AOPA Action

Congressional Report Reveals Plan for $6 Billion Aviation Tax Increase

A $6 billion tax increase on aviation and new user fees are hidden in President Clinton's proposed five-year budget for the FAA, a new congressional report reveals, and AOPA Legislative Action is questioning how those additional user fees would be spent.

The president's fiscal year 1999 budget proposes gradually replacing existing aviation excise taxes with user fees beginning October 1, 1999. But a study by the majority staff of the House Committee on the Budget reported, "In the five-year budget window ... it keeps both old and new fees and therefore acquires an additional $6 billion in revenue it can spend."

Thus, the administration wants to keep the existing aviation excise taxes, while adding new user fees amounting to an additional $1.7 billion annually beginning in the year 2000.

Legislative Action also pointed out that the FAA budget is to increase only $600 million, with the rest of this new revenue going to an ill-defined "Transportation Fund for America."

"Based on the numbers in the FAA's budget, this 'Transportation Fund for America' is either a 'slush fund' for nonaviation projects or a new way to play an old game - using a trust fund 'surplus' to mask deficit spending elsewhere," said Boyer.

"The 'Transportation Fund for America' and FAA user fees have nothing to do with modernizing the FAA. They are nothing more than a thinly disguised attempt to rob aviation users in order to create the appearance of a balanced budget," Boyer concluded.

Change in Certification Rules Must Be Canned, GA Task Force Tells FAA

A general aviation task force has told the FAA that it must address 13 specific objections to proposed requirements that any "significant" change to an existing aviation product meet the most recent airworthiness regulations.

"The FAA has not yet shown that there is any safety problem with existing regulations," said Douglas C. Macnair, representing AOPA on the seven-member GA task force, "and 'harmonization' with European regulations isn't a good enough reason for decimating significant segments of the U.S. general aviation industry."

The proposed FAA type certification procedures would probably cripple the supplemental type certificate market, block safety improvements to existing aircraft, and discourage manufacturers from restarting production of previously certificated designs. "An aircraft owner's obligation is to maintain an aircraft to its original airworthiness standards," said Macnair. "An owner shouldn't be forced to upgrade to current certification standards just to modify or to add new equipment to an aircraft."

The task force also said that proposed rules should not apply to aircraft under 6,000 pounds, permitting any such aircraft to be able to return to production under its original certification basis.

AOPA Applauds FAA for 'Appropriate Handling' of Potential Magneto Gear AD

An emergency airworthiness directive by the FAA Engine and Propeller Directorate affecting 36,000 Teledyne Continental engines has instead been issued as a nonmandatory special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB).

An SAIB is distributed in exactly the same manner as an AD but does not carry the force of law.

"The FAA deserves credit for handling this potential AD appropriately," said Doug Macnair, AOPA director of technical standards. "AOPA has urged a 'common-sense' approach to airworthiness issues for years, and the SAIB is a great tool for handling cases that really don't deserve the force of an AD."

The potential AD, on bogus magneto drives that had not been heat-treated, involved only 300 drive gears and just one reported failure.

Administration Budget Would Trounce Safety, AOPA Members Say

AOPA members surveyed believe that user fees for FAA services would harm aviation safety and throttle general aviation's revival, AOPA President Phil Boyer told 1,200 attendees at the Northwest Aviation Trade Show and Conference in Puyallup, Washington, on February 21.

Boyer said that 97 percent of AOPA members believe aviation safety would be significantly reduced if the FAA were to charge as little as $10 for each weather briefing. And if it cost $20 to file a VFR flight plan, 98 percent think that pilots would be significantly less likely to use this valuable aid to search and rescue.

"Weather is the number one cause of general aviation accidents," Boyer said. "You don't have to be an economist to figure out that user charges will discourage pilots from gathering all of the weather information available."

The same poll showed 85 percent of respondents believe that a suggested $450 FAA fee for issuing a new pilot certificate would discourage new student starts, endangering GA's fragile revival.

