AOPA Action

AOPA Legislative Action Refutes NCARC Recommendations Before Congress

AOPA Legislative Action argued against aviation user fees and challenged the recommendations of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission (NCARC) in congressional hearings on March 18.

"Let's not put the cart before the horse," Legislative Action President Phil Boyer told the aviation subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "Both the NCARC and the administration are proposing radical and expensive changes to the FAA before there is any kind of cost-accounting system in place, or even a good idea of what it will cost to rationally modernize the air traffic control system."

NCARC's report concluded that future airline delays will require imposing user fees and restructuring air traffic control into a "performance-based organization."

"The sky is not falling. The NCARC report doesn't tell the whole story," Boyer told Congress. "Had they considered the alternative that AOPA presented to them last May, the commissioners might have come to a very different conclusion."

Boyer was referring to a Mitre Corporation study that had identified four available and affordable technologies to dramatically reduce air traffic control delays. "Even the airlines agree that these technologies will reduce delays, a fact NCARC left out of its report," he told Congress.

AOPA Legislative Action also criticized NCARC's recommendation to convert ATC into a performance-based organization (PBO) that would be able to bypass Congress and charge user fees for ATC services. "User fees can be used to avoid tough choices and simply let bureaucrats spend their way out of problems they usually created in the first place," Boyer said.

Boyer reiterated Legislative Action's call to restore the FAA to independent agency status, freeing it from political meddling. When NCARC Chairman Mineta said that the FAA might not work as well without the Cabinet-level representation of the DOT, Boyer responded, "For those who think an independent agency won't work, I have four letters: N-A-S-A."

User Fees Mean $6 Billion Tax Increase, Boyer Tells North Dakota Symposium

Calling administration-proposed aviation user fees a $6 billion tax increase, AOPA President Phil Boyer renewed the association's attack on user fees at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium on March 3 in Bismarck, North Dakota.

"Even the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee agrees that so-called 'cost-based user fees' are nothing more than a tax increase," Boyer told aviators at the four-day conference. "Congress has repeatedly rejected user fees and solved any FAA funding 'problem' by extending the current aviation excise taxes through the year 2007."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX) said in budget hearings on February 25, "This provision is an old-fashioned tax hike on millions of traveling Americans, and I oppose it."

Boyer told North Dakota pilots that "user fees will affect aviation safety and discourage activity. People will quit flying."

President Clinton's budget proposes phasing in cost-based user fees, replacing existing aviation excise taxes, starting in the year 2000. But the plan also proposes additional new user fees during the 2000 to 2003 period, hitting users with an additional $6 billion in taxes.

"To make matters worse, it looks like they won't even spend all of those additional taxes on aviation," Boyer said. In the year 2000 alone, the administration plan would collect $1.7 billion over and above revenue from existing taxes, yet the FAA's budget is to increase only $600 million. The rest of those new user fees would go into a vaguely defined "Transportation Fund for America."

"Do we need any more evidence of the need to free FAA from politics?" Boyer asked. "Congress should once again reject user fees and restore FAA to independent agency status."

AOPA Asks FAA to Withdraw Scout Spar AD, Supports New Inspection Procedure

AOPA has petitioned the FAA to withdraw a March 3 airworthiness directive (AD) on the wing spar of American Champion (Bellanca) model 8GCBC Scout aircraft.

AOPA is also asking for reissuance of a proposed AD utilizing a new, nondestructive inspection procedure for Champion, Citabria, and Decathlon aircraft. The FAA's original AD proposal would have required installation of as many as 26 new inspection holes in the wing fabric.

"The new nondestructive procedure will satisfy the FAA's concerns about detecting wood wing spar compression cracks, without the expense and possible problems of water leakage and fabric damage," said Douglas C. Macnair, AOPA director of aviation standards. "It will save owners hundreds of thousands of dollars, while preserving the aesthetics and airworthiness of their aircraft."

The Citabria Owners Group recently demonstrated that a mechanic could inspect all of the critical spar areas through the original factory inspection holes by using a Bend-a-Light and a series of mirrors. In some cases, cracks were actually easier to spot when illuminated by the Bend-a-Light than when viewed under normal daylight.

Both the Citabria group and AOPA complimented the FAA's Chicago Aircraft Certification Office for considering the new inspection procedure.

The complete text of AOPA's petition is on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1998/ad980504.html).

FAA Fields AOPA Pilot Information Center Questions, Impressed By Information Available

"We learned a lot from each other."

That was unanimous opinion of 10 FAA air traffic control (ATC) officials and AOPA's 22 aviation technical specialists after working together answering calls on AOPA's toll-free Pilot Information Center.

