AOPA Action

Airport Support Network Launched

A major AOPA initiative to reverse the loss of public-use general aviation airports — currently more than one every two weeks — was announced at AOPA Expo '97 in Orlando in October.

A goal of the Airport Support Network will be to name an AOPA volunteer at potentially every public-use airport in the United States, acting as AOPA's "eyes and ears" for potential problems that could endanger the airport.

"All too often, members call us for help at the eleventh hour, just before a vote to close the airport," said Bill Dunn, vice president of regional affairs. "By then, it's often too late."

Volunteers in the Airport Support Network will supplement efforts of AOPA's 12 regional representatives, who represent AOPA at state and local levels throughout the country.

The first Airport Support Network volunteers are expected to be named by the end of this year. Watch for more details in "AOPA Action."

City Agrees to Keep Lost Nation Airport Open in Face of AOPA Lawsuit, Complaint to FAA

In the face of legal actions by AOPA, the city of Willoughby, Ohio, has agreed to keep Lost Nation Airport open unless the FAA approves closure. Willoughby had threatened to close the airport on October 1.

"This is an important victory for general aviation in Ohio and for threatened airports nationwide," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We're pleased that Willoughby will now honor its contract with aviation taxpayers."

AOPA had filed both a lawsuit against the city and a Part 16 complaint with the FAA to prevent closure of the Cleveland-area reliever airport. As Federal Judge Patricia Gaughan was scheduling a hearing on the lawsuit, attorneys for the city of Willoughby promised that the city would continue operating the airport while the FAA reviews AOPA's Part 16 complaint — and that Willoughby would not close the airport unless it receives FAA approval to do so. City representatives conceded that it was unlikely the FAA would approve closure.

Willoughby is contractually bound to operate Lost Nation Airport until at least 2015 because it accepted some $14 million in user-funded grants from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.

"This case sends a message," said Boyer. "Airports like Lost Nation are important to the nation as a whole. That's why we're willing to give user-financed Airport Improvement Program grants to cities like Willoughby, and that's why AOPA will fight to ensure that those aviation tax dollars are used wisely as Congress intended."

FCC Proposal Threatens Airports Nationwide

Protection from dangerous obstructions could be eroded if a September 2 Federal Communications Commission proposal preempts state and local obstruction zoning.

The FCC notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) considers "whether and in what circumstances" to invalidate state or local zoning, including zoning that prevents construction of dangerous obstructions near airports and in busy airspace. Broadcasters had asked for the rule to avoid delays in tower construction for the new high-definition digital television service.

"This NPRM rides roughshod over local zoning that protects aircraft," declared Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "It could sacrifice the lives of pilots and passengers on the altar of digital television."

Current laws require builders of potentially hazardous towers and other obstructions to notify the FAA, but the FAA has no authority to enforce obstruction standards.

Comments were due by October 30 to FCC Docket 97-296, FCC Dockets Branch, Room 239, 1919 M Street N.W., Washington D.C. 20037.

FAA Answers AOPA Request, Promises Inexpensive GPS Databases

Responding to an AOPA request, FAA Associate Administrator for Research and Acquisitions George Donohue says that the agency hopes to have a plan for free or low-cost distribution of GPS database information by next August. At up to $700 a year, the cost of updates stops many pilots from installing IFR-approved GPS receivers. A current database is required to legally use GPS for instrument approaches.

"A number of us became sensitive to this issue from AOPA," said Donahue at an August 3 press conference.

AOPA had asked the FAA to make the navigation database available to the public electronically, in a standardized format supported by all avionics manufacturers. The association pointed out that FAA already maintains — at user's expense — its National Airspace System database of airport and navigation information. With some modifications, that database could be compatible with navigation receivers.

Donahue suggested that database distribution might be accomplished through satellite broadcast or online computer systems such as the Internet.

AOPA was the pioneer advocate of GPS for civilian aviation beginning back in the 1980s. Its landmark 1990 report to Congress, "The Future is Now," started a policy debate leading to the adoption of the Department of Defense- originated system for civilian air navigation.

