AOPA Association News
Voluntary noise abatement may ease tensions at Falcon Field
Aviation eBrief | Nov 20, 2009
When the Sabena Airline Training Center moved to Falcon Field in Mesa, Ariz., the airport went from the twelfth busiest general aviation airport in the nation to the fourth. But nearby residents have complained about noise from flight training. The city has been working with stakeholders to find solutions. AOPA Vice President of Local Airport Advocacy Bill Dunn and Western Regional Representative Stacy Howard engaged with local decision leaders and elected officials last week to hear details of voluntary noise abatement procedures and local pilots' efforts to ease tensions. Read more.
Lockheed announces FSS consolidations
Aviation eBrief | Nov 19, 2009
Lockheed Martin has announced that effective Feb. 1, 2010, it will implement another round of flight service station consolidations. "AOPA has served as a strong customer advocate for pilots since the FAA announced it was contracting out flight service and subsequently awarded the contract to Lockheed Martin in 2005," said AOPA Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Rob Hackman. "We will continue to closely monitor flight service performance as the system continues to transition." Read more.
FAA needs to provide continuous traffic uplink
Aviation eBrief | Nov 19, 2009
AOPA on Nov. 10 requested that the FAA make traffic information continuously available for all aircraft equipped with Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) "in" technology. ADS-B is a key component of the FAA's plan for transitioning to satellite-based technology for surveillance and navigation in the NextGen air transportation system. Read more.
Emergency AD issued for TCM lifters
Aviation eBrief | Nov 18, 2009
The FAA has issued an emergency airworthiness directive for all Teledyne Continental Motors 240-, 360-, 470-, and 520-series reciprocating engines, effective immediately. The emergency AD, issued Nov. 16, requires determining if certain hydraulic valve lifters, part numbers 657913, 657915, and 657916, are installed, and replacing those lifters if they are installed. Read more.
Hudson River rules take effect Nov. 19
Aviation eBrief | Nov 18, 2009
The New York City Class B Hudson River exclusion zone will become a special flight rules area (SFRA) on Nov. 19. While this may change how some pilots operate in the area, the airspace will remain open for general aviation pilots to get a bird's-eye view of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty. AOPA had advocated for GA pilots' continued access to the airspace while it participated on the New York Hudson River Task Force. Read more.
Lawmakers target airline laptop distractions
Aviation eBrief | Nov 17, 2009
In response to a recent incident where laptop use may have contributed to airline pilot distraction, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban certain electronic devices from airline cockpits. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee's aviation subcommittee, introduced The Distracted Flying Act, or S. 2745, earlier this month. Read more.
AOPA Air Safety Foundation launches airport safety course
Aviation eBrief | Nov 16, 2009
There can be plenty of challenges as you try to get from Point A to Point B. That's why the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has completely redesigned its acclaimed Runway Safety online course. Funded with a grant from the FAA, the Runway Safety course stresses the importance of maintaining situational awareness in order to prevent runway incursions and other potentially hazardous situations on the airport. Take the course.
Fuller, govs talk airport support
Aviation eBrief | Nov 13, 2009
AOPA President Craig Fuller met with a group of Democratic governors Nov. 9 in Philadelphia to encourage them to invest in their states' aviation infrastructure. The governors came together from as far west as Montana and as far east as New Hampshire to discuss critical infrastructure investment, the importance of small airports, and the role of states in supporting the national air transportation system. Read more.
AOPA, NAFI tout benefits of dual membership
Aviation eBrief | Nov 12, 2009
AOPA and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) on Nov. 7 launched a program to demonstrate to flight instructors the value in and importance of belonging to both organizations. Read more.
AOPA Aviation Summit spotlights aviation powerhouses
Aviation eBrief | Nov 11, 2009
They came from statehouses and Capitol Hill, from government offices and industry boardrooms, and from hangars throughout the United States. A total of 7,294 pilots and aviation enthusiasts from across the nation convened at AOPA Aviation Summit in Tampa, Fla., to celebrate general aviation and get involved in the future of flying. Read more.
