AOPA: Active in the States
Each year, AOPA's Legislative Affairs staff receives substantial coverage of its efforts to protect general aviation's interests in the halls of Congress. Less well known but equally important are the efforts of AOPA's State Affairs staff. They track thousands of laws that could affect GA in all 50 state legislatures. During the first quarter of 2005, staffers reviewed more than 6,600 proposed state bills to make sure there were no unpleasant surprises in the fine print.
"While many of our most public efforts involve federal legislation, it's vital that we keep up with everything going on in the states," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We're not just looking to stop bills that could harm GA. We also lobby hard in many state legislatures for bills that provide benefits for general aviation."
One of AOPA's long-term goals is to get laws enacted in every state to provide zoning protection for airports, such as a bill that Minnesota legislators were considering this session. Another is universal real-estate disclosure, where potential homebuyers would have to be told that there is an existing airport nearby. Such laws make it much harder for homeowners to later claim that the airport is a "nuisance" they didn't know about.
"We contact lawmakers and testify before committees as necessary to protect the interests of our members," said Roger Cohen, AOPA's vice president of regional affairs. "And when it's appropriate, we may ask members to weigh in with their state legislators on a particular bill."
Of the 6,661 bills reviewed so far, AOPA is continuing to monitor about 240 that may have some interest to members. There are 107 bills in the various state legislatures that have a direct impact on GA.
In Kansas, a bill that would have eliminated the State Division of Aviation as a separate entity within the Department of Transportation failed to pass this year. Opposition voiced by AOPA Midwest Regional Representative Bob Dickens, AOPA headquarters, and the Kansas Airport Association was instrumental in bottling up Senate Bill 184 in the Senate Transportation Committee. The committee received so much opposition to the proposal that state Secretary of Transportation Debbie Miller decided to withdraw the bill.
In Nebraska, AOPA Central Regional Representative Bill Hamilton worked with the local aviation community to oppose a bill that would increase aircraft owners' operating costs by eliminating the current sales-tax exemption on aviation fuel. The bill would also increase costs for public airports by eliminating the sales-tax exemption for government entities.
NATIONAL ACTION
AOPA Urges Cool Heads During FAA Budget Crunch
Like almost all federal agencies, the FAA is facing some tight budgets over the next several years and is looking for ways to reduce costs. AOPA has urged careful deliberation as the agency considers one cost-cutting possibility — decommissioning radio navaids.
"While AOPA strongly supports a move toward satellite-based navigation, we believe it must be done in a thoughtful, step-by-step manner," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
"The FAA has a couple of ideas on the table," added Andy Cebula, AOPA's senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "One seems to make a good deal of sense, but the other frankly confounds us."
The FAA is proposing canceling a number of nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) approaches to runway ends already served by another ground-based navaid or an area navigation (RNAV) procedure. It published a list of proposed facility closures and solicited public comment from pilots.
"The FAA has assured us they're only looking for underutilized NDB approaches that can be canceled without undue hardship on the users," said Cebula. "On its face, this seems like a reasonable approach that AOPA has not opposed, but will continue to keep close watch on."
On the other hand, AOPA voiced strong opposition when the FAA floated a proposal to take two heavily used VORs in New England out of service. The Bradley (BDL) Vortac at Bradley International Airport outside Hartford, Connecticut, and the Providence (PVD) Vortac at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island help define 10 heavily used airways and 16 approach procedures into several airports. The two navaids were taken out of service during work at each airport, and the FAA is considering decommissioning them altogether.
AOPA Regional Reps at the Forefront in Defending Members' Interests
AOPA's front line in defending members' interests in the states is the association's 13 regional representatives.
"These experienced aviators also have the knowledge and the contacts within the state governments and legislatures to get things done for general aviation," said Roger Cohen, AOPA's vice president of regional affairs. "Many of our representatives are former state aviation officials themselves, so they know where to find the levers of power."
To see what your regional representative is doing on your behalf, be sure to visit the Regional Affairs page on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/region/).
AOPA Continues to Lead Efforts on UAV Integration
As the departments of defense and homeland security continue to press for increased use of unmanned aircraft (UAs) within U.S. airspace, AOPA continues to lead efforts to make sure any effort to integrate UAs puts pilot safety first.
"UAs can be as small as four pounds, or as big as a Gulfstream V business jet," said Randy Kenagy, AOPA's senior director of advanced technology and co-chairman of a national special committee on allowing unmanned aircraft to operate in the same airspace as manned aircraft. "If they're to share airspace with aircraft carrying people, they must have no negative impact on existing users. The VFR pilot, for instance, must have confidence that an unmanned aircraft can sense and avoid him in the same way that he's required to see and avoid other aircraft."
