B+ for Lockheed Martin's FSS Performance
Some members may not agree, but overall, Lockheed Martin has earned a B+ so far for its operation of the flight service station (FSS) system, according to AOPA officials.
Company executives met in August with AOPA staff to review progress and AOPA members' concerns about the service they're getting from the automated flight service station (FSS) facilities.
Overall, Lockheed Martin and AOPA members concur; service is good, but it still needs improvement.
"We have an ongoing communication with Lockheed Martin so that it will remain well aware of our members' needs," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We're not going to let them slide on any of their service promises.
"And their management seems committed to providing high-quality information to pilots quickly."
According to Lockheed Martin, its briefers are answering calls in less than 30 seconds on average. That's better than the FAA's average when it ran the AFSS, and Lockheed Martin is doing it with 500 fewer employees.
But not doing it perfectly, yet.
Some members have reported being on hold longer than 30 seconds or being transferred to other facilities where the specialists aren't as knowledgeable about local conditions.
Company officials acknowledge that some stations are not fully staffed, particularly those destined for closure as part of the modernization program, and that can lead to longer hold times or to calls being transferred to specialists in other facilities.
But Lockheed Martin is working to solve that problem. The company is actively recruiting pilots already living in hard-to-staff cities to train them as FSS specialists. Lockheed also is training and certifying briefers on specific flight-planning areas. Ultimately, a pilot should always talk to a briefer who has knowledge of his local area.
NATIONAL ACTION
New Transportation Secretary Could Play Important Role in User-Fee Debate
President Bush in October confirmed former Federal Highway Administrator Mary Peters as secretary of transportation. She replaces Norman Mineta, who stepped down in July.
"While I don't yet know her personally, Mary Peters has a reputation for honesty, integrity, and a willingness to listen and understand all sides of an issue," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
"And as I've done with the eight previous secretaries of transportation that have been appointed since I've headed AOPA, I intend to be one of the first through the door to start her education on general aviation."
The new secretary of transportation will be the president's point person in the FAA funding debate and the critical "go-between" for Congress, the White House, and the general public on the issue of user fees.
Her position on aviation user fees is far from clear.
"We look forward to collaborating with Mary Peters, particularly in this next year as we re-establish the funding mechanism for our aviation infrastructure and the FAA," said Boyer. "AOPA fully intends to take every opportunity to take advantage of her good-listening-skills reputation to explain why user fees would be harmful to the world's best aviation system."
Service Bulletins Not Mandatory, FAA Lawyers Say
The FAA lawyers have spoken: Service bulletins (SBs) are not — repeat, not — mandatory for most Part 91 aircraft operators. That's exactly the decision AOPA had encouraged and expected.
That had been everyone's understanding of the regulations until an NTSB administrative law judge issued a ruling that clouded the issue.
The judge said that by not using the manufacturer's prescribed inspection technique while rebuilding an engine, the mechanic violated regulations. That seemed to imply that any manufacturer SB or instruction for doing something required by regulation took on the force of regulation itself.
Not so, said the FAA's Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations Rebecca MacPherson.
She issued an "interpretation" of the regulations to answer a question raised by the Cessna Pilots Association's Mike Busch almost a year ago. (It appears the FAA was looking for a case to be able to clarify its position again after the NTSB decision.)
Busch asked if the regulations required a mechanic to perform a borescope inspection in addition to a pressure check of Teledyne Continental Motors engine cylinders. That's what a TCM SB requires for 100-hour inspections.
She said no. All that's required is that mechanics use "methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the administrator."
If manufacturers could make SBs mandatory, it would "effectively authorize manufacturers to issue 'substantive rules,' as that term is used in the Administrative Procedures Act," MacPherson said.
But the FAA can't delegate rulemaking authority to manufacturers, and "substantive rules" must go through public notice-and-comment procedures required by law — and manufacturers can't do that.
Bottom line: If a manufacturer wants to require an owner to do something with his aircraft, the FAA has to approve it.
Free Weather, Affordable Avionics Before Switch to ADS-B, AOPA Says
Free weather and traffic information. Affordable avionics. That's what it will take for general aviation to switch to ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast). And eight to 10 years of proven, nationwide system operation before any mandate to equip with ADS-B.
That was AOPA's stand at the FAA's ADS-B "Industry Day" in Washington, D.C., in August.
"AOPA has worked on ADS-B for more than a decade, and we're convinced it will improve safety and utility for GA pilots and reduce costs for the FAA, if it is developed and implemented correctly," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs.
