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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2001 AOPA. | Restoring GA
| FAA AIRSPACE PLAN NEARS FINAL APPROVAL
After intensive meetings with security agencies, FAA officials tell AOPA they have "cautious optimism" about a plan to ease remaining emergency airspace restrictions in Washington, D.C., and other locations around the country. The FAA is seeking final security signoff on its plan to phase out "enhanced" Class B airspace at 27 locations around the country, freeing up specialty Part 91 operations such as news gathering, traffic reporting, and banner towing. In addition, AOPA has been working with the FAA on a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) plan that would allow three of the six "trapped" Washington, D.C.-area airports–Freeway, Maryland, and Suburban–to resume almost normal operations. Hyde, Potomac, and College Park, which are closer to Washington, would have to implement point-of-departure security procedures in order to resume operations. If the SFAR and notam are approved, airspace restrictions would remain only in the Washington, Boston, and New York City areas. Check AOPA Online for the latest updates.
MEDICAL GROUP ASKS MAYOR TO CLOSE MEIGS
The world's largest medical conference asked Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to close Meigs Field during the group's convention, from November 25 through 30. Some of the Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA) 65,000 members raised safety concerns, according to The Chicago Sun-Times. Daley disclosed the request but did not say what he intends to do. The newspaper speculated that the mayor wants to use it to strengthen his hand in airport negotiations with Illinois Gov. George Ryan. But AOPA President Phil Boyer was told by an RSNA representative that it only received about a dozen calls about Meigs' proximity to McCormick Place, where RSNA has hosted its convention for many years. Boyer pointed out that more radiologists and exhibitors than that will likely use their own airplanes to fly to the event and sent a strongly worded letter to RSNA. See AOPA Online.
...AOPA REQUESTS MEMBER ACTION
Boyer noted that almost every AOPA member at some time or another will participate in a convention or event at McCormick Place. Please take the time to let Daley know that keeping Meigs Field open is important to you, and important to him if he expects your or your company's support of events in his city (whether you arrive by airline or general aviation). Personalize your letter with specifics of past visits or upcoming conventions, and feel free to use any of the points from AOPA's letter to RSNA. Contact Daley.
GA AIRPORTS REOPEN AFTER AIRLINE CRASH
Airspace in the New York City area was temporarily restricted after the crash Monday of American Airlines Flight 587 in Queens. Later in the day general aviation operations were returned to the same status as before the crash. The temporary flight restriction (TFR) that prohibits all Part 91 GA operations within 18 nm of the JFK VOR remains in effect. Also, there is a TFR over midtown Manhattan to provide an additional layer of security for United Nations dignitaries attending U.N. General Assembly meetings all week. AOPA staff worked with the FAA and airports throughout the day Monday to clarify the rapidly changing situation. See AOPA Online for the latest.
| GA News
| FAA ISSUES CESSNA SKYHAWK AD
The FAA has issued a final rule AD requiring the repetitive inspection and replacement, if necessary, of the map light switch covers and chafed or otherwise damaged fuel lines on certain Cessna 172 aircraft. The AD, 2000-CE-26, is intended to prevent fuel leaks, electrical arcing, and potential in-flight fire. The FAA estimates that the AD affects 7,750 U.S.-registered airplanes. The AD is effective December 27. AOPA argued against repetitive inspections, saying that the facts pointed more toward improper maintenance than a wholesale defect or deficiency in the aircraft or its components. AOPA recommended additional inspections of the map light and fuel line only when the map light switch is removed from the shield assembly. For more, see AOPA Online.
BUYERS LINE UP FOR MOONEY SALE
Officials at Mooney Aircraft are hopeful that a deal to sell the company can be arranged within the next few weeks. Funding is in place to sustain minimal operations through November 30. A number of potential sales deals are under consideration. Michael McConnell, senior vice president of strategic planning, described several of the potential buyers as very qualified to lead the bankrupt company back into manufacturing. If that occurs, new airplanes could be rolling out of the Kerrville, Texas, factory in first quarter 2002, he said. Meanwhile, six people have been hired to begin manufacturing spare parts. A total of 10 people should be building spare parts by the end of next week, according to McConnell. He said the sale of spare parts has provided Mooney with a good chunk of needed revenue and helped customers left stranded. Warranties remain suspended. But McConnell said he and others on the management team have been counseling potential buyers that any purchase deal should include compensation for customers who have been affected by the lack of warranty coverage.
