Southern Region

2013 Issues and News

May 14, 2013 — FAA rule modifies Nashville Class C airspace

The FAA has published a final rule modifying the Nashville, Tenn., Class C airspace area despite AOPA's view that the change was not needed or justified. — Read More >>

May 8, 2013 — AOPA challenges city's treatment of Pompano Beach Airpark

Pompano Beach, Fla., is again in AOPA's crosshairs after the city's latest attempt to impede construction of a new facility at Pompano Beach Airpark. The issue is yet another that AOPA has addressed with the city in the past 20 years. — Read More >>

April 30, 2013 — Customs fixes Florida delay problems

After pilots were forced to sit in their hot aircraft for hours on the ramps of Florida airports of entry waiting to clear U.S. Customs in late March, AOPA contacted the Customs and Border Protection national headquarters to investigate. — Read More >>

April 22, 2013 — Florida honors general aviation

Recognizing the critical role that general aviation and community airports play in the lives of the citizens, as well as the operation of businesses and agriculture in the state of Florida, Gov. Rick Scott has become the latest to designate April 2013 as General Aviation Appreciation Month. — Read More >>

April 18, 2013 — Tennessee law protects flight training

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has signed a bill that exempts flight schools from new state fees and other burdens that threatened to drive flight students out of state. — Read More >>

April 17, 2013 — Flight check changes Georgia-Florida airway modification proposal

The FAA, citing navaid coverage limits, is seeking additional comments on the proposed amendment of V-537 between Macon, Ga., and Palm Beach, Fla., which now includes the possible elimination of the airway segment between Macon and Greenville, Fla. — Read More >>

March 27, 2013 — Fort Campbell study offers 'solution without a problem'

The Army should work with the FAA to produce the least restrictive measures possible during future training activities and other missions at Fort Campbell, Ky., AOPA said. — Read More >>

March 27, 2013 — Nashville Class C airspace expansion not necessary

The FAA's proposal to modify Class C airspace at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee lacks justification for expanding its surface area in the vicinity of a now-closed airport, AOPA said. Members are encouraged to review the airspace proposal and submit comments by April 1. — Read More >>

March 22, 2013 — Tenn. Senate passes flight training exemption from new fees

Tennessee took a step forward in keeping flight training in the state affordable and accessible March 18 when the state Senate passed a bill that would exempt flight schools from new fees and other administrative burdens. — Read More >>

February 19, 2013 — FAA proposes airway modifications in Mississippi

The FAA has announced a proposal to modify two jet routes and seven Victor airways, and remove two other airways in the vicinity of Jackson, Miss., in connection with the scheduled decommissioning of the Jackson Vortac and the concurrent commissioning of the Magnolia Vortac. — Read More >>

February 6, 2013 — Adding to Nashville Class C surface area 'unjustified'

The FAA has proposed to modify Class C airspace at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport by incorporating airspace previously associated with a now-closed airport, but has cited no justification for doing so, AOPA said. — Read More >>

January 30, 2013 — Meetings set on future use of Fort Campbell, airspace

The Army has scheduled two public meetings in February to identify issues for review in an environmental impact study of its future use of lands, ranges, and airspace at Fort Campbell, Ky. — Read More >>

2012 Issues and News

December 13, 2012 — Public meetings set on Florida airspace redesigns

The FAA has scheduled three informal fact-finding meetings for January 2013 on proposals to modify Class B airspace in Miami, Fla., and Class C airspace in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Read More >>

October 16, 2012 — Waypoint proposed to replace Moultrie VOR on V-537

The FAA has proposed to establish a navigation fix on airway V-537 between Macon, Ga., and Palm Beach, Fla., to replace the Moultrie VOR/DME, which has been scheduled for decommissioning. — Read More >>

September 13, 2012 — Skydivers, sub base, airport up in arms

Errant skydivers landed inside a Georgia Navy submarine base in August, reigniting a campaign to move the St. Marys airport. — Read More >>

August 14, 2012 — RNC prompts Tampa TFR (PDF)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be issuing Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in support of the Republican National Convention taking place in Tampa, FL. The restrictions are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for the event. — Read More >>

