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| GA News
| MICCO RECEIVES PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE
Micco Aircraft Company celebrated on Tuesday the receipt of its FAA production certificate for the SP20/26 line. Based on the Meyers 145A and B aircraft, the single-engine airplanes offer a range of performance from IFR to aerobatics. For more, see the Web site.
CESSNA CONTINUES TESTING OF TURBO SKYLANE
Two turbocharged Cessna 182s are currently undergoing certification testing and the work is expected to be completed by the end of March, said a Cessna spokeswoman. The program was temporarily put on hold after an engine failure landed two Cessna test pilots in a Kansas field last November. There were no injuries and there was no damage to the aircraft. The T182T is said to have a cruise speed of 170 knots and the base price is $281,600. Deliveries are expected to start by the end of the first quarter. For more about the T182T, see the Web site.
PROTEUS SHATTERS HIGH-ALTITUDE RECORDS
 Three U.S records have been confirmed for the Proteus high-altitude research aircraft. The records were set on October 25 and 27 over the Mojave desert for the C-1.e Group III category. Proteus achieved a peak altitude of 63,245 feet; 62,385 feet in horizontal flight; and an altitude of 55,994 feet with a 1,000 kilogram payload. The feats were recently approved by the National Aeronautic Association as U.S. records and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale will consider approving the flights as world records. Wearing pressure suits provided by NASA, Mike Melvill and Bob Waldmiller piloted the record flights. Proteus was developed by Scaled Composites LLC to demonstrate high-altitude performance with its long wings and low wing loading. For more about Proteus, see the Web site.
REID SUFFERS STROKE
Amelia Reid, Northern California's "first lady of aviation," suffered a stroke earlier this week and remains hospitalized. The 77-year-old Reid trained airshow pilot Sean D. Tucker and more than 4,000 others in basic stick-and-rudder flying and aerobatics. She received AOPA's Sharples Award in 1996 for her rugged defense of San Jose's Reid-Hillview Airport and a lifetime of devotion to the preservation and advancement of general aviation.
RAYTHEON REPORTS STRONG SALES
Raytheon Aircraft delivered more new airplanes last year than any other year in nearly two decades. Deliveries were up 30 percent across all of the company's production lines compared to 1999, and the company has a record order backlog of $4.4 billion. Raytheon delivered 525 new aircraft in 2000 compared to 401 the previous year. The company saw the biggest increases in sales for its Beech 1900D Regional Airliners, but there were slight increases for the Bonanza and Baron 58 lines. In 2000, Raytheon delivered 103 Bonanzas, an increase of seven, and 50 Barons, an increase of one over 1999. For more on Raytheon, see the Web site.
SOFTCOMM FOUNDER DIES
Robert Oberdiear, developer of SoftComm headsets and portable intercoms, died of a heart attack on January 21 at his home in Arizona. He was 62. For more than three decades Oberdiear was a pioneer in the aircraft communications field. He became internationally known as the founder and owner of SoftComm Products Inc. The company will continue to operate under the direction of his wife, Linda, who has been involved in the daily operations of the business since it was started in 1982.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
Changing mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
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Inside AOPA
| AOPA NIXES 'FOREIGN' FLIGHT PLANS FOR U.S. PILOTS
U.S. pilots won't have to wrestle with the unfamiliar International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) flight plan forms thanks to persistent efforts by AOPA. The FAA had been planning for years to scrap the old FAA flight plan forms and switch to the more complicated international version. And for just as many years AOPA has been saying, "That just doesn't make sense." The FAA finally agreed. "On any given day, the U.S. has more aircraft movements than the rest of the world combined," said Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president and executive director of government and technical affairs. "It has never made sense to force U.S. pilots to use the more complex international form that asks for information that has no bearing on our domestic flight operations." For more, see AOPA Online.
FAA NAMES SUCCESSOR TO KEY AVIATION POST
The FAA named Bill Peacock to a position that touches every general aviation pilot. Peacock is the new director of air traffic services and oversees a workforce of 24,000, mostly air traffic controllers. "From flight service stations to air traffic control, this part of the FAA has a daily impact on our lives," said Dennis Roberts, AOPA vice president and executive director of government and technical affairs. AOPA staff recently met with Peacock about improvements to flight service stations, access to special use airspace such as military operations areas (MOAs), and ongoing capacity enhancement initiatives. Peacock is the successor to Ronald E. Morgan, who is retiring after a 32-year career with the FAA. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Peacock is a private pilot with an instrument rating.
