AOPA Action

NATIONAL ACTION

No User Fees This Year, but NCARC Recommendations Due Soon

No new user fees this year — that's the important message for general aviation from the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, passed by Congress on July 31 and signed by President Clinton on August 5. The tax bill extends aviation excise taxes for 10 years and directs that all aviation fuel taxes go to the aviation trust fund.

"Congress did the right thing," said AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer. "Despite relentless pressure for user fees from the administration and a misdirected FAA, our elected representatives wisely chose a proven tax system that can efficiently fund our aviation infrastructure."

The new tax bill will generate more money for aviation. Of the existing 19.3-cents-per-gallon federal tax on aviation gasoline, 4.3 cents had been going to the General Fund for "deficit reduction" but will now be redirected to the Airports and Airways Trust Fund.

Boyer cautioned, however, that the war against user fees was far from over, with the Clinton administration still wedded to the idea that the FAA should charge pilots for every FAA "service" — including weather briefings, air traffic control contacts, or issuance of medical certificates.

Legislative Action also noted that the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC), which is dominated by airport and airline interests, has yet to issue its final report. By law, NCARC funding recommendations will be introduced in the Senate automatically as draft legislation.

Both the Senate and House have passed appropriations bills that would increase the FAA's budget in Fiscal Year 1998, with the Airport Improvement Program getting $1.7 billion, 70 percent more than the Clinton administration's request. "And a sizable portion of that money would go towards improving general aviation airports," said Boyer.

EPA Should Get the Lead Out and Talk to FAA and Aviation Industry

AOPA has told the Environmental Protection Agency that it should consult with the FAA and the aviation industry on environmental efforts that could affect general aviation safety.

"Separate EPA offices are working on different issues concerning lead in aviation fuel," said Douglas C. Macnair, AOPA director of aviation standards, "and they may not have a full understanding of how their actions could affect the safety of flight or pilot pocketbooks."

EPA recently identified alkylated lead as a hazardous air pollutant and said that evaporation of avgas from aviation fuel farms and fuel trucks was the primary source of alkylated lead in the atmosphere.

"The aviation community supports the goal of removing lead from our environment," said Macnair, "but what the EPA needs to understand — and what the FAA could tell them — is that we don't yet have a safe, economical high-octane replacement for leaded avgas."

Macnair said that the general aviation industry has made a concerted effort to develop an unleaded aviation fuel, but that no test fuel has yet reliably achieved a 100-octane rating without compromising other safety-critical characteristics such as spark plug fouling, gum deposits, or water separation.

Macnair also noted that the average single-engine aircraft is more than 28 years old, meaning that aircraft — unlike automobiles — remain in service for decades. It could take 30 years or more to replace today's piston-powered fleet with aircraft designed to operate on a new fuel. Therefore, any replacement fuel for leaded avgas must meet the needs of today's aircraft.

"We strongly urge EPA to coordinate with the FAA and the aviation industry on any proposal that could affect safety or dramatically increase the cost of aircraft operation," said Macnair.

Pilot Survey Asks Your Opinion of the FAA

A survey of pilot opinions to "assess current National Airspace System" operation and establish a baseline for tracking the FAA's performance is being conducted by the Mitre Corporation under contract to the FAA.

The survey includes questions on availability of weather information and use of flight service stations (FSS), DUAT, and ATC services and navaids. It is being distributed by mail to 6,000 randomly selected pilots with current medicals.

"Questions were developed by Mitre's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development with pilot focus groups. The effort concentrates on the way real aviators use the system," explained Don Johnson, AOPA director of technical analysis. "The poll shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to complete and will help monitor FAA performance."

The survey is expected to be repeated annually.

Boston Ponders Peak Hour Pricing Again

AOPA has warned the Massachusetts Port Authority not to even think about implementing "peak hour" pricing at Boston's Logan International Airport without first implementing all FAA-recommended capacity improvements.

The pricing plan reportedly being considered is similar to one proposed in 1987 that would have increased the charge for a typical GA aircraft from $25 per landing to almost $250, effectively shutting out general aviation. Action by AOPA helped to defeat that plan in December 1988.

In a letter to Massport Executive Director Peter Blute, AOPA President Phil Boyer pointed out that FAA-recommended airfield improvements not yet implemented would help to cure airline delays. Those recommendations include opening the long-delayed Runway 14/32, extension of Runway 15L/33R, and a 400-foot extension of Runway 9.

