AOPA is working to prevent user fees from being imposed on general aviation pilots. AOPA President Phil Boyer spoke in May at a House aviation subcommittee meeting to reinforce members' stance against user fees.
Boyer used graphics and videotape to make sure Congress understands how GA pilots feel about funding the FAA. "We do a lot of research, and more than 96 percent of our members oppose the use of user fees in any form to fund the system," Boyer said. "And don't forget, these are people who are your constituents."
He said that the more than 400,000 AOPA members who own and fly personal aircraft "pay any fees out of their own pockets. They can't pass them on to paying passengers or a business." Boyer used a ringing cash register in the video as an analogy. To further drive home the point, Boyer showed committee members letters from AOPA members in their districts, proving how pilot voters feel about GA user fees.
Pilots learn flight-planning lesson the hard way
If you ever wondered why your flight instructor was so meticulous in teaching proper flight planning, here's a lesson one student and pilot learned the hard way: Hayden Sheaffer, a certificated pilot but not a flight instructor, and Troy Martin, a student pilot, strayed into the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and within three miles of the U.S. Capitol in a Cessna 150 in May.
The two were flying from Pennsylvania's Smoketown Airport to a fly-in in Lumberton, North Carolina, when they were intercepted by Customs and military aircraft and diverted to Maryland's Frederick Municipal Airport. The airspace violation caused evacuations of the White House, Capitol, and U.S. Supreme Court.
"Every pilot is responsible for proper flight planning, and in today's security environment you just can't afford to make mistakes," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
As a pilot, you are responsible for every part of your flight, including understanding local airspace, conducting proper flight planning, and managing navigation.
AOPA Insurance Agency adds coverage for flying clubs
Joining a flying club might be an affordable option for flight training. There has been a growing gap in available insurance policies for flying clubs, so the AOPA Insurance Agency (AOPAIA) has stepped in with new coverage available to flying clubs -- even those with high-performance, complex aircraft.
"We'll work with you to cover your entire fleet, including high-performance or complex aircraft, and to enable your pilots to transition safely to higher-performance aircraft," said Greg Sterling, executive vice president of AOPAIA."
AOPAIA also will provide general liability coverage for flying clubs' use of airport facilities.
If all of your flying club members also belong to AOPA, you'll earn an additional 5-percent premium credit. For more information about aircraft insurance for flying clubs, call AOPAIA at 800/622-2672.
AOPA offers online resources to boost your safety
Whether you are studying for a presolo test, checkride, or flight review, you'll find numerous resources to test and build your aviation safety knowledge bank in the AOPA Online Safety Center and AOPA Flight Training Online.
The AOPA Online Safety Center has seven free interactive online courses, more than 25 safety quizzes that can be graded instantly, a searchable accident database, safety hot spot topic, and more. To reward pilots who test their aviation safety IQ with Sporty's Safety Quizzes, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has a biweekly drawing for a Sporty's Air-Scan V aviation radio/scanner. Those who complete the online quizzes are entered in the drawing.
AOPA Flight Training Online features a student pilot section that is divided into the five phases of flight training, each with interactive courses and videos to make learning fun. The site also includes a virtual flight bag to enhance your flight planning.
Register now for AOPA Expo 2005
AOPA Expo 2005 is a student pilot's dream come true. With more than 500 exhibit booths, 70 aircraft on display, 75 hours of value-packed seminars, and the opportunity to network with the best in the business, you can gain exposure to many aspects of the general aviation industry in one location.
Improve your flying skills and learn from experts during three full days of seminars including "Aeronautical Decision Making," "Florida Flying Weather," "Night Flying: Operational Hazards," "Ability to Survive: How Prepared Are You?" and "VFR Navigation and GPS: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."
AOPA Expo 2005 takes place November 3 through 5 at the Tampa Convention Center and Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, Florida. Register in advance to receive discounts of 10 to 30 percent. For more information about Expo and to see a list of seminars and exhibits, visit AOPA Online.
