AOPA Action

AOPA Counters Attempt to Mandate $2,500 ELT

AOPA is countering a quiet attempt to have Congress require new $2,500 ELTs on GA aircraft.

Shortly after the John F. Kennedy Jr. accident, lobbyists for Litton Industries began quietly contacting congressional staffers, advocating mandatory new 406 MHz ELTs for GA aircraft.

Litton Industries manufactures a 406 MHz ELT.

"Litton is not motivated by altruism," wrote AOPA President Phil Boyer in a letter sent to every senator, plus key members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "In fact, all ELTs, including 406 MHz models, may be obsolete in just a few years."

ELTs may be replaced by Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology within five years. The new technology, which broadcasts GPS-derived position information, is expected to be much more effective and could eliminate the ELT false-alarm problem.

ELTs were mandated by Congress in 1973 following the death of U.S. Rep. Hale Boggs in Alaska. But the first-generation (TSO-91) ELTs were not ready for prime time, activating in only 24 percent of airplane crashes. Some 97 percent of alarms were false.

In 1985, introduction of the current TSO-C91a standards substantially reduced or eliminated the problems typical of earlier models. Today's 121.5 MHz ELTs activate in 73 percent of crashes and cost just $250 to $500.

The proposed 406 MHz ELT reportedly activates successfully at a marginally better 81-percent rate, but costs about $2,500. Supporters claim that 406 MHz ELTs would produce fewer false alarms, but that has not yet been proven.

"AOPA supports the transition to more reliable ELTs under TSO-C91a and the current mandatory annual ELT inspection," said Boyer. "However, we believe the cost of the 406 MHz ELT is too high and its known benefits too small to mandate its universal use in GA aircraft."

AOPA Asks Senate to Reauthorize FAA; Congress Approves FY 2000 Funds

The Senate began debate October 4 on legislation to reauthorize the FAA's programs after AOPA's request to take action "in the sunshine." The bill would authorize funding for all FAA operations and programs for four years, and would set long-term policy guidance for the agency.

At press time, the FAA was operating under congressional stopgap measures. Airport funding was stopped from August 5 through September 27, and halted again on October 1. It will remain in limbo until reauthorization legislation is signed into law.

In letters to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.), AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote, "The aviation community has been eager to move forward with a long-term FAA reauthorization for several years…and we respectfully urge you to schedule floor time for consideration of the FAA reauthorization bill as soon as possible."

The Senate's S.82 is similar to House-passed H.R.1000 (also called AIR-21). However, the Senate bill does not include the House's special budget treatment that would permit all aviation trust fund monies to be spent promptly on aviation. Approval of this legislation will set the stage for a final House/Senate conference this year.

In a related action, Congress approved a final FY 2000 FAA spending bill October 1. That legislation provides $10.1 billion but takes all FAA funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, forgoing the traditional general fund contribution for FAA operations, a move Boyer termed "regrettable."

AOPA members are urged to monitor the progress of this important battle to unlock the trust fund via the AOPA Web site; if a call for member input to elected representatives is necessary, it will be posted on the site at www.aopa.org.

WAAS Completes Key Test; AOPA Tells FAA to Aggressively Field the System

AOPA has told the FAA that it must move aggressively to implement the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) for enhanced GPS navigation. That urging came following the successful completion of an FAA test of WAAS development.

"It's time now for the FAA to eliminate the 'paralysis of analysis' and get on with the program," Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president of Government and Technical Affairs, told the FAA's Joint Resource Council on September 2.

GPS/WAAS can provide ILS-like precision instrument approach guidance to almost every GA airport. (Only 635 of the nation's 5,300 public-use airports are ILS-equipped today.)

"Most importantly for GA, the FAA must develop an affordable, accessible GPS database," Roberts said. "Without these items, GA users will be hard-pressed to find any advantages or operational benefits from WAAS — and they won't buy it."

WAAS is scheduled to be available in the central area of the nation from the Rockies to the Appalachian Mountains by September 2000, and fully usable nationwide by 2003.

A copy of AOPA's statement to the FAA's Joint Resource Council is available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1999/990927testimony.html).