August 8, 2012 — AOPA's Minter to be honored in Tennessee

AOPA Southern Regional Manager Bob Minter will join an elite list of aviation luminaries when he is inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame at its annual gala and induction ceremony Nov. 3. — Read More >>

July 12, 2012 — Redrawn SC aeronautics code 'a model'

South Carolina has updated the state aeronautics code, creating a model for other states to follow. The new law, which took effect June 18, places the state Division of Aeronautics under the governance of the state Aeronautics Commission - a body that AOPA Southern Regional Manager Bob Minter has served since 2006 as a technical advisor, joining a dozen others in helping to revise the state's Airport Systems Plan. — Read More >>

June 13, 2012 — Fuller offers legislative update at Florida conference

AOPA President Craig Fuller used a panel discussion at the Florida Aviation Trades Association's Annual Meeting and Trade Show June 12 to give an update on general aviation topics including user fees, the fall elections, and state advocacy efforts. — Read More >>

April 18, 2012 — Fort Lauderdale runway construction begins

A two-phase runway construction project expected to conclude in September 2014 has begun at Florida's Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. — Read More >>

April 17, 2012 — FAA urged to preserve Alabama airways, procedures

Many Alabama airport procedures - and two Victor airways - may be lost if the FAA proceeds with a plan to decommission the VOR/DME in Decatur, Ala. AOPA is seeking a reprieve, pending design of alternatives. — Read More >>

April 17, 2012 — Florida pilots' help sought in NextGen planning

AOPA is asking pilots operating in Florida to help shape the expansion of performance-based navigation procedures in their area by sharing their experience and suggestions in preparation for the FAA airspace-optimization review. — Read More >>

March 9, 2012 — Florida legislature approves aviation tax exemption

The business climate looks brighter for general aviation in Florida now that the state House and Senate have agreed on an economic-development package with sales-tax exemptions for aircraft repairs and equipment. — Read More >>

February 15, 2012 — Florida House passes aviation tax exemption

The Florida House has voted to expand a sales tax exemption to most light general aviation aircraft maintenance costs and the equipment used in the repairs. — Read More >>

February 9, 2012 — FAA issues proposed rulemaking for Atlanta airspace

The FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify the Class B airspace in Atlanta. The agency maintains that reducing the diameter of the outer ring while lowering many interior shelves will save airline fuel, and enhance the efficiency of the world's busiest airspace. — Read More >>

February 2, 2012 — GPS signals could be unreliable over NC

The FAA has issued a flight advisory for potentially unreliable GPS signals within a 287-nautical-mile radius of Wilmington, N.C. — Read More >>

January 18, 2012 — Expanded tax exemptions sought in Florida

Two Florida lawmakers, seeking to boost the competitiveness of the state's aviation maintenance industry, have introduced bills that would greatly expand existing sales-tax exemptions on parts, equipment, and labor used in aircraft repairs. — Read More >>

2011 Issues and News

• December 15, 2011 - Palm Beach airspace redesign benefits general aviation
• November 29, 2011 - GPS testing affects Southeast (PDF)
• October 20, 2011 - Air Force eases restricted airspace in NC
• July 25, 2011 - Palm Beach airspace changes benefit GA
• July 19, 2011 - Atlanta-area pilots' help sought in NextGen planning
• July 7, 2011 - Mississippi SUA changes make room for GA
• June 30, 2011 - Venice, Fla., back on track for airport improvements
• June 3, 2011 - FAA withdraws plan to shut down Crimson VOR
• April 28, 2011 - Development proposal near N.C. airport withdrawn
• March 31, 2011 - Fla. legislature eyes GA aircraft maintenance tax exemption
• March 23, 2011 - Runway construction means delays at Ft. Lauderdale Int'l
• February 10, 2011 - Charlotte-area pilots' help sought in NextGen planning
• February 10, 2011 - NC town's council defers vote on apartments near airport
• January 27, 2011 - NC town planners nix residential complex near airport
• January 26, 2011 - Fla. restricted airspace plan needs modification
• January 10, 2011 - S.C. panel urges aircraft tax reduction