Congress Sends Strong Message to President: No User Fees!
By unanimous vote on June 5, the U.S. House of Representatives symbolically rejected all proposed user fees in the Clinton administration's 1999 budget request - including $37.7 billion in aviation user fees.
"Every time the White House asks for FAA user fees, Congress shoots it down," said AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer. "Maybe this time, the administration will finally get the message."
The 421-to-0 vote rejected legislation introduced by Rep. Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.), who doesn't support user fees but wanted to allow Congress to take a stand. "Passing costs from the government to taxpayers, no matter what we call it, are tax increases on the American people," Solomon said.
The administration wants user fees to fund 100 percent of the FAA's needs, but Boyer noted that Congress has consistently provided adequate FAA funding via excise taxes on aviation fuel, airline tickets, and air cargo.
FAA Issues Speed Restriction on Early Model Bonanzas; AOPA Says Better 'Fix' Needed
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) restricting early model V-tail Bonanzas to a 144-mph "never exceed" speed because of the possibility of ruddervator flutter. The AD, effective July 7, covers Beechcraft Model 35, 35R, A35, and B35 Bonanzas built between 1947 and 1950.
"This AD cannot be the final solution," said Douglas C. Macnair, AOPA director of aviation standards. "We accept that a temporary speed restriction is necessary to prevent catastrophic flutter, but Raytheon and the FAA must continue to work towards understanding the problem and developing a permanent fix that will restore the utility of these classic aircraft."
In the past 11 years, there have been 11 confirmed reports of in-flight tail surface vibration involving the early model Bonanzas. In the most recent case, flutter broke control surface hinges and a tail bulkhead in a properly inspected, well-maintained B35 Bonanza.
The AD applies even if tail-strengthening cuff or "stub-spar" modifications have been voluntarily installed. However, the FAA may consider such modifications as part of an alternate means of compliance to the AD on a case-by-case basis.
FAA Reauthorization Bill Rejects User Fees, Adds Protection for GA Airports
No user fees and better protection for GA airports are among the highlights of the new one-year FAA reauthorization bill approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 25. The bill includes specific language requested by AOPA Legislative Action to protect airports.
The bill, H.R.4057, extends FAA programs until October 1999 and authorizes a $10.1 billion budget. (Later, Congress will decide how much it will actually appropriate to fund FAA programs as it writes the 1999 federal budget.)
In approving the bill, the committee rejected administration proposals to charge aviation user fees and to split the FAA in two by creating a new performance-based organization (PBO) for air traffic control.
The bill includes a provision making it more difficult to close some GA airports, requiring an airport sponsor to notify the public before taking any steps to dispose of airport land.
The FAA reauthorization bill must next be approved by the full House of Representatives. The Senate is expected to start work on its FAA reauthorization bill later this summer.
FAA 'Ticket Program' on Hold; AOPA Says 'Not Enough'
The FAA has put its "ticket program" on hold, but AOPA says that's not enough. "AOPA is opposed to the ticket program in any form," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We first told Administrator Garvey on April 29 that the entire industry opposes this program, and we have reiterated that message during informal meetings with her."
On June 4, AOPA asked Garvey to end the program that would allow FAA inspectors to act like traffic cops and issue tickets on the spot for alleged regulatory infractions. On June 26, the FAA put a hold on the program and announced a July 21 meeting with industry "before proceeding further."
"At that meeting, we'll tell the FAA - again - that the ticket program is unacceptable because there will be more violations issued and pilots would have no means of appealing," said Boyer. "And those tickets would remain on the record for two years, potentially affecting a pilot's insurance, employment, and future FAA enforcement actions."
AOPALA Seeks Protection for Innocent Pilots in 'Order To Land' Legislation
An antidrug "order to land" measure has been temporarily derailed in the Senate but is still very much alive in the House, and AOPA Legislative Action is asking for specific protections for innocent pilots.
The amendment, attached by Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-Ga.) to the tobacco bill in the Senate and introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) as H.R.3858 in the House, would allow antidrug agents to order civilian aircraft to land, even with no suspicion of illegal activity. In addition, it would make innocent pilots pay thousands of dollars to reclaim their aircraft.
Although the tobacco bill was procedurally derailed in the Senate on June 17, Coverdell agreed to make the AOPA Legislative Action-requested changes, requiring reasonable suspicion of illegal activity before issuing an order to land and protection for innocent owners of impounded aircraft. AOPA member Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) had urged Coverdell to make the corrections.
AOPA Legislative Action is continuing to lobby Hunter to add "reasonable suspicion" and "innocent owner" provisions to his House version of the bill.
