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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. | | GA News | PHOTO ID LAW NOW IN EFFECT
Pilots are reminded that beginning this week, a government-issued photo identification–in addition to pilot and medical certificates–must be carried when flying an aircraft. AOPA petitioned for the new requirement in February as a way to meet the intent of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which requires the Under Secretary of Transportation to consider a photo-ID pilot certificate. The requirement to carry a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, is less costly and quicker to implement; it took effect Monday. See AOPA Online for more information.
AOPA ARGUES AGAINST MICHIGAN BACKGROUND CHECKS IN COURT
AOPA had its first opportunity Tuesday to argue its case against the State of Michigan's background check law before a U.S. District Court judge in eastern Michigan. The law, passed in May of this year, requires a criminal record background check through the FBI for any person seeking flight training in the state to obtain a pilot certificate or additional rating. In a lawsuit filed in August, AOPA contends that the state is preempting federal law. A motion filed by AOPA for a preliminary injunction would block the state's enforcement of the new law until the court can hear the case. AOPA also argued against the state's motion for a change of venue, contending that a substantial number of flight schools in the eastern district of Michigan have experienced a drop in students. The judge has said she will rule in writing on both motions. While no timeframe is set for rulings, AOPA has argued that the need for relief is immediate for flight schools and students.
NTSB RELEASES REPORT ON ENGEN, IVANS GLIDER CRASH
The NTSB has issued a final report on the 1999 glider crash in Nevada that took the lives of two pillars of the aviation community, Don Engen and Bill Ivans. The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the accident was "the pilot's excessive use of the elevator control during recovery from an inadvertently entered spin and/or spiral dive during which the glider exceeded the maximum permissible speed," resulting in structural failure of the wings. The Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4DM glider was owned by Ivans. With an 87-foot wingspan, it is typically used in Open Class racing and has unique flying characteristics. The glider is particularly sensitive to excessive rudder input during turns, resulting in a tendency for unwanted rolling moments, said the NTSB. The manufacturer reported that once a turn is established, the ailerons must be deflected against the bank. It is unknown who was at the controls when the accident occurred. Engen was director of the National Air and Space Museum and had served as the FAA administrator, a member of the NTSB, and executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Ivans was a noted glider pilot and former president of the Soaring Society of America. See the report on the NTSB Web site.
YEAGER RETIRES AFTER AMAZING CAREER
Now Chuck Yeager is one of us–a pilot of small, nonmilitary airplanes. But for most of his career, the conqueror of the sound barrier has flown the best and the worst of all the military planes available in this country and elsewhere. In late October, Yeager easily sliced through the sound barrier in a military jet one last time in his role as a dollar-a-year consultant to Edwards Air Force Base before announcing his retirement, the Los Angeles Times has reported. From now on, the 79-year-old legend will devote more time to hunting and fishing, he joked. Considering his most recently announced hunting plans, the elk in Oregon had better watch out.
NEXT-GENERATION AVIONICS PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE IN PILOT'S RECOVERY
ADS-B--automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, in which an aircraft transmits its GPS-derived position to air traffic controllers and to other aircraft so equipped–is being credited for saving an Alaskan pilot. The pilot is recuperating from injuries suffered in a crash earlier this week, and thanking the Capstone equipment aboard his aircraft for his rescue. AOPA has been an active partner with the FAA in Capstone, a demonstration in Alaska of multiple new technologies that can benefit GA. When pilot Erick Gutierrez did not return to Bethel on Monday, a search was initiated. The downed aircraft's emergency locator transmitter failed to activate, but air traffic controllers were able to look at the aircraft's ADS-B ground track and vector a National Guard helicopter crew that picked up Gutierrez barely two and a half hours after he was reported missing. "The more we see of Capstone's capabilities, the more we support the technology's widespread deployment," said AOPA Director of Advanced Technology Randy Kenagy. "Improved search and rescue capabilities are just one of the advantages this datalink offers to general aviation pilots. Traffic information and near real-time weather graphics will also help improve safety."
DIAMOND DA20-C1 GETS GROSS WEIGHT INCREASE
 Diamond Aircraft's two-seat DA20-C1 has received FAA approval for a gross weight increase to 1,764 pounds. This gives the aircraft a useful load of about 600 pounds, depending on the configuration. The gross weight increase is applicable to all U.S.-registered DA20-C1s and does not affect the Utility category certification, according to the company.
LINDBERGH ITEMS GO UP FOR BID
Later this month Swann Auction Galleries of New York City will be placing two rare Charles A. Lindbergh artifacts up for bid. One is a typed letter to James F. Prince, the treasurer of Wright Aeronautical Corporation, that he carried with him on the historic Atlantic crossing. It is expected to sell for $50,000 to $75,000. The other item up for bid, expected to sell for between $30,000 and $40,000, is a 48-star American flag with a typed note signed by Lindbergh, stating, "We carried this flag from New York to Paris, May 20-21, 1927." The auction takes place November 14. See the Web site.