AOPA invited ATC and flight service station (FSS) experts to "get out of Washington" and talk directly to general aviation pilots calling AOPA's Pilot Information Center on March 10 and 11. The event was an eyeopener for both sides.

"The range of questions was incredible," said ATC staff specialist Brian Throop, "yet [AOPA technical specialists] could whip out the correct answer to the member almost immediately." Throop noted that a call to the federal government would probably be transferred through many offices before getting an answer. E-mail questions and answers from the session can be viewed on AOPA Online .

Several ATC officials also learned about real-world single-pilot IFR operations by flying AOPA Air Safety Foundation personal computer aviation training device (PCATD) "simulators" on IFR flight plans. Some reached overload quickly as ASF staffer (and former controller) Dorsey Shipley hit them with amended clearances, speed and altitude changes, and out-of-direction vectors.

AOPA specialists learned from the ATC experts, as well.

"We can now handle complaints about ATC better because we have the controllers' perspective," said Woody Cahall, AOPA director of aviation services.

Marty Shuey, AOPA vice president of air traffic control, said that AOPA would invite other FAA officials from the Flight Standards Service, Office of Aviation Medicine, and the Airports Office for similar exchanges.

"This is a perfect example of the cooperative effort between the FAA and industry that Administrator Garvey wants to encourage," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We look forward to our next opportunity to help the FAA get out and talk to the users."

Make FAA Protect Airports, AOPA Legislative Action Tells Congress

Congress should direct the FAA to protect GA airports, AOPA Legislative Action President Phil Boyer told a House committee on March 18. He called for new measures to ensure that airports receiving federal grants remain open and viable.

"The FAA must be as vigilant over taxpayer dollars as it is in enforcing certification and safety regulations," Boyer said in written testimony to the aviation subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "We need to put some teeth in the enforcement of airport improvement program (AIP) grant assurances."

Boyer called for changes to the AIP and charged that the FAA's grant enforcement efforts are plagued by badly written agreements and selective enforcement. "It can take years to get an AIP grant, but the FAA often swiftly allows the release of AIP-purchased or -improved properties," he said.

Boyer said that some sponsors are slicing away their properties, with the ultimate goal of closing the airport. He cited a city that accepted $14 million in AIP grants to buy an airport, but now wants to close it. While the closure has been blocked so far, the FAA has allowed the city to sell some of the airport land.

"General aviation airports are closing at the rate of almost one a week," said Boyer. "The FAA, through vigorous enforcement of grant assurances, should become part of the solution to saving airports."

The complete testimony is available on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1998/980318testimony.html).

Action in the States

Alabama. Montgomery: Alabama House Speaker James S. Clark has vowed to "pull out all the stops" to gain passage of the AOPA-supported H.B.448, which would improve Alabama GA airports. The measure is fiercely opposed by Alabama's larger airports. AOPA encourages Alabama pilots to contact their legislators immediately.

California. Los Angeles: Safety at Whiteman Airport was the subject of AOPA testimony at a Los Angeles County Aviation Commission hearing in February. A ban on training flights at Whiteman had been suggested following the September 1997 fatal crash of a Navion. Redding: Tiedown and hangar lease agreements have been changed to "license agreements," potentially decreasing their value to aircraft owners; AOPA is investigating. Sacramento: AOPA is supporting A.B.2101, state legislation that would prohibit pointing laser lights at aircraft. San Diego: Alleged unfair treatment of GA aircraft owners at Brown Field Airport is under investigation by AOPA.

Colorado. Denver: Travis Vallin, acting director of the Colorado Division of Aeronautics, has been selected to replace Dennis Roberts as director. Roberts is now vice president of government and technical affairs at AOPA. Also, AOPA is pushing for S.B.28, which would dedicate $10 million in general fund surplus revenues to airport improvements.

Florida. Apopka: A feasibility study is under way for a possible new airport about 20 miles west-northwest of Orlando Executive Airport. The proposed 3,500-foot runway would serve Orange County and the cities of Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden. Jacksonville: Vehicles forced to cross the active runway at Herlong Airport because of flooding will now be accompanied by radio-equipped airport employees. The procedure resolves AOPA member safety concerns. Sanford: AOPA is opposing planned restrictions on touch-and-go operations at Sanford Airport. The proposed restrictions are in response to European charter operator complaints about the "busy" airport. GA operations are about 70 percent of Sanford Airport activity.

Georgia. Atlanta: AOPA is supporting Gov. Zell Miller's proposal to spend $35 million to improve airports in Georgia.

Idaho. Boise: The draft environmental study on the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area includes onerous restrictions on floatplanes. A six-month extension to the comment period has been requested by the Idaho Aviation Association, with AOPA support.