GA Is Booming, Boyer Tells Georgia Audience
General aviation is booming, AOPA President Phil Boyer told aviation students and faculty at groundbreaking ceremonies for expansion of the aviation training campus at the Heart of Georgia Technical Institute's Eastman Center in Eastman, Georgia, on June 2.
"This is an exciting time," said Boyer. "All the indicators are up. We're flying more hours, training more students, building more aircraft, and creating more jobs."
He cited Help Wanted ads on Web sites for Learjet, Cessna, Piper, and other manufacturers, noting that in the first quarter of 1998, GA piston-engine-aircraft manufacturing is up 142 percent over the same period last year. Also, 85 percent of the nation's airlines are hiring new pilots.
Most important, Boyer said, a 20-year decline in the number of student starts was reversed in 1997, increasing 8.3 percent over the previous year. That trend continues in 1998, with first-quarter student starts up 5.2 percent over the same period last year.
AOPA Goes on Record Early in Cap Operation Drop-In Flap
AOPA officially advised the Civil Air Patrol in May that many pilots are unhappy with the Air Force's civilian auxiliary taking over "Operation Drop-In" duties from the National Guard because of Guard budget problems. The program involves CAP senior (adult) members surveying aircraft on airport ramps for indicators of possible drug smuggling as identified by U.S. government criteria. No CAP cadets are involved.
In response, CAP assured AOPA that only aircraft parked outside in plain sight would be surveyed; no hangar would be entered and no aircraft touched. AOPA told officials that many in general aviation are not comfortable with this CAP mission and if announced procedures are not adhered to, AOPA will strongly defend its members' privacy rights.
In a recent AOPA member survey, a majority of those surveyed would prefer that law enforcement agencies, not CAP, perform the mission. AOPA also told CAP that adverse reaction might have been avoided with advance notice to the pilot and aircraft owner community.
AOPA Battles Pennsylvania Effort to Restrict Airport Improvement
AOPA Legislative Action is battling new Pennsylvania laws that restrict which airports can receive federal and state funds.
"Unless the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ceases to interfere with public-use airport development, we will have no choice but to seek federal action to remove Pennsylvania from the FAA State Block Grant Program," said AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer.
The block grant program permits states, not the FAA, to choose which airports will receive federal funding. But Pennsylvania's H.B.2281 gave municipalities the authority to block funds for 11 airports around Philadelphia. S.B.220 would narrow the scope of the House bill, targeting only Wings Field, the suburban Philadelphia birthplace of AOPA.
Boyer told Pennsylvania Gov. Thomas Ridge that the state's antiairport legislation could threaten the millions of FAA dollars that Pennsylvania receives every year for airport improvements.
AOPA Legislative Action asked Ridge to veto Pennsylvania S.B.220 and seek immediate repeal of H.B.2281.
AOPA REGIONAL ACTION
Action in the States
Alaska. Anchorage: Seven new or updated NDBs are expected to be in service by mid-September; pilots had asked for additional navaids in a recent AOPA survey. In addition, 15 new ASOS units will be installed.
California. Chico: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Brian Baldridge has helped to form the North Valley Pilots Association to protect the airport. The group has more than 100 members. Sacramento: AOPA opposition helped to kill S.B.1853, which would have required public hearings on airport noise at the request of any city or county. Funding for public hearings would have come from GA gas tax revenues, despite the mostly airline operations at issue.
Florida. Hillsborough County: AOPA investigation has revealed that rumors of closure of Peter O'Knight Airport are false. New Smyrna: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Harold Johanssen has been appointed to the New Smyrna Airport Advisory Board. Valkaria: A move to limit the hours of operation at Valkaria Airport was defeated at a Brevard County Commission meeting.
Kansas. Kansas City: AOPA is helping Johnson County Airport officials in planning for new T-hangars for about 60 GA aircraft owners who may be displaced if Missouri's nearby Richards-Gebaur Airport closes.
Montana. Anaconda: The FAA has issued a "determination of hazard" for a 340-foot antenna near Bowman Field. AOPA had opposed the tower. Kalispell: An embryonic "noise abatement" plan for Kalispell City Airport was nipped in the bud by an alert AOPA member, using AOPA-supplied advocacy materials.
New Hampshire. AOPA and the Seaplane Pilots Association joined local users testifying on June 5 against a proposal to ban seaplanes on nine miles of the Pemigawassett River.
