AOPA Action

Bill to Unlock Aviation Trust Fund in Comprehensive Legislative Package

The Truth in Budgeting Act (H.R.111), which would unlock the aviation trust fund (see " President's Position: Call to action," April Pilot) has been included in the comprehensive Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the Twenty-first Century (AIR-21), H.R.1000.

AIR-21 was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) and ranking Democrat Jim Oberstar (Minn.) and cosponsored by every member of the committee.

Among other provisions, AIR-21 would increase airport funding from $1.95 billion to $5 billion per year and remove aviation trust fund spending from the overall budget spending cap, allowing all taxes collected from aviation users to be spent on aviation. The bill would also continue to fund 30 percent of the FAA's budget from the general fund.

The bill also will enact AOPA-recommended provisions making it harder for officials to close some public-use airports without public notice and comment, protect pilots from the FAA's excessive use of its emergency certificate revocation authority, and authorize continued funding for loran through the transition to satellite-based navigation.

Pilots should still encourage their elected representatives to cosponsor H.R.111. Additional information regarding the effort to unlock the aviation trust fund can be found on AOPA Online .

AOPA Challenges Another New Mexico Air Traffic Ordinance

AOPA is challenging a proposed airport noise ordinance at Santa Fe, New Mexico, which would dictate where and when pilots can fly and how they operate their aircraft. Fines of as much as $500 are proposed.

"AOPA urges all pilots to be good neighbors and 'fly friendly,'" said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "And airports have some authority to develop noise abatement programs, but any noise ordinance must be fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory. Santa Fe's is not."

The Santa Fe ordinance calls noisy aircraft a "nuisance" and says that the "need...[for] relative peace and quiet during the nighttime hours shall have priority over the use of the airport by excessively noisy aircraft and frequent flights over populated areas" (emphasis added). It would implement flight procedures, including mandatory "air corridors" to and from the airport.

Among other measures, the proposed ordinance would prohibit:

• overflight of residential communities;
• high rpm settings in the pattern;
• intersection departures;
• touch and goes between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., and
• training flights over residential communities.

The ordinance would also require air traffic controllers at Santa Fe to record violations, with fines of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for each additional violation within five years.

Last year the southern New Mexico city of Las Cruces passed an ordinance requiring radio communication by pilots operating at that un-controlled airport, in violation of FAA preemption of airspace. AOPA pressure helped to convince the Las Cruces City Council to rescind that measure on November 19, 1998.

FAA Approves 82UL for Autogas STCed Aircraft

The FAA has approved the new 82UL unleaded aviation gasoline for aircraft with a supplemental type certificate (STC) to use auto gasoline.

The 82UL standard is the culmination of 10 years of effort by the aviation industry, spearheaded by AOPA, EAA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the FAA, Cessna, and other industry groups. It may ultimately replace hard-to-find 80/87 avgas.

Although specifically an aviation fuel, 82UL can be produced from the same petroleum stocks as autogas. That means 82UL could be produced by more refineries than the limited number of operations that produce leaded avgas.

No refiner is producing 82UL yet, but an Alaska refinery is eager to begin delivering the new fuel.

FAA-Produced Aeronautical Charts Would Help Safety, Says AOPA

AOPA is proposing that the Office of Aeronautical Charting and Cartography (AC&C) be transferred to the FAA from the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Charting involves critical flight safety issues that must be under direct control of the FAA," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The current system is fragmented and inefficient."

NOAA had recently attempted to discontinue world aeronautical charts (WACs) and raise prices for its remaining aviation products. The action was quickly put on hold following vehement AOPA protest.

Meanwhile, the Clinton administration has proposed transferring aeronautical charting to the Department of Transportation Administrative Services Center (TASC), which handles such things as parking services, employee fitness centers, urine collection services, and stress management seminars. "Just because TASC has a print shop doesn't mean that it has the expertise to collect and publish safety-related aeronautical data on a timely basis," said Boyer. "The FAA does."

Alert AOPA Member Helps to Restore Lost Airport — On paper, at Least

An AWOL airport?

An alert AOPA member from Florida found that the North Eleuthera Airport (MYEH) in the Bahamas had disappeared from both the Miami Sectional and CH-25 World Aeronautical (WAC) charts.