"If airline delays can be substantially reduced, Massport should no longer feel compelled to pursue a plan of economically rationed airport capacity, especially if such a plan included general aviation," wrote Boyer.

AOPA also expressed concern over longstanding nighttime user fees charged at Hanscom Field, GA's alternative to Logan Airport in Boston's western suburbs.

AOPA Launches New FBO Rebate Program

A bold new AOPA program takes a slice out of the cost of flying by giving members using AOPA credit cards a rebate on all purchases made at qualified FBOs.

"Our members asked us to find ways to help them reduce their cost of flying," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "and we did. Everybody talks about it, but who else besides AOPA has actually lowered your cost of flying recently?"

The AOPA FBO Rebate Program was developed in partnership with AOPA credit card issuer MBNA America Bank. The bank-provided rebate is valid on any purchase made with an AOPA Visa or MasterCard at any qualified FBO listed in AOPA's Airport Directory.

"There are no strings, no hooks, no minimums, no maximums, and no gimmicks," said Boyer. MBNA underwrites all expenses. There is no contribution from AOPA or membership dues, and no cost to any FBO.

All purchases made with an AOPA credit card from an FBO that sells fuel and/or rents aircraft are eligible for the rebate, including fuel, aircraft rental, instruction, repairs, and maintenance. Charging a typical engine overhaul on a Lycoming O-320, for instance, will return $300 to an owner's wallet. A typical annual inspection will rebate twice the annual AOPA dues of $39, and a renter pilot flying 100 hours a year in a Cessna 172 will find nearly $200 returned to his or her pocket.

"It saves you money every time you fly," said Boyer. "AOPA has always been fighting to keep the cost of flying down by fighting expensive airworthiness directives, user fees, and other threats to your wallet, but this benefit goes directly to your bottom line. And your use of the AOPA credit card for all of your purchases supports programs for general aviation."

To claim the rebate, AOPA MasterCard and Visa cardholders simply highlight or circle FBO purchases on their monthly statement and return a copy to MBNA. The rebate appears on the account within five business days after MBNA receives the request.

The AOPA FBO Rebate Program starts now, effective with the August MBNA statement for AOPA credit card holders. Look for information in the mail or call 800/847-7378 and ask about priority code QXJZ.

REGIONAL ACTION

AOPALA Battles Attempts to Close New Jersey, Missouri Airports

AOPA Legislative Action has launched a lobbying campaign to stop a new attempt to close Atlantic City, New Jersey's downtown Bader Field, and Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport in Kansas City, Missouri's southern suburbs.

Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Christopher S. (Kit) Bond (R-MO) added to the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 1998 Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill an amendment that would allow those cities to ignore grant agreements with the FAA and close the airports. The House version approved July 23 does not carry the amendment.

"This amendment undermines the very foundation of our national air transportation system," said AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer.

Boyer expressed puzzlement over the amendment because Atlantic City, the state of New Jersey, and the FAA had just signed a memorandum of understanding in which the city once again pledged to keep the airport open in exchange for the FAA's permission to build a baseball diamond on airport land not used for aeronautical purposes. The city also agreed to make much-needed repairs and improvements to the airport and to obtain a fixed base operator for the field.

AOPA Legislative Action said that the Lautenberg-Bond Amendment would be bad public policy and establish an unacceptable precedent. "With the forecast growth in air travel demanding more airport capacity, those localities which willingly accept federal funds for their airports must be held accountable to keep their airports open," said Boyer.

AOPA at Work in the States

Missouri adjourned without considering legislation allowing grants for privately owned public-use airports; AOPA will work to reintroduce next session.

Wisconsin introduced an amendment prohibiting local zoning to restrict height of towers near airports; AOPA opposes.

New York introduced a task force to recommend improvements in quality of services and operations at New York airports; AOPA supports.

Kansas failed to adopt funding for the State Airport Development Fund; AOPA supported.

INTERNATIONAL ACTION

International Organizations Join to Boost GA in Europe

The three international organizations representing general aviation in Europe have pledged cooperation to boost GA in Europe.

The organizations — Europe Airsports, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), and the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) — agreed at a June 16 meeting in Brussels to coordinate campaigns and formulate common policy statements on many GA issues, including access to airspace and airports; protection of the environment; unjustified user charges (VFR and IFR); radio frequency allocation; promotion of aviation to the European public; and economic impact of GA.

Group officials said the agreement adds structure to the informal cooperation that had developed among the groups in recent years.

