Administration's FAA Reauthorization Bill: Wrong Solution to the Wrong Problem
The Clinton administration's proposed ATC "performance-based organization" (PBO) could cause safety problems and will not achieve promised efficiencies, says AOPA.
"This bill is the wrong solution to the wrong problem," said AOPA President Phil·Boyer. "Day-to-day ATC is one of the few parts of the FAA that works well. But this proposal could force controllers to make decisions based on 'goals,' rather than safety."
The proposed ATC PBO, called Air Traffic Services (ATS), would set performance goals for employees who could be paid according to how well they meet those goals. "The ranking Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, Rep. James Oberstar (Minn.), asks the right question: What would happen in a system where controllers start pushing aircraft to meet artificial efficiency goals, knowing that every decision they make could affect their pay?" Boyer said.
The bill also proposes some $1.5 billion in new user fees for ATC and other FAA services, and it would convert the current passenger ticket tax and cargo tax to user fees. The bill would also do away with the general fund contribution to the FAA's budget, increasing the tax burden on the entire aviation community.
One part of the administration's proposal would permit the new ATS to charge user fees to "non-public/non-military aircraft." But another part of the bill exempts general aviation from user fees, at least for now.
"The administration's user fees, no matter who pays them, are nothing more than a tax increase on the flying public to pay for the president's laundry list of social programs and special projects," Boyer said.
He added that it was "unconscionable" to increase aviation taxes while the Airport and Airway Trust Fund accumulates a $8.2 billion surplus.
"The solutions to FAA's problems are more simple," Boyer concluded. "Give the aviation trust fund special budget treatment. Allow Congress to spend the trust fund surplus on airports and air traffic control modernization. And make the FAA an independent agency."
AOPA Rallies Support for Hoover Bill with 43,000 Mailgrams
AOPA sent some 43,000 Legislative Alert mailgrams to AOPA members in five key states on February 12, urging them to contact their U.S. senators to vote for the Hoover Bill. That legislation would curb the FAA's abuse of its emergency authority to revoke pilot certificates.
The measure is expected to be offered by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) as an amendment to FAA reauthorization legislation (S.82). Inhofe is both a pilot and AOPA member. In the last session of Congress, the Hoover Bill came within five votes of passage in the Senate.
AOPA, working with the EAA and the NTSB Bar Association, developed the measure to curb the FAA's overuse of its emergency authority. The legislation provides for an expedited NTSB hearing on the FAA's emergency determination and the certificate revocation itself. The legislation, crafted to maintain aviation safety, was not opposed by the NTSB.
AOPA Challenges NTSB-Recommended Aerobatics Restrictions
Evidence does not exist to support new regulations restricting aerobatic flight for pilots with cardiac conditions or taking certain medications, AOPA has told the NTSB.
"Common sense says that pilots who aren't comfortable, for whatever reason, shouldn't fly aerobatics," said Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president of government and technical affairs. "And common sense seems to be working just fine."
An AOPA investigation found no support for new regulations in the three accidents cited as justification by the NTSB.
In the first accident, a Pitts S-2S engaged in aerobatics flew into the ground near Olathe, Kansas, on May 7, 1980. The NTSB accident report said that the pilot had no preexisting heart condition, wasn't taking any medications, and held a second class medical certificate.
The second accident involved a Boeing Stearman PT-17 that hit the ground during an airshow. Although the pilot had coronary artery disease and evidence of previous heart attacks, evidence suggested that he didn't know of the heart condition and therefore had been issued a second class medical.
In the final case, a North American T-6 spun in after it apparently stalled. The NTSB accident report noted evidence of prescription drugs in the pilot's body, making the real issue the pilot's failure to report the cocktail of medications he was taking.
AOPA told the safety board that only 1.9 percent of GA accidents have any medical factor as even a partial contributing cause, and such accidents are even more rare among aerobatic pilots.
AOPA's letter to the NTSB is available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1999/990205ntsb.html).
AOPA-Suggested Medical Form Improvements are Adopted by FAA
Remember those four improvements in airman medical applications that AOPA suggested last October to help cut FAA medical-processing delays? Good news: The FAA has adopted all of them!