MEGGITT SEES GLASS COCKPIT FUTURE FOR GA
 Meggitt Avionics has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installing the Magic electronic flight information system (EFIS) in Piper Malibu Mirage aircraft. The company believes that this will open the door for installations in other general aviation instrument panels. The pilot's-side EFIS replaces six electromechanical instruments in the piston-powered Mirage. Meggitt said that more configurations and certifications will follow in "rapid succession" until all popular aircraft models are covered. The Magic system was previously approved as standard for dual side installation in the turboprop Malibu Meridian. The Magic system has also been installed in the 2001 AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza but is awaiting certification. See the Web site.
GOODRICH SKYWATCH RECEIVES CERTIFICATION
Goodrich Corporation's SkyWatch HP Traffic Collision Avoidance System has received FAA technical standard order (TSO) certification. Deliveries are to begin immediately. SkyWatch HP, an enhancement of the SkyWatch product line, is an active surveillance traffic advisory system that operates as an air-to-air or ground-to-air interrogation device. The system computes a responding aircraft's range, bearing, relative altitude, and closure rate, and predicts potential traffic conflicts. The system can track and display aircraft out to 35 nm. The HP system can display traffic on a variety of multifunction displays as well as overlay traffic information on weather radar indicators. The SkyWatch HP sells for $24,630 without the display and $28,915 with the display included. For more information, visit the Web.
COMM1 AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS
Comm1 awarded two aspiring pilots flight-training scholarships of $1,000 each. Jennifer Pilby and Christopher Remusat were selected from more than 65 applicants for their outstanding aviation career goals, exceptional academic and community service records, excellent recommendations, and compelling financial need. Pilby, 23, of Anchorage, Alaska, hopes to become a flying physician, serving remote communities in her home state. She is currently a student at the University of Alaska with a 3.95 GPA and a double major in aviation technology and premed biology. Remusat, 35, of Farmingdale, New York, is a firefighter who hopes to become a professional flight instructor. Since September 11, Remusat has been working eight-day shifts at the World Trade Center site. He is married and has a 15-month-old daughter and a second child on the way.
PILOTS WIN FREE FUEL FOR A YEAR
Three long-time pilots won a year's supply of avgas and other prizes to cap off a six-month sweepstakes by ExxonMobil Aviation Lubricants to promote Exxon Aviation Oil Elite 20W-50, its semisynthetic multigrade engine oil for piston-engine aircraft. The names of the grand-prize winners were unveiled by record-setting pilot Bruce Bohannon on successive days at AOPA Expo 2001. The three grand-prize winners are Ed Levine of Sterling, Virginia; Steve Fushelberger of Indianapolis; and Mike Racine of Albuquerque. Ninety-seven other winners were also announced in the promotion, which was open to registered pilots. All of the winners are listed online. See the Web site.
AVIATION WEATHER SURVEY IS AVAILABLE ON WEB
How do you feel about government aviation forecasts? Here's your chance to talk directly to the forecasters at the National Weather Service. The service's Southern Region office would like to know what you think of government weather products. See the Web site.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA EXPO BREAKS EAST COAST ATTENDANCE RECORD
After months of bad economic news and uncertainty about the air traffic system, the sun was shining in more ways than one over AOPA Expo 2001 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event, which took place November 8 through 10, broke an East Coast attendance record for the trade show and convention after 9,886 people turned out. "This is exactly what general aviation needed right now," said one spectator watching the Parade of Planes taxiing down city streets. In case you missed it, check out Virtual Expo.
