ATC privatization would come at a steep price
Fight back with emergency checklist
Legislation to remove air traffic control from the FAA would increase the deficit by almost $100 billion, according to an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office. The revised analysis of the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act (H.R. 2997) is an increase of nearly $80 billion from the previous evaluation.
“$100 billion. Really?” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “So here’s how it shapes up: The legislation would hand over the air traffic control system to the airlines, who are behind in equipping with the latest technology and responsible for 50 percent of delays; it would create a too-big-to-fail monopoly; and now it will cost taxpayers almost $100 billion to create a new system when the one we have is the envy of the world.”
AOPA and 130 other GA groups have spoken out against privatization, including notable industry leaders such as retired U.S. Airways Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger. Several economists also have recently voiced their opposition to the legislation, calling it “cronyism” and saying it is not truly privatization. Max Sawicky, an economist with the Economic Policy Institute, said the proposal was “bad business.”
AOPA outlines the reasons for its opposition to the proposal in an “emergency checklist” available for download online. The checklist is a handy reference addressing both criticisms of the proposal and recommended policies to improve ATC. The association is asking members, pilots, and supporters to continue to contact their representatives in the House by calling 855-383-7330 or visiting AOPA’s ATC Privatization page.
www.aopa.org/stopprivatization
ASI, NTSB meet to improve aviation safety
Groups come together to collaborate on numerous issues
The AOPA Air Safety Institute and the National Transportation Safety Board are the two powerhouses in general aviation safety, working to reduce the accident rate and make GA flying as safe as possible. The two groups came together this summer in the first of a series of quarterly meetings aimed at collaborating on data collection and analysis, accident insight, and figuring out how to reach more of the pilot community with safety information.
The meeting stemmed from an AOPA objection to the NTSB’s classification of certain accidents earlier this year. In response to AOPA’s concerns, the NTSB met with AOPA and agreed to conduct regular meetings to strengthen their working relationship.
“I have great respect for the people of the NTSB and their mission,” said AOPA Air Safety Institute Executive Director Richard McSpadden. “Theirs is a difficult task, the complexities of which are not understood by many. They must have the confidence to go where the facts lead, and the discipline to go no further. Coming together to discuss issues where we can better understand each of our perspectives and collaborate on solutions is a win for the pilot community.”
Numerous issues were discussed in the first meeting, including the NTSB’s goal of faster completions of fatal accident investigations, something ASI mentioned would have a positive impact on the data in the Joseph T. Nall Report. ASI also agreed to support two future NTSB summits on the topic of loss of control.
“The two organizations have the same shared goal of reducing GA accidents, so it makes sense that we work closely and continue candid, productive dialogue,” McSpadden said.
BAKER ON THE NEWS
“We appreciate that this proposal does not include user fees on GA, right now, but this proposal won’t decrease delays or airfares. In fact, this is like giving the interstate highway system to six trucking companies and assuming they will look out for the interests of automobile drivers.” —AOPA President Mark BakerSome NTSB members are pilots, as are many of the professional leadership staff. The NTSB’s deputy director for regional operations in the office of aviation safety, Timothy LeBaron, co-chaired the meeting, and is an active GA pilot. NTSB Chairman and pilot Robert Sumwalt recently became a member of ASI’s Hat in the Ring Society, a giving level that makes clear his personal commitment to GA safety. McSpadden said he appreciates Sumwalt’s leadership and commitment to GA safety and looks forward to more collaboration.BasicMed: 16,000 cleared for takeoff
BasicMed launched May 1, and now more than 16,000 pilots have completed the checklist, exam, and AOPA Medical Self-Assessment online course and are eligible to fly under the new rules that provide an alternative to third class medical certification.
Since its implementation, BasicMed has reached several milestones. For example, the Civil Air Patrol has accepted BasicMed for its pilots, and the Bahamas has welcomed BasicMed pilots in its airspace.
At EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, AOPA staff spoke with hundreds of members and pilots who were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and appreciative of the new alternative to third class medical certification. Many in attendance at the AOPA town halls were already BasicMed pilots and shared their satisfaction with the new rules.
AOPA President Mark Baker thanked members for their efforts in getting medical reform passed, the most significant shift in the pilot medical certification process since the early 1960s. Baker said that BasicMed is off to a fantastic start and the numbers will continue to grow in the months and years ahead.
www.aopa.org/fittofly
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