EAA & AOPA NEWS

From the EAA

NEW EPA PROGRAM COULD THREATEN AVGAS AVAILABILITY
EAA working to ensure current and future GA fuel supply
Announcements made by the Environmental Protection Agency today could further tighten the screws on our nation's general aviation fuel supply, making EAA's ongoing advocacy and work on fuel-related issues increasingly relevant and urgent.

The EPA announced a broad-sweeping program of air-quality testing and monitoring to enforce newly adopted, and considerably more stringent, standards for allowable levels of lead. This program entails EPA scrutiny of numerous industries and commercial activities involving lead emissions. As part of this effort, the EPA will direct state governments to examine whether general-aviation activity at certain airports contributes to unacceptable levels of lead in the air. The new standards lower the allowable amount of lead to one-tenth of previously accepted levels.  Read more

WOMAN BORN WITHOUT ARMS EARNS SPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE
Jessica Cox of Tucson, Arizona, became the first person without arms to earn a Sport Pilot Certificate last week. An Able Flight scholarship winner, Jessica passed her checkride on October 10th after several months of training with instructor Parrish Traweek in his Ercoupe 415C. With its unique control system, the Ercoupe proved to be the right airplane for her to fly using only her feet (she does not use prosthetic arms).

"I highly encourage people with disabilities to consider flying," Jessica said. "It not only empowers you but also helps others realize that people with disabilities are adept at attaining privileges that a small percentage of society takes part in. It helps reverse the stereotype that people with disabilities are powerless into the belief that they are powerful and capable of setting high goals and achieving them." Learn more about Jessica at www.rightfooted.com.

RAINBOW'S 120-HOUR REPAIRMAN COURSE WRAPS UP IN OSHKOSH
Rainbow Aviation Service of Corning, California, conducts the only FAA-accepted 120-hour Light-Sport Repairman Maintenance training program, which provides the Repairman Maintenance rating for special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA). In the spring and the late fall, Rainbow holds these courses at its Corning facilities, but for the past three weeks 18 students have been immersed in the course here in Oshkosh at the EAA Aviation Center.  Read more

EAA MEMBERS' COMMENTS FOCUS ON POTENTIAL ADDED BURDENS TO BUILDING
EAA members are not shy about sharing their opinions of FAA's proposed policy changes in the 51-percent rule for aircraft builders. The comment period, which runs through September 30, has already drawn hundreds of responses from those who have built or may build an aircraft.

EAA maintains that instead of creating additional burdens that could hinder growth in the homebuilt community, FAA should instead enforce the existing amateur-built aircraft rules and abandon proposals that would impose new and complicated requirements for documenting and reporting an amateur aircraft builder's work.  Read more

CLARIFICATION OF ELT REQUIREMENTS
This week the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) sent out notifications to U.S. aircraft owners regarding upcoming changes in emergency locator transmitter (ELT) services. NOAA reminds owners that after February 1, 2009, satellite coverage of 121.5 MHz ELTs will end and that only ground-based monitoring will take place. NOAA recommends that aircraft owners transition to the improved digital 406 MHz ELT systems. This has caused some confusion among aircraft owners, many of whom feel they are now required to upgrade to the 406 MHz units.  Read more

RESPOND TO TSA'S OMINOUS PROPOSAL
60 days added for public input
As initially reported last month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed sweeping security rules for the operation of aircraft that weigh more than 12,500 pounds. The proposed regulation, the Large Aircraft Security Program, would require owners of those aircraft to obtain permission from TSA to operate their own personal aircraft every time they carry passengers. Additionally, all flight crews would be required to undergo fingerprinting and a background check, all passengers would have to be vetted against the government's terrorist watch lists, and numerous security requirements would be imposed on airports serving these "large" aircraft. EAA adamantly opposes this regulation and urges all members to respond to TSA.  Read more

From the AOPA;