10 AEROBATIC PILOTS CHOSEN TO REPRESENT U.S.
Ten pilots have been chosen as members of the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Team that will represent the United States at the World Aerobatic Championship in Lakeland, Florida, next June 25 through July 4. These top pilots were selected at the national championships in Denison, Texas, in September. The Unlimited category is the most difficult, featuring complex flying maneuvers that test the precision flying skill and physical endurance of the pilots. Held every other year in locations throughout the world since 1960, the World Aerobatic Championship represents the "Olympics" of aerobatics competitions. The men's team are Steve Andelin, Robert Armstrong, Kirby Chambliss, Mike Mangold, and David Martin. On the women's side are Marta Meyer, Debby Rihn-Harvey, Julie Mangold (wife of Mike Mangold), Chandy Clanton, and Vicki Cruse.
For daily news updates, see AOPA�Online.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA APPEAL RESTORES ISLAND FLYING WAIVER
The blanket waiver that allows flights to and from the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the British Virgin Islands is back in force after being declared null and void by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) last week. TSA neither coordinated the policy change with the FAA nor notified users. When AOPA contacted TSA to discuss the issue, TSA contacts said the administration was firm in its intent to require operators to obtain individual waivers for each flight. AOPA appealed to the FAA, which had originally issued Waiver 2127. The agency reversed the TSA decision and notified all air traffic facilities that the blanket waiver is once again valid. The decision is effective immediately. TSA and the FAA are currently in meetings to discuss all international flight restrictions imposed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to determine whether or not they should be lifted. AOPA strongly supports elimination of the restrictions as international operations are already subject to strict control.
FAA ISSUES FINAL RULE ON NATIONAL PARKS AIR TOUR PLAN
The FAA has issued a final rule implementing the National Parks Air Tour Management plan of 2000 law, which completes the definition of "commercial air tour operation." The action affects only commercial operators conducting air tour operations below 5,000 feet agl over national parks beginning January 23, 2003. "AOPA is pleased that the plan has no direct impact on general aviation [noncommercial] overflights," said Andy Cebula, an AOPA senior vice president. AOPA will continue to ensure that general aviation access to these national treasures will be preserved through its participation on the National Park Overflight Advisory Group.
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| On Capitol Hill
| ELECTION DAY NEARS FOR GA CANDIDATES
Next week's election will be followed by a Congressional lame duck session that is slated to begin on November 12. Political observers are predicting that Republicans will continue to hold majority in the House, with most believing that Democrats will not be able to pull off the required net gain of nine seats needed to take control. Control of the Senate is considered too close to call in almost every state with a Senate election. The most competitive races are in Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, and South Dakota. AOPA members can go to AOPA Online for information on friends of general aviation who are currently members of Congress and several AOPA members who are running for open seats. See AOPA�Online.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK–NORMAN HEATH
Through his association with the Oxnard Airport Association in California, AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Norman Heath reports good results from a three-year letter-writing campaign and attendance at city council meetings. The airport has received a new manager, airport improvement projects that were once stalled as a result of "antiairport" opposition and political pressure are moving forward, a new FBO will be coming to the field, a master plan study is under way, and the airport is operating in the black. Perseverance pays off, and now the airport association is poised to tackle future challenges.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit the Web site.
| Quiz Me!
| Here's a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: Where can I find a list of designated pilot examiners for my state?
Answer: The FAA provides a searchable database. It lists the type of designated examiner--such as pilot, mechanic, or dispatch–and can be searched by their location: city, state, or country. See the Web site.
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].
| 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
| Do you have questions about logging flight time? See our updated subject report on AOPA Online.
| Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA�Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Daytona Beach, Florida. Wings and Waves: Embry-Riddle Celebrates the Centennial of Flight takes place November 9 at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB). Free, family oriented airshow; last year's drew more than 200,000 spectators. For more, visit the Web site.
Perry, Georgia. The Wings Over Georgia Airshow takes place November 9 and 10 at Perry-Houston County Airport (PXE). Veterans Day weekend fly-in, exciting stunt featuring Bulldog Airshows with Jim LeRoy in his Pitts S2S, warbirds. Contact Glenn Anderson, 478/987-9548, 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 San Diego, and Atlanta, on November 9 and 10. Clinics are also scheduled in Anchorage, Alaska; Cincinnati; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 16 and 17. 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 in Atlanta, November 10. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in West Columbia, South Carolina, November 11; Hudson, North Carolina, November 12; RDU Airport, North Carolina, November 13; and Southport, North Carolina, November 14. The topic is Single Pilot IFR, check AOPA�Online for more information.
To make submissions to the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For comments on calendar items, e-mail [email protected].
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