AOPA HELPS IMPROVE GA FACILITIES IN TEXAS
A groundbreaking for new general aviation T-hangars last Friday brought a ray of hope for beleaguered Austin, Texas, GA pilots. The Austin area has lost two predominately GA airports in the past year and the city's long-promised "equal or better" facilities for GA at the former Bergstrom Air Force Base had appeared to be at a dead end until the event. Austin Director of Aviation Chuck Griffith cited AOPA as a prime motivator for the new hangar construction.
| On Capitol Hill
| CHAIRS NAMED TO SENATE, HOUSE AVIATION POSTS
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) has been named chairwoman of the aviation subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Last week Hutchinson expressed concern with the staff qualifications of the board of directors of Air Traffic Operations and also with the recommendation that services related to the air traffic system be placed in a performance-based organization (PBO). Hutchison served as vice chairwoman of the NTSB in 1976 and was elected to the Senate in 1993. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.) is now chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's aviation subcommittee. Mica began service in the House in 1993 and has been a member of both the aviation and the ground transportation subcommittees. Part of Mica's district includes Daytona Beach, which is home to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK—ANTHONY MARMIANI
Anthony Marmiani of Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM) has been instrumental in helping AOPA's Airport Support Network office with compatible land use and lease issues at his Massachusetts airport. He continues to attend meetings convened by three local governments that are responsible for making airport policies. He has also initiated a letter-writing campaign to state and local officials. Several AOPA members at the airport contacted ASN about development threats. Marmiani not only has responded to their concerns but has enlisted their help on the local level. Marmiani obviously understands the meaning of "power in numbers."
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA Online.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| ASF RELEASES 2000 NALL REPORT
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's 2000 Nall Report, an analysis of general aviation accidents that occurred in 1999, is now available. The report shows that GA's safety record has continued to improve. The estimated accident rate is the lowest it's been since record keeping began in 1938. For a copy of the report, call 800/USA-AOPA or see AOPA Online.
ASF LISTS SAFETY MEASURES FOR CHARITY PILOTS
Stories about volunteer pilots flying for charity organizations like Angel Flight (also see the upcoming article in the March AOPA Pilot about AirLifeLine) have been in the news lately. The Air Safety Foundation has published Volunteer Pilots–Recommendations for Enhanced Safety, a Safety Advisor for those pilots who provide charitable transportation to noncritically ill people who live some distance away from treatment centers. The publication recommends a set of enhanced personal minimums that will contribute to the safety of these flights, including pilot experience, VFR and IFR minimums, and pilot duty time. The Safety Advisor is available on AOPA Online.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: May pilots laminate their pilot certificates?
Answer: Although the FAA prohibits the alteration of certificates, AOPA received formal word that pilots may laminate their certificates after they've signed them. Because of minimal guidance to FAA regional offices, this has been a factor in several violations over the years. The FAA's letter is available on AOPA Online.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? Call 800/872-2672 or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].
| Coming Up In AOPA Pilot
| Fly The New Piper Malibu Meridian, get your ounce of prevention to curb approach accidents, and read about the commercial aviation insurance crisis in the March issue of AOPA Pilot. It will be mailed February 19.
| AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza Update
| HOW SAFE ARE V-TAIL BONANZAS?
 The question came up when the AOPA 2001 Sweepstakes airplane, a 1966 Beech V35 Bonanza, was announced. Take a look at the evidence and read about these robust aircraft in our latest project update on AOPA Online.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
In response to member requests, destinations will be posted at least one week in advance.
Anaheim, California. The Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli-Expo 2001 takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center February 11 through 13. Call 703/683-4646 for event information.
Indianapolis, Indiana. Air Sports Expo 2001, the Soaring Society of America Convention, takes place at the Indianapolis Convention Center February 7 through 10. Call 305/271-6880 for event information.
Hana, Hawaii. The Great Hawaiian Air Race takes place February 15 through 19. Call 808/373-1889 for event information.
Melbourne, Florida. Aviation Day 2001 takes place at Melbourne International Airport (MLB), 321/723-6227. Call 321/674-8246 for event information.
Austin, Texas. The Texas Aviation Association Annual Meeting and Conference takes place February 10 at Holiday Inn South, followed by a hangar dance at Georgetown Airport (GTU). Call 512/587-7580 for event information.
For more airport details, see AOPA’s Airport Directory Online . For more events, see the Aviation Calendar of Events.
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Melbourne, Florida; and Oklahoma City, February 10 and 11. Clinics are scheduled in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nashua, New Hampshire; and Dallas, February 17 and 18. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic .
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
The next AOPA ASF Safety Seminars are scheduled in Carlsbad, California, February 5; Costa Mesa, California, February 6; Ontario, California, February 7; Van Nuys, California, February 8; New Orleans, February 12; Mobile, Alabama, February 13; and Birmingham, Alabama, February 14. For more information see Web site.
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 11 in Melbourne, Florida. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see 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 Van Nuys, California, February 20; Ontario, California, February 21; and San Diego, February 22. For more information on Pilot Town Meetings, see Pilot Town Meetings.
For comments on calendar items or to make submissions, contact Julie S. Walker at [email protected].
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Contacting ePilot
Got news tips? Contact ePilot editor Nathan A. Ferguson at [email protected]. Having difficulty using this service? Visit the ePilot Frequently Asked Questions now at AOPA Online or write to [email protected]. Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
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Copyright � 2001. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
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