NCARC Says Gridlock Imminent, AOPA Legislative Action Disagrees
The final report of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC) claims that aviation gridlock is imminent and recommends a substantial tax increase for the flying public. AOPA Legislative Action disagrees.
"No, the sky isn't falling," said Phil Boyer, AOPA Legislative Action president. "NCARC's dire predictions of gridlock conveniently ignore the four existing, inexpensive ATC enhancements the FAA is already pursuing."
The NCARC report, issued in December, recommends a substantial increase in FAA funding, a switch to "cost-based user charges" for the airlines, and corporatization of the air traffic control system. It fails to address the FAA's core problems of micromanagement and political meddling, problems easily solved by returning the FAA's status to that of an independent agency.
The report also singled out general aviation for failure to pay its "fair share," and called for a "reevaluation" of GA fuel taxes, as well as a reduction in FAA general aviation services through more flight service station consolidations.
Boyer said that Congress has already rejected or superseded most NCARC recommendations, and he disputed NCARC claims that its recommendations represent a consensus "from all areas of aviation," since commissioners represented mainly major airlines and large airports. Airline passengers, regional airlines, general aviation, and business aviation had no voice on the commission.
"AOPA Legislative Action recommends that Congress reject the NCARC recommendations and complete FAA reform by freeing FAA from the second-guessing of the DOT and the White House," said Boyer.
Airport Support Network Volunteerism 'Unprecedented'
Volunteers are clamoring to be included in the AOPA Airport Support Network, according to AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn. "In just the first month, we've had well over 100 applications. It's an unprecedented show of support for local airports."
The Airport Support Network (ASN) program, announced at AOPA Expo '97 in October, asks AOPA members to help protect and promote airports open to the public (see " Defending Your Asphalt," p. 55). Over the last 20 years, public-use airport closures have averaged about one a week.
Designated volunteers monitor local airport affairs and alert AOPA to emerging problems that might threaten the airport, as well as acting as a conduit for educating the public on the airport's value to the community.
AOPA provides volunteers with information to help them address a variety of airport issues ranging from closures, curfews, and airport noise issues to airport master plans and issues of compatible land use. Other resources include expert counsel on strategy and tactics to handle airport issues, and materials to help build public understanding and acceptance of community airports.
"This program just formalizes the role AOPA members have always played as an 'early warning system' when airport controversies heat up," said Dunn.
Volunteers are being designated first for 750 of the nation's most important or threatened GA airports. Those airports are home base for more than 78,000 aircraft, almost half of the nation's general aviation fleet. They include: Pompano Beach Airpark, Florida; Boca Raton, Florida; Hayward Air Terminal, California; Reid-Hillview, San Jose, California; Dekalb-Peachtree, Atlanta; Bader Field, Atlantic City, New Jersey; Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts; Liberal Municipal, Kansas; Centennial, Denver; Pueblo Memorial, Colorado; Tipton Airfield, Baltimore; Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska; Excelsior Springs Municipal, Missouri; Spirit of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; Palwaukee Municipal, Chicago; Lost Nation, Willoughby, Ohio; Phoenix-Deer Valley Municipal, Phoenix, Arizona; and Horace Williams, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
In surveys, AOPA members rank the defense and preservation of airports as one of the most important jobs of the association. Eventually AOPA plans to have a volunteer at every public-use airport in the United States.
Volunteer nomination forms are available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asn/). Participants must have an e-mail address and access to the World Wide Web.
Florida Aero Club Surprises AOPA Legislative Action With Special Contribution of $1,776
The Florida Aero Club (FAC) and seven of its local chapters have put money where their mouth is, making an unexpected $1,776 donation to AOPA Legislative Action.
"The Florida Aero Club wants AOPA Legislative Action to continue doing in Washington for general aviation what we could not accomplish alone," said FAC President Ralph Lewis.
The FAC chose the amount of $1,776 to symbolize a revolt against unjust aviation taxation, including user fee proposals and deliberations by the unrepresentative National Civil Aviation Review Commission.