Dr. John Yurosko, AOPA 788268, an oral surgeon in Venice, Florida, notified AOPA and chart producer NOAA of the omission. An AOPA investigation revealed that the Department of Defense, which provides airport data in that area to NOAA, had inadvertently omitted the North Eleuthera Airport.

NOAA restored the airport in the February 25, 1999, edition of the Miami Sectional chart and promises to do the same on the CH-25 WAC in December.

Action in the States

Alabama. Montgomery: AOPA is supportingH.B.236, which would increase the amount of tax revenue dedicated to aviation. Alabama ranks near the bottom among states in funding for maintenance and improvement of GA airports.

Alaska. A major weather reporting program for Alaska will include at least 15 closed-circuit color TV cameras at remote Alaska airports. AOPA is supporting an effort to relay the images to flight service stations. Another AOPA-supported initiative will place NWS- and FAA-supported radios at small airports now without communications so that pilots can call for current weather before landing.

Arizona. AOPA is opposing H.B.2388, which would promote incompatible land use near airports. Peoria: The possibility of a new GA airport near Peoria is under study by AOPA. Phoenix: AOPA is looking into continuing reports of poor service from the Phoenix Tracon. Among the complaints is the refusal of controllers to accept handoffs from en route centers. St. Johns: The proposed 1,329-foot (agl) radio tower proposed for just west of the St. Johns VOR has been ruled "no hazard" by the FAA. Scottsdale: AOPA members are reporting that new operating rules at the Scottsdale Airport are limiting operations at the field. AOPA is investigating.

Colorado. Denver: New management at the Jeff-co Airport is drawing fire from pilots. Complaints include overly strict new rules on use of hangars, higher rents, and an anti-GA attitude. AOPA is helping local pilots to form an airport support group. At nearby Centennial Airport, anti-airport forces have a plan to annex property surrounding the airport, then force closure.

Florida. A legislative initiative to create a com-mission on aeronautics and space may hurt GA airport funding. AOPA is investigating. Also, AOPA is concerned about H.B.2464, which would prohibit seaplanes in Ochockonee Bay. Daytona Beach: AOPA is working to educate Volusia County officials who have proposed a new school within a mile of the Spruce Creek Airport. The busy airfield, located at the heart of a large residential airpark developed in the 1970s, is home to several hundred based aircraft.

Hawaii. H.B.1366, which would have moved state aviation functions under a new port authority, died in committee. Oahu: AOPA is monitoring the opening of the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station as a civilian facility.

Idaho. Hailey: Blaine County Commissioners have approved another $4.5 million federal grant application for improvements at the Friedman Memorial Airport.

Illinois. Prospect Heights: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Mike Biewenga is working to educate a citizens' group pushing for restrictions at the Palwaukee Municipal Airport. Proposed restrictions include a takeoff weight limit and a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Iowa. Ankeny: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Scott Smith is helping to organize a two-day "Wings, Wheels, and Water Festival" that will include an airshow, historic airplanes, and experimental aircraft on a 79-acre site. The festival is expected to attract more than 70,000 people. Ft. Dodge: The Ft. Dodge Regional Airport will be the site for the eighth annual Fly Iowa on June 19 and 20, a fly-in and aviation fair to support GA in Iowa.

Kansas. Topeka: AOPA ASN volunteer Marvin Miller helped to lead a Youth Aviation Opportunities Day at Topeka Billiard Airport on April 17. Between 200 and 500 young people were expected to participate. AOPA furnished educational materials and door prizes.

Maine. Rockland: A February meeting of Maine aviation groups explored the best ways to promote GA statewide. AOPA is supporting this effort.

Massachusetts. Bedford: A task force is developing recommendations for minimizing noise complaints at the Lawrence G. Hanscom field. One proposal recommends sending free copies of AOPA's Flying Friendly video to all local pilots. New Bedford: An environmental study is under way on a plan to lengthen New Bedford Regional Airport's Runway 5/23 to as long as 8,000 feet. The Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, the FAA, and local business leaders have voiced support for the extension, but some airport neighbors and environmental groups are opposing it. Sterling: AOPA is offering airport support materials and advice for local pilots trying to save the Sterling Airport. The privately owned airport is up for sale.