New Mexico. Albuquerque: Long-suffering Coronado Airport will receive state funding for repair and maintenance. Las Cruces: AOPA is pursuing repeal of a recently passed city ordinance specifying unicom procedures at Las Cruces International.
New York. Albany: AOPA and the statewide airport managers association have joined in supporting a dedicated aviation fund bill. Previously confusing language in the bill has been clarified.
North Dakota. Bismarck: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Dan Vigesaa reports that the North Dakota Pilots Association's "wannabe" program has conducted seminars for more than 700 prospective pilots, with 150 pledged to start flying. AOPA furnishes materials for the program.
South Dakota. Brookings: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Robb Sexauer is helping to avert the possibility of landing fees at Brookings Municipal Airport.
Tennessee. Arlington: AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Don Furr organized a successful Airport Support Day for Arlington Municipal Airport, drawing 150 people including Lt. Gov. John S. Wilder. Nashville: An AOPA-backed bill allowing "tax amnesty" for aircraft owners wishing to move their aircraft into Tennessee during the second half of 1998 passed the legislature this spring. The bill also establishes a reduced sales tax for aircraft until July 1, 2001.
Texas. Beaumont: ATC radar serving Beaumont will remain in place; AOPA had pushed for retention of radar services.
Washington. Walla Walla: 49-year AOPA member Dave Cheney, AOPA 065605, and his wife Wilma were successful bidders for the historic Martin Airfield, which dates to 1942. Other bidders at the sheriff's sale had planned to close the airport.
AOPA Honors Georgia Gov. Zell Miller
AOPA has presented Georgia Gov. Zell Miller its Presidential Citation for "exemplary leadership and extraordinary commitment to economic development in Georgia." Miller led the campaign for a special $35 million supplemental appropriation to improve Georgia's GA airports.
The special appropriation will improve 27 airports by extending runways to at least 5,500 feet and adding instrument approaches.
AOPA participated on the technical advisory committee that identified the airports to be improved as part of the comprehensive Georgia Statewide Aviation System Plan.
Early ASN Win Defeats Noise Restrictions At Boca Raton Airport
Draconian airport noise restrictions and fines proposed by the Boca Raton, Florida, city council were defeated in May, thanks in part to local pilots backed by the AOPA Airport Support Network.
Among the proposed restrictions was a "three strikes and you're out" provision that would have banned pilots noise violations.
In addition to providing resources for local pilots waging the battle, AOPA ASN volunteer Dave Freudenberg appeared before the city council several times, arguing that the proposed restrictions would unfairly target local pilots and threaten the economic well-being of the airport. AOPA had also warned city officials that the proposed restrictions were illegal without a complete FAR Part 150 noise study.
Freudenberg has also helped local pilots to form Supporters Of Aviation Resources (SOAR), an airport support group. "It's local pilots who save local airports," said AOPA Vice President of Regional Affairs Bill Dunn. "AOPA can provide advice, support, and materials, but if local pilots don't get involved, it's usually a lost cause."
The AOPA Airport Support Network was launched in late 1997. Volunteers at local airports watch for potential problems and use AOPA resources to help local pilots solve them.
AOPA 'Parade Of Planes' Set For Expo '98
Residents along Alejo Road in Palm Springs may never be the same after October 22, 1998.
On that day about 70 aircraft - from light singles to medium twins and turboprops - will taxi from the Palm Springs Regional Airport to the Palm Springs Convention Center in preparation for AOPA Expo '98 and the Expo aircraft static display outside the convention center. AOPA Expo '98 runs from October 23 through 25.
In addition to the latest aircraft from manufacturers, this year's Expo will feature more than 400 indoor exhibits; 30 product demonstrations; and 70 educational seminars dealing with safety, medical, and owner issues; and other aviation interests.
Complete information is available by calling 888/GO-2-Expo (888/462-3976) or by visiting the Web ( www.aopa.org/expo/).
Nebraska Pilot Is 15,000th AOPA FBO Rebate Program Participant
A 58-year-old Nebraska pilot is the 15,000th recipient of an AOPA 3-percent rebate for using his AOPA credit card at qualifying fixed base operators.
Ronald Parks, AOPA 1194183, of Papillion, Nebraska, earned a $12.31 rebate in June, based on FBO purchases shown on his May AOPA MasterCard statement. A happy Parks said, "Any time you get money back, it's a good thing!"
Parks and his wife Judy, also a private pilot, log close to 200 hours a year in their 1996 Mooney MSE. They estimate that they'll earn AOPA FBO rebates totaling about $150 on fuel purchases alone this year, almost four times the annual $39 AOPA membership dues.