Other fees under discussion within the FAA have included annual registration fees of $100 for single-engine and $1,000 for multiengine piston aircraft, as well as a $15 increase in the fee for a third class medical certificate.

AOPA in the States

Arizona. Phoenix: Maricopa County taxes on the privately owned Carefree Skyranch Airport have zoomed from $500 in 1997 to $12,000 in 1998, with an increase to $19,000 expected by 2000. The other 16 privately owned airports in the county may be in for similar hikes; AOPA is working the issue with county treasurer Doug Todd.

California. Pomona/La Verne: Expansion of the "Raging Waters" theme park to include a 1,000-seat amphitheater just 1.5 miles off the departure end of Runway 26L at Brackett Field Airport is under investigation by AOPA.

Colorado. AOPA is supporting a joint Colorado Division of Aeronautics and Colorado DOT program to place location monuments at virtually every airport in Colorado. The monuments will improve accuracy of planned stand-alone GPS approaches.

Connecticut. Hartford: Brainard Field consultants reported that the airport will probably remain in use, with no major changes. AOPA urged that the airport's importance to the community be emphasized in refining its mission statement.

Florida. Pompano Beach: Proposed twin hotels near the airport will not be a hazard, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. AOPA had requested the determination. Melbourne: A 1,631-foot msl tower 25 miles west of the airport, completed in December, does not yet appear on aeronautical charts. AOPA has coordinated a notam for the obstruction.

Georgia. AOPA is supporting a 1998 budget addendum that would dedicate $35 million to GA airports in the state.

Idaho. Boise: The Cabin Creek airstrip will be repaired and is expected to reopen by late 1998. The Idaho Aviation Association and Idaho Aeronautics Division, supported by AOPA, led a campaign to keep the historic strip open. Boise: The long-awaited environmental study on the Frank Church River of No Return appears to treat airports well, but it slights seaplane bases. AOPA has been involved in the planning process since 1993.

Kansas. AOPA is supporting H.B.2737, which would credit state taxes on aviation fuels to the Aviation Fund.

Kentucky. Frankfort: AOPA is supporting H.B.444, which would dedicate all jet fuel tax receipts to an aviation fund.

Massachusetts. Boston: AOPA and local advocates are supporting H.B.4932, which would allow airports to remove trees that grow into runway approach airspace. Boston: AOPA testimony at a January hearing supported H.B.5208, which would provide sales and use tax relief for sellers of aircraft over 6,000 pounds. AOPA also asked that the relief extend to smaller aircraft. Hyannis: A public access cable program produced by anti-airport neighbors near Barnstable Municipal implies that aircraft are polluting cranberries in nearby cranberry bogs. AOPA is helping local pilots counter with facts.

Missouri. AOPA is supporting S.B.813 and S.B.864. Both bills would dedicate jet fuel taxes to the state aviation trust fund.

Montana. AOPA has been asked to sit on the Aviation Advisory Committee for development of a new State Airport Systems Plan.

Nebraska. Lincoln: AOPA is supporting L.B.1311, which would restore the ability of local airports to fund airport improvements from local taxing district funds and issue bonded indebtedness.

New Hampshire. North Haverhill: The eligibility of Dean Memorial Airport for federal funding would be studied if H.B.1340 passes. The bill is supported by AOPA.

Oklahoma. AOPA is supporting H.B.2814, which would dedicate certain sales tax revenues to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Revolving Fund for aviation use.

Pennsylvania. Butler County Airport: Homeowners are appealing a ruling that makes their taxiway access to the airport more difficult; AOPA is investigating.

South Carolina. Aiken: The Aiken General Aviation Commission has recommended that Runway 18/36 at Aiken Municipal Airport not be closed. AOPA had opposed closure.

Utah. Salt Lake City: A recent UDOT Aeronautics study shows that 39 percent of Utah's airports have substandard pavement, a figure that will rise to 89 percent by 2010 unless state funding improves. AOPA is advocating a bill that would place money in the state aviation fund.

Vermont. A new draft aviation policy recommends creation of a Vermont Aviation Council. AOPA supports the plan.

