AOPA to Congress: ATC Privatization Unnecessary, Unsafe
AOPA is telling Congress that proposals — prompted by airline delays — to privatize ATC are unnecessary and possible threats to safety.
In a September 12 letter to U.S. senators, AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote, "Although such proposals are well-intentioned, they are unnecessary with the passage of AIR-21, which addresses many of the causes of airline delays."
AIR-21 will increase FAA funding by an unprecedented $8 billion over the next three years to modernize ATC equipment and add runways, both known weak points of the U.S. aviation system.
The new legislation will also bring FAA management reform, with the new 15-member FAA Management Advisory Council acting as a "board of directors" for ATC. Boyer told senators that privatization proposals fail to recognize the inherent conflict between keeping safety paramount and others' interests in an economic bottom line, noting that "ATC is not a business; it is a vital safety service."
"The entire aviation industry supports AIR-21," Boyer concluded. "Let's give it a chance to work before we begin tinkering with the system again."
AOPA Defends GA at Airline Delay Meeting
At a Department of Transportation summit meeting in August on airline delays, AOPA reiterated that general aviation doesn't contribute to them.
Many nonpilots — including legislators — erroneously believe that "little airplanes" are a major cause of congestion at large airports.
AOPA Vice President and Executive Director of Government and Technical Affairs Dennis Roberts also told DOT Secretary Rodney Slater and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey that they must not disregard the impact on GA if the FAA changes the ATC system.
"Don't fix a problem in one place and create a new problem elsewhere," Roberts said. AOPA will monitor any proposed changes to ensure that GA access to airspace is preserved.
Realistic Certification Program Needed for WAAS, AOPA Tells FAA
AOPA is urging the FAA to move forward with a realistic certification program for the GPS Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), making extremely accurate GPS instrument approaches possible for virtually any airport.
WAAS — now available full time for VFR operations — refines GPS navigation signals to a horizontal precision of one to two meters and a vertical accuracy of two to three meters.
"Now, the FAA must move forward with a WAAS certification program that focuses on what's needed and achievable, and not demand an impossible standard of theoretical perfection," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
"GPS/WAAS, coupled with the new generation of multifunction displays (MFDs), offers a tremendous benefit today for all aviation users by augmenting their primary means of navigation," said Boyer. "We can use WAAS now, for example, to show a pilot precisely where he is on an airport. That can help reduce runway incursions."
Raytheon, the contractor developing WAAS for the FAA, will operate the system on a continuous basis, interrupting it only as necessary to upgrade or test the system. The WAAS broadcast schedule is available on the Web ( wwws.raytheontands.com/waas/), and WAAS notams also are on the Web ( wwws.raytheontands.com/waas/#FUTURE).
AOPA has been the leading advocate of GPS for civilian use since 1990.
Warbird Destruction Bill Opposed
AOPA has asked Congress to change legislation that could lead to the destruction of historic military aircraft now flying as part of the GA fleet.
Section 361 of the recently passed Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.4205) would allow the secretary of defense to require "demilitarization" of significant military equipment, including aircraft.
Noting that many classic "warbird" aircraft have been carefully preserved by dedicated civilians, AOPA President Phil Boyer pointed out that the legislation could destroy an important part of aviation history. "At a time when this nation faces a serious pilot shortage, there is no better visibility given to aviation than the appearances many of these historical aircraft make at public airshows and airports around the country," he said.
Section 361 is intended to prevent sensitive military equipment from being inadvertently sold to the public.
"We understand there is a valid military purpose for this measure," said Boyer. "However, its 'reachback' provision is so broad that it might lead to the unnecessary destruction of GA aircraft. It could also force aircraft owners to pay for demilitarization of their own property, even though it was legally sold to them in that condition."
AOPA Opposes Legislation Limiting Weather Services to Pilots
AOPA is taking action against legislation that could limit weather information available to pilots.
The threat is in a section of the National Weather Service Reauthorization Act (H.R.1553) stating that "NWS shall not provide or assist other entities...if that service is currently provided or can be provided by commercial enterprises."
