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| GA News
| AIR FORCE TRAINING CONTRACT ANGERS BIDDERS
The Air Force and most of the bidders for the Air Force initial flight training contract have had heated arguments recently over funding limitations. The requirement that a 50-hour private pilot certificate be offered to 530 students at a cost of $6,000 each left most bidders shaking their heads. Most of the 12 general aviation aircraft evaluated as trainers cost more than $200,000 each, but the contract is profitable only for schools using aircraft that cost about $135,000. Even then, there will not be much of a profit, observers say. The Air Force waited until companies had spent money on demonstrations and proposal preparations before telling them how much the government was willing to pay. The only bid that observers are sure will be made is one from the Aspen Flying Club located at Centennial Airport near Denver; the company will propose using the Diamond DA20-C1 Katana. The Air Force has been using civilian flight schools for initial training since it grounded the troubled T-3A Slingsby Firefly.
UPSAT OFFERS FLIGHT SCHOOL PROGRAM
Be honest–you don't know your GPS, or the one in the rental aircraft, half as well as you would like. Most of you are reluctant to make a GPS approach in actual instrument weather, and none of you has read every page of the GPS owner's manual. UPS Aviation Technologies developed a flight school program that allows its customers to receive training close to home on its GX50 and -60 series GPS receivers. The program offers two hours of ground school and an hour of practice in an aircraft. UPSAT offers on its Web site a $50 certificate that can be used to offset the cost of the training. Learn more on the Web site. Leading Edge Aviation Services at Vandenberg Airport in Tampa, Florida, has developed a curriculum for the course that teaches the functions you are most likely to need for routine instrument flying. For more, see the Web site.
COMPANY TO UNVEIL ITALIAN KITPLANE IN U.S.
The Pioneer 300 Italian kitplane, built by Alpi Aviation of Pordenone, Italy, will be displayed for the first time in the United States during the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida, in April. Orlando Sanford Aircraft Sales of Sanford, Florida, has been named the exclusive North American distributor. The fast-build kit seats two side by side and cruises at 135 knots, according to company information. The kit will sell for $25,000, not including the engine, radios, and instruments. Ready to fly, the aircraft will cost about $45,000. There are 28 of the aircraft flying in Europe. The build time is claimed to be less than 500 hours. For more, visit the Web site.
THREE CONNIES GO UP FOR SALE
 Need a Lockheed Super Constellation Starliner? Or two? Or three? Maurice Roundy of Sanford, Florida, can fix you right up. Over the years the pilot and former flight school owner has acquired three Connies. Two are kept near his home in Auburn, Maine, while one is undergoing restoration on the ramp at Orlando Sanford Airport, Florida. That aircraft was once the pride of Lufthansa, dubbed a "Super Star" by the airline and configured to carry only 30 passengers in luxury. It was later used by the West German Air Force to fly Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. After that it was configured for cargo. Now, two volunteers toil daily to restore the aircraft to airworthy status. The aircraft needs another $750,000 worth of repairs before it can fly. Roundy said he is willing to part with all of his aircraft for $250,000 each, but if you want all three, Roundy will cut you a deal. In fact, he said he will continue the restoration for the right owner. If you're ready to write a check, call 407/688-1198.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
Changing mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
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Inside AOPA
| AOPA CREDIT CARD FBO REBATE RATE INCREASES
With the new year, the FBO Rebate rate has been increased to 5 percent. All members can receive rebate credits for up to $5,000 in purchases made at qualified FBOs using your AOPA Visa or MasterCard (up to $250 worth of total rebate credits in one calendar year). Members can continue to reduce the cost of flying by receiving up to six times the annual $39 AOPA membership dues. Purchases at more than 4,500 FBOs are eligible for the program, including aircraft rentals, flight instruction, maintenance, pilot supplies, and fuel. For up-to-the-minute information about your AOPA credit card account, visit MBNA Net Access. In addition to viewing your account's current transactions, payments, and statements, you can check to see if your FBO rebate credit has been applied. For information or to apply for an AOPA credit card, see the Web site.
