State Injunction Last Hope for Meigs
A federal judge on September 27 turned down the request of AOPA and others for a temporary restraining order that would have kept Chicago's lakefront Merrill C. Meigs Airport operating past October 1, but a state court granted an injunction to hold off demolition until October 25.
"The suit filed by AOPA and others was our last-ditch effort to save Meigs in the face of incredible odds against us," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Closing Meigs will be a loss for the citizens of Chicago, for airline passengers, and for general aviation. One of Chicago's unique transportation and business resources may be demolished, and the effects will be felt at other Chicago airports, especially Midway. What's really disturbing is that the case may have turned on FAA's nondefense of this crucial and symbolic downtown airport."
On September 11, AOPA, with six other plaintiffs, filed suit against the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, and the FAA to stop demolition of the airport. The State of Illinois joined this suit and filed two others of its own.
The plaintiffs argued that replacing Meigs with a park would violate state and federal airport grant agreements and would significantly harm the environment, thus requiring an environmental impact statement before demolition of the Meigs runway.
"If this represents the end for Meigs, it is a dark day for air transportation in America, perhaps the end of an era, and a loss we will all come to regret," said Boyer.
"AOPA will continue to fight for general aviation and reliever airports in cities nationwide. Any politician who regards this as the start of open season on downtown and close-in airports will have AOPA to deal with," Boyer said.
AOPA Blasts New GA Airports Group for Harming General Aviation's Position on Meigs
AOPA has told Michael Stephens, president of the new General Aviation Airports Coalition recently formed in Washington, that his actions undermined the general aviation community's efforts to save Meigs Field.
Following a meeting with Chicago Aviation Commissioner Hugh Murphy on September 4, GAAC endorsed Chicago's argument that Meigs must be closed.
GAAC recommended diverting Meigs traffic to Midway or using DuPage, Schaumburg, or Waukegan airports in Chicago's northern or western suburbs, or even Gary Regional Airport in Indiana. Meigs is but a five-minute taxi ride from Chicago's downtown business district.
AOPA immediately resigned from the GAAC organization, asked for a pro rata refund of its dues, and encouraged all other general aviation groups to do the same.
Chicago Didn't Tell Full Story About Meigs, According to AOPA
AOPA says that the city of Chicago didn't tell the public the full story about closing Meigs Field. In a strongly worded letter to Mayor Richard M. Daley, AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote, "Only information supportive of the closure decision is being provided to the public, and we believe this is inappropriate."
Boyer said that Chicago's public relations consultant, hired to "sell" the plan replacing the airport with a park, was publicizing misleading information. PR consultant Marilyn Katz had claimed that Meigs was shut down all or part of 100 days a year, implying that weather made the airport unusable almost one third of the year.
Boyer termed a claim that aircraft operations at the airport have decreased since 1980 "selective reporting of statistics." He said that claim didn't reflect the fact that since 1991, the number of Meigs Field operations has remained constant, averaging 50,000 per year.
Boyer pointed out the contradiction between the city's public claim that Meigs Airport wasn't needed, versus the city's actions during the week of the Democratic National Convention when the Chicago Department of Aviation ordered the airport open 24 hours a day.
"If Meigs wasn't important to downtown Chicago, why then the demand for the airport's around-the-clock operation — at great cost to the FAA?" Boyer asked. "Apparently, Chicago's business community doesn't count, but the political community does."
Rocky Mountain National Park Restrictions Opposed
AOPA is fighting a proposed special flight rules area limiting flight over Rocky Mountain National Park in western Colorado.
To prevent a possible future noise problem, the FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would limit park overflights.
"President Clinton and Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt are forcing the FAA to regulate a park problem that doesn't even exist," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Even the National Park Service concedes general aviation aircraft are not causing a serious noise problem."
AOPA noted that President Clinton had directed the departments of the Interior and Transportation to develop regulations controlling aircraft over all national parks.
"The land managers are now taking over airspace management," said Boyer. "The FAA has the authority and the expertise to control airspace. That authority must not be preempted."
Discrepancy In Connecticut Tax System Unfairly Tapped Aircraft Owners for Interest Payment
AOPA has found that discrepancies among Connecticut's tax regulations, state statutes, and the Connecticut Individual Use Tax Return have resulted in aircraft owners' being unfairly charged interest on unpaid use taxes.
