AOPA Builds New Facility for All Pilots at Site of First Flight
Ground was broken September 16 for a new AOPA-funded pilot facility at the site of the Wright brothers' first powered aircraft flight at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
The new facility will mark the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' success in 1903 and will be the only permanent structure to remain after the centennial observances in December 2003.
Built in coordination with the National Park Service and the First Flight Centennial Foundation, the 900-square-foot building will include a pilot briefing room, telephones, wall-mounted navigation charts, flight-planning workspace, and computerized weather and flight-planning equipment. There also will be restrooms and a space for an air tour concessionaire. Outside, an AOPA recognition plaque will welcome pilots to the Wright Brothers National Memorial Pilot Facility.
"Visiting this important site is a rite of passage for thousands of pilots each year," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "and this new pilot facility will add to the safety and convenience of all."
AOPA will provide extensive coverage of 2003 Centennial of Flight-related events throughout the year in AOPA Pilot magazine, on AOPA Online, and through the AOPA ePilot electronic newsletter.
Also throughout the 2003 centennial year, AOPA is sponsoring the ongoing AOPA Centennial of Flight membership sweepstakes, featuring a beautifully restored 1940 Waco UPF-7 three-place biplane. In addition to the Waco as grand prize, monthly winners get an opportunity to go flying in a Waco similar to the sweepstakes plane.
Student Pilot Has the Ride of Lifetime in AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes
Patti Bennett of Michigan confessed to being somewhat skeptical when she received an e-mail from AOPA in May saying she was one of the monthly winners in the AOPA Centennial of Flight Waco Sweepstakes.
"I thought it was, well, like a time-share offer of some kind," she said. "Or you know, 'You've won $10 million (see the fine print).' But when I showed the e-mail to my instructor, he said, 'You know, AOPA is a reputable organization. I think you really won this!'"
Bennett, a student pilot nearing her checkride, overcame her skepticism and took advantage of the prize in August at Long Beach, California-based Biplane Rides, owned by Mike and Kendle Hanson. The Hansons provide AOPA monthly sweepstakes winners with rides in biplanes, including a Waco very similar to the one now undergoing restoration as the grand prize in the AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes (see " AOPA Centennial of Flight: A Winning Combination," September Pilot).
Bennett claims to have no natural flying ability, and says she used to be a "scaredy student pilot." But no more. "Even if I was the biggest chicken student pilot to ever have won this trip, it's changed me forever!" she said. "I now have done loops, and barrel rolls, and hammerheads, and spin-recovery maneuvers. I came home and informed my instructor I would never complain about 45-degree steep turns again."
Entry in the 2002-2003 AOPA membership sweepstakes is automatic for anyone joining or renewing AOPA membership. An alternate entry method also is available. More details are available online ( www.aopa.org/join/). For updates on the Waco restoration project, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/sweeps/).
NATIONAL ACTION
AOPA Safeguarding Your Flying Privileges at Highest Levels
New Transportation Security Administration (TSA) head Adm. James M. Loy has told AOPA that general aviation will have a voice in future security discussions.
At a September 9 meeting with AOPA President Phil Boyer and Andy Cebula, senior vice president of government and technical affairs, Loy pledged to work with AOPA on GA security issues, and said that his experience heading the U.S. Coast Guard helped him to "understand the need for a partnership with industry to accomplish critical tasks." Boyer and Cebula requested the meeting to discuss GA security concerns and introduce Loy to AOPA's capabilities in communicating with pilots.
The very next day, Loy repeated his pledge to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, committing his agency to involving "impacted stakeholders" in the decision-making process. That means AOPA will be at the table when security restrictions or regulations are being considered.
In their meeting with Loy, Boyer and Cebula showed a videotape about AOPA's upcoming Airport Watch program, which asks pilots to report any suspicious activity on their home airports. The program is modeled on the highly successful Neighborhood Watch programs around the country.
The new TSA head expressed appreciation that AOPA and the GA community are taking a proactive approach to security.
Boyer indicated his frustration over the slow pace of the FAA's consideration of an AOPA petition to require pilots to carry a photo ID such as a driver's license. Loy promised to look into the issue and accelerate the process if possible.
In addition to meetings with top-ranking government officials, AOPA continues to work in the trenches. AOPA's Washington-based Legislative Affairs office is in daily contact with members and staff from both houses of Congress, working to include the pilot perspective in debates on general aviation issues.
The AOPA Can-Can
One of AOPA's biggest frustrations over the past year has been getting the leaders of the new Transportation Security Administration to understand what general aviation is — and is not — and how AOPA can help in communicating TSA security concerns to GA pilots.
