AOPA Briefs GAO Investigators on GPS/WAAS
How well is the FAA doing with the satellite navigation program, particularly the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)? That’s what investigators from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) wanted to know, and they came to AOPA in November 1999 to find out.
AOPA President Phil Boyer and Dennis Roberts, vice president of government and technical affairs, told GAO investigators that AOPA supports the implementation of satellite navigation, but the FAA must provide enough benefits to general aviation to make the switch to satellite-based navigation worthwhile. That includes providing a low-cost GPS database, adding new GPS/WAAS approaches to GA airports, and simplifying the avionics certification process.
AOPA Deflects Budget Committee Proposal that Could Have Increased GA Taxes
During 1999’s debate on FAA reauthorization, AOPA successfully opposed a Senate counterproposal that could have increased taxes on aviation users.
During conference committee attempts to resolve differences in Senate and House bills reauthorizing the FAA budget, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) proposed to fund the FAA entirely from the aviation trust fund, eliminating the general fund contribution to FAA operations.
"The counterproposal was worse than existing law," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "It wouldn’t have met critical ATC modernization needs, and it didn’t provide adequate funding for aviation infrastructure improvements. Even worse, it could have triggered a tax increase on aviation users."
While an average of 30 percent of the FAA’s budget comes from the general fund, the counterproposal would have limited the FAA’s budget to only the amount raised each year from direct taxes on aviation users.
Boyer reminded conferees that the general fund has always helped to support FAA operations. These "April 15" taxes help to pay for the government’s use of the ATC system. (The military and other government agencies don’t pay aviation taxes.) It also recognizes that a safe, secure, efficient, and well-regulated air transportation system benefits all taxpayers.
More "insider" details are contained in this month’s " President’s Position."
AOPA Petitions FAA for Part 61 Changes to Encourage More CFIs to Remain Active
The declining number of experienced, part-time CFIs has led AOPA to petition for changes that will make it easier to maintain and renew flight instructor certificates.
"CFIs are dropping out because they think renewal and reinstatement regulations are too much of a hassle," said Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president of government and technical affairs. "Yet these are the experienced pilots we need."
AOPA’s proposed changes to FAR Part 61 would remove the expiration date from the instructor certificate and institute a three-month grace period for renewal of expired CFI privileges through a flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC). In addition to minimizing renewal hassles, AOPA contends that these changes will save taxpayer dollars and reduce FAA processing delays.
In proposing to do away with time-limited certificates, AOPA argued that privileges for other airman certificates are tied to recency or currency requirements. "Removing the expiration date would allow the FAA to focus on the currency of the instructor’s privileges in the same manner," said Roberts.
Under AOPA’s proposal, an instructor would still have to attend a FIRC, demonstrate sufficient instructional activity, add a rating, or take a checkride to maintain currency. The difference would be that instructor privileges would be renewed for 24 months while the certificate would remain unchanged and valid, just like a pilot’s certificate.
Full details of the AOPA proposal may be found on the Web ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/regcfi.html). In addition, written comments should be submitted to the FAA, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attn: Rules Docket (AGC-10), Docket No. 29775, 800 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20591.
AOPA Presidential Citation Honors Veteran ATC Official
FAA Director of Air Traffic Ron Morgan was honored in October with an AOPA Presidential Citation for his "dedication to improving the ATC system and maintaining exceptional service to all airspace users." The multiengine and instrument-rated pilot and flight instructor leads some 24,000 air traffic personnel and manages 29 million square miles of airspace. He was the leading force inside the FAA for charted VFR GPS waypoints, and he created a special "Customer Advocate" position to learn what system users want and need.
AOPA Joins Suit Against Pennsylvania Law
AOPA and three other organizations have joined in a lawsuit by Wings Field Preservation Associates seeking to overturn a state law that restricts which Pennsylvania airports can receive federal and state funds.
AOPA is concerned that this law—which targets just four airports and singles out Wings Field—could set a precedent that other states might follow by giving local agencies the power to interfere with the national air transportation system.