In the Meantime, Don't Kill Loran, AOPA Tells DOT User Conference

AOPA has told a Department of Transportation user conference that the survival of loran is a safety issue, at least until GPS is fully functional and reliable as the sole means of aviation radio navigation. The DOT is reviewing the decision to decommission loran in the year 2000.

The FAA argues that GPS, supplemented with the Wide Area Augmentation System, will provide precision approaches "at up to 8,400 runways" by the year 2001, but AOPA says that such an ambitious schedule could slip.

"We all know how successful the FAA is at sticking to a schedule," said AOPA Vice President of Air Traffic Control Marty Shuey. "Until the FAA actually demonstrates that GPS and related ground-based systems are providing full service and reliability, it would be foolish to turn off existing navigation systems."

With some 80,000 loran receivers currently installed in general aviation aircraft, loran remains the logical choice for a simple, relatively inexpensive backup navigation system.

The consulting firm of Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc., is soliciting user comments on loran. Written comments should be sent to DOT Loran Study Comments, c/o Joseph R. Davis, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Inc., 8251 Greensboro Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102. Comments may also be e-mailed to [email protected].

A Model for Saving Threatened Airports? Pilots Buy Brandywine

Pilot-owned Brandywine Airport, west of Philadelphia, has become a model for saving threatened airports across the nation.

"Saving airports is a tough battle," AOPA President Phil Boyer told the proud new airport owners during dedication ceremonies on September 13. "Here we stand near Valley Forge, where our ancestors struggled to preserve freedom. Today, you have won a round in the battle to preserve freedom of flight."

Brandywine was saved from developers by area pilots, who bought the privately owned, public-use airport from former owner William B. Wilson. Other potential buyers had been eyeing the property for non-airport uses.

"Bill Wilson's problems were not unlike those faced by many airport owners," said Boyer. "Business dwindles because of the drop in the pilot population, and increasingly better offers come from developers who say 'tear down this airport and make some real money.'"

Ironically, it was a local developer who felt that the airport was too important to lose. Leonard Blair spearheaded the formation of a not-for-profit business cooperative called The New Brandywine Airport Club, which began selling membership shares last year to raise capital to buy the airport. The sale was completed on July 25.

AOPA's Airport Department provided technical advice to the group on buying the airport.

Puerto Rico GA Landing Fees Eliminated

The Puerto Rico Airport Authority has agreed to eliminate general aviation landing fees at 11 airports operated by the Puerto Rico Port Authority. That agreement follows three years of pressure from AOPA and the Orlando FAA Airports District Office.

"This is a tremendous boost for general aviation on the island," said Miguel Vasconcelos, AOPA director of airports. "Many pilots were priced out of flying by the previous landing fee schedule."

Puerto Rico had been charging a minimum landing fee of $11 at each airport, even those with minimal facilities. While the Port Authority argued that it was trying to make the airports "self-sustaining," AOPA said federal regulations and good business practice dictated that fees should be reasonable and proportional to the services offered.

Puerto Rico's escalating fees have caused a notable decline in general aviation activity over the past three years. Since only two island airports are listed as offering fuel sales, most pilots had to fly from their home base to a neighboring airport just to refuel their aircraft — and pay a landing fee for the "privilege." AOPA received numerous letters from Puerto Rican pilots who said that the extra expense had become too great.

AOPA at Work in the States

New York passed S.B.920, allowing the commissioner of transportation to approve navaid funding for airports; AOPA supported.

California passed S.B.60, increasing the state motor vehicle fuel tax when federal taxes are reduced or eliminated; AOPA opposed.

Ohio's Columbus International Airport proposes closing Runway 5-23; AOPA opposes.

AOPA Gives Grant to Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation

A $5,000 grant to help improve air safety in Alaska has been presented to the Alaska Air Safety Foundation by AOPA President Phil Boyer.

"In Alaska's unique flying environment, AASF has been a guiding beacon towards improving safety," said Boyer, presenting the check to AASF Chairman Tom Wardleigh. "AOPA is pleased to continue our support for the foundation's mission."

The Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation develops uniquely "Alaskan" safety programs. Its weekly television show Hangar Flying, now in its twelfth year, is seen in more than 200 Alaskan communities.

Boyer Meets With Nav Canada in Ottawa

In a September meeting in Ottawa, AOPA President Phil Boyer explained to Nav Canada President and CEO Kenneth Copeland how Canadian direct user fees would harm general aviation.