Security comes to Summit
Aviation eBrief | Nov 10, 2009
A collaborative approach among the Transportation Security Administration, AOPA and other stakeholders in the general aviation community is leading to changes in the Large Aircraft Security Program that TSA announced in late 2008, AOPA President Craig Fuller said Nov. 6, during a Center Stage Live discussion with TSA Assistant Administrator John Sammon. Read more.
Airport support group discusses clearing local obstacles
Aviation eBrief | Nov 10, 2009
The field captains of airport defense met with AOPA government affairs staff Nov. 6 to review the game plan for protecting general aviation at the local level. At a meeting of AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers at AOPA Aviation Summit, AOPA government affairs staff discussed common issues that volunteers encounter and provided advice on how to prevent and address threats to airports and encroaching development. Read more.
Pilots strongly urged not to fly Zodiac CH601XL, CH650
Aviation eBrief | Nov 09, 2009
In the wake of a Nov. 6 accident involving a Zodiac CH601XL, the FAA issued a special airworthiness information bulletin recommending that before further flight the aircraft be brought into compliance with a safety directive/safety alert from Aircraft Manufacturing & Design, which manufactures the airplanes. Read more.
Aviation Summit highlights on AOPA Live
Aviation eBrief | Nov 09, 2009
Thousands of pilots attended AOPA Aviation Summit last week in Tampa, Fla., to take in Airportfest, educational forums, and a gadget-filled exhibit hall. See the best of the show on AOPA Live. Watch videos.
Secure your aircraft with Bahamian art
Aviation eBrief | Nov 03, 2009
When you fly into Tampa, Fla., for AOPA's Aviation Summit this week, secure your aircraft with art from the islands. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation will give away 30 special hand-painted chocks designed by students from the Out Islands of the Bahamas to pilots attending Summit. Read more.
Be a part of the future at Summit
Aviation eBrief | Nov 03, 2009
From the heads of government agencies to the chiefs of aircraft manufacturing companies, you'll be in rare company at AOPA's Aviation Summit. AOPA is bringing all of the movers and shakers in the industry to Summit so that you can hear about the future of GA. Read more.
Get a front-row seat for Summit through AOPA Live
Aviation eBrief | Nov 03, 2009
You can be a part of the action at Summit -- even from thousands of miles away. Log on to AOPA Online to watch the exciting events as they unfold through AOPA Live. Watch the unveiling of AOPA's 2010 Sweepstakes airplane and interviews with SR-71 pilot Brian Shul, aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff, and more. See a schedule of the live broadcasts. Want to experience Summit in person? You can register at the Tampa Convention Center.
Education, compatible land use called for at North Las Vegas
Aviation eBrief | Nov 03, 2009
A North Las Vegas stakeholder group of aviation officials, pilots, and community residents formed by Nevada Senate Joint Resolution 3 submitted 13 recommendations to the state legislature Nov. 1 in an effort to increase safety at North Las Vegas Airport. AOPA Regional Representative Stacy Howard and Air Safety Foundation Director of Operations Kathleen Vasconcelos participated in the stakeholder group to help represent general aviation pilots' needs. Read more.
AOPA seeks to be "friend of court" in jet-ban case
Aviation eBrief | Nov 02, 2009
AOPA on Oct. 29 requested permission from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to participate as a friend of the court in an appeal by the city of Santa Monica, Calif., of an FAA decision that the city could not ban certain jet traffic at Santa Monica Airport. Read more.
Follow Summit on AOPA Live
Aviation eBrief | Nov 02, 2009
Don't miss out on AOPA's 2010 Sweepstakes airplane reveal on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. -- log onto AOPA Online to watch the unveiling live! Plus, you can catch interviews with SR-71 pilot Brian Shul, aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff, and more through AOPA Live. See a schedule of the live broadcasts. Want to experience Summit in person? It's not too late to attend. You can register in person at the Tampa Convention Center.