Department of Revenue Services (DRS) regulations required the use tax to be paid "forthwith," i.e., at the time of aircraft purchase, and allowed for collection of interest on unpaid use taxes. The Connecticut Individual Use Tax Return (Form OP- 186), however, states that the return may be filed at the time of purchase or no later than January 1 or April 15 (depending on the version of the form) for purchases made during the preceding calendar year. Further, AOPA believed that state statutes do not support collection of the use tax "forthwith."
AOPA contended it is very likely that some aircraft owners have been charged interest despite complying with the instructions on Form OP-186. The association asked the DRS to amend its regulations and to issue refunds to aircraft owners who paid the use tax after the date of purchase — in accordance with OP-186 — but were charged interest from the date of purchase.
The DRS has agreed to AOPA's requests and advises, "the taxpayer may file either using a Form OP-186...or Form CT-1040, the individual income tax return." Refunds may be requested by contacting the Refunds Unit at 860/541-3253. The DRS notes, "Refunds will only be allowed if the claim is submitted within three years from the last day of the month succeeding the period for which the overpayment was made."
Questions should be directed to the Taxpayer Services Division at 860/297- 5962 or (in-state) 800/382-9463.
AOPALA Notes Progress as 104th Congress Adjourns
AOPA Legislative Action introduced its five-point FAA reform plan at the beginning of the 104th Congress last year. When the dust settled and Congress adjourned last month, lawmakers had adopted in one form or another all five AOPA Legislative Action proposals. More important, it had rejected schemes to let the FAA charge user fees or make air traffic control a corporation.
The FAA reauthorization law (H.R.3539) that lawmakers passed just before the election recess makes the FAA more autonomous, requires the FAA to complete rulemaking actions in 18 months, and creates a management advisory council to give the FAA outside advice from aviation leaders.
Congress lifted bureaucratic personnel and procurement rules from the FAA last year, giving it the flexibility to act more quickly and save money by writing its own rules.
The most important victory for AOPALA is the defeat of FAA user fees. The user fee proposal would have charged pilots for FAA services, which could include air traffic control, weather reports, aircraft certification, and licensing. The user fee proposal followed a Clinton administration plan to convert the FAA into a government-owned corporation, which AOPALA opposed.
Instead of moving to a user fee system, the bill creates a National Civil Aviation Review Commission to audit the FAA and examine innovative financing methods. AOPALA championed the commission proposal and helped guide it through Congress.
Finally, the bill changes the allocation formula for federal grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to shift more resources to smaller airports, including general aviation facilities.
AOPA and Others Challenge FAA Emergency Authority
AOPA, EAA, and the NTSB Bar Association filed a "friend of the court" brief in federal court supporting a challenge to the FAA's use of its emergency authority to suspend or revoke a pilot's certificate.
"The dramatic increase in the number of 'emergency' certificate actions by the FAA suggests an unbridled abuse of a power that the FAA should use only in the most extreme circumstances when there is an immediate threat to public safety," said AOPA General Counsel John S. Yodice.
In June the FAA issued an emergency order revoking the airline transport pilot certificate of a captain for a major U.S. airline. The FAA charged the pilot with misrepresenting his flight time 17 years ago when obtaining his flight instructor and ATP certificates. (See "Pilot Counsel: Emergency Revocation," page 98.)
The FAA also charged that the pilot's flight test for a type rating in the vintage WW II Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bomber was flown in an aircraft not appropriately equipped for the flight check. The pilot denies all charges.
"First, fitness to hold a TBM type rating has no bearing on a pilot's ability to operate an airliner safely," said Yodice. "Second, there is no way that events 17 years ago can be construed as requiring immediate certificate revocation to protect the public."
AOPA, EAA, and the NTSB Bar Association filed an amicus brief in the case, contending unjustified emergency revocation of an airline pilot's certificate. Before the court could hear the case, the NTSB restored the pilot's certificate following his appeal, thus rendering the court action moot. But AOPA will continue to challenge the FAA's unwarranted use of its emergency authority.
"No one questions the need for a vigorous but fair enforcement process in certain situations," said Yodice. "The abuses in the Bob Hoover case and this one, however, cannot be allowed to continue."
IAOPA World Assembly Focuses on Eastern Europe, Air Traffic Control
The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) held its World Assembly in Thun, Switzerland, near the Swiss capital of Bern, during September.