The average rebate is about $25 a month, paid by AOPA credit card issuer MBNA America Bank. There is no contribution from AOPA or membership dues, and no additional cost to any FBO to participate in the program. More than 120,000 of AOPA's 340,000-plus members carry the AOPA credit card, making AOPA cardholders a group nearly as large as GA's second largest membership organization.
"We're starting to use it for all our trip purchases," said Parks. "It's a good way to help support the work that AOPA does to help keep GA enjoyable, safe, and as affordable as possible."
For more information on the AOPA FBO Rebate Program, call 800/523-7666 and mention priority code H6I7.
Eighth Annual Fly-In to AOPA Headquarters Sets New Attendance Records
"It looks like a swarm of bugs converging on Frederick," said one Baltimore Tracon controller on June 6 during the Eighth Annual AOPA Fly-In. "I've got more than 200 aircraft on my scope!"
In fact, 640 aircraft from as far away as Maine, Illinois, and Florida flew to Frederick, Maryland, for the fly-in. Some 6,600 people turned out to share the joy of flying, far eclipsing the previous AOPA Fly-In record of 500 aircraft and 5,000 attendees.
AOPA President Phil Boyer cited the record turnout as yet another example of the rebirth of GA. He noted that in the early 1990s, two-thirds of AOPA members were pessimistic about GA's future, while recent surveys show that two-thirds are now optimistic.
The AOPA Fly-In static display included 84 new and classic aircraft, ranging from the Avia Bellanca Skyrocket six-place, 280-kt kit airplane to a venerable 1943 Howard DGA–15P and the CAP Historical Foundation L–16. New aircraft included the Diamond Katana, Aviat Husky, Cessna 172 and 182, Mooney Encore, Commander 114TC, Raytheon Bonanza and Baron, New Piper Saratoga, and Socata Trinidad and TBM 700.
AOPA is open every business day of the year for visits and tours, but the annual fly-in provides an opportunity once a year to see AOPA headquarters and meet association staff on a weekend.
2,000th AOPA Project Pilot Student Wins Wings
A 34-year-old Florence, Alabama, woman is the 2,000th AOPA Project Pilot student to earn a private pilot certificate.
Debbie Boone Sims, AOPA 1286171, won her wings on March 29 at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals. "The AOPA Project Pilot videotape, articles, and newsletters kept her enthused and moving," said proud father and mentor Daniel Boone, AOPA 973111. "It's a great program."
As manager of her father's FBO, Aerial Services, Inc., new pilot Debbie is in charge of a growing flight school with two Piper Cherokee 140s. And when she answers learn-to-fly questions, it's with confidence and empathy. "Firsthand experience helps!" she said.
AOPA Project Pilot was launched in 1994. It asks AOPA members to identify and mentor qualified men and women to become pilots. As of early June, more than 20,000 AOPA members had nominated more than 26,000 prospective pilots.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
GAO Asks for ASF Help on PC-Based Training Issues
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation is providing expert help for a General Accounting Office look at the legitimacy of instrument training using personal computers. ASF has been a leading advocate of PC-based training.
The GAO investigation is focusing on the relative value of PC-based training versus training with traditional devices available to relatively few GA pilots.
In May 1997, after years of university research, several favorable studies, and ASF urging, the FAA approved up to 10 hours of PC-based training toward an instrument rating. FAA Advisory Circular 61-126 requires approved hardware and software, and instruction provided by a CFII, as part of an approved curriculum including PC-ATDs.
"We're glad to help the GAO in its comparison," Air Safety Foundation Vice President John Steuernagle told GAO investigators. "ASF is always looking to improve pilot training and happy to provide data and evidence to resolve the question."
Steuernagle demonstrated PC-training technology for three GAO investigators at the ASF research lab in June.
Piper Archer Donation Will Be Test Bed for ASF Research
A Piper Archer donated in April to the Air Safety Foundation will serve as a flying test bed for advanced GA avionics and human factors research.
The 1979 Archer, valued at $57,380, was a gift from Systems Integration and Research, prompted by SIR Chairman Lou Torres, AOPA 1170483.
"ASF has multiple research projects to improve GA safety," declared ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg, "but we've always had to scramble for project vehicles. SIR's gift will benefit ASF programs far beyond its VRef value."
Among the projects planned for the donated Piper are tests of GPS user interfaces and pilot work load studies.
Donations to ASF are tax-deductible under IRS section 501(c)(3) for charitable tax-exempt non-profit organizations. Gifts of cash, appreciated stock, aircraft, and other property are all used to fund ASF's safety education and research programs.