At AOPA's request, VOR/DME waypoints will be added to the January 1998 VFR Terminal Area Chart for the Los Angeles Class B airspace. The July 17 redesign of the LAX Class B area left few boundaries aligned with natural landmarks to help orient VFR pilots, and the current terminal chart shows only latitude and longitude fixes. Until the new terminal chart is issued, a supplementary chart showing VOR radials and DME fixes is available in the members-only section of AOPA's Web site (www.aopa.org).

MEMBERSHIP ACTION

AOPA Online Adds Information, Services

AOPA Online on the Internet (www.aopa.org) is growing rapidly as more members discover the wide range of offerings.

"Our free weather graphics have been overwhelmingly popular," said Seth Golbey, Online's managing editor. "They're the single most frequently visited section of the Web site."

File libraries are expanding swiftly and now include more than 190 FAA advisory circulars . AOPA international flight guides, FAA practical test standards and airman knowledge test questions, and up-to-date Federal Aviation Regulations are posted as they become available.

News columns are updated daily in both the public and the members-only sections. Recent additions to the public section include online aircraft insurance quotes for owners, renters, and CFIs, as well as online ordering of aircraft title and escrow services.

In July and August, a special AOPA Online Web section followed a Dayton (Ohio) Daily News team crisscrossing the United States in a Grumman AA1 to tie Dayton's aviation heritage to the rich world of modern flight.

From January 1 through the end of July, more than 44,000 members registered for access to the members-only section. "We're on track to top 51,000 [registered members] or 15 percent of the total membership by Labor Day," said Golbey.

AOPA Online will have a prominently located booth at Expo '97 in Orlando.

AOPA's Airport Directory CD-ROM Released

The just-released 1997-98 CD-ROM version of AOPA's Airport Directory contains listings of more than 7,000 landing facilities, with search capability for airport and FBO services. It also includes "source book" information formerly published separately, including listings of aviation associations; clubs; FAA and other government offices; and Customs airports in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

It is available at an AOPA-member price of $27.50, and to nonmembers for $39.95, from Sporty's Pilot Shop, 800/SPORTYS (800/776-7897).

AOPA Members Voice Opinions on GA Issues

No doubt you have your own ideas about "how things should be" in general aviation, but do your fellow AOPA members agree?

To help formulate policy and positions on aviation issues, each week AOPA asks hundreds of members for their opinions on a variety of aviation subjects. Surveys done in June among members calling for technical assistance via the toll-free Pilot Assistance lines included:

FBO ramp fees (when no fuel is purchased): Denounced by more than half of the members, although two-thirds said that they understand the economic survival problems of FBOs. Still, over half said that they try to avoid ramp-fee FBOs when flying cross-country.

National park overflight: Minimum altitudes won widespread support, with 59 percent of AOPA members saying that they respect the 2,000-foot agl minimum altitude requested over major park features. Only one-third of members believed, however, that there is a need to make that minimum altitude mandatory.

Pleasure flyers like to involve others in flying: Three-quarters of AOPA members said that they usually take a friend or family member along on pleasure flights, and about two-thirds have a specific destination in mind when they take off. Just over half reported "often" taking friends or family for overnight vacation trips.

Privatization of general aviation airports: It isn't a good idea, say AOPA members. Three-quarters believe that landing, parking, and other fees would increase at privatized airports.

AOPA's Project Pilot Instructor Program Attracts More Than 7,000

Enrollment in the AOPA Project Pilot Instructor Program — which provides active CFIs with motivational and educational materials to help keep their students flying — has topped 7,000 participants.

Instructors receive AOPA's 22-minute video How to Land and Retain New Students, featuring renowned aviation marketer Ralph Hood. Instructors also get an additional entry in AOPA's annual sweepstakes for each student they enroll in the program. This year's prize is the Ultimate Arrow.

CFIs get AOPA training and motivational materials for their students and receive regular newsletters with tips on training and safety topics. Instructors also receive a special recognition from AOPA for their efforts to teach the next generation of pilots: $2 in "Air Bucks" for each student flying. The "Air Bucks" are redeemable for purchases at Sporty's Pilot Shop.

More than 80,000 AOPA-member pilots, flight instructors, student pilots, and pilot prospects are involved in Project Pilot programs. More than two-thirds of the nation's flight instructors are AOPA members.

AOPA Title and Escrow Reaches New Heights

Requests for AOPA's Title and Escrow services jumped dramatically during the first six months of 1997, compared to the same period last year.

Escrow services were up by 10 percent, while AD searches rose 43 percent and accident/incident report searches were up 75 percent.