Get away: Come to Summit for a day
Aviation eBrief | Oct 30, 2009
Be one of the first to see the 2010 Sweepstakes airplane as we unveil it at the AOPA Aviation Summit on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. Come for the day to take in Summit's 400 exhibits, check out the vast gathering of airplanes on display at Peter O. Knight Airport for Airportfest and enjoy all that Tampa, Fla., has to offer. Day passes to the exhibits and Airportfest start at just $35. Register today.
Fuller lauds benefits for GA in NextGen plan
Aviation eBrief | Oct 30, 2009
The FAA must take advantage of existing technologies, continue to work with stakeholders and act quickly to establish the equipment and procedures necessary to modernize the air transportation system, AOPA President Craig Fuller said in submitted testimony to the House aviation subcommittee on Oct. 28. Read more.
W.Va. pilots work to revitalize airport
Aviation eBrief | Oct 29, 2009
As pilots band together in the Mid-Ohio Valley region of West Virginia to help revitalize their community's aviation infrastructure, AOPA is showing support for their efforts to highlight the importance of the local airports. AOPA Executive Vice President of Communications Karen Gebhart flew to Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Oct. 22 to recognize pilots' work to grow activity at the airport. Read more.
Join forces for GA at Summit
Aviation eBrief | Oct 29, 2009
Share your excitement about flying at a good old-fashioned political-style rally Thursday, Nov. 5, at AOPA Aviation Summit in Tampa, Fla. General aviation is facing one of the greatest sets of challenges in its 100-year history. So join forces to help protect your freedom to fly at the first GA Serves America Rally at AOPA Aviation Summit. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III, an avid pilot and 40-year AOPA member, will speak about promoting GA and protecting the freedoms you hold dear. Read more.
Flight sims take off at Summit
Aviation eBrief | Oct 28, 2009
AOPA Aviation Summit flight simulator sponsor Frasca International Inc. is giving you an opportunity to climb into the cockpit for a virtual flight at Summit. Free simulator flights will be offered at the AOPA Learn to Fly Centers and the Women's Wing. Plus, find out more about flight simulator training with industry experts at Center Stage in the Tampa Convention Center exhibit hall. Read more.
Congress calls for study of GPS backup
Aviation eBrief | Oct 28, 2009
As VORs are being decommissioned and with loran-C on the chopping block, pilots are relying more on satellite-based technology for navigation -- but what will happen if there is a GPS outage? The House of Representatives is calling for the Coast Guard and Department of Transportation to study whether there is a continued need for a backup navigation system to GPS. Read more.
Politicians and Planes: Flying the Polar Express
Aviation eBrief | Oct 27, 2009
State Sen. Donald Olson knows all too well the risks of flying in the unforgiving landscape of the Alaskan bush: His two brothers and father, as well as several friends, died in aviation accidents. When Olson's father disappeared on a flight into a blizzard in 1980, he said goodbye to the family one by one via radio transmission. But that hasn't prevented aviation from permeating all aspects of Olson's life -- from reindeer herding in an R22 to flying to the North Pole in an antique Russian biplane. Read more.
Let your dream of becoming a pilot begin at Summit
Aviation eBrief | Oct 27, 2009
Bring your questions about flight training to the Learn to Fly centers at AOPA Aviation Summit. AOPA's qualified staff of pilots and certificated flight instructors will be ready to answer your questions about training programs, certificate options and all things related to becoming a general aviation pilot. Read more.
GA at the movies
Aviation eBrief | Oct 26, 2009
See the true stories of pilots' love of flying played out on the big screen at "GA at the Movies," a luncheon on Friday, Nov. 6, at AOPA Aviation Summit celebrating the outstanding stories of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. Read more.
AOPA to Arkansas pilots: Together we can do more
Aviation eBrief | Oct 26, 2009
AOPA is working with local pilots to ensure Arkansas airports continue to thrive and encourage economic development throughout the state. On a visit to Arkansas airports last week, AOPA Director of Advocacy Joey Colleran addressed pilots about AOPA's efforts to promote general aviation and support airports around the country. Read more.
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