AOPA Action

In early August, AOPA took the state of Michigan to court on behalf of all pilots in that state, challenging the constitutionality of a new law requiring felony background checks for all flight school students. The suit contends that the state law attempts to legislate in a field that is preempted by federal law.

"In essence, the state is trying to regulate who is allowed to fly in the nation's airspace," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The federal government's jurisdiction, through the FAA, has consistently been upheld in the courts."

AOPA's suit points out that both the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration have examined flight school security and have determined that no new regulations are necessary for U.S. citizens at this time. The agencies have also imposed new rules for foreign students taking flight training in the United States. But the Michigan law, which took effect May 22, requires a criminal record background check through the FBI for any person enrolling in a flight-training program to obtain a pilot certificate or to add a new certificate or rating.

If allowed to stand, the law sets a dangerous national precedent by ceding to the states a power that clearly belongs to the federal government. "It also sets the stage for a different standard in every state," said Boyer, "and a patchwork of conflicting state laws does nothing to make the nation more secure, but does everything to inconvenience and harm innocent citizens."

The Michigan law is also damaging Michigan businesses, with some flight schools reporting a dramatic decline in new training applicants because of the law. A copy of the suit is available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2002/020805complaint.html ).

Why Wait To Start? AOPA Flight Training Funds Now Available

AOPA and AOPA Certified partner MBNA America Bank, N.A. have a new program to provide flight training students with low-cost loans of up to $25,000.

The new AOPA Flight Training Funds program offers AOPA members rates as low as 8.99 percent APR and repayment terms as long as five years. The loan requires no collateral or down payment, and there's no annual fee.

The funds may be used for any aviation expense, including aircraft rental, instruction fees, books and supplies, or any other goods or services needed to make flight training successful.

For more information on the AOPA Flight Training Funds program or to open an account, call MBNA Bank at 800/882-8648, or visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/info/flynow ).

AOPA Expo 2002 Provides Chance To Learn From The Best

It is said that "a good pilot is always learning." Well, here's a chance to soak up a lot of knowledge.

AOPA's Expo 2002, which will be held October 24 through 26 in Palm Springs, California, features 80 hours of aviation seminars, of which fully half are safety-related.

This year's event will kick off on October 23 with the popular AOPA Parade of Planes, a nose-to-tail procession of more than 70 display aircraft taxiing through city streets to the Palm Springs Convention Center. It will also feature more than 500 vendors in the exhibit hall, numerous social events, and entertainment by nationally known political humorist Mark Russell.

Up-to-date schedules and registration information may be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/expo ).

FAA Selects ASF For New Runway Safety Program

The FAA has tapped the AOPA Air Safety Foundation to develop a runway safety education program that will be especially useful for students learning to fly at nontowered airports. The solution that ASF came up with is highly effective, but decidedly low-tech: flash cards.

The FAA has been concerned about the number of runway incursions for years. With renewed emphasis on preventing incursions reflected in revised checkride procedures, the cards are likely to be especially helpful for pilots training at smaller, nontowered airports as they prepare to operate in the busier ground environment at larger, towered airports.

The series of 17 ASF-designed flash cards feature airport signs or pavement markings on the card front, with an explanation of each sign or marking on the back. A packet containing the cards, an updated version of the ASF Operations at Towered Airports Safety Advisor and accompanying ASF video, and the new FAA video Airport Signs, Markings and Procedures is being sent to more than 80,000 CFIs and FAA designated flight examiners.

ASF will also distribute the remaining flash cards to pilots who attend ASF safety seminars. In addition, ASF has an interactive online runway safety course ( www.aopa.org/asf/runway_safety ).