The surprise presentation was made to AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer during an Aero Club breakfast following AOPA Expo '97 in Orlando, Florida.
AOPA in the States
Alabama. Montgomery: AOPA will be pushing for additional airport funding in the 1998 legislative session.
Alaska. Fairbanks: Using data supplied by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation has blasted plans by the Garden Valley Electric Association to erect new power lines. AASF said GVEA's lack of understanding of power line hazards to aviation was "appalling." Juneau: The Alaskan Industry Council has urged FAA Regional Administrator Andy Billick to accelerate ASOS installations in rural communities where airports are the sole means of reliable year-round transportation.
Arizona. Kearny: AOPA is working to release Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to help restore the Kearny Airport runway devastated by flood. Phoenix: Efforts to restore the Arizona Aviation Trust Fund to 1996 levels continue. Scottsdale: Increased landing, tiedown, and hangar fees do not appear in a final draft of operational regulations at Scottsdale Airport; AOPA had opposed the fees.
California. Sacramento: A Caltrans report details more than 1,900 needed repair or improvement projects at California GA airports from 1998 to 2008, averaging $96.6 million per year, but annual state funding averages only about $700,000. AOPA is working to move a portion of sales tax collected on jet fuel from the general fund to aviation purposes. Redding: New "license agreements" for tiedowns and hangar tenants are being drafted at Redding Municipal Airport, with AOPA input. Van Nuys: The Citizens Advisory Council has recommended a 10 p.m. curfew for jet operations at Van Nuys Airport, an hour earlier than the present curfew.
Colorado. Colorado Springs: Lease rates for GA businesses at COS have been hiked by 300 to 900 percent; AOPA is investigating.
Connecticut. Bridgeport: A draft environmental statement incorporating recommendations from AOPA and the Friends of Sikorsky Airport has been released for Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport.
Florida. Boca Raton: The Boca Raton Airport Authority has restricted touch-and-go landings, with penalties for violators. AOPA is working with airport management to ease enforcement. Daytona Beach: A study will determine whether Patrick RAPCON airspace will be delegated to Miami Center, Orlando Approach, or Daytona Beach Approach when Patrick Approach shuts down later this year. Jacksonville: Closing of Naval Air Station Cecil Field is delayed until at least 1999; its planned subsequent use is as a GA airport. ATC changes will add both Gainesville and Ocala areas to Jacksonville Approach Control. Orlando: Orlando International Airport Class B airspace is being revised to make VFR transit easier, a move advocated by AOPA. Sarasota: A noise abatement procedure has been implemented at Sarasota/Bradenton Airport. Tampa: Major rehabilitation of Vandenberg Airport runways and taxiways is under way.
Kansas. Wichita: Airport layout plan updates are in the works for Abilene (K78), Eureka (13K), Norton (NRN), Stanton County (2K3), Trego/Wakeeney (7KS1), and Chanute (CNU) airports.
Maryland. Chestertown: Several bird hazard sites will be eliminated near the proposed Kent County Airport. Hagerstown: AOPA is working with the Washington County Regional Airport Commission to stem rising rates for pilots and aircraft owners at the airport; equitable hangar lease provisions are a top priority.
Massachusetts. Hyannis: A charter amendment that would have moved Barnstable Municipal-Boardman/Polando Airport commission powers to the town manager has been defeated. South Weymouth: AOPA and local aviation advocates are urging a study of GA reuse for the closed naval air station.
Montana. Glacier National Park: A focus group meeting on controversial park overflights included aviation groups after AOPA pointed out the lack of representation. Seely Lake: Local pilots have petitioned the Montana Aeronautics Division to reclaim Seely Lake Airport from the Missoula County Airport Authority; AOPA is supporting the effort.
Nevada. Reno: The Nevada aviation systems plan is being updated, but its value is questionable since Nevada is the only state without an airport assistance program; AOPA is working to establish such a program. Work continues at Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to repair flood damage from last year's rains. Selection of a citizen advisory council for RNO is complete; the committee will focus on the airport's relationship with the community.
