AOPA Action

Chart availability could be compromised

An FAA plan to cut costs could end up costing pilots. The agency wants to reduce the number of chart vendors to only those selling at least $5,000 worth of charts annually. Currently, businesses need to sell more than $500 worth each year to be a charting agent. The new threshold would become effective October 1, 2009.

According to an AOPA survey of 30 randomly selected aviation businesses that sell charts, only six would be qualified to continue.

"AOPA's primary concern is a potential loss of access to safety materials, and potentially increased costs to end users," wrote Randy Kenagy, AOPA government affairs chief of staff, in a recent letter to the FAA.

He later explained, "Pilots in outlying areas should not be required to purchase charts online as this would necessitate planning chart purchases weeks in advance, or be faced with expedited shipping costs. This represents degradation in service, which would result in pilots not having the tools required for safety of flight."

AOPA also said that members are not only worried about availability but also pricing-they fear that prices will go up if the FAA does not have direct involvement in chart distribution.

D.C. ADIZ made permanent

Despite congressional inquiries, economic studies, pilot opposition, and AOPA's all-out effort to convince officials that the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) was an unreasonable, burdensome security restriction, the FAA has announced its permanence as a special flight rules area (SFRA).

The government created the SFRA despite overwhelming opposition from general aviation pilots. More than 22,000 pilots wrote to the FAA opposing the rule.

"It's extremely disappointing that the ADIZ-something that was hastily implemented as a temporary measure-has become federal regulation," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "We never gave up trying to eliminate the ADIZ, working with security officials, members of Congress, the White House, and the FAA."

The ADIZ, which has been in effect by notam since February 2003, will be under 14 CFR Part 93 as the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area starting in February. The 30-nautical-mile-radius ADIZ remains the same, extending from the surface up to 18,000 feet msl, as does the 60-nm speed ring. Anyone planning to fly within 60 nm of the special flight rules area must complete the FAA's online ADIZ training course, "Navigating the New DC ADIZ," which can be found online.

ASF holds special seminar for Vegas pilots

Two tragic accidents at the North Las Vegas Airport in the summer of 2008 led to an outpouring of local concern about the potential dangers of flight operations at community airports.

In an effort to allay those concerns and educate pilots about techniques for safe flying in urban areas, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation recently presented a special live safety seminar at the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel in North Las Vegas. Titled "Safe Skies, Good Neighbors," the seminar covered several relevant topics, from traffic pattern issues to maneuvering flight, emergency procedures, and neighborhood-friendly flying.

"A situation like this, in which two aircraft crashed into houses in the same area less than one week apart, is extremely rare," said ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. "But we can't discount even rare incidents. That's why we reached out to pilots in the area." Immediately following the accidents, AOPA and ASF explained the safety of GA to the media and surrounding community members. ASF sent an e-mail to 3,000 pilots in the Las Vegas area encouraging them to complete its online safety courses.

ASF offers free safety information for pilots of all experience levels, in every part of the country. To check out what's available, visit the Web site.

Save money and avoid delays with Avis eToll

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a long line of traffic inching your way toward a toll plaza, wasting time and gas? Imagine being able to avoid the lines by driving through the electronic toll payment lanes. Avis renters can do just that with eToll, an electronic toll collection program. So, the next time you need to rent a car, take advantage of Avis eToll and enjoy the ride. Use your AOPA discount code of A451348 and save up to 25 percent when you go online. You'll be providing AOPA valuable revenue that is reinvested to fund our daily advocacy efforts to maintain the freedom, safety, and affordability of general aviation.

It's (almost) tax time again...

With tax time right around the corner, have you wondered whether any of your flight training expenses might be deductible? Have you ever thought about buying an airplane to help you in your work? Maybe you'd like to buy an airplane and then lease it to a flight school. What does Uncle Sam say about these activities and whether they qualify for a deduction?

Find the answers in AOPA's recently updated Pilot's Guide to Taxes. Sections include information on income taxes, flight training expenses, the Hobby Loss Rule, and aircraft leasing. The guide has a Q-and-A section that answers many common tax questions, as well as providing details on sales and use taxes and personal property taxes. Have more questions? Give the aviation technical specialists in AOPA's Pilot Information Center a call Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, 800-872-2672.