Kansas. Topeka: AOPA is continuing efforts to move Kansas from a sales tax on aviation fuels that benefits the general fund to an excise tax on aviation fuels dedicated to the (currently empty) Kansas airport development fund. While Gov. Bill Graves is promising airport funding in 1999, he is opposing AOPA efforts for funding in 1998. AOPA members should contact Graves to urge support for GA airports in both 1998 and 1999.

Kentucky. Both the Kentucky Aviation Association and AOPA are supporting H.B.444, which would dramatically improve funding for Kentucky GA airports. The bill has passed the House and is now in the Senate.

Maryland. Annapolis: AOPA is supporting H.B.672, which would require real estate agents to tell residential purchasers about airports within five miles. Disclosure helps to avoid later problems that endanger airports.

Montana. Lewistown: A dispute over Runway 7/25 markings has been resolved with AOPA's help.

Oregon. Salem: AOPA has been appointed to a new Airport Rules Committee by the Oregon DOT. The committee will help with land-use protection for airports.

South Carolina. Columbia: AOPA is supporting H.B.4784, which would repeal a fuel tax exemption for airlines and direct revenue to the new South Carolina Aviation Fund. The additional revenue would be used for airport safety and capacity improvements.

Texas. Fort Worth: Runway 9/27 at Meacham Airport was re-opened by a March 3 vote of the Fort Worth City Council. AOPA had been helping local pilots to fight the runway closure for months. Galveston: AOPA is helping local pilots to form an airport association and is working with Galveston Scholes Field management to resolve issues limiting utility of the airport.

Washington. Olympia: The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association and AOPA are fighting S.B.6114, which deals with introduction of nonindigenous aquatic species. It would have a significant impact on seaplane operations in the state.

IAOPA World Assembly to Meet at AOPA Expo '98 Site

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) will hold its nineteenth World Assembly just prior to AOPA Expo '98 in Palm Springs, California, October 23 to 25.

The timing will allow some 250 delegates from 46 countries to attend Expo, where 10,000 attendees are expected to visit AOPA's largest exhibit hall ever and see some 70 singles, twins, and turboprops on display right outside.

This year's IAOPA World Assembly will be the first in the United States since 1985. Issues are expected to include user fees, equitable access to airspace and airports, and aircraft equipment requirements.

Environmental concerns, barely a blip on IAOPA radar at the last U.S. meeting, are now a major concern to worldwide general aviation. "Airport losses and severe restrictions on GA are consequences of environmental issues," said IAOPA President Phil Boyer. "We must face these issues."

AOPA-U.S. members are invited to attend the World Assembly. More information is available from IAOPA's Web site ( www.iaopa.org).

New Aircraft Valuation Service Available Free to AOPA Members

AOPA's Aircraft Valuation Service is now available free to members. Through this unique new service, AOPA members can learn the approximate market value of any used aircraft.

"AOPA's Aircraft Valuation Service, provided by Vref, is part of our 'one-stop' shopping service for aircraft purchasers," said Andrew Horelick, AOPA senior vice president of products and services. "AOPA has everything a buyer might need, including our 'Tips on Buying a Used Aircraft,' aircraft type-specific reviews, AD reports, aircraft financing and insurance, and title and escrow services."

To obtain an aircraft valuation, call AOPA's toll-free Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672). The valuation service will also be available soon on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/vref/).

Data for AOPA's Aircraft Valuation Service is supplied by Vref Aircraft Value Reference, well-respected in the industry for the depth and accuracy of its information.

Annual Fly-In to AOPA HQ Slated for June 6

Two seminars by famed raconteur Rod Machado will highlight the Eighth Annual AOPA Fly-In at AOPA Headquarters on the Frederick (Maryland) Municipal Airport on Saturday, June 6.

Machado's riotously offbeat, funny programs, "Don't Worry, It's Only A Rental" and "Samurai Airmanship," are part of Fly-In seminars that run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 70 exhibitors are expected, and AOPA's 1998 sweepstakes "Timeless Tri-Pacer" is scheduled to appear.

Also scheduled is a panel discussion on problems with medical certification, conducted by members of AOPA's Medical Advisory Board and the FAA.

The annual fly-in gives AOPA members access to their association on a weekend. Arrival and departure procedures are available by calling 800/942-4269. Complete fly-in information is on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/special/fly-in/).

Expanded Pilots Guide to Medical Certification Now Available

AOPA's Medical Certification department has published an expanded Pilots' Guide to Medical Certification that includes new FAA rules that became effective in September 1996. The booklet features detailed discussions of some of the more common medical conditions that cause pilots to fail the FAA medical exam.

A section-by-section breakdown explains the new FAA rules. Helpful tips on navigating the medical certification bureaucracy, plus a question-and-answer section, make this a valuable resource for all pilots.

