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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2001 AOPA. | Restoring GA
| LET 'ePILOT' BE THE FIRST TO LET YOU KNOW
AOPA has started a new service for members. When airspace rules change around an airport, we'll e-mail a special, personalized ePilot bulletin to every AOPA member within 250 miles–if we have your e-mail address and you're an ePilot subscriber. No need to check the Web site every few hours. Also, because many of these future airspace changes will affect a relatively small number of pilots, AOPA won't always post them on the homepage, which is read nationally. But we will always send an ePilot bulletin to members in the area. If you already receive ePilot every Friday, you're all set. If you're not registered and want to receive your own copy of ePilot and the special bulletins, see AOPA Online.
AOPA OFFERS E-WAIVER SERVICE
Just ask any VFR pilot based at Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and they'll tell you–things are definitely NOT back to normal! Since September 11, VFR pilots at Gaithersburg and numerous other locations in Washington, New York, and Boston have remained grounded, as have specialty operators in all of the enhanced Class B areas. Now as a service to members, AOPA is offering "e-waiver," an electronic waiver request form to simplify the process. It may be the fastest way back in the air for many pilots. We've automated it, so the computer will complete much of the required information for you. Once completed, AOPA will forward the e-waiver form to the right people at the FAA for consideration. Pilots should note that submitting an e-waiver request does not necessarily mean automatic approval. The FAA says it will take seven to 10 days to respond. AOPA's e-waiver is limited to requests for relief from FDC notams 01/0613, 01/0617, 01/0989, and 01/0628 only. For complete information, see AOPA Online.
MICA INTRODUCES GA RELIEF BILL
House aviation subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) introduced on Tuesday the General Aviation Industry Reparations Act of 2001 (H.R.3447) that would provide economic relief for general aviation businesses that suffered as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The bill was drafted after AOPA President Phil Boyer testified as to GA's dire needs at a congressional hearing earlier this year. AOPA Legislative Affairs staff worked closely with Mica's staff to assure that all segments of GA businesses receive relief. Mica's bill is similar to two other bills introduced with the help of AOPA–H.R.3007, by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), and S.1552 by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). See AOPA Online.
FAA ALLOWS VFR FLIGHTS TO ISLANDS
The FAA is now allowing VFR flights to and from Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and British Virgin Islands. Late Wednesday, the FAA issued a waiver to FDC notams 1/0613, 1/0617, and 1/0628 allowing both U.S.-registered aircraft and aircraft registered in those islands to operate between the United States and the islands. This waiver is similar to the waiver announced at AOPA Expo allowing VFR operations to and from the Bahamas. AOPA has been working closely with the FAA to ease restrictions on all general aviation aircraft. This waiver is another incremental step in restoring GA access to the national airspace system. This latest waiver also allows aircraft registered in Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and British Virgin Islands, along with Canadian, Mexican, and Bahamian-registered aircraft, to operate in the United States, the same as U.S.-registered aircraft in accordance with all applicable notams.
For the latest on the air traffic situation, see AOPA Online.
| GA News
| GARMIN SETS STAGE FOR NEW GENERATION OF PRODUCTS
With the purchase Thursday of Sequoia Instruments, Garmin made its first public move toward the development of a complete primary flight display system. Sequoia, based in Los Gatos, California, is a research and development company that has among other products a GPS-aided air data and attitude heading and reference system (ADHRS). The solid-state sensors in an ADHRS provide navigation-critical data such as attitude, heading, and rate information for aviation, marine, and land applications. An ADHRS is necessary to drive the next generation of primary flight displays. The flight displays will replace conventional flight instruments, giving light aircraft all-electronic displays similar to those enjoyed by larger aircraft for more than a decade. Garmin paid about $5 million in cash for Sequoia's technology and assets.
