AOPA Action

Flight training resumed as quickly as it did following the September 11 terrorist attacks-and Enhanced Class B airspace disappeared as quickly as it did-in large part because of AOPA's insistent voice. This summer that voice got louder as AOPA's membership swelled to 400,000.

"Our national motto, 'E Pluribus Unum,' or 'From many, One,' implies strength through unity," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The same can be said of the hundreds of thousands of pilots who've banded together as AOPA."

"When we go up to Capitol Hill, or visit the FAA or Transportation Security Administration, there is a special ring to '400,000,'" said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "Speaking with one voice for so many members gains us access and gives extra credence to what we say."

Such a large member base also gives AOPA extra buying power when working with AOPA Certified product partners. Knowing that they have such a large potential pool of customers in a single place means providers are willing to provide the best service and value for our members.

Said Boyer, "We've truly become what AOPA's founding members set out to create-a strong, vocal advocate for GA."

Michigan pilot background checks are history; governor signs repeal into law

No one who wants to learn to fly in Michigan will be subjected to a criminal background check anymore. Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) signed a bill repealing that state's onerous background check law.

The old law required anyone seeking flight training, from brand-new students to seasoned pilots seeking an advanced rating, to undergo a criminal background check. The new law eliminates the checks and calls on flight schools to take several common-sense security precautions.

AOPA had filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Michigan, claiming the old law violated the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution.

AOPA on the offensive over large presidential TFRs

AOPA has dramatically stepped up efforts to reduce the impact of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) imposed whenever President Bush travels outside Washington, D.C.

"They're disastrous for student pilots and flight schools," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The restricted areas are 60 nautical miles across, and all flight training operations are banned for the duration of the TFR."

AOPA is urging any pilot who is affected by the large presidential movement TFRs to write to President Bush and let him know how his security arrangements have affected your flight. The White House address is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20500.

Pilots are encouraged to let AOPA know about problems encountered. There is an easy-to-use form available at AOPA Online.

"This is not about pilots being inconvenienced," said Boyer. "It's about general aviation being made the whipping boy for the security lapses that allowed the September 11 terrorist attacks. Security officials seem to think that by restricting GA aircraft-which have never been used in a terrorist attack precisely because they would be an ineffective tool-they have enhanced the president's protection."

Don't get caught: 'Know Before You Go'

The best way not to get caught in airspace where you don't belong is to know about it before you take off. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has an online tool to help pilots of all levels do just that.

"Know Before You Go" is an interactive lesson that not only teaches about the challenges of security-related flight restrictions, but also reviews normal, everyday airspace issues as well.

Pilots taking the course will learn how to interpret notams, especially temporary flight restriction (TFR) notams; how to safely operate in and around TFRs and air defense identification zone (ADIZ) airspace as well as flight restricted zones (FRZ), such as SFAR 94 around Washington, D.C.; and how to avoid getting intercepted, along with advice on what to do in the event of an intercept. The course even offers a printable "intercept memory card" to keep in your flight bag in case the worst happens.