Virginia. Richmond: AOPA is opposing an increase in state sales tax on aircraft from 2 percent to 4.5 percent.

Washington. AOPA is supporting S.B.6226 and S.B.6227; both would dedicate aviation tax revenues to aviation purposes.

New on the 'Net

Vote on a paint scheme for the Timeless Tri-Pacer, AOPA's 1998 sweepstakes airplane. View the choices and cast your ballot on AOPA Online.

Links to this page, and all other Web sites mentioned in AOPA Pilot, can be found at www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml.

AOPA at Sun 'n Fun to Feature Rod Machado, Free Safety Seminars, 'Timeless Tri-Pacer'

AOPA activities at Sun 'n Fun (Lakeland, Florida, April 19 to 25) will feature popular aviation humorist and CFI Rod Machado, demonstrations of AOPA Online, and 10 free safety seminars by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.

Those joining AOPA or renewing their membership on-site at the AOPA Booth (Exhibit Building B, Booths B94 and 95) will receive a special Sun 'n Fun gift: a free AOPA fuel tester.

Machado will join AOPA Project Pilot National CFI Mentor Ralph Hood in the AOPA booth to talk to flight instructors and Project Pilot mentors about the "care and feeding" of general aviation's next generation of pilots.

Safety seminars presented by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation will include Weather Strategies, Airspace Refresher, Flying GPS Approaches Safely, Avoiding Stall/Spin Accidents, Single-Pilot IFR, and Never Again.

AOPA's "Timeless Tri-Pacer" is scheduled to debut at Sun 'n Fun, pending completion of its refurbishment and ferry flight to Sun 'n Fun from California.

Additional information on AOPA at Sun 'n Fun will be posted on AOPA Online (www.aopa.org).

AOPA, Sporty's Provide Free 'Learn to Fly Here' Road Signs to Promote Flight Training

AOPA and Sporty's Pilot Shop have sent free "Learn To Fly Here" directional signs to 1,600 flight schools nationwide.

"Sporty's and AOPA believe so strongly in the importance of promoting flight training that we're giving away highway signs to these flight schools," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

Many prospective students may actually have difficulty finding a flight school on the airport during their first visit.

Both Sporty's and AOPA are active founding members of the GA Team 2000 industry effort and its "Stop Dreaming. Start Flying" promotional campaign.

'Instructor's Instructor' Rod Machado Joins AOPA Team

Popular lecturer, humorist, and veteran instructor Rod Machado has joined the AOPA team as a monthly columnist in AOPA Pilot magazine, a CFI adviser through the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, and National CFI for the AOPA Project Pilot Instructor Program.

"Rod Machado is a general aviation national resource," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "and we're delighted that he's on board."

For Project Pilot, Machado offers advice to program participants at AOPA events and in eight issues of the Project Pilot Instructor Report sent to more than 7,000 participating CFIs. He also writes an advice column for CFIs through the quarterly Air Safety Foundation Instructor Report newsletter.

CFIs can reach Machado through AOPA Online on the Internet and get tips through a weekly "Rod Machado's Project Pilot Instructor Safety Tip." Later this year, Machado will be featured in a new Project Pilot Instructor Program video to help CFIs relate better to students as valued customers and new entrants vital to general aviation's future. He will also be a featured speaker at the AOPA Fly-In on June 6.

He is the author of Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook and The Instrument Pilot's Survival Manual, as well as several audiotape programs and videos. He was a contributor to the pioneering ABC's Wide World of Flying subscription video magazine.

Machado holds degrees in psychology and aviation science from California State University at Long Beach, and for eight years he taught safety seminars and Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics for the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.

Eighth Annual AOPA Fly-In Set for June 6

Hundreds of aircraft and thousands of pilots and family members are expected for AOPA's eighth annual Fly-In to AOPA Headquarters on Saturday, June 6, at the Frederick (Maryland) Municipal Airport.

