Special-Use Airspace: What AOPA is Doing to Keep Your Flying Convenient, Safe
Detours of 50 to 100 nautical miles to avoid unused special-use airspace (SUA), such as a restricted area or a military operations area (MOA), waste time, fuel, and a pilot's patience.
AOPA is working to free up that SUA for your use.
"Pilots frequently ask me why the military wants more airspace if it is 'downsizing,'" said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "There may be fewer military aircraft, but they fly faster and require more maneuvering room."
Although AOPA understands and supports the military's training needs, Boyer pointed out that "it's our airspace too. AOPA fights to maintain GA access throughout the nation."
For general aviation pilots, lack of information about existing SUA is as bad as new restricted airspace. Your association has been working for better communication between the military and GA pilots. Among recent successes:
- Real-time SUA scheduling information has been added to the AOPA Web site, giving members a new preflight planning tool.
- Publishing contact information for SUA "controlling agencies" on VFR sectional charts. AOPA has been pushing for that additional information for several years, and the FAA has promised to add it beginning this fall. It will allow pilots to make a quick radio or phone call to find out if the SUA is truly hot.
- An AOPA-supported prototype system called the Special Use Airspace — In-Flight Service Enhancement, allowing flight service station (FSS) specialists to see where the pilot's aircraft is relative to an MOA or restricted area. The system, which will improve FSS assistance to pilots, is now being tested at the Fort Worth, Texas, Automated Flight Service Station.
"Access to information and access to airspace are our goals," said Mike Brown, AOPA associate director of air traffic services.
AOPA gets involved in the process early on, as an invited guest to the military's regional Airspace, Range, and Management councils, where SUA proposals are first discussed.
AOPA has had some notable successes, including one in a Colorado case that began a decade ago as a disastrous proposal called the "Redeye Complex." In close consultation with AOPA and other groups, that proposal was eventually worked into something much more reasonable, including a commitment from the military to provide radio frequencies and phone numbers for real-time information about military flight activity.
But other conflicts are on the horizon.
The Air Force is once again advancing a "lights out" proposal to fly unlighted aircraft at night in MOAs, training pilots to use night vision equipment. AOPA is concerned that GA pilots will be unable to see and avoid the blacked-out military aircraft.
"The Air Force has promised us an equivalent level of safety," said Brown, "but they haven't defined that yet. We'll continue our discussions with the military to ensure your safety isn't compromised."
SUA Information Now Online
AOPA's Web site now carries a listing of SUA (warning areas, restricted areas, MOAs), the start and end times of their current and scheduled operational status, and the lower and upper altitudes of the hot zones ( www.aopa.org/members/airports/sua.cfm).
Linked to the FAA's Special Use Airspace Management System (SAMS) — the same system used by the FAA air traffic control command center — listings are updated every six minutes.
The new service, a collaborative effort between AOPA and the FAA's Air Traffic Procedures Office, is being tested while the FAA seeks AOPA-member feedback on the usefulness of the data and method of presentation.
While the controlling agency is still the final authority for airspace information, the SAMS data is a giant step forward in providing pilots with useful SUA preflight information. In fact, the AOPA Web site frequently has more current information than what's available to some flight service stations.
On the other hand, some controlling agencies aren't yet submitting data to SAMS, even though FAA policy requires them to. If a particular SUA is not listed, don't assume that it is cold.
Simple Solutions Key to Reducing Runway Incursions, Boyer Tells Congress
Simple solutions and pilot education are the keys to reducing the number of runway incursions, AOPA President Phil Boyer told Congress on June 26.
"Technology is not the total solution to this problem," Boyer told the House aviation subcommittee. "The best analogy is signs, painted lines, and traffic lights on the roads. If these traffic controls are inadequate, confusing, or poorly visible, many near misses and a few accidents may result."
Boyer also debunked the popular misconception that GA aircraft are disproportionately involved in runway incursions, and pointed out that the majority of GA incursions are minor, with little or no chance of a collision.
Boyer told Congress of AOPA and AOPA Air Safety Foundation efforts to raise pilot awareness of runway incursions, including:
- Articles and tips on avoiding incursions published in both AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazines;
- Free ASF Safety Advisors on operations at towered and nontowered airports, and on collision avoidance;
- Taxiway diagrams of the 330 busiest towered airports, free on AOPA's Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/publications/taxi/);
- A video on safe operations at towered airports.
"ASF has also launched the interactive Runway Safety Program [ www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses/runway_safety/] on our Web site," Boyer told the subcommittee. "More than 5,000 pilots have completed the course."