New York. East Hampton: AOPA and the East Hampton Aviation Association are working to ease homeowners' fears about East Hampton Airport runway reconstruction. New York: AOPA has provided consultants with airspace information for the ongoing New York City heliport update and VFR corridor studies.
North Carolina. Chapel Hill: An airport advisory committee has been established for Horace Williams Airport, a move advocated by AOPA. Columbia/ Tyrrell County: The proposed new TV tower near Columbia should be reevaluated by the FAA, AOPA says. Hickory: The new control tower at Hickory Regional Airport has blunted loss of the flight service station, particularly for IFR operations. Raleigh: The First Flight Centennial Commission has asked for AOPA participation in planning the 100th anniversary of powered flight.
Oregon. Albany: The Albany City Council voted 6 to 0 to keep Albany Municipal open; local involvement, supported by AOPA, was credited. Portland: More than 25,000 attended the Oregon Air Fair; AOPA handouts helped to introduce thousands of young people to aviation. AOPA has been asked to help develop a new state aviation system plan.
South Carolina. Andrews: AOPA is working to have trees blocking the approach slope at Andrews Municipal Airport trimmed, allowing an instrument approach. Columbia: Elimination of both the airline exemption from the state aviation fuel sales tax and an overflight fee in lieu of that tax has been endorsed by the South Carolina Association of Counties, South Carolina Aviation Association, and AOPA.
Tennessee. Arlington: AOPA met with city and state officials to help explain the value of the threatened Arlington Municipal Airport.
Texas. Austin: AOPA worked with Texas Comptroller John Sharp to develop guidelines explaining a sales tax exemption available to pilots training for certificates or ratings, and for airplanes purchased for training. Publication is expected early this year in the state's Tax Policy News and Tax Update.
Virginia. Hanover: A 750-foot extension of the Hanover County Municipal Airport runway, bitterly fought by local homeowners, has been approved by the county planning commission. Manassas: AOPA testimony helped to convince the city council to defer a new minimum standards proposal for Manassas Regional/Davis Airport to a workshop group for later review. The proposed standards would cause hardship for most smaller commercial operators. Newport News: AOPA has helped local pilots to form an association at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport to promote GA. Williamsburg: A safety overrun has been approved for Williamsburg-Jamestown; installation of a straight-in GPS approach, supported by AOPA, is still under consideration.
Washington. Bellingham: Bellingham International Airport management has reaffirmed its support for GA, including a new GA service center, parking area, new hangars, and bids for a new FBO. Renton: Boeing has reclaimed additional GA parking areas for undelivered 737 and 757 aircraft at Renton Municipal Airport, displacing 37 GA aircraft. AOPA is working with Boeing and the airport to return the spaces as soon as possible. Yakima: Plans for a 300-foot antenna in the approach path to Yakima International Airport have been delayed, in part due to the lack of an environmental study. Both the Washington Pilots Association and AOPA are fighting the tower.
AOPA Insurance Agency Formalizes New Underwriting With 125-Year-Old A-Rated Firm
AOPA has signed an agreement with the Great American Insurance Company of Dallas, Texas, as the new underwriter for AOPA Insurance Agency policies. Great American is the lead company of the American Financial Group, the twentieth largest property and casulty insurance group in the United States.
"Great American provides superior financial strength for AOPA policyholders," said Greg Sterling, AOPA Insurance Agency manager. "The company has about $4.3 billion in assets, $1.5 billion in policyholder surplus, and is rated 'A' by A.M. Best."
Great American celebrated its 125th anniversary last year. It has held an A.M. Best rating of "A" or better for more than 30 years.
New Third Edition of AOPA'S Airport Directory on CD-ROM Includes Pilot Source Book
The third CD-ROM edition of AOPA's Airport Directory is now available through Sporty's Pilot Shop and includes an electronic version of AOPA's frequently requested Pilot Source Book.
