AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2019 - 102

NEWS & NOTES

MEMBER SERVICES

TIPS FROM PIC |

All gummed up
Dealing with arthritis
B Y K AT H L E E N D O N D Z I L A K I N G
I RECENTLY FLEW IN A PIPER CUB and had
to strategize how to climb into the aircraft.
Forget being graceful; just getting into the
small seat took some thoughtful maneuvering. If you experience similar challenges
with joint pain, there is much we can do to
relieve symptoms that doesn't involve taking medication. The treatment, however,
does require self-discipline in two areas:
Losing weight and exercise. Small changes
help noticeably and shedding just five or
10 pounds, when combined with regular
exercises such as walking or bicycling, can
significantly improve flexibility.
If your condition is more advanced
and you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or even rheumatoid arthritis, and
are under a physician's care, there is good
news regarding airman medical certification. In years past, certification warranted
a special issuance medical certificate,

MEMBERSHIP |

Choose 'the card
for pilots'
Maximize your earnings

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME and money
with the new AOPA World Mastercard and
get rewarded for the purchases that matter
to you. Here are three ways you can maximize your earning:
* Use your rewards program to your advantage. You earn up to 4 percent cash back on
the purchases you make. Your categories
don't change every quarter, so it is easy to
remember where your earning potential is
greatest. Using your card for select AOPA
purchases, AOPA partners, and aviationrelated categories reaps the best rewards.
* Choose cash back. The AOPA credit
card allows you to redeem your points for

102 | AOPA PILOT February 2019

but new FAA guidelines allow aviation
medical examiners to issue medical certificates without written or verbal FAA
approval. Through the new CACI (conditions aviation medical examiners can
issue) certification process, worksheets
provide both your treating physician and
your AME with a checklist of information
needed for office certification.
You can download the arthritis worksheet from the FAA's website and bring it to
your treating physician, who will provide
the information outlined on the sheet. Then,
take the worksheet and the medical reports
to your AME, who will confirm that everything on the worksheet meets the guidelines.
Your AME can issue your certificate at the
time of the FAA physical examination.
If you have further questions about
arthritis or any other medical condition,
give the medical certification specialists at
AOPA a call Monday through Friday, 8:30
a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, 800-USA-AOPA
(872-2672).
KATHLEEN DONDZILA KING is AOPA's

technical communications manager and

AOPA FINANCE |

ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT
AVAILABILITY, EASIER-TO-MANAGE systems, and favorable financing options
are driving many aircraft owners who
once considered multiengine piston
aircraft to look more closely at the
single-engine turboprop. Thinking
about moving up to the turboprop
market and unsure of what to expect
in the buying process? Ronald Smith,
regional director for Pilatus Aircraft
Sales, discusses financing with a
partner:
"Typically the partners are people who are already familiar with
each other and likely have previously
owned an aircraft together, so the
partnership is already structured. If
two individuals are trying to purchase
an aircraft as a partnership for the first
time, they should consider engaging an aviation attorney for counsel
in properly structuring the partnership," he said.
www.aopafinance.org

instrument-rated private pilot.

gift cards, travel, merchandise, and other
rewards. With cash back as a statement
credit, you will get the best return for your
reward, since in some cases you are receiving up to 4 percent on your purchase.
* Use your reward points well before
they expire. Three years can fly by before
you know it. Make a habit of redeeming
your points so you don't miss out on your
rewards.
Reward points can be redeemed for cash
back or other items provided through
AOPA Pilot Rewards. The statement credit
will reduce your balance, but you are still
required to make at least your minimum
payment. A minimum of 2,500 points is
needed to redeem for cash back. Values for
non-cash back redemption items such as
merchandise, gift cards, and travel may vary.
www.aopa.org/creditcard

ASSUREDPARTNERS
AEROSPACE, AOPA FORM
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
ASSUREDPARTNERS HAS acquired the
aviation insurance policies owned
by the AOPA Insurance Agency. The
transition will allow AOPA to focus its
resources on financing the long-term
health of the association and funding
critical initiatives including growing
the pilot population. AOPA Insurance
Agency policy holders will be notified of the change, but there will be no
change in their current premiums or
renewal dates.
As the preferred agency for AOPA,
APA will provide AOPA members
access to the same insurance carriers that AOPA Insurance Agency has
used. APA also has broad capabilities
to better serve AOPA members needing commercial aviation insurance
products. Nonaviation insurance products including life, AD&D, and auto will
remain with AOPA.
http://www.aopafinance.org http://www.aopa.org/creditcard
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2019