Michigan. AOPA is supporting the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) in helping efforts to reactivate airport zoning boards around the state. Proper zoning helps to protect airports from encroachment. Lansing: MAC has approved $14.8 million for airport improvements at 23 airports around the state.

Mississippi. S.B.2055, which would have removed sales tax on aircraft repair, died in committee.

Missouri. Land is being acquired for Linn County Regional Airport, Missouri's sixth new airport in seven years. The project has been awarded a $750,000 grant to underwrite final planning, engineering, and the start of site development. Lee's Summit: AOPA ASN volunteer Gary Fox reports that neighbors of Lee's Summit Municipal are opposing a plan to extend Runway 18-36 from 4,000 to 5,000 feet.

New Hampshire. Manchester: Tiedown spots on the reconstructed ramp areas of Manchester Airport will be offered first to aircraft owners who relocated to other airports during construction.

Oregon. S.B.108, designed to create an independent Oregon Aviation Department, has passed the Senate. An AOPA Legislative Action Pilot Alert had asked members to support the measure.

Tennessee. AOPA is supporting H.B.1756, which would require grant assurances from airports receiving state aid. The bill would also require that airport closures be approved by the state Department of Transportation.

Texas. Ft. Worth: AOPA is opposing user fees proposed for Ft. Worth Meacham International. The fees were suggested by a consultant hired to improve the airport's economic situation.

Utah. Because of decreased funding this year, some 20 Utah GA airports will be dropped from the list of airports approved for state aid. Utah Director of Aeronautics Bob Barrett plans to use all available state aviation funds to preserve runway and taxiway pavements.

Virginia. AOPA is supporting S.B.1203, which would establish a revolving fund for airport development.

FAA-Accepted Medication List Available

A list of the most commonly prescribed medications that the FAA routinely accepts as safe for pilots is now available to AOPA members.

"Although the FAA doesn't make available a comprehensive list, there are numerous drugs that have been deemed acceptable for flying," said AOPA Director of Medical Certification Gary Crump. "This listing will help pilots better prepare for the FAA flight physical."

The list is available on the Web ( www.aopa.org/members/databases/medical/search_faa_meds.cfm) or via the AOPA Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).

AOPA Fly-In to Feature Extended Hours, More of Machado

Longer hours and a special return appearance by noted aviation educator and humorist Rod Machado will highlight AOPA's ninth annual Fly-In to AOPA headquarters scheduled for Saturday, June 5, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Frederick (Maryland) Municipal Airport.

Last year more than 600 aircraft and 6,500 aviation enthusiasts and their families participated. This year, a record 70-plus exhibitors, a robust display of new aircraft, and additional seminars are expected to draw even more. A temporary FAA control tower will be in operation from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 5.

"AOPA members enjoy seeing their association's headquarters and visiting with AOPA staff," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "In fact, this year's longer fly-in hours are a direct result of member requests."

AOPA Fly-In procedures and additional information are available on the AOPA Web site ( www.aopa.org/special/fly-in/).

AOPA Project Pilot CFIs to Receive Flight Training Magazine

All AOPA Project Pilot flight instructors are now receiving a complimentary subscription to AOPA Flight Training magazine, which was purchased by AOPA in January. The subscription replaces the monthly Project Pilot Instructor Report newsletter.

The magazine's new role in Project Pilot reaffirms AOPA's commitment to maintaining Flight Training's 10-year focus on the core interests of student pilots and CFIs.

Student and CFI enrollment cards in the magazine (good for a free six-month subscription for flight students) will continue to carry a Missouri return address during a brief transition period.

AOPA Aircraft Loans Now Online

AOPA members may now apply via AOPA Online for an AOPA Aircraft Financing Program loan.

"Members asked for a quick and easy loan application via the Web, and now it's here," said Kelly Tomlin, AOPA Products and Services program director. "To complete an application, simply go to www.aopa.org/aircraftfinancing/."

The AOPA Aircraft Financing Program provided by MBNA America Bank features low member-only rates, no application fees or prepayment penalties, some of the industry's longest repayment terms, and free AOPA basic membership for loan amounts of $20,000 or more.