Boyer added that affordable technology could play a role, outlining AOPA's involvement in tests of in-cockpit, multifunction displays of weather, terrain, and traffic.
AOPA Supporting Low-Cost Radars for GA Towers
In May, a longstanding AOPA request for low-cost remote terminal radar displays at many air traffic control towers on GA airports received support from the NTSB, which recommended them at all towered airports where radar coverage exists at traffic pattern altitudes.
AOPA had first suggested the terminal automated radar display and information systems (Tardis) to the FAA in 1998. The devices use personal computers to display radar images from a remote tracon (terminal radar approach control) or ARTCC (air route traffic control center), and cost less than $25,000 per site.
The NTSB recommendation follows an AOPA-supported amendment to the AIR-21 legislation approved by Congress last year. That bill directed the FAA to develop a national policy and procedures concerning the installation of Tardis at smaller towers.
AOPA told Congress, "We believe our members would greatly benefit from this system because it improves safety in the VFR air traffic control environment."
More than 10 VFR towers currently have Tardis installed, including Chicago's Meigs Field.
AOPA Challenges 'Triggering Altitude' in National Parks Air Tour Plan
AOPA is challenging the proposed 5,000-foot-agl "triggering altitude" for air tour operators in national parks listed in the new National Parks Air Tour (NPAT) plan. Under the plan, commercial air tour flights in national parks below that altitude would be required to comply with stringent new flight rules.
"The FAA's selection of this altitude was arbitrary and unilateral," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "In addition to setting a bad precedent, it could lead to an unsafe mix of flight operations."
Although the NPAT plan is aimed only at commercial tour operators, AOPA is concerned that the high triggering altitude could be used to restrict GA flights in the future. As part of the National Parks Overflights Working Group for several years, AOPA had successfully argued that transient GA traffic (as opposed to commercial tour operators) does not cause a significant amount of noise or congestion in national parks.
AOPA had agreed to 3,000 feet as a triggering altitude for proposed air tour operations.
AOPA Joins Chicago Airport Delay Task Force
At the request of Chicago and FAA officials, AOPA has joined the 2001 Chicago Delay Task Force, a group to recommend solutions to delays at O'Hare International Airport and its surrounding airspace.
"We want to make sure that the solutions take GA into account," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We will also remind that task force that the region's reliever airports, including Meigs Field, are key to relieving congestion at O'Hare and Midway airports."
AOPA has already been active on the political front. An AOPA-produced TV commercial on Illinois TV stations reminded politicians and the public that Meigs Field is part of the solution.
MEMBERSHIP ACTION
Catastrophe Major Medical Expands Benefits
A new Catastrophe Major Medical Plan now available for AOPA members provides double the benefit of the current excess major medical plan, offering protection when basic health insurance benefits have been exhausted.
The new plan, administered by Seabury and Smith, replaces AOPA's existing excess major medical plan and doubles to $2 million the lifetime maximum payable. It also expands options for convalescent home and home health care coverage, neither of which is usually covered by Medicare or basic health insurance.
For additional information, contact Seabury and Smith toll-free at 800/503-9230, or visit the Web site for a complete description of the plan. [ Note: This program is no longer available.]
AOPA APPLE Program Lifts Arkansas School Kids
A school field trip in late March to the Boone County Airport near Harrison, Arkansas, became a truly uplifting experience for 24 local elementary students, thanks to members of the Boone County Pilots Association and the AOPA APPLE program.
AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Andy Anderson helped coordinate the field trip. "When I was up in the air flying, I felt like I should be up there," sixth-grader Timothy Hocut told a reporter. "I just loved it up there and learned so much."
AOPA's APPLE program — America's Pilots Participating in Local Education — provides information guides and materials to help introduce young people to general aviation. For more information, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/learntofly/apple/).
More 'Learn to Fly Here!' Road Signs Sent
AOPA and Sporty's Pilot Shop are again sending some 2,000 free "Learn to Fly Here!" highway directional signs to flight schools nationwide to mark the way to local flight training.
"When we sent this same sign a few years ago, it was such a success that we decided to send it again," said Sporty's Chairman Hal Shevers, who also operates a flight school at Sporty's home base airport in Batavia, Ohio, east of Cincinnati. "We know from our own experience that these signs really can help boost a school's business."
Both AOPA and Sporty's are founding members of the industry-wide Be A Pilot program, as well as Platinum Level financial supporters. In addition, Shevers is the 2001 chairman of the organization. The signs were sent to all flight schools registered with Be A Pilot.