"A single community can’t ban an interstate highway, and a single community shouldn’t be able to veto improvements to a federally or state-funded airport that’s part of the national system," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
Pennsylvania is one of nine states given authority to administer federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds. But in 1998, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law that essentially prohibits grants to four specific airports without first obtaining local approval. That gave four municipalities veto power over airport improvements.
AOPA was founded at Wings Field in 1939.
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 Online.
Alabama. Sylacauga: The City Council passed a height zoning ordinance in October that will help protect Merkel Field Sylacauga Municipal Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer Theron Kelley had worked with AOPA Regional Representative Bob Minter for the ordinance.
Arkansas. AOPA Airport Support Network volun-teers are still needed for these Arkansas airports: Dennis F. Cantrell Field, Conway; J. Lynn Helms Sevier County, DeQueen; Boone County, Harrison; Hope Municipal; North Little Rock Municipal; Grider Field, Pine Bluff; Stuttgart Municipal; and West Memphis Municipal.
Colorado. Aspen: AOPA ASN volunteer Thomas J. Daly is working with Pitkin County for 25 new enclosed hangars needed by area pilots. Glenwood Springs: AOPA ASN volunteer Steve Carver will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the newly formed Glenwood Springs Pilots Association.
Florida. Englewood: AOPA ASN volunteer Jeff Walston is monitoring reports that county commissioners may renew efforts to close Buchan Airport.
Kansas. Hutchinson: Repair of Hutchinson Mun-cipal Airport’s Runway 13/31, taxiways, and a parking ramp is under way, according to AOPA ASN volunteer Leroy J. Stockemer.
Massachusetts. Boston: AOPA is supporting H.B.4837, which would abolish state sales tax on aircraft. The bill is now under consideration by the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee, and AOPA members are urged to write in support of it. Westfield: AOPA ASN volunteer Ruth Mercer and just-retired airport Manager George Gifford helped to organize a successful airport appreciation day at Westfield-Barnes Municipal Airport.
Michigan. Mecosta: In an outstanding example of self-help, pilots at the Canadian Lakes Airport convinced the airport owner to buy materials for a needed fence along the runway. The pilots installed the fence themselves, then invited local residents to an open house de-scribed by AOPA ASN volunteer John Teeter as a "remarkable success."
New Mexico. Las Cruces: AOPA is investigatingbenefits and possible hazards of a proposed unmanned aerial research vehicle at Las Cruces International Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer Jack Rosenow reported the proposal.
North Dakota. Fargo: AOPA will address a NorthDakota legislative strategy session in March. The session will be held in conjunction with the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium.
Oregon. Myrtle Creek: AOPA ASN volunteerEustace French reports that long-sought improvements are under way at Myrtle Creek Municipal Airport. Completion is expected in the spring.
Utah. Salt Lake City: AOPA is opposing a plan to raise the ceiling of the Salt Lake City Class B airspace to 12,500 feet and is working with ATC officials on alternatives that would not require expansion of controlled airspace.
New AOPA Lapel Pins to Honor Longtime Members
Longtime AOPA members will now be recognized with special membership pins. "AOPA’s strength lies with the unwavering support of our members," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "These new pins honor that long-term support." The new lapel pins will be given to members of 25, 30, 40, and 50 years. Each includes the distinctive AOPA wings with a color-coded circular band underneath and the highest applicable number of years of AOPA membership achieved. The new pins will be mailed to longtime AOPA members throughout the year.
Membership Materials Updated
The 2000/2001 edition of AOPA’s member benefits guidebook became available in December and will be sent to both new and renewing members. Sections tabbed by pilot rating and aviation interest make it easy to find AOPA benefits most relevant to your type of flying. The new guidebook also contains telephone numbers and Internet addresses for AOPA products and services. The dramatic photograph of a Mooney that adorns both the guidebook and the AOPA 2000 membership card celebrates the Millennium Mooney, this year’s prize in the AOPA Membership Sweepstakes.
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