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GA News
| AOPA SWEEPSTAKES WINNER CHOSEN
 AOPA member Carl Rice of Reedville, Virginia, was presented the beautifully refurbished and upgraded Cessna 206 "Aero SUV" February 6 at quaint Hummel Airfield in Topping, Virginia. The airport has a 2,200-foot paved strip on the south bank of the Rappahannock River near the Chesapeake Bay, about 75 miles east of Richmond, Virginia. Rice, 41, is a working pilot--a fish spotter--and uses a Cessna 172RG Cutlass for those operations. AOPA President Phil Boyer and a contingent of AOPA staffers welcomed Rice, his wife Lori, and their children Cory and Heather to the surprise presentation. Look for all the details in the March issue of AOPA Pilot and on the Web. The 2000 Sweepstakes grand prize airplane will be AOPA's "Millennium Mooney." For details, see the Web site.
SOCATA STREAMLINES THE TRINIDAD
Socata Aircraft rolled out the first TB20 GT last week. Like the rest of the TB line, the Generation Two Trinidad sports a new, aerodynamically refined upper fuselage and a host of other enhancements that provide a bit better performance and about two more inches of headroom for the front-and back-seat passengers. The 250-horsepower TB 20 GT replaces the standard TB 20. The rest of the line includes the new 160-hp TB 9 GT Tampico, the 180-hp TB 10 GT Tobago, 200-hp TB 200 GT Tobago XL, and the turbocharged 250-hp TB 21 GT Trinidad TC. The most significant change includes a new carbon-fiber top to the fuselage. The overall changes add three to five knots to the typical TB 20 cruise speed, giving it a top cruise of about 160 knots, according to Socata. AOPA President Phil Boyer was on hand to christen the airplane and to deliver the keynote speech at the ceremony.
LYCOMING REDUCES PRICES ON REMANS
Textron Lycoming has reduced prices on its remanufactured engines. All 235-, 320-, 360-, 540-, and 720-cubic-inch models have been priced below 1999 prices. Lycoming's remanufactured engines are "zero-time" and come with a new logbook and a warranty identical to that of a factory-new engine. Lycoming also is offering overhaul kits for the O-235-L series engines. The kits contain all normally consumed power section parts that are replaced during the overhaul process. Lycoming says that the list prices on the kits are lower than the previous list prices on these replacement parts when purchased individually
For daily news updates, see AOPA's Pilot Briefing.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA-AUSTRALIA COORDINATING CLASS-ACTION SUIT
Phil Boyer, president of AOPA and the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), has asked IAOPA Secretary General John Sheehan to help in monitoring the crippling GA fuel crisis in Australia. Sheehan said that AOPA-Australia has been working closely with both the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Mobil to come up with a solution to get all the 5,000 affected aircraft flying as soon as possible. Sheehan also said that AOPA-Australia is coordinating a class-action suit against Mobil on behalf of its members. Sheehan praised AOPA-Australia for doing a great job of representing its members during a time of crisis. AOPA will continue to observe this situation closely. For more on the fuel crisis, see AOPA-Australia on the Web.
AOPA OFFICIAL NAMED TO FAA RESEARCH COMMITTEE
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey has appointed Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president of Government and Technical Affairs, to the agency's Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC). REDAC comprises senior industry officials who are experts on a wide variety of technical issues. Roberts will represent the general aviation community on matters relating to airport capacity and design, air traffic modernization, and environmental research. Roberts will also be a member of the committee's FAA/NASA Small Aircraft Technology System (SATS) working group. SATS is NASA's new initiative to use general aviation, and its 5,000 public-use airports, to free the masses from the shortcomings of an increasingly burdened airline system. In these capacities, Roberts will work to assure that the FAA gives proper budgetary and technical consideration to general aviation in its research and engineering endeavors
AOPA FIGHTING NEW JERSEY SENATE BILL 31
Senate Bill 31--proposed in the New Jersey Senate--would allow municipalities to prevent or significantly delay airport and runway improvement projects. Using a process of objections, appeals, arbitration, and independent political decisions, projects could be delayed as much as 300 days. AOPA has determined that the legislation interferes with the federal airport funding process, and has written the New Jersey Senate Committee on Transportation. The letter warns that, if approved, the legislation could place at risk the state's continued participation in federal airport development funding programs.
AOPA REQUESTS YOUR COMMENTS ON NEW MILITARY AIRSPACE
Modifications to two military airspace areas will soon be proposed. One is called the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative and is located over west Texas. It consolidates three existing areas into one 40-by-80-nautical-mile area. It is located above the counties of Kent, Scurry, Fisher, Stonewall, Borden, Dawson, Lynn, and Garza, and begins at 3,000 feet. See the proposal on the Web, or go directly to the document.
