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| GA News
| ILLINOIS BUSINESS GROUP OPPOSES MEIGS CLOSURE
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has issued a report opposing the closure of Chicago's Meigs Field in February 2002. In a statement released June 20, Illinois' largest business organization called for the expansion of O'Hare and Midway airports, and noted the need for more airport capacity. "Meigs provides a unique air travel option for business travelers needing to reach the Chicago Loop area. Keeping the Meigs option available, and preserving the airport's capacity to handle business flights, is a priority for the business community," read the statement. That echoes arguments AOPA has been making for years. "The 14 general aviation airports in the Chicago area, including Meigs, are part of the solution to the delay problems at O'Hare. Closing Meigs would be equivalent to eliminating a perfectly good off-ramp from the interstate highway system," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. See the Web site.
ENGINE ROARS TO LIFE AT TIGER PLANT
Tiger Aircraft LLC began engine testing on the first production AG-5B Tiger this week. The four-place airplane is an updated version of the original AA-5B Tiger produced by Grumman American from 1975 through 1979. The engine, a 180-hp Lycoming O-360-AK4, is the same as in the first version of the Tiger. The airplane is expected to cruise at 148 knots, with a maximum gross weight of 2,400 pounds and a useful load of about 1,000 pounds. Tiger Aircraft is based in Martinsburg, West Virginia. For more, see the Web site.
RAYTHEON GETS GREEN LIGHT TO PRODUCE PREMIER I
Raytheon Aircraft Company has received its production certificate for the Premier I business jet. It enables the company to add the airplane to its inventory of other aircraft produced at its Wichita facility. The $5.3 million jet is part of a new line of aircraft that feature composite fuselages and aluminum wings. Raytheon currently reports more than 300 Premier I jets on order.
FRACTIONAL JET COMPANY HELPS OUT IN AIRLIFT
A Citation Bravo from CitationShares, a fractional jet company–together with 10 other volunteered aircraft–recently airlifted 62 children from New York City to Youngstown, Ohio, in support of AirLifeLine and the Children of Chernobyl organization. In August two Bravos from CitationShares will return the children to New York in preparation for their flight back to Russia. This is the third year CitationShares has participated in the Children of Chernobyl airlift and marks a new partnership with AirLifeLine for the company.
NEWSPAPER PROFILES PIPER'S RESURRECTION
/piper010706.jpg?w=225&h=131&as=1&hash=022DAF4CEA2E52C212FDB90CFC463F97) USA Today recently profiled New Piper's rise from bankruptcy and President and CEO Chuck Suma's mission to turn the company around and prepare it for an initial public offering. The article describes how The New Piper Aircraft has managed to grow despite competition, a slowing economy, and the aftermath of the John F. Kennedy Jr. crash, although investigators didn't find anything mechanically wrong with the Piper-built airplane he was flying. To read the article, see the newspaper's Web site.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online. |
Squawk Sheet
| FAA ISSUES EMERGENCY AD FOR APOLLO USERS
The FAA issued an emergency AD last Friday that mandates the installation of a placard prohibiting the use of UPS Aviation Technology's Apollo SL30 radio for VOR navigation. Localizer and glideslope navigation are not affected, nor is the SL30's comm function. The FAA stated that an error in the unit's digital signal processor software may, in circumstances where the VOR signal deviates from the standard signal, cause incorrect radial bearing information to be displayed. Because the error is dependant on the signal coming from the VOR ground station, and not the SL30 itself, a pilot may not be aware of any course indication error. Sources at the company indicate that a software fix is currently under review by the FAA, and they expect it to be available for installation as soon as mid-July. The company has said that it will cover the cost of the required software upgrade and will be doing work for some owners at EAA AirVenture later this month. Click here to download a copy of the AD.
FAA ISSUES T-34 WINGSPAR AD
The FAA issued a final-rule AD on Monday mandating repetitive wing spar inspections for Beech T-34 airplanes. The AD, prompted by an April 1999 crash of a T-34 in simulated air combat, supercedes an earlier AD that placed speed and G limitations on T-34s. The AD is effective August 16. Owners must complete initial wing spar inspections within the next 80 hours time-in-service or one year after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs later. Meanwhile T-34 owners' groups continue to develop alternative means of AD compliance (AMOC), and remain hopeful that their AMOCs will gain FAA approval prior to the AD's initial compliance deadline. For more, see AOPA Online.
FAA POSTS ADs ON WEB SITE
Encouraged by the efforts of a joint industry/FAA certification committee, the FAA is now publishing all ADs on its Web site. The information will be updated daily. As a member of the certification committee, AOPA is advocating for the complete revamping of the FAA's entire Web site to make information regarding aircraft, pilot, and medical certification more accessible and more understandable. See the Web site.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA ASKS FAA TO BACK HAWTHORNE
AOPA has asked the FAA to take strong action to prevent the closure of Hawthorne Municipal Airport, a key reliever airport east of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). "There are no viable arguments that would justify the city's attempt to close this valuable airport. Any attempt to allow the sponsor to pay back federal funds and close the airport will be detrimental to the national air transportation system," AOPA wrote in a June 29 letter to the FAA. AOPA added that closing Hawthorne would affect capacity at LAX and other regional airports. See AOPA Online.
