AOPA Action

User Fees Inefficient and Counterproductive, NCARC Told

AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer has told the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC) that it must recognize general aviation's role in the air transportation infrastructure and reject administration-proposed aviation user fees as counterproductive.

"We are not just trying to avoid general aviation user fees; we're concerned about the system as a whole," Boyer said. "Even if general aviation were exempt from user fees — as some have suggested — we would still oppose them. User fees are the wrong 'solution' for all of aviation."

A user fee exemption for one segment of aviation, Boyer said, would create a destructive class system in aviation: those who pay user fees and those who don't. Exempted users would have no voice in the operation of the new system. And in any case, any "exemption" would likely be short-lived.

"User fees are nothing more than a naked attempt by the administration to hand the FAA a blank check," said Boyer, foreseeing the end of Congressional oversight of FAA activities and policies.

The following problems, among others, were cited by Boyer:

• User fees would require an enormous new accounting bureaucracy to collect. "It could cost more than $160 million to collect user fees to fund the FAA's entire $8 billion budget, as proposed," said Boyer. "That's 100 times the cost of collecting today's aviation fuel and ticket taxes."

• The administration has no consistent rationale for user fees. Boyer said that the FAA's latest user fee justification is an impending "funding crisis." But DOT and OMB have reduced the FAA's budget request each year throughout the Clinton years.
• A fair analysis of FAA issues appears not to be an administration priority. Boyer noted that the NCARC was given a very short time to complete its work, even after the administration wasted 4 months before making any commission appointments. "It seems this administration is more interested in seeking new funds than actually dealing with FAA management issues," Boyer said.
• General aviation is not represented. Congress mandated a commission representing all segments of aviation, but the body — heavily weighted to airline and big airport interests — includes only a single member with even the remotest link to general aviation.

AOPA'S Chapman Appointed To National Park Overflights Group

AOPA's Thomas B. Chapman, senior vice president of Government and Technical Affairs, has been appointed to the National Park Overflights Working Group (NPOWG) to develop a plan for air tour operations over national parks.

"AOPA members are concerned about both the environment and reasonable access to the nation's airspace," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We hope our involvement with this working group will lead to the best solution for all parties concerned."

The nine-member NPOWG is charged with recommending ways to reduce noise in the national park system. Recommendations are due by the end of August.

"AOPA has several goals for this rulemaking proposal," noted Chapman, "including retention by the Federal Aviation Administration of responsibility and authority for regulating all of the nation's airspace."

Other goals include maintaining reasonable and acceptable access for transient general aviation aircraft through airspace over national parks and preserving the public's right to experience a national park through commercial air tours.

Other members of the National Park Overflight Working Group include representatives of the National Air Transportation Association, Helicopter Association International, National Parks Conservation Association, National Park Service, National Tour Association, Friends of Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Twin Otter International, and a Native American tribal representative.

GA Team 2000 Initial TV AD Campaign Exceeds Projections

The initial 2-week trial run of TV ads in GA Team 2000's "Stop Dreaming, Start Flying" campaign has netted more than 2,000 requests for a $35 introductory flight coupon.

"Response during this early test phase was ahead of projections and fully encouraging that GA Team 2000 will deliver the results we're looking for," said program Chairman Ed Stimpson.

Beginning May 26, a second 2-week ad flight ran on the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, the History Channel, CNN, and CNN Financial Network. After a brief hiatus, the ads will run throughout the peak summer flying season.

More than 7,200 individuals weekly are also accessing the program through the "Stop Dreaming, Start Flying" Web site ( www.beapilot.com).

The "Stop Dreaming, Start Flying" TV spots generate toll-free calls to 888/BE-A-PILOT to obtain a coupon offering an introductory flight for just $35. After obtaining the coupon, prospective students redeem it at a participating flight school.

In addition to TV ads, hundreds of thousands of "Stop Dreaming, Start Flying" coupons have been distributed through GA Team 2000 founding member publications and employees. More than one million coupons will be distributed by July.

AOPA Urges Albuquerque Mayor To Reopen Runway

AOPA is urging Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez to reopen Runway 17/35 at New Mexico's Albuquerque International Airport.

"Safety and airport capacity argue for reopening this runway," said Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn. "Particularly during the spring and early summer, winds are sometimes so strong that Runway 17/35 is the only safe runway for airliners and general aviation aircraft."

In a March 14 memo to airport director Hanson Scott, Mayor Chavez ordered Runway 17/35 closed for 6 months for "maintenance," and also ordered the airport director to start the process of permanently closing the runway. However, airport users and control tower personnel haven't observed any maintenance work being performed. And since the March 20 closure, the runway has been temporarily reopened on several occasions — because of strong winds!

"This certainly makes the case that the runway is needed," said Dunn.

AOPA also noted that a federally funded airport noise study is currently under way. The association requested that AOPA be included on any oversight committee formed to monitor or advise the noise consultant. "We understand the mayor may have closed the runway because of noise concerns," said Dunn. "But if so, he's prejudging the results of an ongoing study."