To accomplish both goals in an attention-getting way, AOPA in September created and hand-delivered "AOPA Cans" to senior leadership at TSA.
The outside of each can has information about GA and AOPA printed on it, while inside is candy for desktop snacking. Also inside each can is more information about AOPA resources that can help TSA information reach pilots. AOPA membership now stands at more than 385,000 members, some two-thirds of all active pilots in the United States.
AOPA Seeks Injunction Against Michigan While Lawsuit is Pending
AOPA in early September asked a federal judge to forbid enforcement of Michigan's criminal-background check law for prospective pilots while the association's lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the measure is pending.
AOPA claims that Michigan is usurping federal authority by requiring criminal-background checks on all pilots seeking initial, advanced, or recurrent flight training. A loss in this case could prompt other states to go forward with legislation of their own, creating a crazy patchwork quilt of aviation regulations that would make interstate GA flying difficult.
New York and New Jersey are each now considering bills similar to the Michigan statute, and legislation imposing some form of additional local restrictions or requirements has been introduced in at least 13 other states.
AOPA also filed paperwork against moving the trial to western Michigan as the state had requested, arguing that since most flight schools in Michigan are in the eastern portion of the state, that's where the law's greatest impact would be and therefore is the proper venue for a trial.
FAA Develops "TFR Action Plan" in Response to AOPA FSS Survey
During the late summer, the FAA finally acknowledged what pilots had known for months — flight service stations were not always telling pilots about temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) along their route of flight.
Responding to concerns raised by AOPA members, AOPA Aviation Services personnel called flight service stations (FSS) for weather briefings along routes known to pass near or through TFR areas. In nearly all cases, the briefer either did not pass along information about the restrictions, or worse, gave inaccurate information.
In a letter to AOPA President Phil Boyer, then-acting administrator Monte Belger acknowledged the problem, and said the FAA had developed an action plan for dealing with AOPA's specific concerns. He said the FAA had duplicated AOPA's survey, and as a result, sent a notice to FSS, holding them accountable for providing the information while conducting pilot weather briefings. The FAA will place special emphasis on TFR information dissemination in all future evaluations of the system.
In his letter to AOPA, Belger also committed the FAA to making graphical TFRs public as soon as possible. The agency has been working with Jeppesen to develop such a product. Originally, it was intended for use only by FSS personnel during briefings, but as a result of persistent AOPA pressure, it is now being tested for direct availability to pilots.
AOPA Applauds Confirmation of New FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey formally moved from the National Transportation Safety Board to the FAA in mid-September, becoming the second person to hold the position since it became a five-year fixed-term office.
Blakey also has served in the Reagan and the first Bush administrations. She is a close political ally to White House Chief of Staff Andy Card. That is particularly important because during the aftermath of September 11 the FAA did not always have direct access to the people in the White House who were making decisions about the nation's aviation system.
"In my 11 years as AOPA president working with more than half a dozen FAA administrators," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "I've found the one quality most important for the FAA head is the ability to work effectively with both parties in Congress and with the top levels of the administration.
"Although Ms. Blakey is not a pilot, she does have a keen interest in aviation and extensive experience with transportation issues. I've found her to be extremely personable and very politically astute."
Blakey was at the NTSB barely a year. She took over shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks and had to deal with the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 less than two months after her confirmation. Prior to her appointment to the NTSB, she ran her own Washington-based public relations firm for eight years, specializing in transportation issues. Her clients included an organization representing airports.
AOPA Wins review of Patented AD Fix
In a move that could be good news for any aircraft owner faced with complying with an FAA airworthiness directive (AD), the U.S. Patent Office agreed in September to review a patent it issued for a kit to make an FAA-required fix to Lake amphibian aircraft. AOPA had requested the review, claiming the effect of the patent require aircraft owners to use that product, even though there is a virtually identical, FAA-approved fix available from another manufacturer.
"We believe this patent review is a major step forward not only for Lake pilots, but for all aircraft owners," said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government and Technical Affairs Andy Cebula. "They should be free to purchase and install any FAA-mandated or -approved safety fix."
At issue in this case is an AD for cracks in the wing-spar cap of several Lake amphibian aircraft models. Revo Inc., 'anufacturer of Lake amphibian aircraft, retroactively patented a wingspar doubler kit after another manufacturer, Air Tech Canada, began marketing a lower-cost FAA-approved fix for the same problem. Revo sold the patent to Enpat, a patent infringement firm, which is now suing Lake owners who installed the Air Tech Canada fix.