Before it can determine if and how to integrate unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System, the committee Kenagy co-chairs must first determine exactly what constitutes a UA. UAs, commonly known as unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are aircraft with no human beings aboard and are piloted by either remote or autonomous (preprogrammed) control. They are part of an unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, that includes the aircraft, an operator, and the transceiver for sending and receiving instructions and information to and from the aircraft.
The Department of Homeland Security is said to be very interested in using UAs to patrol the U.S. border with Mexico and some of the overwater approaches to the country from the Atlantic and Pacific. The Pentagon wants to give its operators as much real-world experience as possible.
Currently, UAVs must operate in special-use airspace such as military operations areas (MOAs) or restricted areas. The FAA will occasionally issue a "certificate of authorization" allowing a UAV to operate outside of special-use airspace, but only if there is a ground spotter or chase airplane to maintain visual contact with the UAV and ensure separation with other aircraft.
AOPA's Government and Technical Affairs Division has prepared an issue brief on unmanned aircraft. It is available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/air_traffic/unmanned.html).
AOPA Effort Leads to Better IFR Routes
A five-year AOPA advocacy effort has paid off in more efficient routes through busy terminal airspace for IFR pilots. AOPA has been working with the FAA and the Aeronautical Charting Forum to get better GA access through airspace around busy airports since March 2000.
The FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) charting for the first time four "RNAV IFR Terminal Transition Routes" (RITTRs) through the Charlotte, North Carolina, Class B airspace. Similar routes could be charted soon for Jacksonville, Florida, and Cincinnati.
What that means for en route IFR pilots is the end to many of the ATC-directed detours around Class B terminal areas. "RNAV routes reduce the cost of flying and provide aircraft owners more benefits from their IFR-certified GPS receivers," said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA's vice president of regulatory policy. "If the FAA expects us to transition to GPS navigation, we need to see routes in every terminal airspace area."
The new terminal routes will be charted on low-altitude en route charts (L-charts) and designated with a T and a three-digit number. They will be similar to Victor airways, including minimum en route altitudes. Many of the routes will connect existing VORs and intersections.
The RITTRs may also benefit properly equipped VFR pilots transitioning Class B airspace at appropriate VFR altitudes. Pilots would need to adhere to all rules pertaining to the terminal airspace area and would need an IFR-en route-certified GPS or flight management system with a GPS input to fly the terminal routes.
AOPA Responds to Older Member Insurance Needs
Older pilots are finding it harder and more expensive to get insurance. But AOPA is doing something about it, launching a new study on aging pilots to determine if older pilots are truly a greater risk.
Also, a new agreement between the AOPA Insurance Agency and Global Aerospace Inc. means that AOPA members of any age can now get insurance. And for many older pilots, the rates will be lower than those from some competing companies.
Pilots of any age can get insurance with limits of up to $1 million total and $100,000 per passenger, if they are current AOPA members flying single-engine fixed-gear aircraft (with four seats or less) valued at less than $100,000. Pilots also must renew their third-class medical each year, under the Global agreement.
"Just as underwriters reward pilots for getting more training than the regulations require, Global will reward older pilots who renew their medical each year," said Gregory Sterling, executive vice president and general manager of the AOPA Insurance Agency. "Since most aviation insurance carriers have a cut-off age for accepting new business, this agreement gives older pilots options beyond their current carrier, a valuable new alternative at competitive rates."
And as part of the association's ongoing efforts to make insurance available and affordable for older pilots, AOPA's aging pilot study ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2005/050317aging.html) will determine whether the safety records of older pilots justify the difficulty they often have in getting insurance.
"This study is extraordinarily important to pilots, because the answers could very well affect general aviation safety and the cost of flying for everyone — something that members constantly tell us is a primary concern," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
"Currently, there is no hard, scientific data to justify the way some insurance companies are treating older pilots," said Boyer. "We're going to find the truth."
MEMBERSHIP ACTION
It's Almost Here! 15th Annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House
On Saturday, June 4, the largest one-day event of its kind returns to Frederick Municipal Airport when AOPA throws open its doors for the fifteenth annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House.
"Members are always welcome at AOPA headquarters," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "After all, it's their building. But Fly-In is a special opportunity for all of us who serve the members to meet and greet them face-to-face."