DINNER SET TO HONOR SEAPLANE BASE OWNER
The FAA's Eastern Region office announced that it will recognize Bob Mills, owner of the legendary Philadelphia Seaplane Base, during an awards dinner at 6 p.m. on March 28 at the Renaissance Hotel in Essington, Pennsylvania. AOPA President Phil Boyer will also present Mills with a Presidential Citation. Until it closed late last year, the Philadelphia Seaplane Base (9N2) was the oldest active seaplane base in the nation. It was established in 1915. Mills, who inherited the operation from his father, had run the base since World War II. Reservations for the event are being coordinated by the Aero Club of Pennsylvania and must be received by March 9. Send checks payable for $45 per person to: Aero Club of Pennsylvania/Bob Mills Dinner, Post Office Box 748, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania 19422.
| On Capitol Hill
| SENATE CONFIRMS MINETA'S APPOINTMENT
The Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Norman Mineta's nomination as President Bush's transportation secretary. Committing himself to an "inclusive, bipartisan" approach to solving the nation's transportation problems, Mineta outlined his views before the Senate Commerce Committee. Mineta acknowledged that there is no short-term solution for ATC delays, with the exception of an economic recession, and warned that flight delays could be similar or worse this year. In closing, Mineta said that the pace of growth, demand, and new technology require a degree of "nimbleness" with which traditional federal entities cannot keep up. Mineta noted that the FAA's new ATC performance-based organization, created by former President Clinton, is a hybrid of traditional government with the attributes of the private sector. He cautioned that the transition would be neither smooth nor would success be guaranteed.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK—ROBERT HENLEY
Robert Henley of Payson Airport (PAN) in Arizona notified AOPA about a proposal to sell airport land for the development of a manufacturing business. Henley also notified the Arizona Department of Transportation, which had originally provided funding for the property. Because of Henley's efforts, a dialogue started between the town of Payson and the state Aeronautics Division. Instead of selling the airport land, Henley suggested selling property that the town's maintenance yard is on, and then leasing the airport land to the maintenance yard to generate revenue for the airport. Although the town has determined that it's feasible, it's not a done deal. Henley will keep AOPA apprised of any changes, but the airport property will most likely be preserved.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA Online.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| BECOME AN ASF SKYSPOTTER TO HELP OTHER PILOTS
If you've ever gotten caught in unanticipated bad weather or cancelled a flight only to find the weather was better than forecast, then this is the program for you. SkySpotter, co-sponsored by the FAA and the National Weather Service (NWS), is a campaign to encourage pilots to give pilot weather reports (pireps) on every cross-country flight. At this stage, the program is a work in progress that provides information about how to give pireps. For more, see AOPA Online. You can also test your pirep knowledge by taking the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's safety quiz of the month.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: When I was flying with my instructor recently at a towered field, we were "cleared for the option." What is the meaning of this clearance and why was it given to us?
Answer: The Aeronautical Information Manual's Pilot/Controller Glossary defines cleared for the option as an "ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full-stop landing at the discretion of the pilot. It is normally used in training so that an instructor can evaluate a student's performance under changing situations."
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].
| AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza Update
| TECHS INSTALL INTERCOOLER ON SWEEPS BONANZA
 There is no question that the AOPA 2001 Sweepstakes Bonanza will be fast. The questions is, how fast? By today, the turbonormalizing system should be bolted onto the Superior Air Parts Certified Millennium engine. Recently, the turbonormalizing system was upgraded by changing to a more efficient intercooler. The performance gains were even better than the technicians at Tornado Alley were expecting. For more on this exciting project, see AOPA Online or read the latest update.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| The February issue of AOPA Pilot contains an article on equipment lists that many pilots may find of interest. Its author, Pilot Associate Editor Steven W. Ells, suggests including component part or serial numbers, as well as when components were installed. Such an equipment list could be combined with a weight-and-balance spreadsheet. To see the possibilities, view the examples posted on AOPA Online.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
In response to member requests, destinations will be posted at least one week in advance.
Hudson, Wisconsin. The largest hot air balloon rally in the Midwest takes place February 2 through 4. New Richmond Municipal Airport (RNH), 715/246-7735, serves the area. Call 800/657-6775 for event information.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Eastern Sports Boat, Camping, Travel, and Outdoor Show takes place February 3 through 11. Capital City Airport (CXY), 717/774-8335, and Harrisburg International (MDT), 717/948-4642, serve the area. Call 800/511-8376 for event information.
Punta Gorda, Florida. Charlotte County Community Aviation Day takes place February 3 at Charlotte County Airport (PGD), 941/639-4119. Call 941/575-4589 for event information.
Chino, California. The Planes of Fame Air Museum presents a seminar on Women in Aviation February 3. The museum is located at Chino Airport (CNO), 909/597-3910. Call 909/597-3722 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 Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans; and Sacramento, California, February 3 and 4. Clinics are scheduled in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Melbourne, Florida; and Oklahoma City, February 10 and 11. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic .
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
The next AOPA ASF Safety Seminars are scheduled in Fort Worth, Texas, January 29; Oklahoma City, January 30; Tulsa, Oklahoma, January 31; Rogers, Arkansas, February 1; Carlsbad, California, February 5; Costa Mesa, California, February 6; Ontario, California, February 7; and Van Nuys, California, February 8. 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 Tallahassee, Florida, January 30; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, January 31; Tampa, February 1; 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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