This was another in a series of meetings that the FAA is having with users and potential bidders on the ADS-B service. ADS-B transmits the aircraft's position to air traffic control and other aircraft. The ADS-B datalink also can be used to transmit weather and other information to the cockpit. (See " ADS-B: The Future Is Now," November 2005 Pilot.)
Bidding on a service is a different approach for the FAA. The successful contractor will be providing real-time ADS-B data to both ATC and pilots, not just building equipment to FAA specifications as has traditionally been the case.
"This follows the model of the flight service station system, and we think it could mean lower costs to the taxpayer, faster implementation, and more innovation," said Cebula. "The contractor will be taking a risk, but also has a real incentive to bring the system online quickly and not gold-plate it."
The FAA anticipates awarding the contract for the ADS-B service by July 2007.
But GA will accept the service only if the contractor continues to provide flight information service, like weather and other operational data such as temporary flight restrictions, and traffic information for free.
"ADS-B will eventually replace radar and transponders, and that's a significant cost savings to the FAA," said Cebula. "But to the GA pilot, the benefit is free weather and other data in the cockpit. We'll happily replace our transponders with ADS-B boxes — if they're affordable."
AOPA acknowledged that a mandate would come someday, just as it did for transponders. As ADS-B replaces transponders and radar, the "cost of admission" to controlled airspace for GA will be a basic ADS-B system, broadcasting the aircraft's GPS-derived position and altitude through a universal access transceiver radio.
"But we want to see the ADS-B infrastructure fully deployed nationwide, operating successfully for eight to 10 years before any mandates," said Cebula. "If we can eventually remove our transponders after ADS-B is operational, if the uplinked data remain free and comprehensive, and if the avionics costs are reasonable, we predict most aircraft owners will already be equipped with ADS-B long before they are required to."
AOPA Pilot Nominated for Esteemed Eddie Award
More than 2,000 entered, but only 260 made the finals, and AOPA Pilot magazine was one of them. Folio magazine — the association and magazine for the magazine industry, has selected AOPA Pilot as a finalist for its 2006 Eddie Awards recognizing editorial excellence.
"This is the first time AOPA Pilot has been a finalist for the Eddie Awards," said Tom Haines, editor in chief of the magazine. "Although Pilot is the largest aviation magazine in the world, we're proud to be recognized in the same awards program as such well-known publications as Fortune, National Geographic, Fine Woodworking, and Newsweek.
"Our goal has always been to be not only the biggest but the best aviation magazine in the world. It's a thrill to be recognized for the efforts of our editorial team to consistently deliver the quality content that informs and engages our readers — the members of AOPA."
The Eddie Awards, presented annually, are among the most prestigious national awards in magazine publishing. The competition is open to all magazines — consumer, business-to-business, online, and associations — and is unique in that magazines are judged by how well they fulfill their editorial mission statement and for the quality of their editorial content, and how the overall design and production support their mission.
The winning entries in each category will be announced at an awards banquet in New York City in late October.
And to think, you get this world-class publication as part of your $39 membership dues.
REGIONAL
ADS-B Network Expands to Pennsylvania
The network of ADS-B ground stations continues to expand across the nation, with most of the eastern part of Pennsylvania now covered. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation is the latest agency to partner with the FAA to speed the installation of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast ground stations. AOPA first demonstrated ADS-B to Pennsylvania officials in 2004.
ADS-B weather graphics and traffic information are now available along the eastern seaboard from New Jersey to Florida, and in portions of Ohio, central Tennessee, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and central Arizona.
MEMBERSHIP
AOPA Expo: Step into the Future of GA
Ten years from now, what will the cockpit of a typical general aviation aircraft look like? How will the National Airspace System be funded? Get a glimpse of the future of GA during AOPA Expo 2006 in Palm Springs, California.
Find out what the new acronyms — ADS-B and WAAS — mean, how these technologies can improve pilot safety and situational awareness, and what AOPA is doing to make it easier for pilots to equip their aircraft with this technology. It'll revolutionize cockpit data and the way pilots navigate.
Now what about funding the number-one airspace system in the world?
Learn how AOPA has been successfully leading the fight against user fees. During "User Fees: The Future of FAA Funding?" — Expo's first free general session on Thursday, November 9 — hear directly from key aviation industry leaders about what's at stake in how the FAA is funded, congressional oversight of the FAA, and your freedom to fly. Then FAA Administrator Marion Blakey will take the stage on Friday morning to discuss "The Future of the FAA" and answer questions from AOPA members.