FAA ACCEPTS AOPA IDEA ON MEMPHIS CLASS B
The FAA has agreed to center the Memphis Class B airspace on the Memphis Class B vortac, which would help VFR aircraft not equipped with GPS circumnavigate the airspace. The Class B is currently centered on a point in space, not a waypoint, as was pointed out by Melissa Bailey, AOPA vice president of air traffic services. The FAA is also proposing a slight expansion to the lateral limits of existing airspace and lowering the floor by 1,000 feet in one area to allow parallel ILS approach procedures and simultaneous intersecting runway operations. Written comments are being accepted through January 7. See AOPA Online.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| On Capitol Hill
| CONFEREES TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON SECURITY BILL
AOPA Legislative Affairs staff continues to work with the House and Senate conferees on a compromise to Sen. Herb Kohl's (D-Wis.) harmful amendment to general aviation that exists in the Senate version of the legislation. The amendment would force the FAA to implement a security program for all aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less. The key negotiating point for conferees is the employment status of baggage screeners--whether they should be government employees or if the government should contract out to private security firms, or both. House-Senate conferees met throughout the week, and at ePilot deadline, negotiators said they hoped to reach agreement in time for a bill to reach the president before the Thanksgiving recess. For updates, see AOPA Online.
| Airport Support Network
| ASN VOLUNTEERS SAVE AIRPORTS
What would you do if your airport closed tomorrow? Ask yourself these questions: Has my flying been impacted by development near, restrictions on, 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 sort of person we are looking for to help ensure the health and availability of your airport. Every day, more than 1,000 Airport Support Network volunteers are working with AOPA headquarters on a local level to help save their airports. That's a lot but not enough. Below are just a few airports in your area where an ASN volunteer could make a difference.
To nominate a volunteer–which can be yourself–see AOPA Online.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| ASF POSTS TWO NEW SAFETY REPORTS
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has published a report online, Operation Airspace 2002 , to help pilots understand the rapidly changing airspace situation after the September 11 terrorist attacks. See an explanation of enhanced Class B airspace and learn about the restrictions in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Boston. Also, keeping the blue side up is a continuing problem for pilots. ASF has posted a new Safety Advisor, Spatial Disorientation, Confusion that Kills, on AOPA Online. Click here to download.
HOLIDAY CARD SALES HELP ASF PROGRAMS
 One of the great ways to support many ASF safety programs and send holiday greetings to the ones you care about is to buy aviation-themed holiday cards. There are 16 different designs to choose from. Two free gifts are included with every order: a sheet of decorative holiday seals to give cards a festive holiday touch and a set of return address labels.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: I've just switched to a different aircraft than I usually fly and it has different navigational equipment. Where do I find the aircraft equipment suffixes that I need when filing a flight plan?
Answer: The aircraft equipment suffixes identify the equipment capability of an aircraft. They are listed in Section 5-1-7 "Flight Plan–IFR Flights" of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). According to AIM, "It is recommended that pilots file the maximum transponder or navigation capability of their aircraft in the equipment suffix. This will provide ATC with the necessary information to utilize all facets of navigational equipment and transponder capabilities available." For the full table of suffixes, 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].
| Coming Up In AOPA Pilot
| Go high-altitude wave soaring, fly the Piper Clipper, and try out a ditching simulator in the December issue of AOPA Pilot. It will be mailed this weekend.
| AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza Update
|  AOPA Pilot Associate Editor Steve Ells gets stuck in Waco, Texas, on his way back from AOPA Expo in Florida. No, the Sweepstakes Bonanza is not IFR certified yet, but they're working on it. See our latest project update on AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| AOPA's General Aviation Trends Report, Second Quarter 2001 is now available on AOPA Online.
| Picture Perfect
| Photos from the upcoming December issue of AOPA Pilot are now available in the gallery. Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area.
| ePilot Calendar
| Check your weekend weather on AOPA Online.
WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
New Providence, Bahamas. Junkanoo Grand Finale Fly-In takes place November 30 through December 2 at Nassau International Airport (MYNN). Call 800/327-7678 for event information.
Chino, California. Pearl Harbor Remembered, is the program at the Air Museum Planes of Fame December 1. Call 909/597-3722 for event information.
Scottsdale, Arizona. Business Aircraft and Jet Preview takes place at the Scottsdale Airport (SDL) December 4. Call 480/948-2400 for event information.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see 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 Fresno, California; Chicago; and Austin, Texas, December 1 and 2. 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 December 2 in Fresno, California. 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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