Alabama Governor James Promises Support for State's Airports

Alabama Governor Fob James has endorsed an Alabama House bill to increase support for Alabama airports by raising the state's cap on aviation fuel excise taxes and eliminating the airlines' exemption from that tax.

Alabama law currently permits the state to collect only $600,000 a year in aviation fuel taxes that fund the state's Airport Development Fund. Airlines with a hub operation in Alabama are exempted from any excise tax on their voluminous purchases of jet fuel in the state — some 17 million gallons annually.

House Bill 212 would allow the state to raise up to $1.5 million from these special taxes on aviation over a 3-year period. Widespread support for the bill has included Alabama's powerful farm association. Alabama's 4,000-plus pilots supported the bill through the second-largest citizens' letter-writing campaign to Alabama legislators this year.

The bill is currently stalled in the House Rules Committee.

"With about half the revenue from Alabama's aviation fuel taxes going to administrative overhead, the remainder amounts to one of the lowest levels of state airport support in the nation," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, speaking for AOPA Legislative Action.

Kerscher Named Regional Representative

Former airport manager and airport commission chairman Karl A. Kerscher of Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin, has been named AOPA Midwest Regional Representative. The region includes Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Kerscher succeeds Bob Acker, who is retiring after 14 years in the position.

A former United Airlines pilot, FBO manager, and aircraft salesman, Kerscher has flown 22,000 hours since 1960 and has owned eight general aviation aircraft. His current airplane is a float-equipped 1954 Cessna 180.

"Airline flying provided me a good career, but it was never my first love," said Kerscher. "I've always returned to the romance and adventure of general aviation. I'm excited to take this position where I think I can make a difference."

AOPA's 12 regional representatives monitor local, state, and regional aviation and airport issues in the United States, reporting to AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. In addition, Canadian issues affecting AOPA members in Canada are handled by Canadian national representative Bill Peppler.

Discount On Weather Info Available TO AOPA Members VIA Online

American Weather Concepts (AWC) is offering a 20-percent discount to AOPA members on airline-style weather briefing services, supplementing the free weather graphics already available in the Members Only area of AOPA Online (www.aopa.org). The exclusive agreement allows AOPA members unlimited access to AWC Basic Services for $4 per month; an additional $2.40 per month allows unlimited access to real-time Nexrad Doppler radar images. A list of AWC weather services is available on the Web site .

Members Report Confusion Over New Blood Pressure Standards

Hundreds of AOPA members are reporting confusion in the medical community over new FAA guidelines on blood pressure standards.

"Under the new rules, the blood pressure standard for first class medicals was eliminated," explained Gary Crump, AOPA director of medical certification. "But the policy that formerly applied only to Class II and III medical certificates now includes Class I certificates and says that average blood pressure while sitting should not exceed 155 mm mercury systolic and 95 mm mercury diastolic maximum."

Hypertensive pilots can still be medically certified if blood pressure is controlled with approved medications and if a resting electrocardiogram and routine blood serum values are within normal limits. Complete information about the FAA hypertension policy is available to AOPA members on the AOPA Web pages (www.aopa.org), or by calling the AOPA Medical Certification Department at 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).

New AOPA Educational Assistance Program Helps With College Choices AND Expenses

A new AOPA Educational Assistance Program is now available for prospective college students in your family.

"Many AOPA members have children approaching college age," said Andrew Horelick, AOPA senior vice president of Products and Services. "AOPA's Educational Assistance Program can help relieve some of the worry of finding — and paying for — a college education."

The new program offers help in two areas: AOPA Educational Information Services and the AOPA Educational Loan Program. Available information includes:

College Selection Profile is a list of potential schools generated from the student's selection parameters, including tuition, school size and location, majors, and community population.

Scholarship and Grant Search generates a list of scholarships and grants for which the student may be eligible based on criteria such as intended major, skills, experience, age, and ethnic background.

Financial Aid Assessment is a free assessment of eligibility for government loans and the expected family contribution (EFC) for each student.

The AOPA Educational Loan Program provides "one-stop shopping" for a variety of low-interest educational loans, including federally funded "Stafford Loans" for students and "PLUS Loans" for parents.

Both of these programs offer interest rate reductions and other credits for on-time payments.

AOPA's program also offers a selection of privately funded educational loans at competitive interest rates.

"And because this is an AOPA Certified program," said Horelick, "every education loan returns a small fee to AOPA to help keep general aviation strong and membership dues low."

For more information on the AOPA Education Assistance Program, call 888/455-2672.

Answers to New FAR Part 61 Questions Available

Help is available for AOPA members puzzled over provisions in the new FAR Part 61 (Certification of Pilots and Flight Instructors).