MEMBERSHIP ACTION
AOPA Acts to Mitigate Impact of September 11 Flight Restrictions
As the first anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks approached in September, AOPA kept the GA perspective before both the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Just days prior to that first anniversary, AOPA learned that TSA officials wanted to ban all GA aircraft under 12,500 pounds from within 30 nautical miles of each of the three crash sites at the times of the commemorative ceremonies, or in the case of New York City, for three days.
AOPA quickly provided hard numbers on how many airports, aircraft, and operations would be affected by the proposed temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and offered a compromise allowing GA flights on IFR flight plans in the TFRs for most of the restricted periods. That proposal was accepted.
The association would have preferred that security officials not unfairly single out light GA aircraft at all, but proposed the compromise once it became clear that TSA officials felt the 30-nm buffer was crucial.
AOPA Offers Online Guidance for Foreign Pilots Seeking U.S. Certificates
Foreign pilots may once again apply for a U.S.-issued pilot certificate under FAR Part 61.75. Both an AOPA regulatory brief on the subject and a frequently asked question (FAQ) page are available online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/).
The FAA briefly suspended issuance of such certificates this summer, citing continuing national security concerns. Now, foreign pilots applying for a U.S. pilot certificate must submit a preapplication directly to the FAA in Oklahoma City for identity authentication.
The new procedures can add up to 60 days to the time required for such issuances, but the AOPA online information outlines steps pilots can take to shorten the delay to as little as five business days.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
ASF Spirit of Liberty Trinidad Auction Raises Thousands for Aviation Safety
AOPA Air Safety Foundation programs got a big boost on August 30 with the successful conclusion of the Socata Spirit of Liberty Trinidad auction on the ASF Silent Auction Web site. And in a classic win-win situation, the successful bidder, who asked to remain anonymous, won a unique aircraft loaded with the latest avionics, for thousands less than the list price.
The aircraft, with a special patriotic paint scheme, was donated by manufacturer EADS Socata, with all proceeds above a reserve going to benefit ASF aviation safety program outreach. Other donors of equipment or services on the aircraft included Bendix/King; Goodrich; Banyan Air Services, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Oxford Aviation, of Oxford, Maine, which created the distinctive flag paint scheme.
Proceeds will help fund ASF safety seminars, online courses, publications, videos, and other safety outreach efforts for all general aviation pilots.
The Spirit of Liberty is the largest, most expensive item offered to date on ASF's online Silent Auction. The foundation is exploring the possibility of offering another aircraft for auction in the future.
ASF Online IFR Refresher Debuts
A free, fast-paced refresher course for IFR-rated pilots debuted in September on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses/ifradventure/).
The interactive online course, titled "IFR Adventure: Rules to Live By," uses Flash technology to take pilots through a realistic IFR flight from Indianapolis to Red Wing, Minnesota, exploring various real-life instrument-flying scenarios along the way. Among the possible challenges of the flight: diverting to an alternate airport, suffering communications failure, and evaluating the weather.
Before taking off on the virtual flight, pilots are presented with an electronic "flight bag" that contains weather information, a copy of the Federal Aviation Regulations, pilot and aircraft logbooks, and other items. Pilots may dig into their flight bag at any time for help in answering quiz questions that are used as teaching tools in many of the scenarios.
Completion of the "IFR Adventure: Rules to Live By" course with a score of at least 80 percent allows the pilot to print out a handsome completion certificate that may be used to satisfy the ground instruction requirement for the FAA Wings safety program.
The new course was developed with a grant from the William H. Donner Foundation and is available without cost to all pilots.
ASF Holiday Cards Including Assortment Pack Now Available
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's annual holiday cards are now available with several new designs for 2002, and, for the first time, are available in an assortment pack.
Purchase of these holiday cards helps support ASF's free safety seminars for pilots throughout the country. The program generated more than $100,000 last year, benefiting some 30,000 pilots.
All boxes contain 25 cards and 25 envelopes.
AOPA AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK
Volunteer of the Month: Bruce Angell
Most pilots enjoy bragging a little — hangar talk and such. This page, dedicated to bragging about AOPA ASN volunteer activity for your benefit, was easy this month, thanks to Barbara Tolbert, executive director of the Northwest EAA Fly-In in Arlington, Washington.
In a letter to AOPA headquarters, Tolbert praised AOPA ASN volunteer Bruce Angell for his efforts to promote and protect Arlington Municipal Airport. "It is very likely you may not be informed of some of the fantastic work he is doing on behalf of general aviation," she told AOPA ASN Program Manager Mark Lowdermilk.
Over the past 14 months, Angell has served as an advisor on the Arlington Airport Master Plan update, as well as educated airport staff and users on the future use and development of the airport. He has participated in functions to bring the community and the airport users together, and has personally flown community members and government officials, including U.S. Congressman Rick Larson, to show them personally the impact of the TFRs that make navigating the north/south route west of Seattle's Class B airspace an exercise in caution and frustration.
