Flight sim proposal bad news for GA
AOPA opposes a pending FAA rule that will place additional burdens on the use of simulators by general aviation flight schools. While the FAA proposal does not cover personal computer-based aviation training devices, it does increase regulatory oversight of flight schools and establishes a mandatory simulator quality assurance program.
AOPA contends that the proposed rule will significantly increase the operational costs to GA flight schools that use nonpersonal computer-type simulators for pilot training, pilot evaluation, or required flight experience without improving safety.
"This rule could lower the availability and increase the overall cost of simulators, thus undermining the use of simulators as an effective GA training tool," said Lance Nuckolls, AOPA director of regulatory and certification policy.
AOPA launches new effort for driver's-license medical
AOPA has petitioned the FAA for an exemption that would permit its members exercising student or recreational pilot privileges to use a valid driver's license in lieu of an FAA medical certificate.
The petition seeks a two-year exemption (rather than a rule change) to establish a medical-research baseline for the FAA to consider in future rulemaking. The exemption would require that AOPA members exercising student or recreational pilot privileges, and who choose to use their driver's license as a medical certificate, provide information to the association and to electronically report any flight activity on a regular basis. During that period AOPA and the FAA would collect representative data that is expected to validate previous AOPA studies showing that a "driver's-license medical" would not affect safety.
Aircraft insurance discounts offered through AIG Aviation
Affordable flying has been an AOPA mandate since the association was formed in 1939. Under a new arrangement with AIG Aviation, one of the world's most secure aviation insurers (A++ rated by A.M. Best), qualified AOPA members can receive a 5-percent discount on aircraft insurance.
"No single insurance company can insure every type of aircraft or pilot, but AIG's new membership discount will allow the majority of AOPA members to save on insurance costs every year," said Greg Sterling, executive vice president of the AOPA Insurance Agency.
A no-obligation insurance quote for qualified owners may be obtained by contacting the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc. at 800/ 622-AOPA (2672) or online.
New brochure encourages pilots to "Take 'em Flying!"
AOPA's newest publication, Take 'em Flying!, encourages pilots to share their love of flying by providing firsthand flying experiences to people unfamiliar with general aviation.
"Pilots are the best ambassadors for general aviation," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "They can help general aviation at the local level by giving others the opportunity to learn about the benefits - and the thrill - of flying by experiencing it firsthand"
While student pilots cannot carry passengers, it's still quite easy to share the enthusiasm with a nonpilot. Students training in a four-place aircraft can simply ask their instructor if it would be reasonable to invite someone along on a lesson.
Take 'em Flying! offers suggestions about whom to invite for an orientation flight, how to contact potential guests, what to talk about, and how to conduct the flight. It points out the importance of remembering the purpose of the flight through every phase: to demonstrate the joy of flying and the safety and utility of general aviation aircraft.
Take 'em Flying! is available free by calling AOPA at 800/872-2672, e-mailing [email protected], or by download from AOPA Online.
ASF seminars set attendance record
Pilot attendance at AOPA Air Safety Foundation safety seminars nearly doubled in January, compared with attendance one year earlier.
Almost 5,400 pilots in 17 cities attended ASF's new premier live safety seminar "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings" in January. Another 3,150 participated in ASF Seminar-In-A-Box workshops on a variety of aviation safety topics.
A total of 8,872 pilots ranging from students to airline transport pilots took advantage of ASF courses and seminars in January, compared to 4,759 in January 2002.
Many of those attending the popular "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings" seminar said they were convinced to attend after watching a video clip on the ASF Web site of what could be charitably described as "memorable" landings caught by an undercover videographer at a large East Coast fly-in last year.
April's schedule of "Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings" seminar sites is available on page 13.
ASF offers variety of seminars at Sun 'n Fun
Four popular AOPA Air Safety Foundation safety seminars will be offered during the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In, which will be held in Lakeland, Florida, April 2 through 8.
Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings will be presented on Friday, April 4, at 8:30 a.m. and Saturday, April 5, at 2:30 p.m.
Presentations of Single-Pilot IFR are scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m. and Saturday, April 5, at 8:30 a.m.
ASF's Collision Avoidance seminar will be conducted Wednesday, April 2, at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m.
And Spatial Disorientation will be presented Sunday, April 6, at 8:30 a.m.
All presentations will be in the FAA Safety Center and Production Studio.
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