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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2002 AOPA. | Protecting GA
| NO KNEE-JERK TFRs, AOPA TELLS FAA
AOPA is asking the FAA to avoid issuing "knee-jerk" flight restrictions as the nation approaches the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has asked the FAA to reimpose a large temporary flight restriction (TFR) over downtown Chicago because of "reports" that several U.S. cities could be targeted by terrorists. But the security community has not identified specific threats to the city's buildings or landmarks, said AOPA President Phil Boyer. Illinois homeland security "czar" Matt Bettenhausen told the Chicago Tribune that a small aircraft likely would not do any harm. In a strongly worded letter to the FAA, Boyer said that without a specific, credible threat, it would be "inappropriate for the federal government to institute arbitrary airspace restrictions. As stewards of the national airspace system, the FAA is obligated to look past the emotional grandstanding of local politicians and preserve the integrity of the national aviation system." He also sent the letter to the Transportation Security Administration. See AOPA�Online.
| | GA�News | MOONEY CEO ROY NORRIS RESIGNS
 Despite a major change in management, Mooney Aerospace Group plans to continue to build airplanes and parts and become a major aviation conglomerate. This comes after Roy H. Norris resigned as chairman, president, and CEO of the company after less than eight months in the position. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Norris resigned August 15 from his $200,000-per-year position. His compensation package related to the resignation totals $225,000 plus stock in Mooney, 2 percent of the amount invested in Mooney by an unnamed entity, and all travel, lodging, and entertainment expenses incurred since becoming CEO. Assuming the CEO position under a three-year contract is Peter Larson, former executive vice president and chief operating officer.
…AND THE COMPANY TRIES TO SORT OUT FUNDING
In the SEC filing, Norris said in a letter of resignation that he was stepping aside because he has completed his temporary assignment of moving the former Advanced Aerodynamics & Structures Inc. (AASI) company in a new direction. AASI suspended its Jetcruzer aircraft development project and took over the troubled Mooney Aircraft Company. The SEC filing indicates that Mooney Aerospace Group accomplished that by buying Mooney's senior secured creditor position from Congress Financial Corporation for $8 million, of which $3.5 million was cash and $4.5 million secured notes. Now, many of those notes are coming due, and Mooney Aerospace Group is negotiating for an $8 million investment from unnamed investors. If the company doesn't get the money, it can issue new stock or raise it through debt financing. Should those measures fail, however, Congress Financial has the right to foreclose on all assets, a move that the SEC filing indicates would likely end all Mooney Aerospace Group operations.
AOPA�TO KEEP CLOSE WATCH ON FSS STUDY
The FAA announced that it is moving forward with a study that will compare the agency's cost of providing flight service station services to the cost of contracting services to commercial companies. The 18-month study will be conducted under the guidelines of the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76, which directs government agencies to examine functions that might be performed by commercial sources. The study will look at alternatives for providing modernized flight services to pilots with the government still retaining the ultimate responsibility for providing the service. "All air traffic control services are critical to public safety and should be provided by the government without fees," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "But our members certainly know there may be better ways of doing things. AOPA will keep a close watch on this study since, regardless of the outcome, it will point to how we can build a better FSS system capable of meeting pilots' needs in the twenty-first century." See AOPA�Online.
NEW AIRPORT OPENS IN OHIO
It's rare that a new airport opens. Yet Bellefontaine, Ohio, has managed to buck the trend. Last week local officials along with AOPA President Phil Boyer celebrated the grand opening of the $13 million airport. It is a replacement for the old Bellefontaine Municipal Airport and will retain the same identifier (7I7). It's not even charted yet but is located four miles west of the old airport. It is only the second new airport in Ohio in 30 years. It features a 5,000-foot runway, a new terminal building, and 10 new T-hangars, with 10 more under construction. Planning for the airport began 20 years ago when Mayor Robert Lentz, then a city councilman, began pushing for a replacement airfield. The plan originally faced strong opposition, but over time, and with the help of the aviation community, Lentz won enough support for the project to go ahead. "This is a real community story of people sticking together to build a dream," Boyer told the large dedication crowd. "They clearly know and appreciate the value of local airports." There are 25 percent fewer public-use airports today than in 1969.
AVIONICS PIONEER RETIRES
Gary Burrell, a man who helped make GPS a household word, has announced his retirement from Garmin Ltd. The move is effective August 24 when he turns 65. Burrell served as cochairman and co-CEO of the company. Although he will retire from day-to-day duties, Burrell will continue to work on business development projects and serve as cochairman of Garmin's board of directors along with Min Kao, who will now serve as CEO. Burrell and Kao founded Garmin in 1989. Burrell is the "Gar" and Kao is the "min" in Garmin.