Federal Air Surgeon Jon L. Jordan told AOPA in a January 20 letter that the changes will "eliminate unnecessary manual review of [medical] applications and alleviate a major cause of backlogged applications." Aviation medical examiners will start using the new form this fall.
These AOPA-suggested changes were adopted:
- Triplicate form. The medical application form will now include a third copy to be retained by the pilot, giving the pilot a record of what was previously reported to the FAA.
- Medication use. The new form will include a field for the pilot to list any previously reported medications. The FAA's computer will also be reprogrammed so that it won't automatically reject an application that lists any previously cleared medication.
- Clearer instructions. Because much of the medical application backlog is caused by incomplete forms, the FAA will print in bold type on the top of the form, "Applicant must complete ALL 20 items."
- Contact lens use. The FAA will reword a question on contact lens use to ask specifically if the pilot uses near-vision contacts, avoiding a manual review because a pilot reports use of far vision contacts, which are permissible.
Members may contact the AOPA Medical Certification Department through AOPA's toll-free Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).
AOPA Petitions for Part 141 Change to Reduce Training Costs
AOPA has asked for changes to FAR Part 141 to reduce some students' cost of obtaining a commercial pilot certificate for single-engine airplanes.
What AOPA wants is simple enough: Allow Part 141 students who earned a commercial pilot certificate in a multiengine airplane to count that complex airplane training experience toward the complex airplane requirements for a single-engine commercial rating.
Students training under FAR Part 61 already have that option. But when the FAA rewrote parts 61 and 141 in 1997, it added an extra word to Part 141. In effect, that small change now requires a Part 141 commercial candidate who wants single-engine privileges to have 10 hours of additional training, taken in a complex single-engine airplane.
"Let's face it, for those students who got their commercial certificate in a multi, it's essentially redundant training at a cost of an extra $1,000 or more," said Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president of government and technical affairs.
A copy of AOPA's petition is available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1999/990127petition.html).
Action in the States
Alaska. Airports selected for weather reporting upgrades as part of the FAA's Capstone project include Kipnuk, Platinum, Scammon Bay, Holy Cross, Kwigillingok, Kalskag, Mt. Village, Russian Mission, St. Michael, and Koliganek.
Arizona. AOPA supports S.B.1075, which would restore aviation property tax revenues to the state aviation fund.
Arkansas. H.B.1061 would exempt aircraft owned by government entities and educational and charitable institutions from sales tax on services and repairs.
Colorado. Denver: AOPA is considering S.B.40,a statement-of-intent bill on the need to use state funds to fix Colorado's weather "blind spots," and H.B.1034, which would allow a dozen automated weather reporting stations.
Connecticut. AOPA is opposing H.B.6328, which would prohibit night use of the Groton/New London Airport. AOPA is also opposing H.B.6124, which would tax aircraft flying in Connecticut airspace. Danielson: Pilots at Danielson Airport have been told by the airport manager to stop using a grass strip adjacent to the paved runway because it does not meet FAA obstruction standards. AOPA is working with pilots and airport management to resolve the issue.
Delaware. Cheswold: The new Delaware Aviation System Plan recommends purchase and upgrade of the Delaware Air Park.
Florida. AOPA is following a legislative initiative for a state advisory aviation commission. Englewood: Sarasota County is proposing rules to prohibit ultralights at Buchan Airport. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Jeff Walston is working to establish support for the airport. Naples: A City of Naples effort to restrict turboprops and multiengine airplanes from Runway 5/23 at Naples Municipal Airport has been turned back. AOPA ASN volunteer Peter Gisselbeck expects further attempts to cripple the airport. Orlando: Orange County commissioners have approved an airport authority for a proposed new GA airport about 20 miles west-northwest of Orlando. A feasibility study for the new airport is expected soon. Pompano Beach: Residents of the Whispering Woods subdivision northwest of Pompano Beach Airport and Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport are protesting aircraft noise. AOPA ASN volunteer Bill Bahlke is working with flight schools and the FAA to minimize training flights over the subdivision.
Georgia. Atlanta: The anti-airport "PDK Watch" group is attempting to limit operations at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport by using a 25-year-old runway weight limitation found in the PDK airport master record. The airport recently updated that weight limit on official records.
Hawaii. An initiative to move state aviation functions under a new state port authority is under review by AOPA.
