AOPA Association News
New England pilots learn from others' mistakes, pet peeves
Aviation eBrief | Mar 19, 2010
While pilots often learn from their own mistakes, it's best to learn from others' mistakes in order to avoid potentially dangerous situations. More than 300 pilots attended the Aero Club of New England (ACONE) Crash Course 2010 in Boston March 15 to do just that. ACONE Crash Course Chair Paul Diette reviewed aviation accidents that occurred in the New England area, while AOPA Air Safety Foundation President Bruce Landsberg profiled some common mistakes pilots make in their radio communications, in the traffic pattern and in aircraft operation. Read more.
AOPA Now: Engaging new audiences
Aviation eBrief | Mar 18, 2010
AOPA brought the aviation experience to new audiences in downtown Los Angeles March 14 as part of the launch for Mike Torchia's Shape Up America Campaign. People gathered by the thousands in Pershing Square Park to learn more about their health and how being healthy can help them fulfill other dreams -- like flying. Read AOPA President Craig Fuller's blog.
Tecnam's Twin: Speed, style, economy
Aviation eBrief | Mar 17, 2010
Want a fresh take on a light twin? Tecnam, manufacturer of the P92 Echo Super and P2002 Sierra light sport aircraft, has expanded its offerings by launching its new P2006T in the United States. The P2006T is a new slant on the traditional light twin idea, what with its four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled 98-horsepower Rotax 912S3 engines, geared propellers and minimalist construction. See how it flies, according to AOPA Pilot Editor At Large Tom Horne. Read more.
TSA, industry groups talk GA security
Aviation eBrief | Mar 16, 2010
The Transportation Security Administration consulted general aviation organizations about security initiatives March 9 and 10 in the first meeting of a working group created to increase industry involvement in GA security. Representatives from AOPA and other GA organizations met with TSA staff to discuss the group's major areas of concern about TSA initiatives: interagency issues, credentials and access to airports, temporary flight restrictions, grants to improve airport security, and incident management. AOPA Online.
FAA plan charts modernization through 2018
Aviation eBrief | Mar 15, 2010
The FAA released its updated implementation plan for the transition to a modernized air transportation system this month. The 2010 NextGen Implementation Plan includes increased access to non-radar airspace and small airports, recommendations for which AOPA advocated during its participation in a government-industry NextGen task force. AOPA Online.
Costello talks FAA funding as bill moves to Senate floor
Aviation eBrief | Mar 12, 2010
The long-delayed FAA reauthorization bill made its way to the Senate floor this week, opening the way for a measure to pass that chamber before the Easter recess. The House passed its own reauthorization in May 2009. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., chairman of the House aviation subcommittee and a vocal opponent of user fees, spoke with AOPA Pilot Editor in Chief Tom Haines recently about the reauthorization process. AOPA Online.
"Flight Training" gets whole new look
Aviation eBrief | Mar 11, 2010
With the April issue of Flight Training magazine, AOPA has launched a totally redesigned publication, aimed at everyone who is interested in becoming a pilot -- or becoming a better pilot. The magazine has been completely updated with a clean, fresh new look while still providing all the information readers have come to value. AOPA Online.
Boeing Field: Raising rents in a downturn?
Aviation eBrief | Mar 10, 2010
King County, Wash., plans to raise land lease rental rates for tenants at Boeing Field. AOPA has emphasized that the increase does not reflect the economic hardships imposed by the recession. AOPA Online.
Oklahoma considering land-use legislation
Aviation eBrief | Mar 09, 2010
Bills to protect Oklahoma airports from obstructions and incompatible land use have made it through the state's House and Senate committees. The deadline for the bills to be heard on the House and Senate floor is March 11. AOPA Online.
AOPA praises pilots willing to "drop everything and fly"
Aviation eBrief | Mar 08, 2010
During a trip around the Southeast, AOPA Foundation President Karen Gebhart recognized pilots and organizations that have exemplified engagement in their communities: a pilot who donated his time and proficiency to help the Haitian relief efforts; his workplace, which contributed resources to the efforts; and the Atlanta Aero Club, which has reached out to state government in its support for aviation. AOPA Online.
Meeting could decide future of Vista Field
Aviation eBrief | Mar 05, 2010
AOPA is urging area pilots and businesses to support Vista Field in Washington state by attending a March 8 meeting that could decide the facility's future. City officials are trying to close the airport and redevelop the land as commercial real estate. AOPA Online.
Venice supporters, AOPA won't surrender to city pressure
Aviation eBrief | Mar 05, 2010
"We shall fight on the landing grounds. … We shall never surrender" was the call by Sir Winston Churchill in World War II to the British nation, energizing them for the conflicts to come. AOPA saw such a mentality in the minds and efforts of airport supporters in Venice, Fla., in engaging with the Venice Aviation Society Inc. in its struggles with the Venice City Council. AOPA Online.
Valkaria Air Fest: Made by pilots, with pilots, for you
Aviation eBrief | Mar 04, 2010
When you need to put your airport in the best light, show, don't tell. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts in and around Grant-Valkaria, Fla., did just that in February, holding the fourth annual Valkaria Air Fest. This celebration of aviation comes after a long battle by the local pilot community and AOPA to keep aviation alive in this area of Florida; not long ago, the prospect of learning to fly in Grant-Valkaria was a thorny issue. AOPA Online.