"If enacted, this section could result in the privatization of basic weather services and products used by the public and paid for through general tax revenue," AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote in personal letters to House and Senate committee members who will shape the final bill. "[It] could create gaps in weather data...that would pose serious safety concerns for GA pilots."
Boyer noted that "because 40 percent of all aviation accidents are weather-related, nothing is more important to a GA pilot than preflight and in-flight weather interpretation and warnings."
He reminded lawmakers that because the private vendors who market enhanced weather products use NWS data, denial of NWS source data could result in loss of safety and NWS oversight.
GA Pilots Not 'LAHSO'D' by New FAA Rule
FAA's new land and hold short operations (LAHSO) order will have no significant effect on GA pilots. "The important principle of 'first come, first served' at towered airports has been preserved," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
LAHSO allows a controller to clear an aircraft to land and stop before an intersecting runway, allowing another aircraft to take off or land on the intersecting runway. Under the new LAHSO order, air traffic controllers can direct two airliners, with crews trained in LAHSO procedures, to land on intersecting runways.
Procedures for GA aircraft remain unchanged. Controllers can direct two GA aircraft to land and hold short just as they have in the past. GA pilots aren't required to have any additional training for LAHSO operations. However, a GA pilot can and should refuse a LAHSO instruction if there is any doubt that the operation can be accomplished safely.
GA pilots may expect questions on LAHSO procedures on future FAA knowledge exams and during flight reviews, flight tests, or other recurrency training. LAHSO procedures are explained fully in the Aeronautical Information Manual.
AOPA Helps News Accuracy After Midair
AOPA's Communications Division helped major networks and local newspapers get the story straight following an August 9 midair collision between a Piper Seminole and Piper Navajo over New Jersey that killed 11. GA is already under intense political pressure in the state.
Fair media treatment of GA was particularly important in this case because New Jersey political leaders used the crash to demand investigations and additional restrictions on GA. New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, both recent critics of GA safety, were at the collision scene within hours.
Lautenberg announced he would ask the FAA to look into expanding terminal control areas, phasing in requirements for airborne collision avoidance systems on more aircraft, and instituting greater training for GA pilots. State Sen. Martha Bark said she would submit legislation requiring "flight recorders" on small planes.
AOPA Breaks FAA Medical Certification Logjam for Members
Following a September AOPA mission to the FAA's Aeromedical Certification Division in Oklahoma City, hundreds of pilots received FAA approval for their special issuance medical certificates, commonly called waivers.
Some of the medical waiver applications had been "misplaced" for nearly a year.
The AOPA mission was mounted in response to more than 550 complaints from members whose waiver applications had been in various stages of review for months without resolution.
The AOPA mission was able to clear out almost 90 percent of the older cases. Of the 550 pending cases, 365 were favorably reviewed and certificates were issued, 70 applications were denied, and 50 required additional information before the review could be completed. The remainder had already been reviewed, but neither the FAA nor the members had informed AOPA.
AOPA's Pilots' Guide to Medical Certification and some 30 additional medical subject reports are available to AOPA members free of charge on AOPA Online.
AOPA members may contact the medical certification department through AOPA's toll-free Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).
Group Ginds Direction with Materials
AOPA literature on the value of airports helped local pilots form the new support group for the Lawrence Municipal Airport in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
"If it weren't for AOPA's assistance in providing materials such as Airports: A Valuable Community Resource, we'd still be at 'square one' trying to figure out what to do next," said Professor Michael Sloan, AOPA 454949, of the Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State College aviation science department and one of the founders of the Lawrence Airport Educational Foundation Inc.
The group plans to work with pilots and airport neighbors on noise abatement procedures, aviation scholarship offerings, and educating the public on the heritage and value of general aviation.
AOPA Trustees Chairman Honored
R. Anderson Pew, chairman of the AOPA Board of Trustees, was honored in September for 30 years of service to the association and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
Pew has guided both organizations through three AOPA presidents, helping AOPA grow from 40,000 to almost 365,000 members. AOPA President Phil Boyer presented the award at the annual two-day AOPA Board of Trustees retreat, where the unpaid trustees' group sets strategy and assists in guiding the organization's future.
Pew owns a single-engine Piper Comanche and flies some 200 hours a year for pleasure.