"Our mission is to address the increasing challenges facing international general aviation," said IAOPA President Phil Boyer. "Our goal is to reverse the worldwide trend towards imposing greater restrictions on general aviation, adopt new technologies for navigation and air traffic control, and expand the capabilities and economic benefits of GA into Eastern Europe."
Delegates heard from the chairman of the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament, Petrus A.M. Cornelissen, on improving GA's influence on transportation policy; the director general of Eurocontrol, Yves Lambert, on integration of GA into the future European air traffic management system; and Joseph B. (Doc) Hartranft, Jr., founder and former president of IAOPA.
One session of the World Assembly was devoted to the development of general aviation in the new democracies of Eastern Europe. Addressing delegates were representatives from the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee.
In other sessions, delegates reviewed progress towards implementing satellite navigation services, examined steps to ensure nondiscriminatory general aviation access to world airports, considered progress towards international harmonization of pilot certification regulations, and learned about the expanding Internet services available to IAOPA members.
IAOPA is the international organization representing the more than 400,000 pilots and aircraft owners of 40 national AOPAs on international issues. IAOPA participates in standards development and safety matters at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal and with national aviation authorities around the globe.
In Historic Step, Russia Accepted as Member of IAOPA
IAOPA has accepted Russia as a member of the world community of national AOPA organizations. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Russia was granted provisional member status during IAOPA's World Assembly.
"This is an historic moment for world general aviation," said IAOPA President Phil Boyer. "Russia's membership in IAOPA is a dramatic illustration of the openings and exciting possibilities for general aviation in the new democracies of the former Eastern Bloc."
Boyer also talked about the new dynamism Russia could bring to world aviation business and manufacturing. "Not only is Russia an expanding market for aviation products," said Boyer, "it already has a sophisticated aeronautical industry. As those designers and manufacturers focus more on general aviation and integration with Western industry, we should see exciting new consumer products.
"In addition, we expect this will lead to greater general aviation access to airspace and airports in Eastern Europe."
Russia is the second of the former communist states to join IAOPA. Hungary joined in 1994.
FAA Aviation Safety Inspector Rick Cremer will be the guest for an online conference on Tuesday evening, November 19, on AOPA Online on CompuServe. Cremer, an ATP with a DC-9 type rating, will answer questions about the imminent changes to FAR parts 61 and 141.
The conference will be in Room 1 of the AOPA Online Forum from 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time. To join the conference and ask questions, type GO AOPA and enter the members-only forum, then click on "Conference."
Activity on IAOPA Web Site Increasing Dramatically
The IAOPA World Wide Web site has experienced a continuous and dramatic increase in activity in its first four months of operation. IAOPA President Phil Boyer told IAOPA delegates that activity on the site has doubled each month since May.
"Pilots from around the globe have visited the IAOPA home page," said Boyer. "Pilots from at least 48 countries, from Argentina to Zimbabwe, have visited the site."
Boyer said that the Internet was quickly becoming the most effective way for pilots to communicate worldwide. The IAOPA web site centralizes information about all 40 national AOPAs and provides hypertext links to the growing number of AOPAs with their own homepages.
IAOPA's World Wide Web site also provides links to international aviation organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IAOPA's site can be found at www.iaopa.org.
AOPA'S 1996 Sharples Award AWARD Honors Amelia Reid
AOPA presented the 1996 Laurence P. Sharples Award at AOPA Expo to Amelia Reid, northern California's first lady of aviation, for her lifetime devotion to the preservation and advancement of general aviation.
The Sharples Award recognizes a lifetime in aviation that is representative of the life of Laurence P. Sharples, AOPA's founding chairman, who established the organization with four other aviators in 1939.
"Amelia Reid joins a select list of distinguished Americans who have been so recognized for their devotion to the defense and advancement of general aviation," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Individuals such as Amelia have given our world of aviation so much more than we can ever repay."
Reid accepted the honor in person. The presentation included an original video on her aviation career and a special tribute by airshow star Sean D. Tucker. The nationally famous performer was trained in aerobatics by Reid.
Reid was selected as the 1996 Sharples laureate for her decades-long defense of her home base, San Jose's Reid-Hillview Airport, and for her training of thousands of pilots in back-to-basics "stick-and-rudder" flying, often including aerobatics and classic taildragger aircraft.