More than 70 vendors and a large static aircraft display will be offered, as well as a variety of educational seminars from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. AOPA's 1998 Sweepstakes "Timeless Tri-Pacer" is scheduled to appear.

Arrival and departure procedures will be available in late April by calling 800/942-4269 or on AOPA Online (www.aopa.org).

1998 AOPA Tri-Pacer: Not the First Time

For AOPA's 1998 Membership Sweepstakes Grand Prize "Timeless Tri-Pacer," it's déjà vu all over again. AOPA's first "sweepstakes" Tri-Pacer was awarded 42 years ago, live on national TV.

It all happened on July 18, 1956, on the Arthur Godfrey Program on CBS, among the most popular shows then on the air. The event was AOPA's "50,000th Member Contest," a goal merely one-seventh the organization's size today.

Godfrey, AOPA 004492, appeared in tuxedo from CBS studios in New York City. AOPA President J.B. "Doc" Hartranft was at the Butler Aviation hangar at Washington National Airport, often appearing side-by-side with Godfrey in a crude "split screen" arrangement.

Serving as Godfrey's on-scene mistress of ceremonies in Washington was Joanne Alford, AOPA 136698, just crowned "Miss Air Power of 1956" by the Air Force Association. A new AOPA member herself, Alford was a 24-year-old freshly minted Purdue grad and aeronautical engineer at the Glenn L. Martin Company outside Baltimore. A private pilot working on her commercial certificate, she was one of the few women at the time to have flown a jet aircraft.

Godfrey, a well-known aviation advocate and charter AOPA member, explained with pride his membership in AOPA. Then Alford and Hartranft presented the new 1956 Piper Tri-Pacer to William J. Meehan, AOPA 120666, a Bell Labs supervisor at the Western Electric plant in Burlington, North Carolina. He had accumulated only 75 hours in Piper Cubs and PA-12 Super Cruisers since earning a private certificate ten years earlier.

The 1956 contest boosted AOPA membership 16 percent to 58,000 in just four months. In the 42 years since, AOPA membership has grown to more than 340,000 pilots, some 55 percent of the entire U.S. pilot population.

Pilots attending one of 28 AOPA Pilot Town Meetings this year can see a video excerpt from this unique moment when general aviation "made the big time" during network television's first "Golden Age" of live TV.

AOPA's second Grand Prize Tri-Pacer, still a four-seat cross-country airplane that the average AOPA member can afford to own and fly, will be awarded in January, along with headsets, a handheld GPS and transceiver, plus $10,000 cash for taxes or flying expenses.

Members Have Saved $180,000 in First Six Months of AOPA FBO Rebate Program

Just six months into AOPA's FBO Rebate Program, some 7,500 AOPA members have already claimed $181,406 in rebates for aviation-related purchases at qualifying FBOs.

The average participant gets back $24 a month, recouping the cost of his or her $39 annual AOPA dues in just 1.5 months. There is currently no limit on the rebate amount.

More than 120,000 of AOPA's 340,000-plus members carry the AOPA credit card, making AOPA cardholders a group nearly as large as general aviation's second largest membership organization.

The entire program cost is underwritten by MBNA America, issuer of AOPA MasterCard and Visa cards. There is no contribution from AOPA, AOPA membership dues, or FBOs.

"Now, the buying power of AOPA's strength in numbers actually gives general aviation its first break in years in the rising cost of flying," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

For more information on the AOPA FBO Rebate Program, call 800/523-7666.

Another Record Year for AOPA Aircraft Escrow Services

The AOPA Title and Escrow Service facilitated a record number of aircraft sales transactions in 1997, handling more than $120 million in escrow deposits and 309 sale closings last year - an 18-percent increase over 1996.

"Last year we helped people buy everything from a Globe Swift to a Boeing 737," said Ann Lennon, AOPA vice president for Title and Escrow Services.

Available to members and nonmembers alike, AOPA Title and Escrow provides 22 different services for aircraft buyers and sellers, including title searches and insurance, aircraft-specific accident histories, AD searches, and escrow services. The escrow provides the safest way for closing an aircraft sale, particularly when buyer and seller are distant from each other.