The disk contains AOPA's entire database of more than 7,400 landing facilities; 21,600 restaurants and hotels; 8,800 car rental and taxi services; and 4,300 FBOs - making it the most comprehensive electronic directory available for U.S. pilots.
An easy-to-use tool bar and click-on "check boxes" allow searches for on-airport services such as restaurants, self-fueling, camping, and flight service stations; pilots can specify runway and services criteria.
The newly included Source Book adds a wealth of information, including forms for the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System, flight planning, Customs, pireps, and more. Other Source Book sections include "Emergency Procedures and Physiology," "Aircraft Operations," and "Meteorology"; a METAR/TAF key is also provided.
The "Formulas and Tables" section includes air navigation formulas, aircraft performance calculations, and rules of thumb. Searchable lists include FAA and state aeronautical agencies and aviation associations and clubs.
AOPA members can buy AOPA's Airport Directory on CD-ROM for a special price of $27.50. The nonmember price is $39.95. To order, call Sporty's Pilot Shop at 800/543-8633.
Links Page Makes Using Web Resources Easy
A new "links page" on AOPA Online has made easy the search for electronic information referenced in AOPA Pilot magazine.
Every Web site mention in Pilot now appears on the links page ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml), often pointing to background information on the subject or other resources available. By utilizing the links page, members no longer must enter long, unwieldy Internet addresses. The page also includes a link to the electronic ad index, providing Web links and e-mail access to many advertisers.
The links Web address will remain the same from month to month, allowing convenient bookmarking. When the page is updated each month, links from previous issues of the magazine will continue to be accessible.
AOPA Offers Members 'Quark' Updates
Pilots who update their GPS databases frequently have discovered an unexpected quirk: an occasional vanishing airport. An AOPA Web page has been set up to help pilots locate those airports.
"We call them quark airports," explained AOPA Government Research Specialist Randy Kenagy. "They're really there, but you just can't see them."
Quark airports occur when a GPS database company incorporates a changed airport identifier in the database update before the effective date of the change. Pilots entering the current identifier are rewarded with an "airport not found" message, a condition that could last for several weeks between installation of the new database and the effective date of the change.
AOPA members can check for "quark" airports on a special AOPA Web page ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/aprtdes.html). The page is updated weekly.
FBO Rebates to Members Exceed $50,000
Well over 1,000 AOPA members per month are taking advantage of AOPA's FBO Rebate Program offered through MBNA America. Since the program's inception in August, more than $50,000 has been returned to members on their AOPA MasterCard and Visa statements.
The program rebates 3 percent of any purchase made at a qualified FBO with an AOPA MasterCard or Visa. A qualified FBO is one that sells fuel and/or rents aircraft in the United States. More than 3,300 such FBOs are listed in AOPA's Airport Directory with a "3%" logo beside their entry.
To claim the rebate, AOPA members simply circle or highlight eligible purchases on a copy of their statement and return that statement to card issuer MBNA America. The 3 percent credit appears on the following month's statement. MBNA underwrites all expenses. There is no contribution from AOPA or AOPA membership dues and no cost to any FBO.
Through December, monthly rebates averaged about $18 per member, or $216 a year. By comparison, AOPA membership dues are $39 a year.
"Using your AOPA MasterCard or Visa for all purchases helps to support GA and keeps your AOPA dues low," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Now, with AOPA's 3 percent FBO Rebate Program, it also saves you money every time you fly."
AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
ASF Responds to Flying Criticism of Nall Report
Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg has responded to an item in Flying magazine criticizing the use of NTSB preliminary data in ASF's Nall Report.
Landsberg reminded Flying that the annual Nall Report provides an immediate "flash report" on the previous year's tally of fixed-wing general aviation accidents. To do this, it must use NTSB preliminary data available just after the close of the year. Each Nall Report contains a disclaimer that preliminary data is subject to change when final data is released one year later.
The difference in data is usually small. Author Richard Collins noted a sizable reclassification of alcohol/drug-related accidents, but final data changed the percentage of these accidents only from 0.2 percent to 0.5 percent of all fixed-wing accidents.