Reid's first flying lesson was a $3 hop in 1941 during her undergraduate days at Kearney State College in Nebraska. After finishing a master's degree in mathematics at San Jose State University, she abandoned a programming mathematician position at the NACA (now NASA) Ames Research Center at California's Moffett Field, and in 1960, with 525 hours already in her logbook, earned her commercial pilot certificate and instructor rating. She opened Amelia Reid Aviation at the pastoral Reid-Hillview Airport that her father-in-law and four other local airmen had founded in 1939.
She has since flown 40,000 hours while training more than 4,000 students in basic and advanced airmanship. The diminutive 80-pound pilot also wows northern California airshow audiences with her Cessna 150 Aerobat, in a daring low-level routine flown from the right seat.
Amelia Reid Aviation's first aircraft was a Taylorcraft L-2, a former military observation airplane acquired for just $350. Today's fleet still includes L-2s, plus a Piper Cub, a Luscombe, some Citabrias, and more modern offerings that comprise her 20-plane fleet.
Reid holds an airline transport pilot certificate and is type rated in the Cessna Citation business jet.
For as long as anyone can remember, Amelia Reid has always been a fixture in every airport preservation battle at Reid-Hillview.
AOPA dedicated Expo '96 to the contribution of urban general aviation airports like Reid-Hillview to the economy and business development of their communities.
Lower Rates for AOPA Credict Card Holders
If your AOPA credit card is currently at a fixed annual percentage rate (APR), you can take advantage of a lower variable APR and save on your monthly finance charges. Check your monthly credit card statement to see whether you are already receiving the lower variable rate. To change from the fixed to lower variable rate, call 800/421-2110 for details.
Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Receives AOPA'S Hartranft Award for Outstanding Government Service
AOPA presented its 1996 Hartranft Award for outstanding government service to Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) during AOPA Expo '96.
"Senator Stevens has a long history of fighting for general aviation, both in Alaska and nationwide," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "His strong leadership helped to defeat an administration-backed air traffic control user fee plan that would have been disastrous to general aviation as well as low-cost airlines."
Stevens fought the plan because of general aviation's importance to Alaska. He called user fees "backdoor financing," recognizing them as a tax increase on aviation by unelected bureaucrats. He also argued that Congress must maintain its oversight of federal agencies and their budgets to keep agencies focused and accountable to the public.
In November last year, Stevens introduced an alternative plan, the "Stevens Substitute," calling for an independent audit of the FAA's financial needs and a serious study of FAA funding alternatives. It is now expected that Congress will adopt some form of the original Stevens Substitute as a first step in determining how to reform FAA funding.
AOPA's Hartranft Award is named for the association's first employee, long- time president, and former chairman of the board of trustees, Joseph B. (Doc) Hartranft, Jr. The award recognizes the most significant support of general aviation by a public official in 1996.
Alamo Offers AOPA Members Free Enrollment in Quicksilver
AOPA members can now enjoy free enrollment in Alamo's new express service, Quicksilver, a savings of $50 per year.
Quicksilver is the newest, fastest, and easiest way to rent a car from Alamo. As a Quicksilver member, you will bypass the lines at the rental counters and instead head directly to Alamo's new freestanding or countertop kiosks to receive a printed copy of your rental contract. You can complete your transaction in less than 60 seconds.
For telephone enrollment or more information, call 800/882-5266 and mention AOPA/Alamo Corporate I.D. number 434861. Please have your driver's license, credit card, and frequent flyer numbers ready for the agent.
Did You Know...
...that beginning on January 30, 1997, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and other major FAA documents will be published just twice a year instead of on the current 112-day cycle? After January, look for the next AIM on July 17.
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Announces Scholarship Winners
Congratulations are in order for two outstanding university students, each of whom has won a $1,000 scholarship administered by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation and the University Aviation Association.
The 1996 McAllister Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Jennifer N. Winter of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a senior at the University of Illinois and a commercial pilot working on her flight instructor certification.
The 1996 Burnside Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Duane A. Boyle of Hooper, Nebraska, a senior majoring in aviation studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a former Air Force air traffic controller.
The McAllister Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1979 by friends of Eugene and Dorothy McAllister, enthusiastic pilots who devoted much of their lives to pilot training.
The Donald Burnside Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of the famed aviation pioneer and cofounder of the Burnside-Ott Flight School in Florida. The scholarship was created by Mrs. Mitzi Burnside and William and Robert Ott in 1991.
Both scholarships are awarded annually. Applications for the 1997 McAllister and Burnside scholarships can be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Scholarships, AOPA Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
To be eligible for 1997 awards, applications must be received by March 31, 1997.
