Great Lakes Region

2013 Issues and News

March 28, 2013 — Pilots' input sought on Wisconsin airway modification

AOPA is evaluating the potential impact of an FAA proposal to modify V-345 in the vicinity of Ashland, Wis., and encourages members to provide input on how the plan would affect their flight operations. Formal comments may be submitted to the FAA by May 10. — Read More >>

March 19, 2013 — AOPA urges mitigation of GA impact from Michigan exercises

A planned military exercise in Michigan could cut off GA access to a Victor airway in August, and AOPA is urging officials to preserve access for instrument operators. — Read More >>

February 27, 2013 — Tax bill to boost aviation clears Indiana Senate

An AOPA-backed bill to spur aviation activity in Indiana by exempting avgas and aircraft maintenance from sales taxes has passed the state Senate on a unanimous vote. — Read More >>

February 27, 2013 — TMOA could impact busy GA season in northern Michigan

The U.S. Air Force is requesting to establish a temporary military operations area in northern Michigan from Aug. 5 through 16. — Read More >>

February 21, 2013 — Minneapolis Class B redesign plan still poses concerns

The FAA's proposed redesign of Class B airspace in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., continues to leave some unresolved concerns for general aviation. — Read More >>

February 13, 2013 — FAA seeks comments on August military exercise

The FAA is seeking public comments on an Air Force request to establish a temporary military operations area in central Wisconsin during training exercises Aug. 19 to Aug. 30. — Read More >>

January 30, 2013 — Bill would cut fuel tax in ND

North Dakota's excise tax on aviation fuel would be cut in half under an AOPA-supported bill now before a legislative committee. — Read More >>

January 10, 2013 — Airway change takes effect March 7 on V170

The FAA has published a final rule effective March 7 amending airway V170 near Devil’s Lake, N.D., to increase its separation from a block of restricted airspace. — Read More >>

2012 Issues and News

December 13, 2012 — AOPA works to cut Indiana GA aviation taxes

AOPA's government affairs team is working with key leaders in Indiana's legislature on a bill that could eliminate taxes on key aviation activities in the state. — Read More >>

November 14, 2012 — Indiana airports generate jobs, serve communities

Hoosier airports mean Hoosier jobs. That was the clear message of a new economic impact study that credits Indiana's 69 public-use airports with generating $14.1 billion in economic activity and supporting employment for more than 69,000 workers. — Read More >>

October 16, 2012 — Pilots eye return to Minnesota's 'Northwest Angle'

General aviation aircraft used to provide access to a Minnesota fishing and vacationing paradise. An effort is under way to reopen a private strip in the area. — Read More >>

October 11, 2012 — Detroit Class B airspace revision burdens GA

The FAA's proposed redesign of Class B airspace in Detroit, Mich., makes some concessions to user feedback, but retains basic features that would impose major burdens and add risk for many general aviation operations, AOPA said in a regulatory filing. — Read More >>

August 14, 2012 — Detroit Class B plan ignores GA's ideas

AOPA has expressed disappointment that the FAA has made only minimal changes to a proposal to modify and expand Detroit's Class B airspace despite substantial burdens the plan would impose on general aviation operations. — Read More >>

August 7, 2012 — Military exercises start Aug. 20 in Wisconsin

AOPA urges pilots who plan to fly in the area of central Wisconsin during the period from Aug. 20 to 31 to stay informed about the status of a temporary military operations area in which an annual training exercise will be staged. — Read More >>

August 6, 2012 — Cincinnati to close reliever airport Aug. 29

The city of Cincinnati, Ohio, has notified the FAA that it will close the Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport on Aug. 29. The decision would mark the end of a five-year effort by AOPA and the general aviation community to keep the airport in operation. — Read More >>

July 18, 2012 — Long battle for new airport poised to bear fruit

For more than 30 years, James Stabile has worked to bring a runway to Paradise - the unincorporated township on Michigan's Upper Peninsula that draws hunters, bird watchers, sport divers, and campers, among others. With strong backing from AOPA, the airport took a significant step forward. — Read More >>

June 14, 2012 — Aviation funding bill passes in Michigan

An AOPA-backed bill to fund state aeronautics accounts without increasing Michigan's already-high state tax on aviation fuel and other products is on its way to Gov. Richard Snyder for signing. — Read More >>

June 14, 2012 — Officials ponder airport in Paradise

Michigan's Upper Peninsula community of Paradise could become the site of a new general aviation airport, and pilots can help make the plan come true. — Read More >>

June 6, 2012 — Airport operator to chair Ohio aviation caucus

Rex Damschroder (R-Fremont), a veteran lawmaker, airport operator, and pilot, has become chairman of Ohio's Legislative Aviation Caucus. — Read More >>

June 6, 2012 — Airport land-swap talks to include GA

AOPA is working to ensure that tenants of General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wis., have a say in land-swap discussions that could affect general aviation facilities in the airport’s northeast quadrant. — Read More >>

May 1, 2012 — Aviation funding bill passes Michigan House

The Michigan House has passed an AOPA-backed bill that would fund state aeronautics accounts without increasing the already-high state tax on aviation fuel and other products. — Read More >>

May 1, 2012 — Minneapolis-area airports facing fee hikes

Cutting costs should take precedence over fee hikes when dealing with budget shortfalls in difficult economic times - and pilots at Minneapolis-area airports can make that point to Minnesota's Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) in a public hearing May 7. — Read More >>

April 30, 2012 — TFR to shut down Chicago airspace for NATO Summit

The FAA has issued a flight advisory alerting pilots that a temporary flight restriction will be in effect May 19 through 21 over Chicago for a NATO Summit. — Read More >>