Cebula, Mordoff Named AOPA Senior Vice Presidents
Two widely respected aviation industry veterans have been named to top AOPA management positions.
Andrew Cebula is the new senior vice president of AOPA's Government and Technical Affairs Division, managing AOPA technical policy on virtually all issues that affect GA flying, including airspace design, ATC, weather reporting, and the defense of beleaguered airports.
Cebula's more than 20 years in aviation include positions as vice president and, earlier, director of government and industry affairs at the National Air Transportation Association.
Keith Mordoff will lead AOPA's Communications Division in maintaining a flow of GA information to the press, public, and AOPA members.
Mordoff began his aviation career as a flight-test engineer for General Dynamics, served as bureau chief in Germany for the respected Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine, and was director of communications for Lockheed Corporation and Lockheed-Martin. Most recently, he was lead communications executive and spokesperson for Gulfstream Aerospace.
AOPA Expo 2001 Adds 'Create a Schedule' Option
A new "create a schedule" feature on the AOPA Web site can help attendees make the best use of time at AOPA Expo 2001, from November 8 through 10 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The new planner allows choices from among the 90-plus seminars, meetings, and product demos, as well as hours for touring the 500-plus exhibits and the static aircraft display.
Located on the Expo schedule page, the planner offers convenient check boxes for selection of the most interesting seminars, meetings, and other events. One additional click prints the entire schedule in order.
This year's Expo will be held at Fort Lauderdale's newly expanded waterfront convention center. The three-day extravaganza will be preceded by a "parade of planes" — featuring more than 50 aircraft — through city streets to the convention center on November 7. Outgoing FAA Administrator Jane Garvey will address AOPA members at the opening general session the following day.
Money-saving preregistration packages are available until October 1, with on-site registration during the show.
For more information, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/expo/) or call 888/GO2-EXPO (888/462-3976).
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 1997, 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/ ).
Action in the States
Connecticut. Waterbury: AOPA has officially protested plans for a tall power plant smokestack just one-half mile east of Runway 36 at Waterbury-Oxford Airport. AOPA ASN volunteer Brian Peck is working on the local level to defeat the proposal.
Iowa. Webster City: AOPA ASN volunteer Jeremy Heilskov has been appointed to the planning committee for the Iowa Aviation Conference, scheduled for October. Heilskov is helping to plan a session on including aviation in the classroom.
Michigan. Battle Creek: The mention in a local newspaper of new user fees at the W.K. Kellogg Airport was investigated by AOPA ASN volunteer Greg Thompson. He reports there will be no change in fees, at least for the present.
Minnesota. ASN volunteers are still needed for airports serving the communities of Aitkin, Albert Lea, Alexandria, Austin, Blue Earth, Brainerd, Cambridge, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Dodge Center, Duluth, Ely, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Hawley, Hibbing, Hutchinson, Little Falls, Luverne, Minneapolis, Park Rapids, Princeton, Red Wing, St. Cloud, Two Harbors, Waseca, Winona, and Winsted.
Mississippi. Gulfport : AOPA ASN volunteer David A. "Hank" Rogers promoted GA in a planning meeting with Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport Authority officials earlier this year. Plans for the rapidly expanding airport include new hangars, an extension of Runway 18/36, and dual ILS approaches. Rogers also reports that a multimillion-dollar GA facility for the airport is on the drawing board.
Missouri. St. Louis: An FAA study of airport noise around the Spirit of St. Louis Airport is planned for the fall, according to AOPA ASN volunteer Christopher Erkmann. He also reports that a May open house to build community support featured aircraft rides for 280 youngsters. Pilots for the event included Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
New York. Akron: An airport master plan that includes noise-abatement and safety elements has been approved by the Town of Newstead and the Village of Akron. AOPA ASN volunteer Robert J. Miller reports that additional benefit may come with "special airport" rezoning, now under study.
North Carolina. Beaufort: Recent activity at Michael J. Smith Field airport has included publicity for an annual airport appreciation day; a newspaper-reporter flight; a letter-writing campaign by the Carteret County Aviation Association countering antiairport letters in the press; and work with the local Chamber of Commerce to enhance public perception of the airport. AOPA ASN volunteer John Knapp, who has been leading these efforts, is also planning more orientation flights for civic leaders, teachers, and reporters.
Texas. Winnsboro: AOPA ASN volunteer Carl Elkins reports that an antiairport mayor was turned out of office in a recent election. New mayor Carolyn Jones reportedly views the Winnsboro Airport more favorably.