AOPA, ASF to Assist NTSB in JFK Jr. Accident Investigation

The NTSB has accepted an offer from AOPA and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation for assistance in its investigation of the fatal crash of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s Piper Saratoga.

NTSB investigators believe that information from the Air Safety Foundation's extensive accident database, and AOPA's ability to reach the pilot community for insight on real-world practices related to factors involved in the accident flight, will be useful to investigators.

The NTSB said that the expertise and information available through AOPA and the Air Safety Foundation would be helpful to the NTSB's understanding of the accident flight and its determination on whether new safety recommendations are needed.

AOPA and the Air Safety Foundation will be involved in an advisory and informational capacity, not as a party to the investigation.

AOPA Challenges San Jose to Protect GA in the Silicon Valley

Because the San Jose (California) International Airport (SJC) is attempting to force GA off the field, AOPA is opposing the airport's application to impose a $3 passenger facility charge (PFC) to raise some $13 million for airport construction and noise monitoring. AOPA has also challenged San Jose's continued eligibility to receive federal funds, and parts of SJC's Master Plan Environmental Impact Study — which proposes destruction of yet more GA facilities at SJC with no comparable facilities for displaced aircraft owners.

"San Jose has been using these funds to enforce what we believe is an illegal curfew," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "Moreover, the current administration has broken longstanding promises and cut off an eight-year dialogue about the future of GA in the Silicon Valley. We have to protect the interests of our members and the GA community."

At issue are San Jose's expansion plans, which would take over land currently being used for GA operations and hangars.

The city also plans to divert and relocate many GA aircraft to reliever airports to handle more airline and cargo flights. Santa Clara County-owned Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) is the designated reliever airport for the area.

But the county is a reluctant landlord. For years, it tried to close RHV and reversed course in 1996 following pressure from local pilot groups, the business community, the FAA, the City of San Jose, and AOPA. Even San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales (then a Santa Clara County supervisor) voted to keep Reid-Hillview open, in part because of its importance as the key reliever airport to San Jose International.

Recognizing that importance, the San Jose City Council and former Mayor Susan Hammer had promised that the city would acquire operational control of RHV so that San Jose airport funds could be used for the reliever airport. Now the city has backed away from that commitment.

"We're not trying to be unreasonable," said Dunn. "We're just trying to get the city to live up to its commitment to provide adequate facilities for all aviation users."

Action in the States

AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer activity is italicized. For information on how you can help AOPA's efforts to save your local airport, visit www.aopa.org/asn/ on AOPA's Web page.

Arizona. AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers are still needed for these Arizona airports: Bisbee Municipal, Coolidge Municipal, Flagstaff Pulliam Field, Globe San Carlos Apache, Grand Canyon National Park, Kearney, Lake Havasu City, Laughlin-Bullhead City International, Nogales International, Sierra Vista Municipal, and Yuma International.

Arkansas: Heber Springs: A new housing development is being constructed near the approach end of Runway 5 at Heber Springs Municipal Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer George A. Tomlinson is investigating.

Florida. Boca Raton: AOPA ASN volunteer Dave Freudenberg organized AOPA member pilots in relief efforts for Bahamian islands ravaged by Hurricane Floyd in September. Daytona Beach: ATC service for portions of Orlando and Daytona Beach airspace, formerly controlled by Patrick AFB Approach Control, will be transferred to Daytona Beach Approach by mid-November. Ft. Myers: Bylaws for a new airport support group at Page Field Airport have been approved. AOPA ASN volunteer Mark Twombly is helping to ensure representation of all airport users. Naples: A small but vocal anti-airport group is attempting to close Naples Municipal Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer R. Scott Cameron is working with local pilots and community leaders to build support for the airport.

Idaho. AOPA is reviewing the newly issued Draft Environmental Impact Study for the Frank Church River-of-No-Return wilderness area. There are 19 back-country airstrips within the area that AOPA has pledged to help protect. Rexburg: A proposed housing development south of Rexburg Airport is under fire by AOPA and the FAA. Noise complaints are a leading cause of airport closures.

