A Michigan bill that would make low-altitude flights safer by requiring the marking and registration of towers used to gather weather information has passed the state House of Representatives and been referred to the Senate.
The AOPA-backed legislation, House Bill 4727, received a 103-2 vote of approval in the House on Oct. 28, and now awaits a hearing before the Michigan Senate Transportation Committee.
“AOPA members across the state are pleased to see this important legislation move quickly and with bipartisan support through the Michigan House of Representatives,” said AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Bryan Budds. “We look forward to pushing this legislation over the finish line prior to the legislature’s adjournment in late December.”
AOPA had testified before the House Local Government Committee and met with committee members individually to emphasize the importance of the measure, which would lower the risk of aircraft operating at low altitudes colliding with the difficult-to-see structures known as meteorological evaluation towers (METs). The towers, which would be painted in an anti-collision orange-and-white striped pattern and have their guy wires marked with orange balls, are typically used to evaluate sites for wind-power generation.
The registration requirement of the bill will allow pilots to research MET locations during preflight planning, Budds said.
AOPA will continue its advocacy by giving testimony in committee hearings and holding meetings with members as the bill moves through its Senate consideration, Budds said.
Dan Namowitz
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