Idaho. Payette: Endangered Payette Airport was saved from closure after the Idaho Aeronautics Division aroused civic pride by noting that the airport dated to 1929 and was the first ever registered with the state. The City of Payette also established an airport commission to maintain and improve the facility.
Kansas. Governor Bill Graves has endorsed GA airport funding of $3 million per year for eight years. Also, AOPA is supporting H.B.2070, funding the Kansas GA Development Fund.
Massachusetts. AOPA is supporting H.B.547, which would exempt aircraft from sales tax. Bedford: Famed airshow performer Mike Goulian is working with AOPA ASN volunteer Ford Von Weise and AOPA member Reinier Beeuwkes to promote flying friendly at noise-sensitive Hanscom Field. The Aero Club of New England is also promoting flying friendly regionwide. Boston: Massport chief Peter Blute is promoting the community benefits of restoring and opening GA reliever Runway 14/32 at Boston Logan Airport. The long-stifled runway was a key element in AOPA's argument against peak-hour pricing at Logan.
Minnesota. The possibility that S.B.751 could restrict improvements at airports operated by the Minneapolis Metropolitan Airports Commission is under study by AOPA.
Mississippi. AOPA is supporting S.B.2055, which would remove sales tax on repair and service of aircraft.
Montana. AOPA is supporting S.B.205, which would increase the aviation fuel tax by 1 cent but dedicate all additional revenues to aviation.
Nevada. Las Vegas: Clark County Department of Aviation Assistant Director Jacob Snow has promised to include AOPA on the regional systems plan committee.
New Jersey. Pemberton: The Pemberton Airport (3N7) has been sold and will close sometime this year.
New York. AOPA is fighting A.B.1627, whichwould impose a luxury tax on aircraft. AOPA is supporting S.B.1631 and A.B.2836, both of which would allow property tax exemptions for privately owned public-use airports. AOPA is also supporting S.B. 2000, which would provide dedicated airport funding. East Hampton: An ordinance requiring virtually every change at East Hampton Airport to go through New York's lengthy state environmental process could slow or stop many routine airport maintenance and improvement projects. Meanwhile, AOPA ASN volunteer Tom Lavinio reports that the East Hampton Airport Association has filed a lawsuit, claiming that the ordinance reduces the value of their leaseholds and constitutes a breach of contract.
North Carolina. Knightdale: AOPA is working with pilots at Raleigh East Airport to regain fueling and other services lost when airport owner J.T. Knott terminated the lease of the most recent operator, Raleigh Helicopters, Inc. Salisbury: AOPA is helping pilots at Rowan County Airport to fight increased personal property taxes imposed after the airport was annexed in 1997 by the City of Salisbury.
Ohio. Columbus: AOPA ASN Volunteer Robert I. Lewis reports a plan to build a school about a mile and a half from Bolton Field. The airport master plan calls for construction of an east-west runway that would extend toward the proposed school site. Lorain: Students at nearby Oberlin College are organizing against proposed lengthening of Runway 7/25 at the Lorain County Airport. Willoughby: The terminal and tower building at embattled Lost Nation Airport has been demolished by the city of Willoughby. AOPA, which has fought to keep the Cleveland-area reliever airport open, called the demolition "another nail in Lost Nation's coffin."
Oklahoma. AOPA is tracking four aviation measures: S.B.719 would divide the state Aeronautics and Space Administration into two agencies, allowing more attention for GA airports; S.B.448 would dedicate funding for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission; S.B.398 would dedicate aircraft excise taxes to airports; and S.B.397 would allocate funds for state aviation and safety programs. Tulsa: AOPA is working with the city of Tulsa to prevent closure of the Tulsa Downtown Airport.
Oregon. AOPA has issued a Legislative Pilot Alert asking members to voice their position on H.B.2199, which would increase aviation fuel taxes, and on S.B.108, which would create an independent Oregon Aviation Department. AOPA supports S.B.108.
