AOPA Action

AOPA President Phil Boyer told an audience of Washington, D.C., insiders that at least one sector of the aviation industry has a bright future. Borrowing a phrase from aviation meteorologists, Boyer said the future for general aviation is CAVU - ceiling and visibility unlimited.

In a speech to the Aero Club of Washington, which boasts some of the biggest names in aviation, Boyer said that everything from new student pilots to single-engine piston aircraft sales indicate a segment of the industry that is still moving ahead in spite of a generally sour economy.

One of the best indications of where GA is headed is the number of new student pilot certificates issued. "Getting new people involved in aviation is vital for the future of all of the aviation industry," Boyer said. Several thousand more student pilots received their student certificates in 2002 than in 2001, even though discretionary spending money is harder to come by these days and security restrictions can complicate training flights.

Boyer noted that when AOPA asked its members in a survey this year, "Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of GA?", two-thirds said they're optimistic. He also noted that shipments of single-engine piston aircraft are up 6 percent in the first quarter of 2003 compared to a year ago. That increase kept an overall decline, primarily among turbine-powered models, from being even steeper. In addition, the number of FAA aircraft registrations through April 2003 is running several hundred ahead of the same time period last year.

"We've got our problems," Boyer noted in conclusion, "but key indicators show that the main uses of a personal airplane - for work, for three-day weekends, for vacations - are alive and well. Ours is an industry showing signs of being a flight into CAVU."

AOPA Expo 2003 offers excellent learning opportunities

AOPA Expo 2003 is fast approaching, and in addition to its hundreds of exhibitors and scores of static display aircraft, Expo will offer 70 different seminars, many ideally suited to students and recently certificated private pilots.

Seminars range from "Affordable Flying 2003" - always a concern to new pilots - to "Handling In-Flight Emergencies" and "How to Avoid Unwanted Adventure." There are also medical seminars on topics such as "Medical Questions You Wouldn't Ask Your AME" and "Lasik Refractive Surgery for Aviators."

But AOPA Expo 2003 is not just about the serious side of flying. One of the seminars is titled "Aviation Humor - How It Helps."

The general sessions held each morning offer excellent insight into the world of general aviation. They begin on October 30 with "Meet the FAA Administrator." FAA Administrator Marion Blakey has confirmed she'll be there.

Of course, there are all those gadgets and gizmos to crave in the exhibition hall. And don't forget the static display - 60 aircraft will be on display a short shuttle-bus ride from the convention center.

AOPA Expo 2003 takes place in Philadelphia October 30 through November 1. For more information, visit AOPA Online.

AOPA Air Safety Foundation unveils new online airspace education program

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has introduced a new online training program, "Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace." The free, interactive program can be especially helpful to student pilots just beginning the cross-country phase of their training. "Know Before You Go" helps pilots to understand what's required of them in every type of airspace, which is essential knowledge in today's ever-shifting airspace environment.

"As pilots in command, it's ultimately our responsibility to know where we're allowed to fly," said ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. "But between cryptically worded notams and short-notice changes, it can be hard for pilots to stay one step ahead. 'Know Before You Go' is designed to give pilots that extra step."

Pilots taking the course will learn how to interpret notams, especially temporary flight restriction (TFR) notams; how to safely operate in and around TFR and air defense identification zones; and how to avoid getting intercepted, along with advice on what to do in the event of an intercept.

Bill introduced to repeal Michigan background check regulation

Michigan state Rep. Steven Ehardt (R-83rd) has introduced a bill to overturn that state's criminal background check requirement established last year for flight students.

AOPA staff, led by Great Lakes Regional Representative Bill Blake, has worked closely with Ehardt, a pilot and AOPA member, to craft House Bill 4704. It would remove the background check requirement and replace it with some common-sense security measures for flight schools.

"While AOPA will continue to press its federal lawsuit to overturn the current law, our hope is that Rep. Ehardt will be able to eliminate the law with this new legislation," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "We are extremely appreciative of the efforts by Rep. Ehardt, his staff, and the bill's cosponsors, representatives Daniel Acciavatti, Jack Brandenburg, Fran Amos, and David Robertson."