For daily news updates, see AOPA�Online.
| Squawk Sheet
| FAA ISSUES EMERGENCY LYCOMING AD
The FAA issued last Friday an emergency AD that immediately grounded certain aircraft powered by Lycoming TIO-540 and LTIO-540 engines producing 300 hp or more. Aircraft affected include the Piper Navajo, Malibu Mirage, Saratoga, and Cessna Turbo Stationair. The emergency AD is intended to prevent crankshaft failure and subsequent catastrophic engine failure. Specific crankshafts involved were manufactured between early 1999 and early 2002. Engines with replacement crankshafts installed under superseded AD 2002-04-51 issued in February may also be affected. The emergency AD requires replacement of certain crankshafts (listed by serial number in Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 552) prior to further flight; owners are instructed to contact Lycoming at 570/323-6181. See AOPA�Online.
| Inside AOPA
| FAA STREAMLINES AVIONICS INSTALLATION APPROVAL
The FAA issued a policy statement this week making it easier for aircraft owners to get FAA-approved multifunctional displays into the cockpit. The FAA has approved a streamlined process using "Approved Model Lists" (AMLs) that allows manufacturers to get a single supplemental type certificate (STC) applicable to several aircraft models. This new policy significantly reduces flight-testing and conformity inspection redundancies. "The streamlined process saves the time and resources of industry and the FAA alike," said Melissa Bailey, an AOPA vice president. "This eases the transition of more advanced avionics systems into general aviation cockpits." Click here to download the policy document.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK–LOUISE C. ANDERSON
Louise C. Anderson, AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for Massachusetts' Marlboro Airport (9B1), reports great success for Air Day that took place August 17 at the airport. The event celebrated the completion of a $250,000 ramp improvement project in which the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) provided 80 percent of the money while the owners and community covered the balance. This was an unusual project since the airport is privately owned and not eligible for federal funds. Many MAC and local officials participated; Anderson represented AOPA and read an official letter of commendation from AOPA President Phil Boyer.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA�Online.
| AOPA�Air Safety Foundation News
| ONE WEEK LEFT IN TRINIDAD AUCTION
There's only a little over a week to place a bid on the EADS Socata TB20 Trinidad as part of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Online Silent Auction. Up to now ASF has received 47 bids. The highest bid of $376,000 is still below the estimated value. The airplane features a one-of-a-kind patriotic paint scheme, a state-of-the-art instrument panel, and a lot of extras. Have a closer look on AOPA Online, then place your bid. Bidding closes on August 31 at 11 p.m. Eastern time.
| Quiz Me!
| Here's a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: What is the meaning of "coffin corner"?
Answer: Coffin corner or Q-corner refers to the edges of a jet aircraft's high-altitude operating envelope. The definition is found in AC 61-107. "Coffin corner" is a term used to describe operations at high altitudes where low indicated airspeeds yield high true airspeeds (Mach number) at high angles of attack. The high angle of attack results in flow separation, which causes buffeting. Turning maneuvers at these altitudes increase the angle of attack and result in stability deterioration with a decrease in control effectiveness. The relationship of stall speed to critical Mach number narrows to a point at which sudden increases in angle of attack, roll rates, and/or disturbances cause the limits of the airspeed envelope to be exceeded. Coffin corner exists in the upper portion of the maneuvering envelope for a given gross weight and G-force. 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 Waco Update
| COMPANY MAKES RAPID PROGRESS ON SWEEPS WACO
All five staff members of Rare Aircraft in Owatonna, Minnesota, are now at work on your AOPA Sweepstakes Waco UPF-7. Or at least there were five before Doc Walker, a talented musician and fabric-covering craftsman at Rare Aircraft, hurt his back. He hopes to return to work soon. Rare Aircraft staff are working 10-hour days, and several weekend days, to stitch the fabric on the wings and cover the stitching with tape. Paint will be ordered soon, but the decision on just what color has not been finalized. Your votes earlier in the year on your favorite paint scheme will be taken into account, but the voting is now closed. AOPA President Phil Boyer will begin tailwheel transition training and Waco training at the end of this month at Owatonna. For more on the sweepstakes, see AOPA�Online.
| Picture Perfect
| | 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. See AOPA�Online.
| What's New At AOPA�Online
| The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Operations at Nontowered Airports Safety Advisor has been updated. To download a copy, see AOPA�Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA�Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland National Air Show takes place August 31 through September 2 at Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL). Featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, and much more. Contact Kim Dell, 216/781-0747 or visit the Web site.
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 Long Beach, California; Newark, New Jersey; and Reston, Virginia, on August 24 and 25. Clinics are also scheduled in Sacramento, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Des Moines, Iowa, on September 7 and 8. 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 Schools will take place in Frederick, Maryland, September 7, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 8. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Albuquerque, New Mexico and East Windsor, Connecticut, September 9; Warwick, Rhode Island, September 10; Tucson, Arizona and Billerica (Boston), September 11; and Mesa, Arizona, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September 12. The topic is Single-Pilot IFR. For the complete schedule, see AOPA�Online.
To make submissions to the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For comments on calendar items, e-mail [email protected].
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