AOPA President Phil Boyer and the association's management team will wrap things up Saturday morning with "The Future of AOPA." Learn about the association's advocacy strategies to keep flying safe, fun, and affordable, along with AOPA's efforts to increase the pilot population.
But Expo isn't just about the future of GA. It's also a celebration of the here and now. Watch 80 airplanes taxi down the streets of Palm Springs on Wednesday, November 8, one day before Expo begins. The aircraft will then remain on display outside the Palm Springs Convention Center for the duration of Expo. Meanwhile, inside the convention center, browse through more than 500 exhibits and take in more than 70 hours of seminars.
Don't wait to register. AOPA Expo takes place from November 9 through 11.
Illusionist to Work Magic at Expo
Renowned illusionist and mentalist Jason Randal might not be able to look into a crystal ball to find out who will win AOPA's Win a Six in '06 Sweepstakes airplane, but he's sure to wow members during the Saturday night closing banquet at AOPA Expo.
Randal is a longtime AOPA member, airline transport pilot, Master CFII, and Gold Seal Instructor who has been on the Late Show With David Letterman and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He's also made more than 100 television appearances with all the greats from Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin to Regis Philbin and Arsenio Hall. Don't miss his unique brand of mental magic.
Or travel back in time during AOPA's Friday night party at the Palm Springs Air Museum to dine and dance among vintage airplanes.
The annual Welcome Reception will be poolside at the Wyndham Palm Springs hotel on Thursday evening. Immediately following the reception, view the high-definition documentary One Six Right: The Romance of Flying, which traces the life, history, and struggles of Southern California's Van Nuys Airport. Admission is free, but donations can be made to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
For more information, see the General Sessions and Events section of the AOPA Expo Web site.
AOPA's Real-Time Flight Planner Gets Upgrade
AOPA unveiled the latest version of AOPA's Real-Time Flight Planner in August. New enhancements include graphical overlays of airmets and sigmets, wind speed/direction and temperature at altitude on the FlightLog, and pop-up windows showing METARs along a route.
See AOPA Online for a complete description of the enhancements and instructions for downloading the new version. All previously stored pilot and aircraft profiles and routes are maintained when the new version is installed.
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
Restricted Airspace: Protect Your Six, Avoid Incursions
Being complacent when flying near airspace restrictions can lead to tarnished aviation careers and a negative image of general aviation in the public's mind.
For example, in August the number of violations of Prohibited Area P-40, the presidential retreat known as Camp David in central Maryland, quadrupled inexcusably during a 48-hour period. Eight pilots flew through the prohibited airspace, sending fighter jets scrambling to intercept the violators. Some of the violations were committed by local pilots who should know the boundary of the expanded airspace.
Learn how to avoid flying through temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) — and the ensuing FAA enforcement action — with resources from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
Check out the foundation's Airspace for Everyone Safety Advisor, which provides detailed information on VFR sectional markings, special-use airspace (like TFRs), and the latest airspace changes, including RNAV IFR terminal transition routes. Detachable cards with intercept procedures, airspace at a glance, and notam reminders are included in the Safety Advisor. Download and print Airspace for Everyone online.
Another resource is the Airspace Safety Hot Spot, which offers free interactive online courses and quizzes, AOPA and AOPA Air Safety Foundation publications, links to related Web sites, and more. And be sure to check out the Know Before You Go online course in the Safety Hot Spot.
Busch Family Donates Challenge Grant to Improve GA Safety
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has taken on extra fuel, so to speak, through a generous matching gift from the Busch family of St. Louis. AOPA President Phil Boyer recently met with August A. Busch III, chairman of the board of Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., and Steven A. Busch, executive assistant to the chairman, to launch their $100,000 challenge grant designed to expand the outreach of safety education.
Both of the Busches are devoted general aviation pilots. In addition to vast corporate travel, the father-son team is certified to fly everything from taildraggers to helicopters to jets. Steven serves on the board of the National Business Aviation Association. August A. Busch IV, president of Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., is also a pilot.
"The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has developed some of the best refresher safety materials in GA. This grant will allow us to communicate this dynamic resource to more and more pilots," Boyer said. "AOPA members can help the foundation meet the challenge set forth by the August A. Busch III Foundation, and the skies will definitely be safer for all of us."
For more information on the Busch challenge, visit the Web site.