TRAVOLTA GIVES JET TO EMBRY-RIDDLE
Actor John Travolta has donated a personal airplane, a Canadair CL41 Tutor, to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The gift, including spare parts, is valued at $700,000. The 480-knot Tutor, a two-seat jet originally designed as a trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, is also flown by the Snowbirds, Canada's military demonstration team. Travolta's 1967 Tutor was used for more than 20 years by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, where it was renamed the Tebuan (wasp). Embry-Riddle plans to use the jet in its aircraft maintenance technology program. The goal is to keep it airworthy and fly it for demonstrations. Travolta became familiar with Embry-Riddle when he lived in Spruce Creek, a fly-in community near Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus. Travolta has been an aviation enthusiast from an early age, and named his son Jett. He owns and pilots a Boeing 707-138B, among other aircraft.
AIRSHOW SEASON SAW ONE FATALITY
The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) reports that the 2001 airshow season had only one pilot fatality. The death occurred during an airshow in Sarnia, Ontario, when warbird pilot Carey Moore was killed while flying his Hawker Sea Fury. There were no airshow fatalities in the United States. ICAS President John Cudahy said there is still important work to be done in the safety area. "We all look forward to the day when the safety record we had this year becomes the norm rather than the exception," he said.
RIFTON LAUNCHES FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAM
 A new fractional ownership program featuring three business jets and helicopters has been launched by Rifton Aviation Services in New Windsor, New York. The program is called JetLimited, and is based at the company's headquarters at Stewart International Airport. The firm plans to offer shares in a Dassault Falcon 2000, a Gulfstream IV, and a Cessna Citation Excel, in addition to helicopters. The airport is located 50 miles north of New York City.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
| Inside AOPA
| OFFICIALS CONSIDER STIFF RESTRICTIONS FOR OLYMPICS
The FAA is considering airspace restrictions for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games that could close most Wasatch Front airports to VFR operations for up to two months. AOPA has learned that security officials are pushing for a 45-nm temporary flight restriction (TFR) around Salt Lake City, from the surface to infinity. That would affect airports from Brigham City to Spanish Fork, and Tooele to Heber City. While no specific details are available, the restrictions could begin in January. AOPA anticipates that VFR access will be prohibited. In addition, IFR access to the TFR area will require that aircraft land at one of several portal or gateway airports (Boise, Las Vegas, Grand Junction, and Colorado Springs) and be subject to security screening and an accreditation process for pilots. Operators wishing to make application for the screening and accreditation must submit their request using the FAA's designated forms by January 21. Click here to download the request forms from AOPA Online.
...AOPA ENCOURAGES PILOTS TO ATTEND MEETINGS
Although AOPA and other organizations have worked with FAA officials for more than two years to establish reasonable security procedures for GA access in and around Salt Lake City during the Olympics, recent events have prompted security personnel to reevaluate those procedures. Specifics on the Olympic Aviation Security Plan will be presented to the public at a series of upcoming meetings that will take place throughout northern Utah over the next month. AOPA staff will be attending several of the meetings to see if the restrictions are as onerous as rumored. Affected pilots are strongly encouraged to attend and learn more about procedures to be followed for each flight and how to become accredited to fly if entry into the TFR area is desired. The meeting schedule can be downloaded from AOPA Online.
AOPA'S AIRSPACE USER GUIDE GOES PUBLIC
AOPA's useful online guide to participation in airspace user groups has been updated and moved into a publicly accessible portion of AOPA Online. Airspace user groups provide recommendations to the FAA on establishing and changing Class B and C airspace. The guide also gives pilots useful insight into why airspace is configured the way that it is. See AOPA Online.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| On Capitol Hill
| AOPA CONTINUES FIGHT TO PROTECT WARBIRDS
AOPA's Legislative Affairs staff is continuing to work with House-Senate conferees to remove the so-called "warbird provision" from the National Defense Authorization Act (S.1438/H.R.2586). That provision, if enacted, could result in the destruction of vintage military aircraft–an important part of our nation's aviation history. According to congressional sources, Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) has been the lead on this provision. AOPA contacted Levin's defense aide, who said it was not Levin's intent to capture warbirds in this clause. Other Senate staffers have said that they are hoping to have the provision completely stricken. AOPA will continue to work with the conferees on removing the provision. See AOPA Online.