AOPA's Fly-In and Open House is free and open to anyone interested in aviation — not just members or pilots. "In fact, we're making a special effort to reach out to nonpilots this year," said Boyer. "We're urging members to bring family members, friends, and neighbors who've expressed an interest in learning to fly but have never taken the big step. They can sign up to win a free discovery flight certificate." Members who help three people become AOPA members can earn a free year's membership.
As always, Fly-In will feature an aircraft display on AOPA's ramp featuring between 30 and 40 general aviation aircraft. Headlining the display will be the grand prize in the 2005 AOPA Commander Countdown Sweepstakes — a 1974 Rockwell Commander 112A that's undergoing a dramatic change, including the installation of a Chelton FlightLogic glass panel.
Some 100 vendor displays will be set up under the big top behind the AOPA building. Among those attending will be Pilot Mall.com, Airways, Gulf Coast Avionics, Garmin, and Hartzell Propeller.
Local vendors will offer refreshments for sale in a food court next to the big top.
Be sure to check AOPA Online for the latest information about the fifteenth annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House, including arrival procedures ( www.aopa.org/fly-in/).
10 Tips for Potential Aircraft Buyers
Pilots who are ready to join the ranks of aircraft owners have a new tool to help them shop, thanks to AOPA and Member Products partner MBNA America Bank, N.A. MBNA oversees the AOPA Aircraft Financing Program, and together, the two organizations have published 10 Tips to Financing Your Aircraft Purchase.
The brochure, available online ( www.aopa.org/info/fly/), outlines 10 of the most important steps an aircraft buyer can take to protect himself. Some are obvious, such as conducting a prepurchase inspection. Some are less so, such as speaking with a tax consultant to discuss the tax implications of the purchase.
The AOPA Aircraft Financing Program can offer quick pre-qualification, no aircraft age restrictions, low rates for AOPA members, and extended repayment terms. For more information or to apply for a loan, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/info/fly/) or call 800/62-PLANE (800/627-5263).
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
ASF Boxes 'Mission: Possible' for Local Pilot Groups
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation's newest interactive program on airspace is now available as a Seminar-in-a-Box ®. The dynamic 36-minute interactive program, titled "Mission: Possible — Navigating Today's Special Use Airspace," shows pilots how to deal with military lights-out training, an operation now being conducted in many military operations areas (MOAs) around the country.
"Not every pilot can get to one of the premier live ASF safety seminars we hold in larger cities," said Kevin D. Murphy, AOPA ASF vice president of safety education. "Seminars-in-a-Box allow pilots in smaller communities to enjoy the same high-quality safety training."
The newest Seminar-in-a-Box includes a DVD based on the interactive online course as a do-it-yourself safety program, meant for easy use by flying clubs, student groups, EAA chapters, and other local pilot groups. Also in the package are presenter notes and copies of ASF's printed Lights-Out Safety Advisor.
To order the "Mission: Possible" Seminar-in-a-Box, call 800/638-3101 or visit the AOPA Online Safety Center ( www.asf.org) and click on the Safety Seminars button. ASF Seminar-in-a-Box programs are free, but there is a $24.95 charge for shipping and handling.
Pilots can find a complete list of other ASF Seminar-in-a-Box programs, including descriptions of each program, equipment and software requirements, and recommendations for skill or knowledge level of the presenters, in the AOPA Online Safety Center.
GA Accidents Lowest on Record
General aviation has never been safer, and accident statistics for 2004 prove it. Last year saw the fewest GA accidents since recordkeeping began in 1938 and the lowest number of fatal accidents since 1945, according to preliminary data from the NTSB.
The total number of GA accidents dropped 8.4 percent compared to 2003, while the number of fatal accidents declined 11.4 percent. The numbers also improved for instructional flying, with total accidents down 11.7 percent and fatal instructional accidents down 50 percent. (There are very few fatal instructional accidents in any year. Last year there were 17.)
"These preliminary numbers show that safety improvement continues in general aviation," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. "Since 1970, the accident rate has decreased almost threefold."
Landsberg co-chairs the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on General Aviation Safety, a joint FAA-industry effort to address GA safety issues before they become crises. "The new accident figures are a clear indication that the safety education initiatives from groups like the Air Safety Foundation and the JSC are having a positive effect," said Landsberg.
The ASF is putting the finishing touches on its annual Nall Report, which is a comprehensive look at general aviation safety. This year's report will focus on accidents in 2003, the most recent year for which complete, final accident investigation data is available.
Runway Incursions Down So Far This Year
Nearly halfway through fiscal year 2005, runway incursions are running well below the maximum target set by the FAA.