"At the request of the fire department and emergency services agencies, Angell organized and taught a class in basic aircraft systems and safety for all city fire and emergency services personnel. The results were extremely positive and the city has asked Angell to do the same for the Arlington Police Department as well."
Thanks, Ms. Tolbert. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
WHAT'S THIS? A NEW AIRPORT?
By Mark Lowdermilk, AOPA ASN program manager
At the top of this page every month, we note that public-use GA airports are disappearing at a discouraging rate. So it is with great pleasure that we mark the birth of a brand-new airport for Ohio.
On August 16, AOPA President Phil Boyer joined Mayor Robert Lentz and other local dignitaries in Bellefontaine, Ohio, for the grand opening of that city's new $13 million municipal airport. It is only the second new airport to open in Ohio in 30 years.
"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." The new airport replaces the old Bellefontaine Municipal Airport and will retain the same identifier, 7I7. It features a 5,000-foot runway, a terminal building, and 10 T-hangars, with 10 more under construction. Midwest Corporate Air will be the new fixed-base operator.
But preserving existing GA airports is still critical. The AOPA ASN volunteer at your airport has detailed information about your airport support group. If for some reason your airport doesn't yet have a support group, help get one started. For more information, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/asn/).
Public-use airports in the United States are closing at the rate of about one every two weeks. The AOPA Airport Support Network designates one volunteer per airport to watch for threats and encourage favorable public perception of general aviation. For more information on how you can help support your airport, visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asn/ ).
Action in the States
Colorado. Boulder: AOPA ASN volunteer Phil Ecklund reports that the City of Boulder is attempting back-door regulation of federal airspace, after the FAA refused a request by the Boulder Open Space Board for a prohibition on any Front Range flight below 10,000 feet msl. City fathers are refusing to renew longstanding leases with soaring operations at Boulder Municipal Airport unless those operators agree to new provisions giving the city the right to cancel the lease for violation of any arbitrary airspace rules set up by the city. Ecklund is trying to get copies of assurance agreements between the city and the FAA to see if the new leases violate those agreements.
Indiana. Kendallville: AOPA ASN volunteer Michael Moffitt reports that SkyDive Fort Wayne has made a proposal to the Kendallville Aviation Board to permanently base its skydiving operations at Kendallville Municipal Airport. Moffitt also reports plans for an AWOS-3 weather reporting system and a Runway 10 taxiway extension.
Louisiana. Leesville: AOPA ASN volunteer Sharon Hyde, with fellow pilot Roy Beltz, helped promote Leesville Airport in July by giving rides to Leesville City Council member Pat Martinez and Leesville Daily Leader reporter Elona Boggs. Hyde showed the AOPA video Local Airports: Access to America to local EAA Chapter 1356 at its August meeting. She plans presentations to the full city council and area business leaders this fall.
Massachusetts. Marlboro: An August Air Day celebration at Marlboro Airport included the reading of an official letter of commendation from AOPA President Phil Boyer congratulating the airport on completion of a $250,000 ramp improvement project. The AOPA letter was read by AOPA ASN volunteer Louise Anderson.
PROJECT PILOT UPDATE
AOPA members are sharing their love of flying through AOPA Project Pilot. Across the nation, AOPA Project Pilot mentors are helping student pilots realize the dream of learning to fly. From first flight to checkride, a mentor's keen and personal interest helps to ensure that the student pilot receives the best possible introduction to flying.
My family has lived in Virginia for 10 generations and I feel deeply connected to the rolling hills, mountain vistas, and red clay soil. Yet when I learned to fly I began to appreciate my family and state history with a fresh perspective. I have flown over the coast where my ancestors landed, over the beautiful land where my family gave horses to patriots in the Revolutionary War, over the Shenandoah Valley where my great-grandfather fought during the Civil War.
In addition to my personal satisfaction, being a pilot has changed my life in another way. Stereotypical images of pilots and airplane owners do not include Southern women over age 40 who are former Junior League presidents. I want to be an example to all that general aviation opens a world of geographic- and self-discovery.
I'm continuing my process of discovery by building cross-country hours in my Cessna 172 and studying for the instrument knowledge test, with plans to add that rating in 2003. — Sandra T. Watson, AOPA 3564540
We want to know what mentored student pilots have gone on to do since their introduction to flight. How has a pilot certificate changed their lives? How have they put their achievement to use? Write to us about your success story, send a photograph, and we may print them here. You will inspire students and mentors alike. E-mail us at [email protected].
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