In addition, there is a second expansion of existing military airspace planned in Nevada at the Fallon Range Training Complex. The Navy will develop new restricted airspace above existing restricted airspace to FL350 to accommodate missile training and high-altitude weapons delivery training. The existing restricted areas currently terminate at 18,000 msl. There would also be changes in times of use of the Reno military operations area. The current times of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, would change to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A copy of the final environmental impact statement is available online, or go directly to the document. Send comments on how these changes affect your operations to AOPA.
| On Capitol Hill
| CLINTON BUDGET PROPOSAL DOESN'T ADD UP
Once again, the Clinton administration's budget proposal to fund the FAA just does not add up. Released on Monday, the proposed fiscal year 2001 FAA budget is again based on a strategy to eliminate the contribution from the U.S. Treasury's general fund, and to instead fund the FAA through new user fees for air traffic control services. Such an approach is unlikely to be approved by Congress and further justifies the approach taken in the AIR-21 legislation passed by the House. AIR-21 would spend the aviation excise taxes along with a modest contribution from the Treasury's general fund, and would thus provide the FAA with the money it truly needs. The AIR-21 legislation is currently before a House/Senate conference committee where it has been stalled since November.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK - VIC YOUNG
Airport Support Volunteer Vic Young, who helps AOPA protect Pierce County/Thun Field in Puyallup, Washington, found out that the county airport administrator had given permission to construct a 30-foot-tall commercial building just outside the Runway 16 protection zone. When that runway is extended, as called for in the airport's master plan, the building would no longer be outside the protection zone, and would be a hazard. He presented the problem to county officials, using his own research and help from AOPA, but county officials ignored him. However, once Young alerted the FAA and made sure that the proposal as written followed FAA guidelines, it was turned down. In fact, the FAA denied the project verbally before it was even submitted. The building will now be built in an area where it does not propose a hazard to aviation.
Click here to learn more about the Airport Support Network.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| ASF ADVISING NASA ON SAFETY INITIATIVE
NASA has committed $500 million to help the FAA in reaching the Safer Skies initiative of reducing accidents significantly over the next decade. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has met with NASA to discuss what projects could be applicable to general aviation. Bruce Landsberg, ASF's executive director, noted that the "trickle down" approach to technology has not benefited general aviation very much. "There is plenty of trickle, but little of it is down at this point," he said. "The big challenge is not technology, but affordable technology. Many GA aircraft today, including new ones, are using the same basic designs that originated in the 1950s and 60s. The challenge to NASA, the FAA, and the manufacturers is to bring safety and workload-reducing concepts that make economic sense into light aircraft." The NASA program will continue for several years, and ASF will continue to be involved.
| Quiz me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: In the aviation medical examiner (AME) directory, what does the column titled "SEN AME" signify? I notice entries contain either "n" for "no," or "y" for "yes."
Answer: A "yes" in the "SEN AME" column means that the aviation medical examiner is a senior AME. According to FAA Order 8520.2E, a senior aviation medical examiner is an AME given the additional authority by the FAA to accept applications and perform physical examinations necessary to determine qualifications for the issuance of first-class airman medical certificates under FAR Part 67. To be designated as a senior AME, the physician must have demonstrated compliance with the requirements for continued service as an AME, and have acceptable prior performance as an AME for a period of at least three years
Got a technical question? Call 800/872-2672 or e-mail [email protected].
| Picture of the day
| Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area. Visit the AOPA Online Gallery.
| What's new at AOPA Online
| The editors of britannica.com, Encyclopedia Britannica's Web site, have selected AOPA Online "…as one of the best [sites] on the Internet when reviewed for quality, accuracy of content, presentation, and usability...one of the most valuable and reliable on the Internet."
| Coming up in AOPA Pilot
| Splash down in a Grumman Goose or perch above San Diego in the Italian-built Sky Arrow. Find out whether you should use stainless steel fittings in your airplane, and learn about datalink that brings weather maps to the cockpit. It's all in the March issue of AOPA Pilot.
| Rod Machado's Tips
| This month's safety tip on AOPA Online will help aircraft owners assure the proper rigging of engine controls.
| ePILOT Calendar
| FLY AWAY PICKS FOR THIS WEEKEND
Yuma, Arizona. Both the Silver Spurs Rodeo and Yuma Square and Round Dance Festival make Yuma the town to be in February 11 through 13. Featured are bull riding, calf roping, and bronco riding. Yuma International (YUM) serves the area, 520/726-5882. Call 520/344-5451 or 520/344-3800 for event information.
Galesburg, Illinois. It's a chocolate lover's dream at the Galesburg Chocolate Festival on February 12 and 13. All you can eat in homemade chocolates and desserts for a nominal fee. Galesburg Municipal Airport (GBG) serves the area; 309/342-3134. Call 309/343-1194 for event information
Charleston, South Carolina. The Budweiser Lowcountry Blues Bash features more than 50 national and regional blues bands February 11 through 20. Charleston International Airport (CHS), 843/767-1100, and Charleston Executive Airport (JZI), 843/559-2401, serve the area. Call 843/762-9125 for event information
West Palm Beach, Florida. The Palm Beach Seafood Festival, featuring fresh seafood and family entertainment, takes place on February 11 through 13. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) serves the area; 561/471-7400. Call 561/832-6397 for event information.
PLANNING AHEAD
Laredo, Texas. It's a hot time in the Texas city of Laredo as the area celebrates the jalapeno pepper during its annual Jalapeno Festival and George Washington Birthday Celebration February 18 and 19. Laredo International Airport (LRD) serves the area; 956/795-2000. Call 956/726-6697 for event information
For details on individual airports, see AOPA’s Airport Directory Online. For more calendar events, see the AOPA Pilot magazine Aviation Calendar of Events.
A SF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are in Melbourne, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana, February 12 and 13. Clinics are scheduled for Sacramento, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February 19 and 20. For complete details, visit the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule.
ASF PINCH HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place February 19 and 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. For details and a complete schedule, see the Pinch Hitter Ground School Schedule.
AOPA PILOT TOWN MEETINGS
Featuring AOPA President Phil Boyer
(7:30 p.m.; admission is free)
The next Pilot Town Meetings are in Salt Lake City February 29; San Jose, California, March 1; and Concord, California, March 2 . Click for more information on Pilot Town Meetings.
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