Pennsylvania. AOPA is supporting S.B.19, which would create a state Aviation Advisory Committee. AOPA is studying S.B.20, which would establish an Airport Easement Purchase Fund and provide for the acquisition and disposal of airport and airport-related property. AOPA is also studying S.B. 21, which would allow voters to approve up to $100 million for purchase of airports or airport easements. Connellsville: A cellular telephone tower proposed about a quarter-mile from the approach end of Runway 32 at Connellsville Airport could impact minimums on a GPS instrument approach. AOPA ASN volunteer Al Ambrosini is following the controversy.
Rhode Island. North Kingstown: The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) is continuing to press for a container port on or adjacent to Quonset State Airport. Ship-loading cranes could obstruct airport approaches. AOPA is working with the Rhode Island Pilots Association to oppose portions of the plan that would hamper airport operations. Meanwhile, the RIEDC Web site opening page features a photograph of Quonset State Airport while inviting all to visit "Quonset Davisville Port and Commerce Park."
South Carolina. Camden: The Kershaw County Airport Commission has rescinded its traffic pattern ordinance that illegally intruded on FAA regulation of airspace matters. Columbia: S.B.253 would establish and fund a grants program for airport improvements. AOPA is supporting the bill.
Tennessee. Nashville: AOPA will serve on the advisory committee for a new Tennessee aviation system plan. The study, expected to take two years, will take a unique regional approach to air service needs. Arlington: FBO A.I. Guron has sued the Town of Arlington over closure of the Arlington Airport; other users of the airport are also considering legal action.
Texas. Austin: A bill to allow direct funding for the Texas DOT Aviation Division will be introduced this year. Also, efforts will be made to resurrect a law requiring tower builders to receive a permit prior to construction.
Utah. AOPA is working for passage of S.B.131 and S.B.139, both for better state airport funding. S.B.132, which would raise taxes on avgas, is under study by AOPA. Also, AOPA is working with the Utah General Aviation Association (UGAA) on several Utah issues, including redesign of the Salt Lake City Class B airspace.
Virginia. Newport News: AOPA is supportingmembers of the Virginia Peninsula Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in their efforts to preserve maintenance rights in hangars, reduce rental rates, and seek a reduction in aircraft personal property taxes.
West Virginia. Charleston: AOPA is workingwith West Virginia Public Port Authority Acting Director Susan V. Chernenco to increase funding for GA airports.
Wyoming. Cheyenne: H.B.256, which wouldhave increased taxes on fuel — including aviation fuel — died in committee.
The AOPA Insurance Agency Adds automation for faster insurance quotes
New software at the AOPA Insurance Agency is speeding quotes from AIG Aviation.
"It's now a single call to get quotes from both the AOPA Insurance Program — through Great American Insurance Company — and from AIG," said Greg Sterling, executive vice president and general manager of the AOPA Insurance Agency. "Most aviation insurance agencies require callbacks that can delay quotes for days."
The AOPA Insurance Agency offers a variety of insurance policies for aircraft owners, renters, and CFIs from major A-rated companies. For a free, no-obligation quotation, contact the AOPA Insurance Agency at 800/622-AOPA (800/622-2672).
Aero SUV to Debut at Sun 'N Fun
AOPA and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are working together to debut AOPA's Aero SUV sweepstakes airplane (see " Aero SUV: A Strong Foundation," p. 117) at the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, from April 11 through 17. If the refurbishment of the Cessna 206 is on schedule, the airplane will be on display — with its new avionics and paint, but sans interior and new Continental IO-550 engine — at Embry-Riddle's outdoor tent next door to the FAA Aviation Safety Center. AOPA's booth will be in Building B, spaces 94 and 95.
Minnesota Mutual Changes Name
Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company, which for 50 years has provided AOPA members with life insurance tailored to pilots, has changed its name to Minnesota Life Insurance Company. The change follows the 118-year-old company's recent reorganization into a mutual insurance holding company. The renamed Minnesota Life will continue to be owned and controlled by policyholders.
The Minnesota Life AOPA Term Life Insurance Program will continue to be offered to AOPA members without change.
Spa Supports Texas Waterway Legislation
The Seaplane Pilots Association is voicing strong support for legislation to regulate waterway usage by seaplanes in Texas.
Texas state Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth, herself a seaplane pilot, introduced H.B.1620 in February as comprehensive legislation for state regulation of waterway usage by seaplanes. The bill would eliminate conflicting and unnecessarily stringent regulations enacted by local Texas municipalities.