"Direct user fees would have a detrimental effect on general aviation safety in Canada," Boyer told Copeland. "They would discourage Canadian and U.S. pilots from using safety services such as detailed weather briefings or instrument flight plans."

Nav Canada, the corporatized Canadian air navigation service, has already set user fees for large aircraft and will be determining a fee structure for general aviation over the coming months.

Boyer and AOPA Legislative Action staffers Bill Deere and Mary Strauss discussed with the Canadian officials how the current Canadian federal fuel tax could not be specifically dedicated to Nav Canada.

Subsequent discussion centered on a fixed fee per year that would be assessed in varying amounts to GA users, to eliminate the per-use charge for services. Still uncertain is how U.S. transient pilots would be handled under this system, since some might cross the border often, while others may be making only one trip a year.

AOPA was admitted earlier this year as an associate member of Nav Canada and serves in an advisory capacity to the organization.

Historic AOPA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Partnership Announced

AOPA and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have entered into a unique partnership that will benefit both organizations and allow them to share resources. The agreement was unveiled at AOPA Expo '97 in Orlando.

ERAU President Steven Sliwa and AOPA President Phil Boyer declared the partnership "historic" in helping to encourage the rebirth of general aviation. The AOPA-ERAU partnership will include special opportunities for all Embry-Riddle students at both the Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, campuses (see "Beyond the Flight Line," p. 69).

AOPA benefits — including AOPA Pilot magazine, the toll-free Pilot Information Center, and the AOPA Online Web site — will help Embry-Riddle students stay current on aviation issues affecting their future careers. In addition, hundreds of AOPA and Air Safety Foundation booklets, fact sheets, type-specific aircraft reviews, safety guides, videotapes, and other aviation education materials will be donated to ERAU's libraries.

"This is a unique partnership of two industry leaders," said Boyer. "ERAU is the leader in aviation career education, and AOPA the leader in aviation information, representation, and safety education."

The partnership is part of an ongoing effort by AOPA to assist young people who take up aviation as a career.

Whitney, Larson, Wolf Honored for Aviation Advocacy at Expo '97

Steve Whitney, the founder and president of "Friends of Meigs" who mobilized local pilots in the 1996 debate over the future of Chicago's lakefront Meigs Field, was presented AOPA's highest honor for aviation advocacy, the prestigious Laurence P. Sharples Award, at AOPA Expo '97 in Orlando on October 25.

At the same session, Susan Larson of San Jose, California, received AOPA's Crotti Award for California advocacy in efforts to save airports in urbanizing Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, including San Jose's Reid-Hillview. Larson is a founding member of the nationally recognized Coalition for Responsible Airport Management and Policy and has served as an officer and member of its board of directors.

At Expo's closing banquet on October 25, AOPA's Hartranft Award for government service was presented to U.S. Representative Frank Wolf, chairman of the House Appropriations transportation subcommittee. Wolf was a leader in the 1997 budget fight against user fees and ATC corporatization.

Six Win Karant Journalism Awards

Several Max Karant awards for outstanding aviation journalism were presented in October at AOPA Expo '97.

Reporter Bryce Matteson and photographer Doug Schrag of KWCH-TV in Wichita shared the Karant television award for a multipart first-person account of earning a private pilot certificate. In presenting the award, AOPA acclaimed the duo's ability to "cover the essentials, counter misconceptions, and communicate the exhilaration of learning to fly."

Reporter Lisa Scagliotti of the Anchorage Daily News won the Karant newspaper award for a series of articles on aircraft maintenance and rework in the hardworking world of Alaskan general aviation. "You highlighted the vitality, innovation, and spirit that makes aviation so special in our forty-ninth state," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

Reporter Bob Roberts of WMAQ Radio in Chicago won the Karant radio award for balanced, sensitive coverage of the Meigs Field closing. AOPA noted that the fair-minded reports "allowed Chicagoans to understand the issue better and make up their own minds about the need for this valuable civic asset."