AOPA "Buyer Protection Plans" combine the most commonly used services at attractive package prices. The services can now be ordered directly through AOPA Online.

Pilots may also call 800/711-0087.

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION

GA Accidents, Accident Rates at Historic Low; ASF Lauds Remarkable Safety Record

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation lauded the continued and significant improvement in general aviation safety demonstrated by the preliminary 1997 National Transportation Safety Board statistics released on February 24.

"GA had fewer accidents than at any time since record-keeping began in 1938," said Bruce Landsberg, ASF executive director. "Moreover, both total accident and fatal accident rates were the lowest ever recorded. We should be proud, but not complacent. We can improve this record even more."

There were 1,854 general aviation accidents in 24.7 million hours of nonairline, nonmilitary flying for business, commercial, government, personal, and training purposes in 1997 - a 2.8 percent improvement from 1,905 such accidents in 1996.

Fatal accidents last year decreased to 350 with 646 fatalities, compared to 359 fatal accidents with 631 fatalities in 1996. The number of fatal accidents has dropped 47 percent over the last 20 years.

The 1997 fatal accident rate was the lowest in history: 1.42 per 100,000 flight hours. The total accident rate of 7.51 was also the lowest rate ever recorded - 5.2 percent better than the revised 7.90 rate of a year ago.

The Air Safety Foundation will analyze "probable cause" data for instructional accidents as it becomes available, then report any emerging safety trends to flight instructors through ASF's Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics and quarterly Instructor Report newsletter.

Runway Incursion Subcommittee Makes Recommendations; ASF Already Acting

Change the rules and change the paint! Those are the top recommendations from the runway incursions subcommittee of the FAA's Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee, led by ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg.

Although runway incursions in 1997 increased by 18.6 percent, Landsberg noted that the risk for a fatal incursion accident is less than one per 106 million flight operations. "However, the increase is a warning that we need to take action," he said.

"The leading factor was failure to understand clearances, according to NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System [ASRS] data," said Landsberg. "The FAA should change current procedures and require a specific ATC clearance to cross any runway."

The subcommittee also said that painted runway "hold short" lines should be reflective and doubled in width.

Longer-term recommendations include installation of runway entrance lighting and in-pavement taxiway lights at some airports, research on making aircraft more conspicuous on the ground, and continued development of tower and in-cockpit displays showing aircraft position on the airport.

The ASF has already launched an education campaign, including:

• New emphasis in Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics and in ASF's Instructor Report newsletter on avoiding runway incursions.
• Landsberg's " Safety Pilot" column in the January AOPA Pilot. The article is available on AOPA Online.
• A new Safety Advisor booklet on towered airport operations, for distribution later this year at ASF safety seminars and AOPA Pilot Town Meetings.
• A safety poster for more than 5,000 FBOs and flight schools.

A copy of the " Report of the Subcommittee on Runway Incursions" is available on AOPA Online.

ASF Silent Auction Adds Flight Simulator

The newest edition of the highly realistic, graphically advanced Microsoft's "Flight Simulator 98" is the latest item offered in the Air Safety Foundation's 1998 Silent Auction. The software has a retail value of $60.

Other items open for bid in the 1998 Silent Auction include:

• Gulf Coast Avionics GCA-6T Headset - dual volume controls, flexible mic boom; stereo/mono operation; weighs just 5.9 oz; a $135 value.
• Sporty's Instrument Rating Video Course - seven videotapes for a smooth transition to the realm of instrument flight, a $224 value.
• Aircraft "portrait" - an aerial photograph of the successful bidder's aircraft by a member of the photography staff of AOPA Pilot magazine, a $3,000 value.
• Rod Machado Video Library - a seven-video collection of the best from aviation's foremost educator, humorist, and flight instructor; a $225 value.

Many other items, ranging from aviation art and avionics to pilot gear and bed-and-breakfast stays, are offered. New items are added monthly, while bidding closes on others. The auction continues through November.