South Dakota aviation fund raid for $1.5 million averted
Aviation eBrief | Mar 03, 2010
It's a familiar story: Facing a severe budget shortfall, the state legislature is considering drawing money from sources such as the aeronautics fund to cover the difference. But the initially proposed $2 million transfer from the aviation fund seems to have not been enough for some South Dakota legislators. Included in House Bill 1083 was a proposal to transfer an additional $1.5 million out of the account. AOPA saw this as excessive, and worked with legislators to help defeat the legislation. AOPA Online.
Proposed tax hike would hurt Washington state's bottom line
Aviation eBrief | Mar 03, 2010
A proposed hike in the excise tax for aircraft in Washington state would hurt pilots, the aviation industry, and ultimately the state economy, AOPA is telling lawmakers. House Bill 3176 would impose a 0.5 percent annual excise tax "for the privilege of using any aircraft in the state" -- increasing some aircraft owners' fees tenfold and creating the highest registration rates in the nation for many types of aircraft. AOPA Online.
Politicians & Planes: Pilot in command
Aviation eBrief | Mar 02, 2010
When Vermont Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie arose before a joint session of the legislature to introduce the governor's budget address this winter, Dubie had recently returned from a two-day trip as captain of an American Airlines MD-80. Dubie says his experience as a pilot -- whether scrambling on Soviet Bear bombers during the Cold War or shooting a Category III approach into Dallas with 142 souls on board -- equips him for the pressures of government office, and he hopes to parlay his time in the left seat into a run for the governor's seat in November.AOPA Online.
Brownback cautions against restrictions on GA
Aviation eBrief | Mar 02, 2010
As lawmakers and regulators consider the proper response to the Feb. 18 crash of a Piper Cherokee into an office building in Austin, Texas, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., says unnecessary restrictions on general aviation are not the answer. AOPA Online.
AOPA to Northwest Aviation Conference: A short cross-country
Aviation eBrief | Mar 01, 2010
Wherever your home airport, AOPA is never far away. The association joined the already energized Northwest pilot and aviation enthusiast populations at the annual Northwest Aviation Conference Feb. 20 and 21 to talk about engagement, airport protection, and safety. AOPA Foundation President Karen Gebhart gave the keynote speech and spoke of how AOPA is helping airports and pilots across the country. AOPA Online.
Knowledge test fee set to increase today
Aviation eBrief | Mar 01, 2010
Computer Assisted Testing Service Inc. (CATS) and LaserGrade are increasing their FAA knowledge test fee by $50 on March 1. AOPA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the National Air Transportation Association, and the National Association of Flight Instructors had asked the testing services and the FAA to delay the increase and re-evaluate its need. AOPA Online.
FAA seeks pilot input on notam system
Aviation eBrief | Feb 26, 2010
A little over one year after local (L) notams were reclassified as distant (D) notams, the FAA wants to know how the new system is working for pilots. The agency has created an online survey to get feedback from pilots and uncover any operational issues the change might have caused. All responses will remain anonymous, and the FAA will use the results to correct any unintentional problems and share the information with AOPA. AOPA supported the reclassification of L notams because it simplified and consolidated information for pilots and alleviated some of the call burden on flight service specialists. Take the survey.
AERO Friedrichshafen reaches new prominence
Aviation eBrief | Feb 25, 2010
AERO Friedrichshafen serves as a meeting of the GA minds. The show attracts top industry and government officials from 25 nations, and AOPA President Craig Fuller will use the opportunity to reach a broad audience about the value of GA. AOPA Online.
GA groups stick up for backcountry strips
Aviation eBrief | Feb 24, 2010
AOPA and the Recreational Aviation Foundation are weighing in on a U.S. Forest Service initiative to create a new planning rule that would include restoring forests, protecting watersheds, addressing climate change, and more. The two general aviation associations want to ensure that backcountry airstrips are considered and protected and that aviation stakeholders are a part of the planning process. AOPA Online.
Protecting your freedom to fly in wake of Austin crash
Aviation eBrief | Feb 23, 2010
Following the Feb. 18 crash of a Piper Cherokee into an Austin, Texas, office building, speculation grew regarding the consequences it would have on GA. "Since the moment we first learned of the accident, we began reaching out to educate government officials, the media, and the public about GA, and we haven't stopped -- we won't stop," said AOPA President Craig Fuller. AOPA Online.
Nall Report expands picture of GA safety
Aviation eBrief | Feb 22, 2010
The newest edition of general aviation's most comprehensive annual safety analysis is out, and for the first time, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Joseph T. Nall Report examines helicopters and Part 135 charter flights. "The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has been telling the story of what went wrong for two decades," said Bruce Landsberg, president of the foundation. "The challenge is to take a complex subject and distill it into a comprehensible outline of the prior year's mishaps. Previous issues covered 90 percent of all GA flight activity. This one adds 90 percent of what was left." AOPA Online.
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