AOPA ONLINE SUA DATA TO BE PERMANENT
The FAA has given AOPA approval to permanently display special use airspace (SUA) data on AOPA Online. The service helps AOPA members avoid unnecessary detours around SUA, which is often reported as "active" by flight service stations even though no military activity may be taking place. Linked to the FAA's data system, it provides near-real-time information on military flight activity in military operations areas (MOAs), restricted areas, and other special use airspace. Data is updated every six minutes. AOPA in conjunction with the FAA initially started the service on April 27 as an operational test. See AOPA Online.
AOPA MONITORS TEXAS BOMBING RANGE PROPOSAL
AOPA is closely watching the Navy's proposal to create a new bombing area in Kenedy County, Texas, south of Kingsville and west of Padre Island National Seashore. AOPA will do everything possible to ensure that the aeronautical impact is fully addressed, said Mike Brown, AOPA associate director of air traffic services. At this point, an airspace action is far from imminent, because the Navy will have many hurdles to jump over if this restricted airspace is to become a reality, he continued.
AOPA ESTABLISHES NEW ALASKA REGION
Well-known aviator Thomas H. George, of Fairbanks, Alaska, has been appointed the representative for AOPA's new Alaska region. A commercial pilot and CFI with more than 3,000 hours of Alaskan flying experience, he is a director of the Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation. George succeeds Ray Costello, who is retiring after 16 years representing AOPA in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. "I can't think of a more qualified individual to represent the interests of Alaska's general aviation pilots," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, who will introduce George in his new role during a series of AOPA Pilot Town Meetings in Alaska next week.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| On Capitol Hill
| TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL GOES TO SENATE
Last week Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) announced that the transportation subcommittee will mark up a bill next week that includes FAA funding for fiscal year 2002. The legislation is expected to provide similar levels of FAA funding to those included in the House version approved last week and is consistent with the levels established under the AIR-21 legislation. Signed into law last year, AIR-21 unlocks the aviation trust fund. For more, see AOPA Online.
| Airport Support Network
| ASN WORKS TO SAVE NATION'S AIRPORTS
What would you do if your airport closed tomorrow? Every day 950 AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers work with AOPA headquarters on a local level to help save their airports. That's a lot, but not enough. Ask yourself these questions: Has my flying been affected by development, new restrictions, or negative public relations about my local airport? Have local issues or political pressures affected my use and the efficiency of my local airport? If the answer is "yes" to either question, you may be just the kind of person we're looking for to help ensure the health and availability of your airport.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA Online.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: Can you provide me with some type of information or list of aviation scholarships or loans? I am interested in continuing my flight training.
Answer: AOPA is asked this question numerous times each week. We have developed a subject report on this topic that includes a list of available aviation scholarships. See 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].
| AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza Update
|  The AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza is rapidly becoming a sight to behold with new paint and other upgrades to its appearance. Try to imagine what it will look like on your ramp in our latest project update on AOPA Online. See AOPA Online.
| On The Road To Expo
| Meet Team AOPA this fall. AOPA Expo 2001's third general session, "AOPA Action," will focus on the key people who run AOPA and protect your interests. AOPA President Phil Boyer and Team AOPA will describe how your organization provides leadership in shaping national discussion and public opinion on current and future general aviation issues. You won't want to miss it. Admission to the general sessions is free. For more about AOPA Expo 2001, which runs from November 8 through 10 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, see AOPA Online.
| Coming Up In AOPA Pilot
| Learn about the aerial application business, read about the Cessna 150/152 in our latest installment of the budget airplane series, and fly a classy and unique Lincoln biplane in the August issue of AOPA Pilot. It will be mailed July 22.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| The twenty-fifth annual Air Race Classic is over and the results have been posted on AOPA Online. See AOPA Online.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
West Bend, Wisconsin. The Greater Milwaukee Air Festival takes place July 13 through 15 at West Bend Municipal Airport (ETB). Call 262/334-6127 for event information.
Cloquet, Minnesota. The grand opening of the Carlton County Airport Expansion Project takes place July 14 at Carlton County Airport (COQ). Call 218/279-2463 for event information.
Millville, New Jersey. The 2001 Wheels and Wings Air Show takes place July 14 and 15 at Millville Municipal Airport (MIV). Call 610/466-7340 for event information.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see Aviation Calendar of Events
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
The next AOPA ASF Safety Seminars are scheduled in San Luis Obispo, California, July 16; Goleta, California, July 17; Van Nuys, California, July 18; Costa Mesa, California, July 19; and Carlsbad, California, July 20. See AOPA Online for more information.
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 San Mateo, California; Portland, Maine; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 14 and 15. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place July 22 in Jacksonville, Florida. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
For comments on calendar items or to make submissions, contact Julie S. Walker at [email protected].
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Contacting ePilot
Got news ? Contact ePilot at [email protected]. Due to the large volume of mail received, we regret that we are unable to individually answer all correspondence. 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.
To SUBSCRIBE: visit http://www.aopa.org/members/epilot.html. AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701 • Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or 301/695-2000
Copyright � 2001. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
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