. Fit to Fly is an online suite of tools and information developed to ensure both pilots and physicians understand the new regulations. You can find the resources online at www.aopa.org/FittoFly. The process of getting Fit to Fly begins with figuring out if you qualify, and we have an interactive tool to walk you through that online. Many pilots will immediately qualify for BasicMed, but for those who will need to take some additional steps, the process to get back flying is now much easier. And if you have one of the medical conditions specified by the FAA in the BasicMed rule, you will need to obtain only one special issuance medical for that condition, and then you may subsequently fly under the BasicMed rules. In order to start flying under BasicMed, all you’ll need to do is complete the physical exam and FAA checklist every four years and the online aeromedical course every two years that AOPA will provide free as part of Fit to Fly. All of this information and more is available in our Fit to Fly resources, and we will continue to post updates as we approach May 1. Watch for the launch of the free AOPA online aeromedical education course, videos to help pilots understand BasicMed, and additional information for physicians. If you’ve reviewed our Fit to Fly resources and still have questions, our aviation and medical experts are standing by. Contact the AOPA Pilot Information Center for help at 800.USA.AOPA (872.2672) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time or by emailing pilotassist@ aopa.org. Mark R. Baker President & CEO, AOPA *For more information on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the issues that affect your flying go to www.aopa.org today. APRIL/MAY 2017 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 3 Vol. 39. No. 3 ContentsContents ISSN: 0194-5068 APRIL/MAY 2017 IDWEST FLYER ON THE COVER: Jim Whiting of Nisswa, Minnesota, takes off from Gull Lake AGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2017 in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota in his Aviat Husky, which is equipped with Wipline M amphibious floats. See the first edition of Midwest Seaplane Pilot beginning on page 32. Brad Thornberg Photo HEADLINES EAA Sport Pilot Academy Returns In 2017 To Make Dreams of Flight Come True .. 22 Proposed Mechanic’s Lien Law To Be Discussed At 62nd Annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference To Be Held In Waukesha ............... 25 Recreational Aviation Foundation Seeks Support For Two Hearted Airstrip Project 26 Published For & By The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978 midwestflyer.com Bob Hoover Trophy Presented To Sean D. Tucker .................................................. 28 MFM AprilMay2017 Issue.indd 1 3/15/17 6:03 PM John King Gets Medical Reinstated ........................................................................... 30 AOPA President To Be Keynote Speaker At Minnesota Seaplane Pilot Safe ty Seminar ..................................................... 33 Smart Phone Found After Being Dropped From Aircraft ........................................... 43 Florida Fly-Out Attracts Midwest Flyers ..................................................................... 52 COLUMNS Ask Pete - by Pete Schoeninger .................................................................................. 8 Aviation Law - On Your Side - by Greg Reigel .......................................................... 10 Dialogue - by Dave Weiman ........................................................................................ 5 23 From AOPA Headquarters - by Mark R. Baker .......................................................... 21 High On Health - by Dr. Bill Blank .............................................................................. 19 Instrument Flight - by Michael J. “Mick” Kaufman ...................................................... 11 Minnesota Aeronautics Bulletin - by Cassandra Isackson & Rachel Obermoller ...... 46 Minnesota Education Section - by Thomas Biller ...................................................... 54 Pilot Proficiency - by Harold Green ............................................................................ 16 Wisconsin Aeronautics Report - by Hal Davis ........................................................... 44 28 FEATURES Shared Enthusiasm For GA - by Brian Thuringer ...................................................... 31 There’s Nothing Like Flying A Seaplane! - by Steve Guetter .................................... 32 Why Get A Seaplane Rating? - by Randy Schoephoerster ....................................... 33 Putting Kids In The Cockpit… Racine’s Young Aviators Program Celebrates 10 Years of Success! - by Stephen Myers .......................................... 40 Things That Go ‘Bump’ While Flying - by R.J. Reilly ................................................ 49 33 SECTIONS At Our Airports ..................................26 Midwest Seaplane Pilot ....................32 Aviation Education ............................40 Minnesota Aviation Industry News ....50 Calendar ...........................................58 People In The News..........................28 Classifieds .........................................60 State Aviation/Airport Conferences ...23 Flight Experiences ............................43 Unmanned Aircraft Systems .............18 Letters ...............................................15 WATA Difference ..............................25 54 4 APRIL/MAY 2017 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE Dialogue State Aviation Conferences, Seaplane Flying & The Hoover Trophy! by Dave Weiman information visit www.mnseaplanes.com. Midwest Seaplane Pilot begins on page 32. he April/May issue of Midwest In memory of the late Bob Hoover, airshow performer Flyer Magazine is traditionally extraordinaire, the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association dedicated to state aviation (AOPA) created an award in his memory, which is given to Tconferences being held throughout the a person who demonstrates the airmanship, leadership and Midwest in the spring, and seaplane passion for aviation that Bob Hoover exhibited during his flying. Usually by April 1, there’s no more distinguished career and life as a pilot and aviation advocate. snow to plow at our airports and the ice The first recipient of the trophy was Bob Hoover himself in is off our lakes, and airport managers and 2016, and per his wishes, airshow performer Sean D. Tucker seaplane-rated pilots are excited and preparing for the warmer became the second recipient at ceremonies held March 8, flying season ahead. Well, in addition to the “State Aviation/ 2017 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Airport Conference” section, beginning with this issue, we have Arlington, Va. Read all about it beginning on page 28. created a new section called Midwest Seaplane Pilot featuring Columnists Pete Schoeninger, Greg Reigel, Mark Baker, seaplane pilots from throughout the Midwest, and the events, Mick Kaufman, Harold Green, Bill Blank, Hal Davis, activities and travel destinations that fuel their interest. Cassandra Isackson and Rachel Obermoller will entertain, One of the leading events in the Midwest is the Minnesota inform and educate us with topics ranging from instrument Seaplane Pilots Association (MSPA) Safety Seminar and flight, pilot proficiency, flight safety, aviation law, aircraft Fly-In to be held May 19-21, 2017 at Madden’s Resort in ownership and maintenance, and pilot health and advocacy, Brainerd, Minnesota. By sea and by land, pilots will converge to state and federal issues, as they do in each and every issue. on the shores of Gull Lake and land at East Gull Lake Also in this issue are feature articles written by seaplane Airport located adjacent to Madden’s Resort. For additional enthusiasts, Steve Guetter and Randy Schoephoerster. Continued on Page 10 Let Us Help You Move Up To A CIRRUS! Flight For The 21st Century! Al Waterloo Gary Black Regional Sales Director, Chicago Territory Great Plains Regional Sales Director 773-372-0104 612-810-4712 [email protected] [email protected] www.cirrusaircraft.com APRIL/MAY 2017 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 5 Cirrus Oct 2016.indd 1 9/2/16 4:54 PM Index To Advertisers APRIL/MMIDWESTAY 2017 FLYERMAGAZINE Serving The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978 Academy College ...........................................17 Maxwell Aircraft Service.................................36 Adventure Seaplanes.....................................39 Mead & Hunt ..................................................21 EDITOR/PUBLISHER Aero Insurance, LLC. .....................................23 Metropolitan Airports Commission .................13 Dave Weiman Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA) .. 3 Mid-Continent Insurance ................................60 PRODUCTION DIRECTOR AircraftInsurance.com ....................................60 Midwest Flyer Magazine .... 25, 39, 42, 60 & 62 Peggy Weiman Airlake Airport ................................................13 Miminiska Lodge, Ontario (Wilderness North) .57 PHOTO JOURNALISTS Airpac .............................................................60 Minneapolis-St. Paul International