Permanent D.C. ADIZ a bad precedent for GA
In a final attempt to prevent the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone from becoming permanent, AOPA met with the Office of Management Budget (OMB) on Nov. 10. The OMB, which is reviewing the FAA's proposal to make the airspace permanent, is one of the last hurdles a proposal must clear before being implemented as a final rule. "The Bush administration is set on pushing this rule through," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "We're going to fight this until the very end." Read more >>

CONGRESS PUNTS FAA FUNDING ISSUE INTO 2009
Call it the Washington, D.C., version of kick the can. With the latest extension of the FAA funding bill set to expire at the end of September, Congress wrangling over a $700 billion bail-out bill for U.S. financial institutions, and legislators wanting to get out of town to campaign, Congress decided the FAA funding issue could wait until next year. "That means we can declare victory in the battle against user fees, at least in 2008," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. On Sept. 23, the House and Senate passed a bill that extends the current aviation taxes on fuel and airline tickets until March 31, 2009. It also gives the FAA the authority to spend nearly $7.9 billion over the next six months. Read more on AOPA Online.

FOOTBALL SEASON KICKS OFF WITH STADIUM TFRs
With football season now under way, pilots need to be mindful of temporary flight restrictions around stadiums. The FAA's blanket notam prohibits aircraft and parachute operations at and below 3,000 feet within three nautical miles of large stadiums. The TFRs go into effect an hour before and extend until an hour after the scheduled events. To help pilots avoid the TFRs, AOPA has compiled a list of the NFL stadiums. You can also find information about the locations of other sporting events. 

SKYCATCHER TO UNDERGO SMALL DESIGN CHANGES
The crash of the Cessna SkyCatcher prototype on Sept. 18 during flight-testing will result in only small modifications where appropriate, a Cessna Aircraft Company spokeswoman said. The aircraft will become Cessna’s entry into the light sport aircraft market. A spokeswoman said the project engineer reports the aircraft entered a nose-down, normal spin. At the time the spin was entered, the test pilot had performed a power-on, cross-controlled “spin test.” Read more on AOPA Online.

~ AOPA Close to Home ~
AOPA ASKS AUBURN TO PREVENT RESIDENTIAL ENCROACHMENT
Building a continuing care facility in a restricted development area underneath the traffic pattern for Runway 7/25 at Auburn Municipal is a bad idea, AOPA told Auburn city officials. In a Sept. 24 letter, AOPA pointed out that the proposed Timberline development would put a continuing care facility about one mile from the airport and completely within compatibility zones C1 and C2. Under the airport's compatible land-use plan, nursing homes are prohibited in those zones. Read more on AOPA Online.

GA SECURITY: WHAT'S CHANGED SINCE 9/11
In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy, general aviation security was immediately thrust into scrutiny. AOPA, the pilot community, and the federal government implemented numerous security measures in response, even though GA had no role in the events that morning. "AOPA and the pilot community have worked hard during the past seven years to increase GA security," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "GA is more secure, in large part, because the pilot community has a vested interest in protecting their aircraft and airports." See where GA security stands.

FATAL ACCIDENTS IN NORTH LAS VEGAS SPARK PUBLIC OUTREACH
Within a one-week period, two fatal accidents occurred near North Las Vegas Airport, sparking concern among the public about aviation safety. AOPA and the Air Safety Foundation reached out to a shocked community in an effort to present the facts about GA and its safety record. On Aug. 22, a Velocity experimental aircraft crashed into a house near the airport, killing the pilot and two people on the ground. Then, on Aug. 28, a Piper Navajo crashed into a yard, burning two homes. The pilot was killed, but those in the houses survived. "Fatal general aviation accidents are very low, and it is rare that anyone on the ground is injured or killed when an aircraft crashes," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Read more on AOPA Online.

