Eastern Region

2013 Issues and News

April 4, 2013 — Maryland GA airports generate $550.7 million in business

General aviation activity in the state of Maryland created $358.5 million in personal income and $550.7 million in business sales between 2011 and 2012, according to a new report, "Economic Impact of Airports," from the Maryland Aviation Administration. GA also created 6,274 jobs during the period. — Read More >>

March 21, 2013 — Decommissioning proposed for Utica Vortac/RCO

— Read More >>

March 13, 2013 — Luxury surtax targeting aircraft resurfaces in Maryland

A Maryland lawmaker has proposed to levy an additional sales surtax on a list of items, including all general aviation aircraft, categorized as supposed "luxury" items. — Read More >>

February 21, 2013 — AOPA names Sean Collins as Eastern regional manager

AOPA's new Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins will focus on building government relations and local aviation communities in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. — Read More >>

February 19, 2013 — GA participation reflected in DC-area T-route proposal

The FAA has proposed establishing two area navigation routes in the Washington, D.C., area under the agency's Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex program. — Read More >>

February 7, 2013 — 'Aerostats over Washington' raises safety concerns

A Defense Department plan to test-fly two aerostats—huge helium-filled tethered craft—within Washington, D.C., airspace for security purposes raises flight-safety concerns in the already-congested airspace, AOPA said. — Read More >>

2012 Issues and News

December 10, 2012 — GPS signals may be unreliable over Maryland in December (PDF)

GPS testing is scheduled as follows and may result in unreliable or unavailable GPS signal December 10, 2012 – December 31, 2012, centered at 381541N/0762612W or the RIC VORTAC 042 degree radial at 62. — Read More >>

September 27, 2012 — FAA urged to simplify Philadelphia Class B airspace plan

The FAA has responded positively to some user concerns about the proposed redesign of Class B airspace centered on Philadelphia (Pa.) International Airport, but still must mitigate safety hazards and unnecessary complexity, AOPA said in a regulatory filing. — Read More >>

August 2, 2012 — FAA proposes changes to Philadelphia Class B airspace

A proposed revision of Class B airspace associated with Philadelphia International Airport addresses some concerns for general aviation, but could still be significantly improved and made less complex, AOPA said. — Read More >>

July 25, 2012 — Vote strongly supports embattled Pennsylvania airport

— Read More >>

July 12, 2012 — Italian ambassador takes to American skies

Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero is an active pilot, so when he struck up a conversation with AOPA President Craig Fuller about Italy's recent moves to reverse a new luxury tax on general aviation, a visit to AOPA headquarters - and some aviation - seemed appropriate. — Read More >>

July 11, 2012 — Rule makes N.Y. helicopter route mandatory

A helicopter route already in use on a voluntary basis to direct traffic away from noise-sensitive areas on the north shore of Long Island, N.Y. is now mandatory, effective Aug. 6. The rule will expire in 2014, but may be extended. — Read More >>

July 2, 2012 — GPS interference testing set for July over Maryland (PDF)

GPS interference testing set for July over Maryland (PDF) — Read More >>

June 14, 2012 — Runway project approved in NJ

Flight operations will be safer at a Toms River, N.J., airport, and preservation of a natural resource will be assured, after approval of an AOPA-supported agreement between county officials and the state agency responsible for protecting the New Jersey Pine Barrens. — Read More >>

May 22, 2012 — Pennsylvania House passes aviation tax exemption

The Pennsylvania House passed a bill, by a vote of 179 to 19, to exempt aircraft purchases and maintenance from the state's 6-percent sales tax in action supporters said would return jobs and competitiveness to the state's aviation industry. — Read More >>

May 10, 2012 — Wind turbines cause safety, access concerns for airports

The adverse effects of 52 wind turbines on the Kessel VOR-DME in West Virginia do not justify decommissioning the navaid and weakening the area's aviation infrastructure, AOPA said. — Read More >>

May 1, 2012 — Politician's bid to close Pa. airport growing costly

Pennsylvania's Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport is federally obligated to remain open in perpetuity and it boasts an annual economic impact of $10.5 million. So, how could it face the threat of closure? — Read More >>

April 27, 2012 — G-8 Summit to add extra TFR to DC area

While world leaders and President Barack Obama gather at Camp David in Thurmont, Md., for the G-8 Summit May 18 and 19, a temporary flight restriction will shut down a large swath of airspace in the already restrictive Washington, D.C., area. — Read More >>

April 25, 2012 — Safety cited for NJ runway project

Building a runway aligned with strong winds that sweep coastal Robert J. Miller Airpark would make the Toms River, N.J., airport safer and more of an asset to the community, AOPA said at a public hearing on proposed improvements. — Read More >>

April 17, 2012 — Students heading to national design challenge finals

State and local officials, joined by AOPA, gave a Massachusetts high school team a proud sendoff on their way to a national aeronautical design competition held April 20 through 23 in Washington, D.C. — Read More >>