Members may still apply by phone by calling 800/62-PLANE (800/627-5263) and mentioning priority code ONLN.

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION

ASF Alerts Pilots to Temporary Expansion of Washington, D.C., Restricted and Prohibited Airspace

ASF is alerting East Coast pilots about a late decision to ex-pand prohibited and Class B airspace around the nation's capitol for the NATO fiftieth anniversary summit meeting, April 23 to 25.

The FAA asked AOPA and ASF for help in distributing the warning after a last-minute NATO demand for additional security because of current NATO air operations over Kosovo. A notice developed by ASF was posted on AOPA Online within hours of the FAA request.

In addition, ASF developed and sent by first-class mail a special brochure to some 73,000 pilots based within 300 miles of Washington. "This is a weekend to give D.C.-area restricted airspace a wide berth," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The good news is that four general aviation airports in Maryland within the expanded restricted airspace continue to operate, although with limitations."

Temporary flight restrictions include a 10-nm radius from the surface to 18,000 feet msl around Washington Reagan National Airport and Andrews Air Force Base. The P-56 prohibited areas are expanded to cover a wide area of downtown and Northwest Washington from the Naval Observatory to the Anacostia River.

Full information is posted on the AOPA Web site ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1999/99-2-001.html).

GA Enjoys Safest Year Ever; ASF Lauds Continuing Improvement

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation said that preliminary statistics announced on March 2 by the National Transportation Safety Board show that 1998 was the safest year to date for general aviation.

"GA's accident rate and fatal accident rate were the lowest recorded since recordkeeping began in 1938," said Bruce Landsberg, ASF executive director. "GA pilots are flying more hours and flying more safely, continuing a steady trend of improving safety. But we can still do better."

The estimated fatal accident rate of 1.35 accidents per 100,000 hours represents a 3.6 percent improvement from the revised 1997 rate of 1.40. There were 361 fatal GA accidents in 1998 during 26.8 million flight hours and an estimated 35 million non-airline, nonmilitary flights for business, commercial, government, personal, and training purposes. GA's estimated total accident rate was also at a historic low — 7.12 per 100,000 flight hours, a 2.3 percent improvement from the previous year. Most areas of GA flying showed improvement, with business flying accidents declining 8.2 percent and the number of instructional flying accidents dropping 3 percent. However, personal flying accidents increased 9.8 percent to 1,243 in 1998. The number of midair collisions remained steady at 15, with 12 involving fatalities.

Safety has improved steadily and dramatically since the dawn of modern general aviation. From a total accident rate of 77.83 per 100,000 hours in 1946, GA mishaps declined to just 7.12 per 100,000 hours in 1998, a 91 percent improvement.

"Our challenge now is to continue to improve pilot judgment and human factors. Systemic changes, such as improving the weather information available to pilots, would also improve safety," said Landsberg.

Chartered in 1950, AOPA's ASF is the largest private, nonprofit organization in the United States providing research, safety education, and training to the nation's GA pilots. The foundation's free safety seminars reached some 32,000 pilots nationwide in 1998.

The ASF is funded largely by donations from individual pilots.

Silent Auction Offers Warbird Ride

One of the most unusual items ever donated for the ASF Silent Auction on the Web offers the winning bidder a one-day trip to the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

So what? Thousands of pilots go to Oshkosh every year. "But how many get to arrive in one of World War II's finest fighter aircraft, the North American P-51 Mustang?" said ASF Vice President for Development Art Keefe. "This ASF Silent Auction item offers a rare opportunity indeed."

Donated by AOPA member Tony Buechler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Silent Auction item offers a P-51 ride from Milwaukee to Oshkosh for a day at Oshkosh 1999. All entry fees are included and the package is available any day from Wednesday, July 28 through Sunday, August 1. An alternative prize is a custom flight over Oshkosh in the P-51 during the show.

The starting bid is $1,000, with minimum bid increments of $100. The item closes on June 30.

"Most ASF Silent Auction items have some defined retail value," said Keefe. "But I'd say this one could easily be called priceless."

The ASF Silent Auction runs from February through November. Almost 200 items have been contributed already, with additional items added monthly.