Steketee Named President, CEO of Be A Pilot
Drew Steketee, AOPA senior vice president of communications since 1991, has been tapped to be president and chief executive of the Be A Pilot Foundation, the industry's program to encourage new pilots and educate the public about general aviation.
AOPA has played a major role in developing and maintaining the Be A Pilot effort. AOPA President Phil Boyer has served as Be A Pilot president since its 1996 launch. "In Drew's move, AOPA's loss is the industry's gain," said Boyer. "It's a measure of AOPA's strong commitment to Be A Pilot."
Before joining AOPA, Steketee was the first executive director of the airline industry's Partnership for Improved Air Travel. Earlier, he headed communications for Beech Aircraft Corporation, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and the Airport Operators Council International. He is also founder and executive director of the Civil Air Patrol Historical Foundation.
The Be A Pilot program uses carefully targeted cable TV advertising and its Web site ( www.beapilot.com) to promote learning to fly. Since 1997, the effort has generated 105,000 requests for its $35 introductory flight coupon, redeemable at some 1,600 participating flight schools. Steketee will broaden the program's efforts.
AOPA Group Term Life Insurance Adds Preferred Rate Schedule
The addition of a new "preferred" rate schedule the for AOPA's group term life insurance plan, administered by the AOPA Service Corporation, cuts premiums for qualifying members by as much as 22 percent. The new rates apply to coverage ranging from $100,000 to $500,000.
"And unlike the advertisements you might see for other pilot life insurance plans, this is a true all-time low rate for group coverage," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "It's not a complicated individual policy masquerading as a group plan."
The AOPA Group Term Life Insurance Program is underwritten by Minnesota Life, a leading company rated A-plus-plus for financial condition by A.M. Best Company.
The new lower rates require a valid airman medical certificate at the time of application, but no medical information is required to convert coverage to individual life insurance at age 70. Spouse coverage is available at member rates.
For details from the AOPA Service Corporation, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/termlife.html), or call toll-free 888/TRY-AOPA (888/879-2672) to request an information package and application.
Seaplane Advocacy to Get Boost From New Video
A new videotape being produced by the Seaplane Pilots Association will help local pilots convince officials to keep waterways open for seaplane use.
Flying America's Waterways, slated for distribution early in 2001, will show the beauty and value of seaplane flying, and demonstrate their safety and compatibility with other waterway uses.
"Seaplanes are under attack from virtually every quarter," said Seaplane Pilots Association Executive Director Mike Volk. "This video is part of SPA's 'advocacy in a box' concept."
The new video will be distributed at no charge to a variety of national, state, and local officials, plus all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers division and district offices and key National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service offices.
For additional information, visit the Web site ( www.seaplanes.org).
AOPA AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK
Public use airports in the United States are closing at the rate of more than one every two weeks. The AOPA Airport Support Network, launched in 1996, designates one volunteer per airport to watch for threats and encourage favorable public perception of general aviation. For more information on how you can help support your airport, visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asn/ ).
ASN Volunteer of the Month
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer David Kotker of Renton, Washington, has been named November's ASN Volunteer of the Month for his successful campaign against illegal noise restrictions and a night curfew at Renton Municipal Airport. Earlier this year, Kotker discovered that city officials had told both a large flying club and a flight school at Renton Municipal that their lease renewals could depend on adherence to cumbersome and impractical city-designed noise reduction procedures. When Kotker confirmed with local FAA officials that such procedures were illegal, city officials backed down. Kotker is also using the AOPA ASN program Fly Friendly video and AOPA's Airports Then and Now publication to show Renton citizens the value of general aviation. In addition, he promoted the creation of a committee to explore legal means to minimize the noise impact of aircraft in the community.
Airport Support Network
Action in the States
Georgia. Augusta: The ninth annual Boshears Fly-In was held in late September at Daniel Field, allowing area pilots to admire the newly resurfaced Runway 11/29 and local citizens to appreciate GA. AOPA ASN volunteer Larry Garner helped organize the event, which attracted an estimated 30,000 people.