Promote Safety with GA-Theme Holiday Cards
This holiday season, give a gift that keeps giving. By sending an AOPA Air Safety Foundation aviation-theme holiday card, pilots can spread the holiday cheer and help fund free safety education programs that will benefit thousands of pilots.
A portion of the proceeds from the holiday cards helps the foundation provide these courses to pilots at no charge.
The cards range from "American Holiday Sunrise," an elegant gold-embossed card with cardinals perched on logs in the foreground and a vintage biplane flying over a log cabin with the sun rising in the background, to "Moonlight Snowmen," a simple colored drawing of two snowmen watching a biplane fly in the moonlight on a snowy winter's night.
Prices vary for a box of 25 cards. A set of 25 personalized return-address labels and decorative envelope seals comes with each order. Visit the ASF Holiday Card Center.
AOPA AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK
Public-use airports in the United States are closing at the rate of about one every two weeks. The AOPA Airport Support Network designates one volunteer per airport to watch for threats and encourage favorable public perception of general aviation. For more information on how you can help support your airport, visit AOPA Online.
Action in the states
Georgia. Jefferson: Within the first few months of being appointed the Airport Support Network (ASN) volunteer at Jackson County Airport, Kenneth Botts tackled a major project: forming an airport support group. The Jackson County Aviation Association officially formed in August, thanks to the efforts of Botts and numerous local airport supporters. Botts used the ASN online publication Organizing Your Airport Group to successfully create the group.
Minnesota. Mora: Mora Municipal ASN volunteer Dustin Paulson reports that city officials in Mora are proving that industrial businesses and airports can work together to benefit the local community. The city's airport advisory board has successfully forged a plan, backed by city officials, to allow the city to purchase additional land to the north of Mora Municipal's primary runway and relocate the crosswind turf strip that currently sits to the south. The land currently used for the crosswind runway is being added to the city's industrial park as a state-designated tax-free zone, and is being developed by the city to attract industrial businesses. In addition to relocating the crosswind runway, the city first plans to rebuild, and extend the primary paved runway to make it more capable of accommodating the larger aircraft that may be associated with businesses attracted to the adjacent industrial park.
Some Good News
Too often we hear stories about airports facing encroachment, closure threats, and the wrath of elected leaders who do not understand the value of airports. This month, the Airport Support Network staff is pleased to share positive success stories from volunteers across the country whose commitment to their local community airports is an integral part of preserving general aviation's history as well as the future of our local airports.
As years go by, fewer pilots have the opportunity to experience landing on a turf runway, simply because these jewels of GA history are slowly slipping away. Although turf runways are fleeting memories for many airports, this month we talked to two volunteers who were able to find ways to maintain this rare piece of aviation's finest days at their community airports.
By forging agreements with local and state officials, our ASN volunteer of the month Larry Snyder turned an ominous closure threat to Illinois' Taylorville Municipal Airport's crosswind runway into a field of dreams with a new 1,900-foot strip.
Dustin Paulson, the ASN volunteer for Mora Municipal in Minnesota, helped devise a plan for the city to purchase land for an industrial development that would enable the airport to relocate and thus save its 2,450-foot grass strip.
To find out how you can help preserve an airport in your area, or to find more information on the Airport Support Network, visit the Web site.
Volunteer of the Month: Larry A. Snider
All too often today, turf runways are closed and replaced with paved ones, but Airport Support Network (ASN) volunteer of the month Larry A. Snyder was able to help preserve Taylorville Municipal Airport's crosswind turf runway, even though a paved runway was going to be built parallel to it. Now the airport, in Taylorville, Illinois, has three runways to accommodate the 15,000 flight operations that take place there every year.
The turf runway had been eliminated from the airport's new master plan — it was to be replaced by the paved runway. However, Snyder and other airport supporters were able to persuade the city to keep the turf runway and add the paved strip. Snyder had pointed out that few grass strips are available in the area and that a multitude of taildraggers is based at the airport.
In order to keep the turf runway, Snyder also had to persuade the Illinois Department of Transportation to pay for the turf runway and the city to provide ongoing maintenance. That's because the FAA would pay only for the paved runway. Wind coverage, safety, and the number of operations at an airport play a role in determining the number of runways eligible for FAA funding. Because the FAA determined that Taylorville Municipal Airport had a need for only one crosswind runway, it provided funding only for the paved strip.
The success of Taylorville Municipal Airport is a perfect example of how ASN volunteers can work with airport supporters and their local and state officials to create a win-win situation for everyone.