Wohlgemuth and the SPA are calling on the seaplane community for input and support for the legislation. Supporters should contact Wohlgemuth's aide, Josh Martin, at 512/463-0538 or John Cuny, SPA's Texas/Oklahoma field director, at 817/439-3939.
For information on the Seaplane Pilots Association, call 301/695-2083 or visit the SPA Web site ( www.seaplanes.org).
Piper Meridian on the Way
AOPA President Phil Boyer (left) inspected the prototype New Piper Malibu Meridian while in Florida in late January for pilot town meetings. The single-engine, 262-knot turboprop single is expected to be certificated by summer 2000. So far, 94 have been ordered at $1.3 million for first-year production, and $1.35 million for the second production year. With Boyer is New Piper President Chuck Suma.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
ASF 'Hard Hitting' Safety Seminars Slated for Sun 'N Fun
Five of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's most popular safety seminars will be presented in the FAA Aviation Safety Center at the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, April 11 to 14.
ASF seminars this year will include:
GPS Update, which presents up-to-the-minute information on the status of WAAS and LAAS, GPS precision approaches, and the compatibility of current GPS receivers with expected new standards. (Wednesday, April 14, 1 p.m.)
GPS for VFR Operations will alert pilots to hidden capabilities, traps, and tricks of GPS navigation under VFR. (Wednesday, April 14, 8:30 a.m.)
Weather Strategies will explore little-known ways to glean the best preflight weather information the system has to offer. (Sunday, April 11, 2:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, April 13, 1 p.m.)
Weather Tactics extends tips and tricks of finding and applying weather knowledge in the cockpit. (Monday, April 12, 8:30 a.m.; and Tuesday, April 13, 2:30 p.m.)
Single-Pilot IFR uses lessons from actual IFR accidents to illustrate practical ways to make safer "the single greatest test of a pilot's skill." (Sunday, April 11, 8:30 a.m.; and Wednesday, April 14, 4:30 p.m.)
ASF safety seminars are open to all pilots and no admission is charged. Sponsors for this year's ASF seminars at Sun 'n Fun are the FAA Aviation Safety Program and the State of Florida Department Of Transportation Aviation Office.
Coasters Feature J-3 Cub, Cessna 172
Gold-colored aluminum coasters portraying the legendary Piper J-3 Cub and the Cessna 172 are the 1999 AOPA Air Safety Foundation gift for donors of $100 or more to the cause of GA safety.
The coasters, a series of six, fit in an optional handsome cherry holder emblazoned with the ASF logo. Donors who have helped fund ASF safety programs with at least $100 in the years 1998, 1999, and 2000 will be eligible for the holder in 2000, ASF's fiftieth anniversary year.
Year 2K ASF Calendar to Feature Silent Auction Winner's Airplane
The winner of the 1998 Air Safety Foundation Silent Auction "Air-to-Air Aircraft Photo" will have a photo of his aircraft featured on the cover of the 2000 ASF calendar.
Mike Lazar of Jamesville, New York, will be shown flying his Piper Aztec in a photograph to be taken this year by an AOPA Pilot staff photographer.
Lazar, an ASF Life Hat contributor and underwriter of the 1998 Nall Report on GA safety, placed the winning bid for the photo opportunity in the 1998 ASF Silent Auction.
New items in the 1999 ASF Silent Auction include: a P-51 ride to the EAA AirVenture convention at Oshkosh; a week on Martha's Vineyard; Keith Ferris aviation prints; and extensive selections from the Sam Lyons aviation art collection.
The 1999 ASF Online Silent Auction continues through November.
One-Third of AOPA Membersip Now Online with AOPA
More than 120,000 AOPA members — well over one-third of the association's membership — are now registered on AOPA Online to receive news, information, and data through AOPA's award-winning Web site.
Nearly 1,000 AOPA members per week signed up in 1998, increasing registrations in the members-only section of AOPA Online by 86 percent. AOPA Online served 13.47 million pages of content in 1998, a 183 percent increase from 1997.
AOPA Online now offers more than 30,000 pages of data, including the 1999 AOPA's Airport Directory of landing facilities, ground transportation, and local services. The AOPA Aircraft Valuation Service by Vref and weather data from DTN are also online.
