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| GA News
| TWO FAMOUS PILOTS DIE IN YAK CRASH
Two pilots who became famous for surviving tremendous odds died Sunday after the Yak 52 they were flying crashed near Custer, Washington. The cause of the crash remains unclear. Alexander M. Zuyev, 39, and Jerry Michael Warren, 50, were killed when they were trying to rejoin a group of other airplanes. At least two of the other airplanes were also Yaks, NTSB investigator Dennis Hogenson told ePilot. A witness told Hogenson that the Yak banked to the left at 1,200 feet, stalled, and crashed. Hogenson said he has doubts about a stall scenario based on the combined experience of the pilots. He is continuing to interview witnesses and is awaiting a coroner's report. Zuyev, a former Soviet air force officer, became known internationally when he fled from his country in a MiG-29 in 1989. He was chased by Soviet fighters and wounded by gunfire before landing safely in Turkey. Warren and his son became famous after they were pulled from a Cessna 150 that was entangled upside down, 60 feet above the ground, in high-voltage wires near King County International Airport in 1998.
EFFORTS INTENSIFY FOR NEW ORLANDO GA AIRPORT
For 30 years, the Central Florida cities of Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden have attempted to build a new GA airport in western Orange County near Orlando in the face of fierce and emotional opposition. Now, the West Orange County Airport Authority is on the verge of receiving FAA funds to refresh the data on possible sites. The process should take six to eight months, according to Authority Chairman Billy Burch. It is possible that the proposed site could be pushed out of the county–a move that would require new state legislation. Because there is only one publicly owned GA airport in Orange County–Orlando Executive Airport, an extremely active facility–AOPA has been supportive of the effort to build a new airport.
COMPANY BRINGS WEATHER DATA TO THE COCKPIT
Nexrad weather radar data will soon be available in the cockpit on personal digital assistants (PDAs) with Control Vision's new Anywhere Wx. Used in conjunction with the AnywhereMap moving map system, pilots will be able to obtain data from an aviation weather provider via datalink. Average times to download a 200-by-200-nm radar picture, geo-referenced to the aircraft's position, run "considerably under one minute," said the company. The company will offer packages priced between $3,000 and $4,000 that bundle datalink service from either AirCell or Globalstar along with its AnwhereMap software, PDA hardware, and GPS antenna. Per-image costs will be about $2. Anywhere Wx is to be available to customers by late July. For more, see the Web site.
LIBERTY ANNOUNCES FINANCING PLAN FOR XL-2
 You can own a brand-new VFR-equipped airplane for $791 per month with a 10-percent deposit, according to Liberty Aerospace Inc. The company has teamed up with National Aircraft Finance Company to offer Liberty XL-2s. The current base price is $97,500. Liberty expects to receive FAA certification of the airplane late this year. The two-seat airplane cruises at 118 knots and burns five gallons per hour. See the Web site.
NO HOVERING FOR ROBINSON SALES
The sales figures are continuing to look good for Robinson Helicopter Company. The Torrance, California-based company produced 76 percent of the helicopters manufactured in North America for the first quarter of 2001, according to data released by the Aerospace Industries Association. Robinson shipped 44 two-seat R22s and 68 four-seat R44s during that period. See the Web site.
JUST FOR FUN, SAYS JAPANESE PILOT GROUP
Sixteen AOPA-Japan members launched June 1 on a flight around the world. They're not going for a record. All they want to do is fly for the fun of it, make friends with colleagues from the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), and experience exotic scenery. Flying a Beech Bonanza, two Piper Mirages, and a Pilatus PC-12, they plan to fly no more than eight hours a day, sit out bad weather, and find a good restaurant at each stop. They expect to return to Japan in July. Click here to follow the group on the Web.
LOOK OUT FOR ROVING SANDS IN N.M.