Washington. Olympia: Officials have approved an $8 million realignment of Runway 17/35 at Olympia Airport. Improvements in taxi.ways and lighting are also planned. AOPA ASN volunteer Gregg Reynolds, who supported the improvements, also made a presentation for Port of OlymHia Commissioners at the most recent public hearing on the runway shift.
Wisconsin. Waukesha: Waukesha County Airport will receive a radar system after all, .eports AOPA ASN vol..unteer Stephen Betzler, who haddled an initial petition drive. Although the FAA initially refused the airport's request for radar, Betzler maintained pressure on the agency.
Volunteer of the Month
David H. Faile Jr. of Fairfield, Connecticut, has been named AOPA ASN volunteer of the month for August.
Faile, a flight instructor who also holds an A&P certificate, was the 1999 National CFI of the Year. He is a founder and current president of the airport support group Friends of Sikorsky Airport.
As the AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for Sikorsky Memorial Airport, Faile developed a multimedia presentation to help pilots and controllers avoid runway incursions. At the FAA's request, he presented it at an FAA regional conference; it has since been incorporated in various training programs. Other Faile recommendations are being implemented under a $450,000 FAA grant.
Earlier this year, the ASN volunteer found and helped correct an error in a published instrument approach at the airport, and worked with the FAA to restructure other instrument approaches for lower minimums.
Recently Faile provided a first flight for an 8-year-old leukemia patient, at the request of a congressman relayed through AOPA.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
ASF-Jeppesen Flight Instructor Refresher Course Debuts Online
A fast-paced, highly interactive certificated flight instructor refresher course developed jointly by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation and industry pilot education leader Jeppesen debuted on the World Wide Web in June.
The 16-hour course is fully FAA-approved and can be used to renew all valid and current FAA flight instructor certificates and ratings. (Flight instructor certificates, unlike other pilot certificates, expire every two years.) In addition, the new ASF-Jeppesen course allows chief instructors for FAA-approved flight schools to renew their designation yearly.
The $149 course features bright, targeted graphics; short video and audio clips; and concise modules explaining a variety of topics within each of the 16 required subject areas. Interactive exercises reinforce the knowledge presented, and links within modules point to other Web sites with additional information.
The online course is the latest option for continuing CFI education, supplementing ASF's longstanding live weekend clinics, which will continue.
A temporary FAA flight instructor certificate may be issued at no additional charge upon completion of the course.
For more information or to enroll, visit the Web site ( www.cfirenewalonline.com) or call 800/621-5377.
Preliminary Stats Show Decline in 2001 Midairs, Other GA Collisions
Preliminary statistics released by the NTSB in May show a decline of more than 71 percent in midair collisions for the first four months of this year. Only two midair collisions were reported, versus seven for the same period last year. Total GA accidents declined by more than 5 percent, from 486 to 460.
"These statistics are encouraging," declared ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg, "but we must remember these are only preliminary, and we're dealing with rather small total numbers."
Since October 2000, ASF has been focusing on helping pilots avoid midair collisions with its innovative Collision Avoidance Seminar. Through July, more than 7,500 pilots in more than 60 cities have participated in the seminar.
ASF Silent Auction Wheel of Fortune Tickets Available Until August 31
Bidding for four VIP tickets to a scheduled taping of the nationally telecast Wheel of Fortune game show will end on August 31 at the ASF Online Silent Auction.
The passes, donated by Wheel of Fortune producers, are good for any taping of the popular game show hosted by veteran quizmaster Pat Sajack and featuring actress Vanna White. Bidding started in April at $210.
Also in the Wheel of Fortune package is a Wheel of Fortune canvas tote bag that contains an 8-by-10-inch autographed photo of both show stars, a show T-shirt, ball cap, pen, and a key chain.
The ASF Online Silent Auction allows pilots and others to bid on valuable merchandise and services donated by individuals and companies interested in promoting GA safety. Last year, the Silent Auction raised $50,000 to help reach more than 30,000 pilots with free ASF safety seminar programs.
ASF 2002 Calendar, Holiday Cards Available
ASF's 2002 aviation calendar, featuring stunning photos of aircraft as diverse as a Piper Apache and an Extra 400, is now available to those donating $10 or more to ASF. Quantities are limited. The gift may be mailed to the Air Safety Foundation, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701 or pledged via the ASF Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/).
Also available are 2001 ASF holiday cards for those who like to send aviation-themed greetings during the December and January holidays.
Income from both programs helps support ASF's national aviation seminar program.
Related Articles