Illinois. The state Department of Public Health will now exempt aircraft hangars from a state requirement for floor drains with venting and oil/water separators. The interpretation will provide significant economic relief for aircraft owners renting hangars. Schaumburg: AOPA has been working with Schaumburg Airport Manager Mark Clements to win FAA approval for a "point in space" GPS instrument approach to the airport. If approved, it will be the first of its kind for any aircraft other than helicopters.

Kansas. Garnett: AOPA ASN volunteer Bob Caron has been named chair of the new Garnett Municipal Airport Advisory Board. He is directing improvements including runway rehabilitation, lighting, communications, and weather monitoring.

Louisiana. Monroe: AOPA is working to prevent revenue diversion from Monroe Regional Airport. U.S. Rep. John Cooksey (R-La.), a pilot and AOPA member who represents the Monroe area, is helping to ensure that legislation allowing development of airport land does not go too far in waiving contracts requiring use of revenue for aviation purposes.

Maryland. College Park: A plan proposed by the FAA would cancel several VOR-DME and RNAV approaches at 11 airports, including College Park Airport and the Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, Maryland. AOPA ASN volunteer Lee Sommer alerted AOPA to the proposal. Frederick: A plan to nearly double the height of a 400-foot agl tower seven miles south of Frederick along the busy I-270 flyway has been defeated. The FAA, which had first ruled the extension of the tower a "no hazard" to GA, changed its mind after an AOPA petition.

Minnesota. Minneapolis: Proposed lengthening of Runway 9R/27L at Flying Cloud Airport is meeting opposition from local residents, who have threatened to take their case to court. AOPA is helping local pilots improve community relations.

Nevada. Las Vegas: Two new VFR routes through the Las Vegas Class B airspace have been approved, but will not appear on the Las Vegas terminal area chart until March 2000. They are available now on the Web ( www.awp.faa.gov/fsdo/let_sep3099.htm). AOPA had pushed for the routes to ease navigation in the area for GA pilots.

New Jersey. West Milford: AOPA ASN volunteer Frank Minutillo reports that Greenwood Lake Airport has been purchased by the State of New Jersey. The action appears to secure the future of the long-endangered airport.

New York. S.B.2000, the Airport Improvement and Revitalization Act, was signed into law by Gov. George Pataki. AOPA and the New York Airport Management Association supported this ongoing funding measure.

North Carolina. Lumberton: AOPA ASN volunteer Jim Adams is working to establish an airport support group for Lumberton Municipal Airport.

North Dakota. Bismarck: North Dakota Aeronautics Commission chair Rod Brekken is urging inactive CFIs to regain currency. Thanks to AOPA's Project Pilot, the national Be a Pilot initiative, and North Dakota's Wannabe program, there are more prospective pilots than CFIs available.

Pennsylvania. Lock Haven: A proposed Keystone Opportunity Zone that could endanger needed hangar construction and jeopardize the annual Sentimental Journey fly-in is being investigated by AOPA ASN volunteer Lee Gilbert.

Rhode Island. State agency support for GA airports around the state — long advocated by AOPA, the Rhode Island Pilots Association, Hawthorne Aviation Services, and others — is finally becoming a reality. Improvements include a runway rebuilt at Westerly State Airport and various projects at Newport State Airport.

Texas. Houston: A petition against a proposed cellular telephone tower near West Houston Airport has succeeded, eliminating restrictions on instrument approach procedures. AOPA ASN volunteer Roger D. Hoestenbach worked with airport officials to organize the petition drive. Pflugerville: AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn and AOPA Regional Rep. Jerry Hooper met with Austin officials in September to encourage rapid development of a new airport at Pflugerville. The new airport would help compensate for the closing of nearby Austin's Robert Mueller Airport and Austin Executive Airport.

Virginia. Williamsburg: AOPA ASN volunteer Paul M. Volk reports that a straight-in GPS approach is under consideration at the Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport. It would supplement the existing VOR circling approach.

West Virginia. Morgantown: AOPA ASN volunteer Paul W. DeVore is helping to form the Hart Field Coalition to enhance development of the Morgantown Municipal Airport.