Military airspace in New Mexico was expanded temporarily yesterday and will remain that way through June 24 as the U.S. military begins its "Roving Sands" exercises. Five temporary military operations areas (MOAs) will be used to expand existing MOAs in south-central New Mexico. Numerous aircraft from all branches of the military will be operating at high speed, in some cases close to the ground. Notams will be issued 12 hours in advance of each exercise. Pilots should contact the nearest flight service station or the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center for the status of the permanent and temporary MOAs. While VFR traffic can still transit an active MOA, pilots are urged to use extreme vigilance. Click here to download the FAA's notice.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online. |
Inside AOPA
| AOPA TAKES STRONG STANCE ON TRAFFIC DELAYS
AOPA is telling Congress that cities proposing to close needed reliever airports should lose federal funding for their other airports. AOPA President Phil Boyer presented written testimony today in a Senate hearing on "Congestion in Chicago Airspace." AOPA acknowledged that federal intervention into what had previously been considered a local issue would have national ramifications. "However, at this time when runway and airport capacities are such precious commodities, we believe reliever airports should be used to their full potential," Boyer said. The Senate Commerce Committee conducted a field hearing in Chicago to look for solutions to the airline delay problems plaguing O'Hare International Airport. AOPA told the Committee that the 14 airports providing general aviation access to the Chicago area, including Meigs Field, were part of the solution to congestion problems at both O'Hare and Midway airports. In a related note, Illinois Gov. George Ryan said yesterday in a Chicago Sun-Times story that he's going to lobby Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to keep Meigs Field open. For more, see AOPA Online.
COURT AGREES WITH AOPA ON SAN JOSE CURFEW
A federal district court has agreed with AOPA's contention that the nighttime curfew at San Jose (California) International Airport is unjustly discriminatory against general aviation. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed against the city by Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison, who was barred from flying his Gulfstream V jet at night because it weighed too much, even though it is quieter than many smaller jets. But while the court said the curfew was likely inconsistent with federal law, it declined to overturn the ordinance. (The suit didn't specifically ask for the ordinance to be overturned.) The court noted that Ellison could be granted a waiver from the curfew, and that San Jose had "abused its discretion" in denying a waiver in the past. "The curfew is still discriminatory," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "If the San Jose ordinance is allowed to stand, it opens the door for banning other classes of aircraft like Bonanzas and Cessna 210s. Noise ordinances must be targeted at specific noise levels, not arbitrary categories of aircraft."
FAA CONSIDERS OPTIONS FOR LA GUARDIA ACCESS
In a complex notice published in the Federal Register, the FAA has presented options aimed at managing scheduled airline traffic at New York's La Guardia Airport (LGA). The demand management options ensure general aviation access, an essential concept for AOPA. However, the cost of accessing LGA will increase under the FAA proposal. AOPA is concerned that the principles could be used at other capacity-restricted airports.
AOPA LIFE INSURANCE PLAN GETS BETTER
AOPA Certified individual term life insurance products now have added benefits. The new longer-term insurance policy offered by Minnesota Life features level premium rates that are guaranteed for a full 20 years. A remodeled shorter-term policy retains the usual 10-year premium rate guarantee but reduces premium rates an average of 20 percent over previous rates. Both new policies are available with coverage from $250,000 to $10 million, with rate discounts starting at face values of $250,000 and $1 million. For more, see AOPA Online.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| On Capitol Hill
| MR. BOYER GOES TO WASHINGTON
AOPA President Phil Boyer hosted the annual Pilot Town Meeting on Capitol Hill yesterday. More than 20 senators, representatives, and staff attended the bipartisan event, including Ted Stevens, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and House Resources Committee Chairman James Hansen. "I know it's not easy for members of Congress to attend AOPA's Pilot Town Meetings with their busy schedules, which is why I like to have this special meeting for them," Boyer said. "It gives key decision-makers in Congress the opportunity to see the latest advances in navigation technology that have been brought to general aviation." For more, see AOPA Online.