Kansas. Lawrence: AOPA ASN volunteer Larry Kellogg reports that a summer cookout hosted by the Lawrence Municipal Airport Aviation Advisory Board brought the mayor and several members of the city council to the airport for a closeup view of GA activity at the field.
Massachusetts. Palmer: AOPA ASN volunteer David Pluta is working with the Palmer Airport Association and city officials to save endangered Metropolitan Airport. Pluta also helped organize a family day at the airport, with more than 80 airplane and balloon rides for local citizens given by volunteer pilots.
Michigan. Midland: AOPA ASN volunteer Thomas Lind has been appointed to the Jack Barstow Airport Commission. Lind also reports two "very successful" aviation summer camps for middle and high school students.
Minnesota. Minneapolis: AOPA is opposing GA restrictions proposed for some jet operations at Flying Cloud Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer Mitchell Anderson attended a public hearing on the restrictions.
Montana. Forsyth: AOPA ASN volunteer Robert Hollister of Tillitt Field has been reelected president of the Montana Pilots Association. He is also serving on the Rosebud County Airport Board.
New Jersey. Pedrictown: Old Mans Airport has reopened. AOPA ASN volunteer Paul Terhes assisted the new owner with applications for improvement funding.
New Mexico. Farmington: AOPA ASN volunteer William Green is monitoring an ongoing controversy over an FAA noise survey done at Four Corners Regional Airport. Residents are alleging that the study is not accurate.
North Carolina. Gastonia: Despite advice to the contrary from its own aviation advisory committee, the Gastonia city council is proceeding with plans to sell 20 acres of Gastonia Municipal Airport for use as children's athletic fields. AOPA ASN volunteer Beverly Witt is helping to fight the issue.
Oregon. Aurora State: The first-ever Airport Day at Aurora State Airport brought media coverage from five newspapers and a TV station. AOPA ASN volunteer Harper Poling helped organize the event. Independence State: AOPA ASN volunteer Andy Andersen reports that work by the Independence State Airport Support Group has culminated in reconstruction of the airport. ISASG is now an official advisory group for the Oregon Department of Aviation.
Kansas Aircraft Tax Proposition on November Ballot
The November 7 general election in Kansas will include a proposition that could change the personal property tax rate on aircraft in that state.
The current Kansas tax structure assesses property — including most aircraft — at a relatively high 30 percent of fair market value. The proposition would amend the state constitution, allowing the legislators to classify aircraft separately.
"This could lower aircraft property taxes," emphasized Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "But it's only the first step toward that possibility. AOPA is urging Kansas pilots to study the issue and vote their convictions."
AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Silent Auction Closes November 30
A virtual gavel will bang on November 30 for the close of the 2000 ASF Online Silent Auction, marking the fourth successful year of this unique Web-based fundraiser for ASF safety efforts.
The ASF Online Silent Auction allows pilots and others to bid on high-value items donated by individuals and companies interested in promoting GA safety. The proceeds, which last year totaled almost $50,000, help ASF develop and present hundreds of safety seminars and video programs. Last year, more than 62,000 pilots nationwide benefited from ASF programs.
Among items available for bid on the Web site are:
Multiengine IFR Currency Course from Recurrent Training Center Inc.; an autographed photo of Tim Allen; Hugh Downs' taffrail log used by the popular TV host to navigate across the Pacific (a taffrail log is a distance-measuring device used on boats); and an autographed photo of John Madden.
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year (see " ASF at 50").
Illinois, Florida Students Win Scholarships
University students in Illinois and Florida have won two $1,000 scholarships administered by ASF and the University Aviation Association.
Julie Ann Murray of Channahon, Illinois, was awarded the 2000 McAllister Memorial Scholarship. The award was established in 1979 by friends of Eugene and Dorothy McAllister, enthusiastic pilots who devoted much of their lives to pilot training. Murray is a senior majoring in aviation administration at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.
William K. Roe of Port Orange, Florida, won the Donald Burnside Memorial Scholarship, which honors the cofounder of the Burnside-Ott Flight School in Florida. Roe is a senior majoring in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach. Both won on the strength of essays on aviation safety.
Applications for next year's McAllister and Burnside scholarships can be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Scholarship, AOPA Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Applications must be received by March 31, 2001.