Collins' other concerns were the result of comparing NTSB data for the total GA fleet with the fixed-wing-only data used in the Nall Report, which is intended primarily for fixed-wing GA pilots. Due to an editing error, the 1997 Nall Report did not include the usual note concerning fixed-wing-only data.
" Flying's claim of 'misrepresentation' was very unfortunate," said ASF's Landsberg, "but we've spoken to Dick Collins about it, and will consider adding a future section of year-old NTSB final data for those using the Nall Report for purposes - such as research - other than its role as a safety awareness publication for fixed-wing GA pilots."
New Seminar Takes California by Storm
The new ASF "Weather Strategies - How to be Calm Before the Storm" - seminar opened to rave reviews in December with a record 1,228 pilots attending in nine cities across Southern California.
"Weather is the second most common cause of fatal accidents," declared Bob Cathers, ASF director of seminars and field activities. "Pilots asked for practical ways to avoid weather accidents, and this seminar delivers those."
ASF's latest seminar reveals ways to find and use weather information during preflight planning, including some of the newest sources available through the Internet.
"Weather Strategies" safety seminars will be presented nationwide during 1998. Schedules and a complete description of the seminar are available on the ASF Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/).
ASF Opens 1998 Scholarship Competition
The Air Safety Foundation is now accepting applications for its 1998 McAllister and Burnside Memorial scholarships. Both $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to a college junior or senior enrolled in an aviation curriculum.
College students applying for either of these scholarships must maintain a 3.25 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale and submit an essay answering the question "What three factors would you address in improving aviation safety?"
The McAllister Scholarship honors Eugene and Dorothy McAllister, enthusiastic California pilots who devoted much of their lives to pilot training. The Burnside scholarship honors Donald Burnside, aviation pioneer and cofounder of the Burnside-Ott Flight School in Florida. Both scholarships are administered jointly by ASF and the University Aviation Association.
Information and applications can be obtained from the ASF Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/) or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Scholarship, Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
ASF'S 1998 Online Silent Auction Begins
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's 1998 Online Silent Auction begins on February 1 and will continue through November 30. Proceeds help to support ASF's national aviation safety seminar program.
The auction is conducted on AOPA Online on the Internet. Last year, more than 145,200 visits to the site resulted in winning bids totaling $33,270.
Minimum bids, bidding increments, and bid closing dates are established for each donated item. New items are added regularly, replacing items that have been sold to the highest bidder. Bids are accepted on the Internet or by U.S. mail, fax, or telephone.
Auction rules, descriptions of donated items, and bidding instructions are available on the Internet or by mail.
For more information, call 800/955-9115.
ASF Seeks Longer CFI Renewal Window
The FAA has narrowed the time window for CFIs who attend a flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC) to renew their certificates, and ASF is petitioning the FAA for an exemption.
FAR 61.197(a)(2)(iii), which became effective on August 4, reverses the longstanding FAA policy of allowing CFIs to renew their FAA teaching certificates via FIRCs at any time. Now, the FIRC used for renewal can be no earlier than 90 days before the instructor's certificate actually expires.
The new rule applies only to renewal by FIRC. An instructor using another renewal method, such as a sign-off from an FAA inspector, can still renew at any time within the cycle.
"Frequent FIRC attendance enhances safety," said Bruce Landsberg, ASF executive director. "But this new rule discourages frequent attendance." He noted that many flight instructors and chief pilots attend FIRC programs annually, a positive safety action that should be encouraged by FAA.
ASF also said that the new rule imposed additional costs and inconvenience on many flight instructors. An instructor might have to travel a considerable distance to find a program conducted during the instructor's 90-day renewal window.
A copy of the Air Safety Foundation petition to FAA is available on the ASF Web site (www.aopa.org/asf/).
More than one-quarter of the nation's flight instructors renew their instructor certificates through ASF Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics. This year, ASF will conduct more than 120 FIRC programs in 40 states.
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