FAA GETS FUNDING BOOST
The House transportation appropriations subcommittee approved the annual funding bill for the Department of Transportation for the 2002 fiscal year that beings October 1. The subcommittee's legislation recommends $13.3 billion for the FAA, a 5-percent increase over current funding, and is consistent with the levels established under last year's AIR-21 legislation that unlocks the aviation trust fund. The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve the bill next week. The House of Representatives will consider the funding bill the week of June 25. To learn more about how Congress funds the FAA, see the AOPA issue brief "The Aviation Budget Process" on AOPA Online.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK–MARTHA AINSWORTH
ASN volunteer Martha Ainsworth has been keeping AOPA apprised about a large development corporation's plans to build homes off the north end of the runway at Freeway Airport (W00) in Mitchellville, Maryland. She has worked to educate the county planning staff on the needs of general aviation airports. In addition, Ainsworth has done an outstanding job at rallying users to support a countywide plan to zone the land around the county's four airports for compatible land uses.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA Online.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| ASF SEMINAR TEACHES PILOTS TO BETTER MANAGE FUEL
An exciting new AOPA Air Safety Foundation safety seminar will bring new light to a dark corner of general aviation safety: fuel management. The interactive, two-hour ASF Fuel Awareness seminar debuts in New York on June 25 and will be presented in locations across the country through the end of 2001. It focuses on avoiding fuel-related accidents, but also includes helpful hints on getting the most miles from each gallon of aviation fuel. "In 1999, there were 66 accidents caused by fuel mismanagement," said John Steuernagle, ASF vice president of operations. "Almost all of these accidents could have been prevented with better preflight planning, diligent fuel consumption monitoring, and better knowledge of aircraft fuel systems." ASF and the FAA are jointly funding the program. See AOPA Online.
NASA CONDUCTS RUNWAY INCURSION INTERVIEWS
At the request of the FAA, NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) will, starting this month, conduct detailed telephone interviews with pilots and controllers who have reported runway incursions at towered airports. The information will help improve the system. Compliance is voluntary and identifying information will be removed before the data are submitted to the FAA. Click here to download more information.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: I am color blind and my AME says I will need a SODA. What is a SODA?
Answer: A SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) is a waiver issued for a static medical defect or condition that does not allow the applicant to meet the medical standards of FAR Part 67. Some examples are visual acuity that cannot be corrected to at least 20/40 for a third class medical certificate–in your case, a color vision deficiency–or amputations of an upper or lower extremity. Most conditions that result in the issuance of a SODA require a medical flight test, scheduled through a local FAA Flight Standards District Office, and administered by an FAA inspector. Some waivers, though, do not require a flight test, and are issued on the basis of flight time. The SODA is a permanent waiver as long as the condition for which the waiver is issued does not change. If the condition is subject to change, such as heart disease or cancer, the FAA may grant a medical certificate through a different type of waiver called a "special issuance authorization." The authorization is issued on the basis of periodic repeat testing to determine that the condition has not progressed to a point where aviation safety would be compromised.
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 2001 AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza has been stripped of its 1970s paint. You remember how long ago that decade was, right? As with the upgrades to instrument panel, the engine, and the interior, it's only fitting that the airplane should get a new look. See our latest project update on AOPA Online.
| On The Road To Expo
| Planning your daily schedule for AOPA Expo 2001 is as simple as clicking the mouse button. Just check the box beside the more than 90 seminars, general sessions, and other events that interest you on AOPA Online. Then select "print" and your entire schedule will be printed out with the events in order from morning through evening. Deciding what to see and do at Expo has never been easier. For more, see AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| Information for the 2002 FAA/General Aviation Awards Program for aviation maintenance technicians, avionics technicians, and flight instructors is now available on AOPA Online. Click here to download the information.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Anderson, Indiana. The Anderson Air Show takes place June 23 and 24 at Anderson Municipal Airport (AID). Call 800/257-1238 for event information.
Davenport, Iowa. The Quad City Air Show takes place June 23 and 24 at Davenport Municipal Airport (DVN). Call 319/285-7469 for event information.
Howell, Michigan. The Great Lakes Fly-In takes place June 23 and 24 at Livingston County Airport (OZW). Call 517/627-4360 for event information, or visit the Web site.
Tullahoma, Tennessee. The fiftieth anniversary of Arnold Air Force Base takes place June 23 through 24. Call 931/454-7788 for event information.
El Cajon, California. The twenty-fifth annual Air Race Classic, all-women coast-to-coast air race ending in Batavia, Ohio, begins June 26. Call 760/741-8149 for event information.
Correction: The Aerospace America International Air Show in Oklahoma City has been canceled.
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 Queens, New York, June 25; Long Island, New York, June 26; Poughkeepsie, New York, June 27; and North Branch, New Jersey, June 28. 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 Reston, Virginia, June 23 and 24. 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 June 24 in Columbus, Ohio. 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 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.
| Sponsors
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