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| GA News
| TIGER PLANT OPENS
Officials celebrated on Monday the opening of a factory designed to turn loose a streak of Tigers. After several years of construction, Tiger Aircraft Company LLC opened the 50,000-square-foot plant in Martinsburg, West Virginia, that will employ nearly 200 workers. By building the plant at the Eastern West Virginia Regional/Shepherd Airport, company officials said that they will be able to tap into 60 percent of the country's population. Tiger plans to build 70 of the revived classic single-engine, four-place airplanes–first produced by Grumman and later by American General–during its first year of production. Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) was among those at the ribbon cutting. The factory is located in a technology center that bears the senator's name. For more about Tiger, see the Web site.
NTSB LAUNCHES TRAINING ACADEMY
With the growth of the transportation industry, the NTSB has selected George Washington University to house its new training academy for accident investigators on the school's Loudoun County, Virginia, campus. The site will provide space for a laboratory and accident reconstructions, including the wreckage of TWA Flight 800, which will be used for training purposes. The academy is to open in 2003 and will train investigators and industry workers from the United States and abroad. An NTSB spokesman said that although a curriculum has not been established, general aviation accident investigation will be incorporated in the training.
U.S. AEROBATIC TEAM READIES FOR MEET
Normally, world aerobatic competition occurs only once every two years, but this isn't a normal year. To synchronize the World Aerobatic Championship with the World Air Games, the WAC will take place two years in a row. It took place last August in Muret, France, and will take place again at the World Air Games in southern Spain from June 14 through July 1, 2001. More than 5,000 air athletes and officials from 80 countries will compete in the Olympics-style event. In addition to the WAC and World Aerobatic Glider Championship, the World Air Games will host competition in sports ranging from paragliding to ballooning and aerobatics. The U.S. Unlimited Team, the top level of competition, won Bronze medals (men's and women's teams) at the WAC in France, and will return as an experienced team to compete in Spain.
 COMPANY WINS AWARD FOR JET USE
The Olin Corporation has been honored for the art of not making noise. The company, a Cessna Citation X operator, was one of 18 companies presented Tuesday with the Spirit of Noise Abatement award by the Westchester County (New York) Noise Abatement Office. The company had a flawless record for abiding by the airport's voluntary program to avoid operations between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. The awards are based on data collected from a radar system and from resident complaints.
MICROSOFT HONORS WWII ACE
The U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., was a fitting backdrop when Microsoft last week honored retired Gen. Jacob "Joe" Foss, a World War II ace, for contributing his real-life experiences to its new program, Combat Flight Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theater. During the program's development, content lead Michael Ahn also interviewed the late Saburo Sakai, perhaps the most famous Japanese WWII air veteran. The program features new, realistically modeled aircraft from the Pacific Theater, increased content depth and enhanced visuals, more complex dogfight capabilities, and full multiplayer support. Retail price for the simulator is $49.95. For more, see the Web site.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
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Inside AOPA
| AOPA OPPOSES NEW JERSEY AIRPORT BILLS
AOPA is questioning a New Jersey Assembly bill and a companion Senate bill that aim to prohibit the expansion or extension of airport runways under certain circumstances. The intent of the legislation (A.B.2809 and S.B.1682) is to increase safety and reduce noise, but AOPA believes the bill won't accomplish any of the goals and, in some cases, may worsen existing safety, noise, and compatible-land-use issues. "AOPA is greatly disappointed by the introduction of this ridiculously short-sighted proposed legislation and therefore strongly opposes this bill," reads a letter to the General Assembly and Senate.
AOPA HONORS ASN VOLUNTEER, DOCTOR
AOPA President Phil Boyer honored two Maryland residents Monday night with AOPA Presidential citations. The awards were presented during a Pilot Town Meeting in Baltimore. Honored were Dr. Frank H. Austin and Airport Support Network volunteer Andy Serrell. Boyer told the 290 pilots attending the town meeting that Austin was among the first to push for special issuance medicals for insulin-treated diabetics. And Boyer honored Serrell for his selfless and untiring dedication to Ocean City Airport (OXB) and to the rights and needs of general aviation pilots who use it. For more, see AOPA Online.
BOYER ADDRESSES GA CONFERENCE IN RUSSIA
International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) President Phil Boyer delivered the keynote address to an international conference on general aviation that took place this week in Nakhabino (near Moscow), Russia. Boyer's message, videotaped at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, urged the delegates to carry the message of general aviation and aerial work to the public in their home countries. Those who don't come in direct contact with general aviation, said Boyer, who also serves as AOPA's president, rarely perceive its great value in their lives. For more, see AOPA Online.
| On Capitol Hill
| CONGRESS DELAYS START OF 'LAME DUCK' SESSION
The House and Senate delayed the start of the "lame duck" session of Congress by passing another continuing resolution this week to keep the government running through December 5. House and Senate leaders believe there is too much uncertainty in the future of the remaining appropriations bills and the presidential race to conclude anything this week. This latest development differs from the days prior to the election, when the Clinton administration would only sign one-day continuing resolutions as a way to pressure congressional leaders to negotiate by keeping members in Washington instead of campaigning in their districts. Congress has passed 12 of 13 spending bills, but the president has only signed seven into law. However, the transportation appropriation bill, which includes FAA funding at the levels designated by AIR-21, was one of the seven signed into law earlier this year.