April 11, 2012 — Northeast airway modifications set

The FAA has published a final rule that makes modifications to airways in the vicinity of Hartford, Conn., associated with the planned decommissioning of the Bradley Vortac. The changes take effect May 31. — Read More >>

April 11, 2012 — Maryland luxury tax fails, for now

Maryland's legislative session ended abruptly April 9 without action being taken on a luxury surtax on aircraft that AOPA opposed as a loser for pilots and aviation businesses in the state. — Read More >>

March 28, 2012 — Maryland urged to defeat luxury tax

Maryland would "lose out" if the state adopts a luxury surtax on sales of aircraft, said two AOPA advocacy staff members in testimony before a legislative committee. — Read More >>

March 22, 2012 — Teterboro's Dalton departure updated

The FAA has revised the Teterboro, N.J., airport's Dalton VFR departure by eliminating an altitude restriction after takeoff that made it difficult for some flights to comply. The change takes effect April 5. — Read More >>

March 1, 2012 — State steps up to cover federal airport grant gap

The FAA's new long-term reauthorization reverts the federal government's match of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to pre-2003 levels, which could threaten local ability to match funds for some airport projects. However the Virginia Aviation Board and Department of Aviation have taken steps to ensure their airports won't suffer. — Read More >>

February 23, 2012 — Wind farm could be hazard to VFR flights

AOPA is urging the FAA to find that 130 wind turbines proposed for Nantucket Sound near Cotuit, Mass., would pose a hazard to the many low-altitude VFR flights between three area airports. The turbines could also disrupt local radar service, AOPA said. — Read More >>

February 22, 2012 — Maryland luxury tax targets 'planes'

AOPA is studying Maryland House Bill 1345, which would add a 1-percent luxury surtax to the state sales and use tax on "motor vehicles, boats and planes" on sales amounts in excess of $35,000. — Read More >>

February 9, 2012 — Aviators find receptive audience in Connecticut legislature

A coalition of aviation industry groups sat down with Connecticut lawmakers Feb. 6 to build on a growing understanding within the capitol of the value of aviation. — Read More >>

February 2, 2012 — Northeast airways slated for modification, replacement

Proposed changes to Victor airways transiting Connecticut offer a small-scale preview of how the nation's airspace will likely be modernized via NextGen, from a system based on decades-old technology to performance-based navigation based on GPS. — Read More >>

January 19, 2012 — Baltimore airpark faces closure bid

Pilots and supporters of a general aviation airport that has operated in Baltimore County, Md., since 1942 have launched an effort to resist a county government bid to close the facility. — Read More >>

2011 Issues and News

• December 20, 2011 - Maine tax repeal quickly reaps rewards
• December 1, 2011 - FAA updates Washington, D.C., flight rules course
• November 16, 2011 - New notam issued for Leesburg operations
• October 20, 2011 - Pennsylvania aircraft tax exemption clears committee
• August 10, 2011 - 10-day TFR over Martha's Vineyard (pdf)
• July 25, 2011 - Willow Grove, Pa., airspace now uncontrolled (pdf)
• July 19, 2011 - FAA modifies TEB's Dalton departure
• July 14, 2011 - Rhode Island balloonists get a lift
• July 7, 2011 - NH establishes aeronautical fund
• June 22, 2011 - Rhode Island issues revised aeronautics regulations
• June 15, 2011 - GA-friendly budget repeals notorious Maine use tax
• June 9, 2011 - Hartford pilots look back at tax battle, forward to Summit
• June 7, 2011 - Historical designation opposed for Cape May airport
• May 31, 2011 - GPS testing in Maryland prompts FAA flight advisory
• May 13, 2011 - TSA: Letter to Baltimore-D/C. area instructors 'voluntary'
• May 4, 2011 - Connecticut budget prevents 'devastating' blow to GA
• April 28, 2011 - Pilot wins four-year battle over $26,000 fine
• April 20, 2011 - GPS testing in Maryland prompts FAA flight advisory
• April 14, 2011 - Approval expected for Katama Airpark expansion
• April 12, 2011 - Pa. town urged to take back anti-airport stand
• March 24, 2011 - New York lawmakers adopt aviation resolution
• March 16, 2011 - New Hampshire honors general aviation
• March 16, 2011 - Proposed Philadelphia Class B redesign too complex
• March 16, 2011 - Bill would protect balloon operators from amusement tax
• March 15, 2011 - Zelienople, Pa., urged to withdraw 'flawed' airport leases
• March 2, 2011 - Connecticut governor's tax bills take aim at GA
• March 2, 2011 - Pilots and FAA hold dialog on Leesburg flight deviations
• February 16, 2011 - Meeting to curb Leesburg Maneuvering Area deviations set
• February 3, 2011 - Mass. aircraft tax exemption repeal returns, now in House
• January 6, 2011 - Aircraft use tax repeal effort relaunched in Maine