Wisconsin: Milwaukee: AOPA ASN volunteer John Gilbert is working with officials at Timmerman Airport for improvements at the field.

AOPA Helps Support Unique Airfield and Nature Preserve

Are airports and environmentalists always at odds? Not always. AOPA has made a small "launch contribution" to the innovative Katama Airfield Trust on Martha's Vineyard Island. The Edgartown, Massachusetts, airport was saved in the 1980s in an unusual partnership with naturalists through the airfield's declaration as open space, off-limits to development. Now, backers celebrate Katama as the protected home of 27 endangered species — 26 flora and fauna varieties, and one grass airfield.

Katama's long turf runways and beach-side parking option are pilot favorites. So is its homey Mel's Diner, operated seasonally by Merilyn Nutting, wife of airport manager Roy Nutting. Preservation partners The Edgartown Conservation Commission and The Nature Conservancy call the airfield "a natural barrier to human intrusion" on the unique Katama Plain.

Now Nutting and friends have created an innovative trust fund to help maintain this unique grass airfield. To help, contact Katama Airfield Trust, 12 Herring Creek Road, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539.

AOPA Founders' Room Restored at Philadelphia Aviation County Club

With AOPA's help, the AOPA Founders' Room at the Philadelphia Aviation Country Club (PACC) on Wings Field near Ambler, Pennsylvania, has been renovated as part of substantial upgrades to the club. AOPA members are welcome to drop in for a look during regular club hours.

Wings Field was established in 1929 by J. Story Smith, one of five Philadelphia aviators who 10 years later would found AOPA.

Smith's company built the original 37-horsepower engines for the Taylor (later Piper) Cub. After his purchase of the 217-acre site, formerly Twin Springs Farm, Wings Field progressed from an open flying field to three grass runways, then to a paved runway currently 2,600 feet in length. During the 1930s, aviation clubs (including PACC) emerged in major cities as social and flying centers.

AOPA was founded on the club's second floor on May 15, 1939, by Smith; lawyer Alfred L. "Abby" Wolf; Ludington Airlines President C. Townsend Ludington; and Philadelphia businessmen Philip and Laurence Sharples. They had been working on the concept since 1938 with Joseph B. "Doc" Hartranft Jr., who would later be AOPA's first full-time president.

After World War II, the club was renovated and expanded for aviation's boom times during the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. It is again being upgraded to accommodate today's upturn in flying — and is open to new members.

AOPA planned to fete the Philadelphia Aviation Country Club and other Philadelphia-area aviation history as part of its 60th anniversary celebration at AOPA Expo '99, October 21 through 23 in nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey.

AOPA's Sweepstakes Cessna 206 Sport Utility Vehicle is High-Tech Magic Carpet

It's not hard to imagine that you've got the best of everything aboard the highly modified Cessna 206 that AOPA will award at the end of the year in the AOPA Aero SUV 1999 Sweepstakes.

Anyone who joins AOPA or renews their membership this calendar year is automatically entered in the Sweepstakes, which closes at midnight on December 31, 1999.

The grand prize aircraft is on display at AOPA Expo '99 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, October 21 through 23. Pilots will be most impressed with its advanced avionics, including two Garmin GNS 430s with color moving maps. A J.P. Instruments EDM-700 engine analyzer and fuel computer can continuously display fuel on board, fuel required to destination, or fuel reserve. A Sandel 3308 electronic HSI heading indicator also displays lightning data from a BFGoodrich WX-500 Stormscope. Outside, a Horton STOL kit and an extra three feet of wing are part and parcel of the Flint tip tank installation.

The Aero SUV comes equipped with two Dahon folding bikes and a platform bed that is neatly secured in the baggage area. A custom tent that bridges the 206's right wing and double aft door turns the Aero SUV into a real flying motor home!

The winner of the 1999 AOPA Sweepstakes grand prize aircraft will be chosen at random by the accounting firm of Ernst and Young in January. AOPA will deliver the Aero SUV to the GA airport nearest to the winner's home.