| Airport Support Network
| AOPA started the Airport Support Network (ASN) to provide a coordinated effort to reduce antiairport sentiment. ASN volunteers keep AOPA headquarters abreast of political and public opinion developments that may affect their airports. They attend public meetings dealing with airport matters and report to AOPA on the proceedings. ASN volunteers help promote local airport activities to enhance the airport's public image. They also act as the AOPA liaison with local pilot associations, user groups, airport advisory commissions, and airport management officials. Does this sound like something your airport has? If not, your airport needs an ASN volunteer. Below are just a few airports in your area where an ASN volunteer could make a difference.
To nominate a volunteer–which can be yourself–see AOPA Online.
| AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| SKYSPOTTER PROGRAM LAUNCHED
SkySpotter, a brand-new free Web-based program to encourage pilots to file pilot reports at least once on every cross-country flight, can be found on AOPA Online. It's a joint venture of AOPA's Air Safety Foundation, the National Weather Service, and FAA to increase the number of pilot weather reports (pireps). This innovative program was underwritten by fellow pilot and AOPA member, Michael Lazar, from his donor-directed fund at the ASF. Ideally it will improve the quality and quantity of weather information as well as the accuracy of forecasts. The site's interactive course, rich with detailed photos of weather, teaches pilots how to formulate and deliver the highest-value pireps and includes official criteria for accurately reporting critical weather conditions such as airframe ice accumulation or turbulence. Pilots wishing to become an ASF SkySpotter need only complete the online training and pledge to provide the pireps. Successful course completion includes a graduation certificate. See AOPA Online.
ASF OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2002, the AOPA Air Safety Foundations will offer five scholarships to seven students in various, aviation-related fields. Application forms and descriptions are available online. See AOPA Online.
HOLIDAY CARD SALES HELP ASF PROGRAMS
One of the great ways to support many ASF safety programs and send holiday greetings to the ones you care about is to buy aviation-themed holiday cards. There are 16 different designs to choose from. Two free gifts are included with every order: a sheet of decorative holiday seals to give cards a festive holiday touch and a set of return address labels.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: I am starting to work on my Commercial certificate and am confused about the night cross-country requirements. I have lots of solo night cross-country time already. Can I use this flight time to cover the required night cross-country flight time?
Answer: The regulation in question is 14 CFR 61.129 under "Commercial Aeronautical Experience." 61.129 (a) requires 250 hours of total flight time for the airplane rating. Subpart (3) requires 20 hours of this time must be training (read dual or instruction time). Subpart (iv) requires a cross-country flight of at least two hours in night VFR conditions of at least a 100 nm straight-line distance. The solo requirements do not begin until subpart (4). Therefore, the night cross-country required by 61.129(a)(3)(iv) is dual (training), and your solo flight time would not be applicable to this section. However, it could count toward the solo requirement. See AOPA Online.
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].
| AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza Update
|  Early next year we'll announce who won the 2001 AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza. In the meantime, check out our latest project update. See AOPA Online.
| Picture Perfect
| Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area. See AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| You can now keep up with the latest safety issues by checking out the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Safety Alerts. The first one is about calibrated dipsticks. See AOPA Online.
| ePilot Calendar
| Check your weekend weather on AOPA Online.
WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Richmond, Virginia. The Virginia Aviation Museum at Richmond International Airport (RIC) hosts a Wright Brothers Celebration December 15. Call 804/236-3622 for event information.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see 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 in Orlando, Florida, and Reston, Virginia, December 15 and 16. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place December 16 in Orlando, Florida. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
For comments on calendar items or to make submissions, contact Julie S. Walker at [email protected].
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