PRESIDENTAIL RACE NOT THE ONLY RECOUNT
As the two presidential campaigns fight over who won the 25 electoral votes in Florida, other recounts continue across the country. At press time, Senate aviation subcommittee Chairman Slade Gorton holds a slim lead over Maria Cantwell in Washington State. Should she prevail after the votes of heavily Democratic King County are tallied, she will join fellow Democrats Kent Conrad, Daniel Akaka, Jeff Binghaman, Paul Sarbanes, and Dianne Feinstein–all supported by the AOPA Political Action Committee–in what would be a 50/50 split in the Senate. Meanwhile in the House, some half dozen races remain in doubt. Although Democrat and AOPA PAC recipient Linda Chapin was denied a recount in Florida this week, races remain too close to call in New Jersey, Michigan, California, Florida, and Minnesota. Recounts are already occurring in Michigan and should be under way in Minnesota by today.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK–LEE GILBERT
As a result of attending monthly airport meetings and having manned a city booth at the annual Sentimental Journey Fly-in, Lee Gilbert has been an enthusiastic supporter of William T. Piper Memorial Airport (LHV) in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The airport now has a clear five-year plan to improve the facility. Gilbert has also taken advantage of several opportunities to champion the airport by making luncheon presentations to civic groups. He was also the featured speaker at the fly-in's banquet, where he talked about AOPA's Airport Support Network and the Air Safety Foundation.
Click here to learn more about the Airport Support Network.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| OFFICIAL CALLS FOR SIMPLER SAFETY MEASURES
General aviation would be safer and less complex with the use of common-sense and low-cost approaches, said AOPA ASF Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. Speaking last week at the General Aviation Air Safety Investigators conference in Wichita, Landsberg asked that, since human factors are such a large part of most accident investigations, more emphasis be directed to the pilot's background, training, recent experience, and the systemically induced distractions that can play a part in the accident chain. More than 130 safety investigators, including representatives from overseas, were present to discuss technical issues on how to improve GA accident investigation at GAASI's annual meeting.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: Where do I find a complete list of aircraft color abbreviations that I need to use when filling out an FAA flight plan?
Answer: AOPA's online Flight Planning Service in the members-only section offers these abbreviations. Access the main menu and select "Flight Plans." Then choose "File a Domestic" flight plan. In Box 16, "Color of Aircraft," there is a drop-down feature that will provide you with a complete listing of the proper aircraft color abbreviations.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? Call 800/872-2672 or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
In response to member requests, some destinations will be posted one week in advance.
Elmira, New York. The fifty-sixth annual Snowbird Rally takes place November 24 and 25 at the National Soaring Museum/Harris Hill Soaring Center. Individual pilots and two-person teams compete for points in accuracy, spot landings, and timed duration flights. Elmira/Corning Regional Airport (ELM), 607/739-5621, serves the area. Call 607/234-3128 for event information, or visit the Web site.
Live Oak, Florida. Old Tyme Farm Days Thanksgiving is celebrated in Suwannee County November 21 through 25. Suwannee County Airport (24J), 904/362-4200, serves the area. Call 904/364-1683 for event information.
Eureka, California. Santa arrives at one of the most beautiful spots on Earth November 24. Eureka Municipal Airport (O33), 707/441-4186, and Murray Field (EKA), 707/443-3179, serve the area. Call 707/442-9054 for event information.
Colby, Kansas. The small town of Colby is a winter wonderland from November 24 through December 24. Shaltz Field (CBK), 785/462-4438, is the local airport. Call 785/462-7643 for event information.
Mansfield, Ohio. The Mansfield Aviation Club Christmas party and annual meeting will take place December 1 at the Sons of Herman Banquet Hall. AOPA President Phil Boyer is the featured speaker. Reservations are due by November 24. For more information contact Jerry Calhoun, 419/522-8274
For more airport details, see AOPA’s Airport Directory Online. For more events, see the Aviation Calendar of Events.
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Baltimore and Cincinnati, November 18 and 19. Clinics are scheduled in Austin, Texas, and Fresno, California, December 2 and 3. For complete details, visit the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
The next AOPA ASF Safety Seminars are scheduled in Waco, Texas, November 27; West Houston, Texas, November 28; St. Louis, November 29; San Antonio, Texas, November 29; and Austin, Texas, November 30. For more information see Web site.
ASF PINCH HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place place December 17 in Orlando, Florida. For details and a complete schedule, see the Pinch Hitter Ground School Schedule.
AOPA PILOT TOWN MEETINGS
Featuring AOPA President Phil Boyer
(7:30 p.m.; admission is free)
The next Pilot Town Meetings are in Las Vegas, November 28; Prescott, Arizona, November 29; and Phoenix, November 30. Click for more information on Pilot Town Meetings.
For comments on calendar items or to make submissions, contact Julie Walker at [email protected].
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Contacting ePilot
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