AOPA Action

Aviation task force examines NextGen strategy

As the implementation strategy for NextGen-the modernized air traffic control system-starts to take shape, AOPA is heavily involved to ensure general aviation pilots' needs are met.

The association has joined a task force of industry leaders to study the FAA's NextGen implementation plan. The group was created by RTCA, a not-for-profit corporation that develops consensus-based recommendations for the aviation industry. AOPA President Craig Fuller currently represents pilots and aircraft owners as an RTCA board member.

According to the FAA's plan, NextGen will be phased in over two decades while the ATC system is switched from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) will become the backbone of the new system, and GPS WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) approaches will become more prevalent. Both are intended to reduce the limitations imposed by ground-based navigation and increase the National Airspace System's safety, efficiency, and capacity.

The task force will begin analyzing the FAA's mid-term (or 10-year) NextGen implementation plan. The plan includes good news for GA pilots: adding precision approaches at thousands of rural airports and upgrading ATC services at small facilities. But there are also some early warning flags. The plan suggests transitioning from a first-come, first-served basis to a best-equipped, first-served basis.

"The FAA's plan contains some controversial proposals, so it is critical that the task force comes to a consensus on what is best for the aviation industry as a whole without excluding any one segment," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "As part of the task force, AOPA will make sure GA pilots aren't forced to the back seat. This new system must be accessible and affordable for all pilots."

AOPA began advocating for a satellite-based ATC system in 1990. Even though AOPA faced tough criticism at the time, the association did not give up, and now the industry embraces the idea.

Save the date: November 5-7

Don't miss the year's premier annual aviation exposition in Tampa, Florida. Check out new educational forums, exhibits, and events, all designed to maximize the value you get from flying. Visit AOPA Online (www.aopa.org/summit) to review information and register for the show and hotels.

Aircraft renters: Don't fly unprotected this spring

Now that spring is here and summer on its way, more and more pilots will be taking to the skies. The cost of aircraft renter's insurance is affordable for AOPA members, thanks to the efforts of AOPA and the AOPA Insurance Agency. AOPA members will receive a 5-percent discount on renter's insurance policies, allowing members to obtain a comprehensive package for just $175 a year.

"Because many pilots rent an aircraft when they take to the skies, providing affordable insurance products for the renter pilot was a major goal of the AOPA Insurance Agency and one we're proud to have achieved by offering a 5-percent AOPA member discount," said Brenda Jennings, manager of the AOPA Insurance Agency. "As the largest light aircraft insurance agency in the country representing over 415,000 member pilots, we worked with a major A-rated underwriter to offer our members more affordable premiums. The 5-percent discount applies to both new and renewing policies. Plus, members renewing their AOPA Insurance Agency renter's policy can take advantage of an additional 10-percent discount if they were claim- and accident-free during the previous policy year."

Visit the AOPA Insurance Agency online (www.aopaia.com/renterinsurance) to apply and purchase your renter's insurance policy. Or call 800-622-2672 for more information.

Free ASF safety training draws record numbers

For each of the past several years, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has reached an increasing number of pilots. That trend continued in 2008, when the foundation logged nearly 390,000 online course completions-more than twice the previous year's total.

ASF offers more than two dozen free online courses, and the selection will expand this year with the addition of new courses on topics such as radio communications, cold weather operations, weather, and night flying. ASF also presents some 200 in-person safety seminars annually. Last year, nearly 43,000 people turned out to learn about the top five mistakes pilots make and get tips on first-rate takeoffs and landings.

Haven't taken a course or been to a seminar yet? Make it a point to change that this year. As one pilot put it, "The learning tools, especially the ASF interactive courses online (www.asf.org), are just about the best and most comprehensive way to learn, as well as be informed on all of the most pertinent issues involving flying safely."