"Changes that affect training, currency, and logging time were nearly all beneficial but are raising many questions of interpretation," said Woody Cahall, director of aviation services. "We're getting calls for clarification from more than 100 members a week. We're working with the FAA to resolve these questions."

AOPA fought an 11-year battle to simplify Part 61 rules, culminating with the May issuance of a final rule that AOPA President Phil Boyer said "kept most of the good and threw out most of the bad." The one major disappointment was the failure to include medical self-certification for pilots willing to limit themselves to recreational pilot privileges. The new Part 61 becomes effective in August.

Questions raised by AOPA members are researched and — where necessary — official legal opinions sought from the FAA. Answers to questions are posted regularly on AOPA Online (www.aopa.org) and are available through the Pilot Information Center, 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).

"As part of our member service, AOPA is on the cutting edge of Part 61 interpretations and legal opinions," said Cahall, "and we'll stay there as long as there are any member questions unanswered."

Boyer Honored for 'Ceaseless Vigilance'

AOPA President Phil Boyer has been honored with a 1996 Laurel by the bible of the aviation industry, Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine. The prized recognition by Aviation Week editors honors those who have made "outstanding contributions" to aviation and aerospace during the previous year.

An honoree in the Operations category, Boyer was cited for "…his ceaseless vigilance and untiring efforts to ensure that the rights of U.S. general aviation are not trampled at the state or federal level."

Aviation Week said "Boyer consistently has been a lone voice crying against wasteful FAA and congressional spending [and] the imposition of user fees to fund the FAA, and championing the use of advanced technologies such as GPS."

In 1991, Boyer became only the third president in AOPA's 58-year history. A 30-year, 5,300-hour multiengine and instrument-rated pilot, Boyer owns and flies a Cessna 172 for pleasure and has flown the Atlantic Ocean twice in piston-engine aircraft.

Last Chance: Five Bahamas Vacations For Pilots in AOPA's 'Favorite Fly-Outs' Contest

July 31 is the deadline for entries in the new "AOPA's Favorite Fly-outs" contest sponsored by Sporty's Pilot Shop and Hal Shevers, co-owner of famed Pittstown Point Landings fly-in resort in the Bahamas.

Five winning AOPA members will receive free accommodations at the resort for the week after AOPA Expo '97 in Florida. Winners will be announced in August.

The contest is open to any AOPA member by sending details on why his or her favorite fly-out destination is one of the best anywhere. Perhaps it's a resort, a favorite airport restaurant or pilot meeting place, or a destination of unusual beauty or significance. There are only two limitations: The destination must be especially convenient via general aviation, and you must have flown there within the past 5 years.

AOPA 'Blueprint 182' Now Cap's Newest Searchplane

AOPA's "Blueprint 182" is now the latest searchplane in service with the Civil Air Patrol.

AOPA's former Spirit of Revitalization toured U.S. airshows, fly-ins, and grassroots aviation events last year, standing in for the then-to-be-built 1996 sweepstakes prize, the First New 182. AOPA gave CAP first bid at a fair market sale, allowing AOPA to recover "Blueprint" tour costs, while furnishing CAP an excellent late-model Cessna 182 needed for its specialized operations.

N1432E was repainted by Lancaster Aero Refinishers of Smoketown, Pennsylvania, in CAP's new standard livery, including distinctive red panels on upper wing surfaces for enhanced traffic pattern conspicuity and for snow-country operations.

AOPA's 1997 Sweepstakes Grand Prize, the Ultimate Arrow, can be seen "on the road" at the AOPA booths at Oshkosh from July 30 through August 5.

AOPA Threatens Legal Action if FAA Implements International General Aviation User Fees

Acting on behalf of Canadian and other international pilots, AOPA has vowed to take legal action if the FAA implements ATC user fees for general aviation aircraft overflying the United States. The fee structure was implemented on May 19, although collection from Canadians has been delayed until October.

"These overflight fees are a threat to safety and an accounting boondoggle," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Congress never intended for the FAA to charge private aircraft."

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 1996 gave the agency the authority to collect fees, but it was clear from legislative debate that Congress intended for the FAA to charge foreign commercial air carriers — not small, privately owned general aviation airplanes. Nonetheless, the FAA interim final rule set fees of $4.38 per 100 nautical miles for piston-engine aircraft or $15.78 per 100 nautical miles for turbine-engine aircraft. Those fees would have the greatest impact on Canadian pilots.

Following an AOPA Legislative Action request, the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sent a letter on April 16 to FAA Acting Administrator Barry Valentine, urging that he "reevaluate" his decision establishing the international overflight fees. AOPA also testified at a May 1 public hearing, citing safety concerns, collection inefficiency, and possible fee retaliation from Nav Canada, which provides ATC services in Canada.

In early May, the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment to a supplemental spending bill offered by Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), chairman of the aviation subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, prohibiting the FAA from charging fees to GA aircraft operated by "citizens of a country contiguous to the United States," provided that country does not charge U.S. pilots for similar flights.