Special Karant "Lifetime Excellence in Aviation Journalism" awards went to veteran aviation writer Jerry Hannifin of Time magazine, and aviation author Frank Kingston Smith. Hannifin has reported on aviation and space for the magazine for decades and has served for a number of years as judge for AOPA's Karant awards. Since the 1950s Smith has authored many books that have encouraged thousands to take up aviation, including I'd Rather Be Flying, Weekend Pilot, and Flights of Fancy.

AOPA Pilot Town Meetings Go Interactive

New interactive audience-response technology was introduced at AOPA President Phil Boyer's September Pilot Town Meetings in North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

"This interactive technology makes Pilot Town Meetings even more fun and informative," said Drew Steketee, AOPA senior vice president for communications. "Not only does it give pilots a chance to participate actively in the meeting, it also allows us to sample pilot opinion on any subject."

In all three meetings, Boyer asked participants, "Who should control airspace over national parks?" The response was overwhelming: 78 percent said the FAA should retain control of that airspace, while 15 percent of the pilots were willing to cede jurisdiction to the National Park Service.

In Atlanta and Nashville, pilots were asked how user fees would affect their flying. The results were sobering: 45 percent said they would stop flying if the FAA were to charge fees for flight plans, weather briefings, or air traffic control services. More than 80 percent of Nashville pilots said "No" or "Heck, no!" when asked if Nashville International needed Class B airspace. (AOPA recently prodded the FAA to withdraw its Nashville Class B proposal.)

Pilot answers are anonymous because the response units do not identify individual participants.

The system can also tabulate demographic information. For example, 51 percent of the pilots attending the September Pilot Town Meetings were instrument rated, 53 percent were aircraft owners, and more than 91 percent were AOPA members.

Boyer held his first Pilot Town Meeting in September 1992. Since then, more than 27,000 pilots have attended 123 such events across the nation. Boyer encourages questions, answers, and opinions from all pilots at the meetings.

AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION

Alabama Pilot Wins ASF Transceiver

CFII Greg Horton, AOPA 1249235, was the lucky second-quarter, 1997 winner of a JD-200 handheld aviation transceiver donated by Sporty's Pilot Shop. All registered participants at ASF safety seminars are eligible to win one of the $395 units, awarded each quarter in a random ASF drawing.

The Alabama commercial pilot, recently promoted to chief pilot for the Maxwell Air Force Base Aero Club, says that he tries to get to as many ASF seminars as he can. ASF will present nearly 500 safety and training programs throughout the United States in 1997.

ASF Awards Grant for New GA Technology

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has awarded Wichita State University a research grant to study the practicality of the Nahas Wing, a new "high-lift device" for GA aircraft.

If proved feasible, the wing could help produce safer aircraft with slower takeoff and landing speeds and improved accident survivability. "This is an exploratory study to look at a fundamental concept of low-speed aerodynamics. We won't know for some time whether the idea has merit, but this is a beginning," said ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg.

Typically, high-lift devices are found on airliners such as the Boeing 727, but the multisegmented leading edge and trailing edge devices are too complex and heavy for smaller aircraft. The Nahas Wing could provide the benefits of airliner-style high-lift devices in a mechanically simple package.

Bruce Landsberg said that the ASF would continue to look for projects with the potential to improve general aviation safety and pilot proficiency through research, analysis, education, quality training, and information dissemination.

Silent Auction Passes $33,000 in Bids

More than $33,000 was bid for items in the ASF Silent Auction through August, setting a new record. A total of 100 items have been available so far this year for bidding.

The previous record was set in 1994, with $21,000 in bids for the entire year. The auction will run until November 30. Proceeds support ASF safety seminars and other aviation safety outreach efforts for general aviation.

New items available for bid on the ASF Silent Auction Web site include:

• A Mag-Lite Rechargeable Flashlight System, offered by Aviators Mall ( www.aviatorsmall.com).
• $500 in creative advertising services, offered by Benchmark Studios.
• A one-week vacation at Coconut Isle Villa in Long Bay, Jamaica, offered by Ted Sims.
• A Seaplane Pilots Association "Get Started" package, including two hours of seaplane training at Norcal Aviation in San Andreas, California; a one-year membership in the Seaplane Pilots Association; an SPA polo shirt; a seaplane safety video; the famed How To Fly Floats textbook; and an SPA lapel pin.