"We put more stock in the year-end totals than in the monthly numbers, but this is definitely a good way to start the year," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. "The lower numbers are a tribute to the campaign to teach pilots about the risks by the FAA's Runway Safety Office. And one of the key components for reaching GA pilots is our online Runway Safety program."
The ASF Runway Safety program uses animation, games, and interactive quizzes to refresh pilots' ground operations skills. Pilots who successfully complete the online course can receive credit under the FAA's Wings proficiency program. In addition, completing the course may be considered a mitigating factor if a pilot is involved in a runway incursion.
Runway Safety and all the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's online courses are available for all pilots. To see a complete list or take the courses, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses/).
Action in the States
Arizona. Peoria: Philip Corbell, the ASN volunteer at Pleasant Valley Airport, is working to convince state legislators to keep the airport and others like it on leased state land open without raising the rent 2,500 percent. The state Land Department has said airports should not be on state land because they're inherently dangerous, and it closed five airports in the first two months of 2005 alone. Corbell is part of a group that is organizing support for two state bills that would help protect airports on state land.
Connecticut. Bridgeport: Sikorsky Memorial Airport continues to struggle against efforts to close it. The latest assault comes from a report by the Urban Land Institute that claims the City of Bridgeport would be better served if the airport land was developed as an office park. ASN volunteer David Faile is continuing his long-running efforts to educate city leaders, including the mayor, about the airport's value, and the city's obligations as a result of federal airport grants.
Minnesota. Buffalo: Buffalo Municipal Airport will continue to have a strong advocate as ASN volunteer Jeff Anderson has been reappointed to the airport advisory board for another three-year term. Anderson says the airport is doing well because of compatible land use policies.
AOPA ASN VOLUNTEER UPDATE
Win-Win Solutions: Educating Local Leaders Helps Airports and Communities Thrive
When a volunteer calls AOPA's Airport Support Network looking for help to save an airport from encroachment, zoning, or other dangers, the ASN staff's first question is almost always, "Have you talked to your local elected leaders?"
Local players drive local action and that's where many successful resolutions to airport concerns begin. In fact, some ASN volunteers decide to run for local office themselves after working through the political process in defense of their airports. But those whose full-time careers preclude them from serving in an elected capacity often become airport information experts for their elected leaders.
That's the case for this month's ASN volunteer of the month, Jim Firmani, the volunteer for Leesburg Executive Airport in Leesburg, Virginia. He serves as the primary point person for his district's elected representative on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, as well as members of the Leesburg Town Council and Airport Commission.
What's most critical whenever an airport appears to be threatened is that one-to-one communication with your elected leaders. This is your time to make an impression and to motivate your representative to act. As we learned at AOPA Expo 2004 from our guest speaker Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas and we are reinforcing during our ASN regional meetings this year — "use sugar, not vinegar" to get your message across, and you just may discover that education is the most direct course to victory.
To learn more about the ASN program and find out if your airport has a volunteer, visit our Web site ( www.aopa.org/asn/) or call 301/695-2200.
Volunteer of the Month: Jim Firmani
Each month, AOPA works with members nationwide who are dealing with growing pains in their counties — the results often being encroachment and rezoning issues threatening their airports' operations and possibly their futures. So what happens when the fastest-growing county in the country attempts to build more than 4,000 homes just under the traffic pattern of Virginia's second-busiest general aviation airport? AOPA's Airport Support Network volunteer for Leesburg Executive Airport Jim Firmani said, "Not on my watch!"
Leesburg's airport is owned by the town and is surrounded by Loudoun County land, which puts the town in the precarious position of trying to run a safe airport without having control of its boundaries.
Firmani launched an impressive educational campaign on the value of the airport, meeting with all interested parties — from the local airport commissioner and a key member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to his neighbors and emergency response providers. The Town Council and Airport Commission made their positions clear by passing resolutions against the proposed encroachment. Firmani met with his local representative on the county Board of Supervisors, who chairs the county's economic development committee, and provided her with information on the value of the airport to the community in terms of revenue, emergency services, and green space, which, in the fastest-growing county in the country, is coveted.
Thus far, the developer's initial plans have been sidetracked but he has not given up, so Firmani and AOPA continue to monitor all the players' moves.
Public-use airports in the United States are closing at the rate of about one every two weeks. The AOPA Airport Support Network designates one volunteer per airport to watch for threats and encourage favorable public perception of general aviation. For more information on how you can help support your airport, visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asn/).
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