Escrow deposits in the first half of 1997 totaled $48,541,049, a 5-percent increase over the same period last year. About 61 percent were for lighter GA aircraft, the remainder for higher-priced multiengine corporate-type aircraft.

"The number of members using our services is up because title searches, escrow services, and our other products provide peace of mind," said Ann Lennon, vice president of AOPA Title and Escrow. "Members tell us it takes the hassle out of buying or selling an airplane."

Lennon cited the case of a doctor who was ready to plunk down more than $100,000 for a "bargain" Piper Malibu earlier this year but was able to cancel the deal when an AOPA search turned up major damage history on the aircraft, which the seller had "forgotten" to mention.

For information on AOPA Title and Escrow Services, call 800/654-4700; for escrow services only, call 800/711-0087. Outside the United States, call 301/695-2000.

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION

SAFETY ACTION

NTSB Praises ASF for Campaign

The NTSB has heaped praise on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation for its Operations at Nontowered Airports pamphlet and quick safety initiatives following the November 1996 runway collision between a United Express commuter flight and a Beech King Air at Quincy, Illinois.

Shortly after the Quincy accident, ASF launched a pilot information campaign, including a safety poster for more than 5,000 FBOs and the new Operations at Nontowered Airports pamphlet.

At a July 1 hearing on the accident, NTSB member John Hammerschmidt praised ASF's work as "... an excellent review of how to operate safely at a nontowered airport. It's a 14-page refresher course." He added, "It's much easier to follow than government publications on the subject."

Hammerschmidt said the information in Operations at Nontowered Airports might have prevented the Quincy accident. "Having flown in and out of nontowered airports, I…found the ASF material very well done. I think every pilot will find some piece of procedural information important to continued safe flight."

A free copy is available by writing Operations at Nontowered Airports, AOPA Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Enclose a large (9 x 12-inch) self-addressed envelope with $1 in cash to cover postage and handling. Operations at Nontowered Airports is also available free in the ASF section of AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asf/).

1997 Nall Report Highlights Record-Setting Year for GA Safety

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's 1997 Nall Report shows that there were fewer GA accidents last year than in any year since recordkeeping began in 1938, and the lowest number of fatal accidents since 1952.

The annual report is general aviation's most exhaustive analysis of GA accident trends and factors.

ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg noted that 1996 was also the best year ever for ASF safety seminar attendance and distribution of ASF safety materials, both in print and through the Internet.

Although the number of GA accidents in 1996 reached new lows, accident causes were changed little. Pilot error continued to account for between 60 percent and 70 percent of all accidents in 1996 NTSB preliminary data.

The deadliest accident causes included VFR flight into instrument weather conditions (68 percent fatal) and low-level maneuvering flight (54 percent fatal). Almost 63 percent of maneuvering accidents occurred during personal flights. "Many involved a degree of recklessness that makes it difficult to term them 'accidents,'" said Landsberg. "These antics are not the mark of a skilled pilot — only a potentially dead one."

Personal flights continued to have the highest accident rates, comprising 38 percent of general aviation flying but 65 percent of accidents, while pilots flying for business account for 15 percent of GA flight hours but only 4.3 percent of accidents. "Corporations and insurance companies who won't allow pilots to use general aviation aircraft for business should look at these statistics," said Landsberg. "Their fears aren't justified."

And despite the media furor over the collision of a Cessna 172 and a Bonanza near Meigs Field on July 19, midair encounters were rare. A total of 18 midair collisions occurred in 1996, but only five were fatal, slightly over one percent of total GA accidents.

The report honors the memory of former pilot, flight instructor, and ground school operator Joseph T. Nall. Appointed to the NTSB in 1986, Nall was killed in a Venezuelan aircraft accident during an official inspection visit there in 1989.

For a free copy of the 1997 Nall Report, write to: Nall Report, AOPA Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Enclose a large (9 X 12-inch) self-addressed (not stamped) envelope and $2 for postage and handling.

Auction Items Update

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

• Multiengine/Instrument Refresher Course offered by SimCom
• Beech Staggerwing Model Airplane offered by ASF
• KLX 100 GPS/Com offered by AlliedSignal Bendix/King.
• One-week stay at the Jamaican "Coconut Isle Villa" offered by Ted Sims of International Vacation Homes Inc.
• Sam Lyons aviation art prints offered by Sam Lyons Studio
• MACcorder Clearance/Check List Recorder offered by McCoy Avionics