AOPA members can order the free 18-page Pilots' Guide to Medical Certification by calling the AOPA Pilot Information Center at 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672).

AOPA Deposit Program Surpasses $200 Million

Early this year, total AOPA member deposits in the AOPA Money Market and Certificate of Deposit program surpassed $200 million. The MBNA America-provided programs have been available to AOPA members since 1991.

Participation grew almost 60 percent in 1997 alone, as AOPA members took advantage of special interest rates even higher than MBNA's already aggressively priced deposit accounts offered to the general public.

Both money market and CD accounts feature FDIC insurance up to $100,000 per depositor. And, for every member dollar on deposit, MBNA makes a contribution to AOPA, which helps to keep GA strong and AOPA dues low.

For more information or to open an account, call 800/900-6653.

Rates Lowered for AOPA Life Insurance Programs

Premiums for both AOPA Group and Individual Term Life Insurance programs have been reduced.

"Claims experience over the past several years justified this decrease," said Angie Casterlin, AOPA program specialist. "That makes these policies even more attractive for AOPA members."

Underwriter Minnesota Mutual said that both new and current AOPA Group Life customers in most states will see an average seven-percent reduction in premiums, while Individual Term Life policyholders will benefit from a 15- percent to 23-percent reduction. Existing Individual Term policyholders will receive the lower rates on their policy anniversary, starting on June 16.

For information on either program, call toll-free 800/328-9343, ext. 3336.

AOPA is Top Supporter of Industry's GA Team 2000

Your association is one of only four top-level contributors to the crucial GA Team 2000 campaign to rebuild the student pilot population. Other "Platinum Level" participants are AlliedSignal, Cessna Aircraft, and Sporty's Pilot Shop, each contributing the maximum $150,000 to the effort for 1998. New Piper Aircraft, Inc. is a "Gold Level" supporter at $100,000.

AOPA contributes the maximum amount to GA Team 2000 on its members' behalf because AOPA members are concerned about general aviation's future. AOPA does so despite its heavy investment in AOPA Project Pilot and other such programs. "This is the investment in your legacy we promised we'd make, supported by your strong use of AOPA Certified Services that return a royalty to your association," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "AOPA members can be proud of their outstanding commitment to GA Team 2000, a program AOPA staff is actively involved in to ensure its success."

Boyer serves as president of GA Team 2000, a coalition of 120 aviation manufacturers, businesses, and organizations. Former GAMA President Ed Stimpson is chairman of the coalition. The GA Team 2000 Web site is www.beapilot.com.

AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION

Propeller Safety Explored in New ASF Safety Advisor

A new Safety Advisor from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation offers pilots a fresh look at what many take for granted: propellers.

"In 1994, 15 accidents were blamed on propellers," said Bruce Landsberg, ASF executive director. "Most are serious, but most are also easily avoidable." He cited five general categories of prop-related accidents:

• Damage from precautionary landings because of abnormal vibration.
• Damage from precautionary landings due to prop overspeeds or a runaway prop.
• Forced landings from catastrophic prop failures.
• Accidents from botched hand-propping.
• Accidents caused by walking into spinning propellers.

Construction and operation of both fixed-pitch and constant-speed props are explained in this well-illustrated new Safety Advisor, but hand-propping instruction is not included. "It's not something you learn from a booklet," observed Landsberg.

Ways to avoid prop accidents are offered in sections on maintenance, preflight, runup, and takeoff. A complete explanation of the way props are overhauled helps pilots to understand why basic prop maintenance is important.

Even prop care during the beginnings of a gear-up landing is covered. "At the first crunch, many pilots add power to go around," said Landsberg. "Two words: Do not! If the prop stays on the airplane long enough to make it around the pattern, you'll be beating the odds."

Several accounts of prop accidents from NTSB files illustrate the 15-page booklet, which was underwritten by Hartzell Propeller, Inc. The booklet is available for $1 from the Air Safety Foundation, Attn: Propeller, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701.

New ASF Instructor's Pocket Guide Has Latest Part 61 Changes

The Air Safety Foundation has released its new Flight Instructor's Pocket Guide to Airman Certification—Single Engine, incorporating the latest changes in the new FAR Part 61.

"A flight instructor can use the Pocket Guide as a 'checklist,'" said Don Koranda, ASF vice president of training. "It's also a useful guide for students to ensure that their training is complete and appropriate."

The guide lists certification requirements for all pilot certificate levels from student solo and cross-country flight through the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. Also included are sample logbook endorsements that follow FAA-accepted format and wording.

Individual copies of the guide may be ordered through Sporty's Pilot Shop for $9.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 800/543-8633 and ask for product number M736.