April 24, 2012 — Ohio aviation advocates meet in Columbus

Aviation needs a strong voice in speaking to government officials to ensure that general aviation's needs are known - but sometimes it's the one-on-one approach that gets the job done. — Read More >>

April 6, 2012 — Illinois House honors volunteer pilots

Illinois legislators have declared a day of appreciation to recognize an organization of volunteer pilots who fly to serve those in need of medical or humanitarian transportation. — Read More >>

March 30, 2012 — Aviation fees stripped from Illinois bill

Legislation in Illinois that AOPA warned could further depress the state's aviation economy will move forward without its most onerous provisions after a House vote March 28. — Read More >>

March 19, 2012 — Minnesota bills would expand airfield access

Liability-protection bills that make it easier for landowners to grant public access to private airfields has been on the move in the states - and the focus now shifts to Minnesota. — Read More >>

March 14, 2012 — AOPA makes strong showing in ND

AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Bryan Budds and AOPA Representative Bill Hamilton helped spread the word about AOPA's Pilots and Teachers Handbook, now being integrated in curricula across North Dakota. — Read More >>

March 13, 2012 — Cincinnati reneges on commitment to reconfigure reliever

The city of Cincinnati, which for years has choked off federal aid to its reliever airport in nearby Blue Ash, has notified the FAA of its intention to close the facility later this year. — Read More >>

March 13, 2012 — Indiana to study broader aviation tax exemption

Indiana lawmakers have passed a bill that strengthens a general aviation sales-tax exemption and launches a study of expanding tax benefits for repair stations and fixed-base operators. The measure now heads to Gov. Mitch Daniels for signing. — Read More >>

March 8, 2012 — Cincinnati reliever airport's future in focus

The future of Ohio's Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport remains uncertain, but Blue Ash municipal officials who met with AOPA have expressed willingness to consider proposals that could keep the general aviation facility operating despite a closure threat from Cincinnati. — Read More >>

March 2, 2012 — Liability protection passes in SD

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed a bill backed by AOPA and the Recreational Aviation Foundation that should broaden public access to private landing strips by providing liability exemptions for the landowners. — Read More >>

February 23, 2012 — Pilots in Pacific Northwest could face $100,000 fines

Slated to take effect Feb. 27, a new regulation would enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to impose fines of up to $100,000 for flying 1,000 to 2,000 feet msl over sanctuaries in the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine sanctuaries in California; and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in the state of Washington. — Read More >>

February 22, 2012 — T-route extension should enhance safety, efficiency

The extension of the T-route from the Rapid City, S.D., VOR to the Gillette, Wyo., VOR effective April 5 exemplifies actions the FAA can take to improve GA safety and efficiency, AOPA said. — Read More >>

February 16, 2012 — South Dakota House passes homebuilder tax relief

Lawmakers voted 45-23 in favor of South Dakota House Bill 1209, a measure that would relieve homebuilders from double taxation. AOPA and the South Dakota Pilots Association will continue to support the bill, now headed to the state Senate. — Read More >>

February 13, 2012 — Comments sought on proposed August military exercise

The Air Force has requested a temporary military operations area (TMOA) in late August to support an annual training exercise to be staged from Wisconsin's Volk Field Air National Guard base. Members may submit comments on the proposal to the FAA until March 5. — Read More >>

February 9, 2012 — AOPA urges changes to UAS-only airspace proposal

AOPA submitted several suggestions that would mitigate the impact of a proposed restricted airspace reserved for unmanned aircraft in North Dakota, but remains opposed to the creation of such an exclusive airspace. — Read More >>

February 9, 2012 — Pilots to Cincinnati: Keep Blue Ash open

With concern rising over Cincinnati's intent to close Blue Ash Airport later this year, AOPA is calling on area pilots to take their protest directly to Mayor Mark Mallory. — Read More >>

February 8, 2012 — Temporary MOAs proposed in Michigan

AOPA is working to inform members and Airport Support Network volunteers about proposed military training that would include two temporary military operations areas July 22 through Sept. 1 near Grayling, Mich. Members may submit comments on the airspace proposal until Feb. 15. — Read More >>

February 7, 2012 — Illinois bill would raise aviation fees

A proposed hike in aviation registration fees would only "further depress" a tax-burdened aviation economy in Illinois, AOPA said, urging officials to reject the plan. — Read More >>

February 7, 2012 — Pro-GA bills clear Indiana House

Two AOPA-backed bills - one providing aviation sales-tax relief and the other establishing funding sources for airport ground-access maintenance - have won overwhelming passage in the Indiana House and are now before the Senate. — Read More >>

February 2, 2012 — Airway access during military training urged

AOPA has requested that the Air Force, which plans to establish a temporary military operations area during military exercises scheduled for June from Volk Field Air National Guard base in Wisconsin, assure unimpeded airway access for general aviation flights. Members are encouraged to submit comments on the plan by Feb. 3. — Read More >>

January 31, 2012 — South Dakota pilots seek relief from double taxation

South Dakota pilots are rallying with AOPA to protect homebuilders from double taxation. — Read More >>

January 31, 2012 — Indiana GA tax exemption bill moves forward

A bill that would clarify and expand the sales- and use-tax exemption for aviation maintenance in Indiana is making headway. — Read More >>

January 10, 2012 — ND airspace plan raises questions, concerns

A proposal to create new restricted airspace in North Dakota for training of unmanned aircraft systems raises more questions than it answers, undermines safety, and would set a dangerous precedent in creating additional restricted airspace for use solely by UAS, AOPA said. — Read More >>

2011 Issues and News

• December 15, 2011 - Cincinnati warned against closing Blue Ash Airport
• April 28, 2011 - Pilots offer changes to Minneapolis Class B airspace
• January 12, 2011 - FAA solicits pilot input on changes to Minneapolis Class B