AIRPORT PRESERVATION A TOP PRIORITY FOR AOPA
A recent meeting of the AOPA Airport Support Network Board of Advisors focused on the 10-year-old organization's future with working groups on recruiting and retaining volunteers, encouraging advocacy, and the use of social networking. The Sept. 6 meeting placed special emphasis on new strategies for finding and retaining volunteers. "Airport Support Network volunteers are our eyes and ears at nearly 2,000 airports nationwide," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "But we need more members to help protect the nation's airports. We want to see a volunteer at every public-use airport in the country." Visit AOPA Online to find out if your airport has an ASN volunteer and learn how you can help.

Older stuff (continue to post on web site)

GUIDANCE FOR VINTAGE AIRCRAFT PARTS, MATERIALS SUBSTITUTION
The FAA has issued a draft advisory circular (AC), providing guidance on parts and materials substitutions needed to maintain the safety of old or out-of-production aircraft. AOPA supports the FAA's efforts to keep vintage aircraft flying and has requested that the agency regularly review and expand the AC. AOPA also asked the FAA to consider creating an online database for vintage aircraft owners that would have real-time information on acceptable parts substitutions. The association offered to work with the vintage aircraft community and the FAA "to provide the data needed to populate the database and develop new approvals to benefit the safety and viability of the vintage fleet." To learn more about caring for these aircraft, take the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Aging Aircraft online course.

FAA WEIGHS SPORT PILOT RULE CHANGES
With some four years of real-world experience behind it, the FAA is zeroing in on proposed changes to the sport pilot rule. In addition to the 22 proposed changes that were already announced earlier this year, AOPA wants to see the aircraft gross weight boosted beyond the current 1,320 pounds. This could allow the inclusion of a bigger group of existing production airplanes such as the Cessna 150. It would also allow room for advanced safety equipment like emergency parachutes. Read more on AOPA Online.

AOPA CALLS ON FAA TO BROADEN SUPPORT FOR GA
The FAA needs to show even greater support for general aviation than what is in a key short-term strategic planning document known as the FAA Flight Plan. That is the message in a letter from AOPA President Phil Boyer to FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell. "AOPA believes the agency needs to put a special emphasis on preserving and improving America's general aviation airports, increasing all-weather access to those airports, and finding an unleaded alternative to today's low-lead aviation gasoline," said Boyer. Read more on AOPA Online.

FAA INTENDS TO REDUCE VOR NETWORK SOON
The FAA has confirmed to AOPA that it is making plans to reduce the network of VORs across the country, beginning in 2010. However, AOPA members are not quite convinced that a widespread VOR reduction is acceptable. Survey information shows that only about half of AOPA members believe a significant number of VORs can be eliminated without affecting their flight operations. "Clearly this marks a big step forward in pilot acceptance of GPS and reduced reliance on VORs, but members are still saying 'not yet,'" said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. Read more on AOPA Online.

AOPA Close to Home

AOPA WORKS FOR COMPATIBLE LAND USE AT SAN DIEGO AIRPORTS
AOPA is working with Montgomery Field AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer Rick Beach, airport operators, city planning departments, developers, landowners and their attorneys, aviation representatives, community groups, and military representatives to create compatible land-use plans at 16 airports in San Diego County. AOPA Vice President of Local Airport Advocacy Bill Dunn recently traveled to California to see how the plans are coming. Read the latest in his travel log on AOPA Online.

FAA PREPARES TO RELEASE RIALTO'S AIRPORT PROPERTY
After exhausting options to keep Rialto Municipal/Miro Field open, the FAA is considering the phased release of part of the airport's land, paving the way for its closure. The FAA was forced to release the land after Congress passed an amendment to the Federal Highway Administration bill known as the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act" that demanded the airport's closure. Read more on AOPA Online.

CALIFORNIA'S REID-HILLVIEW AIRPORT SAVED, FOR NOW
Santa Clara County officials have backed off on their attempt to close California's Reid-Hillview Airport. The board of supervisors on Aug. 12 voted 4 to 1 to take no further action toward closure, and to accept a county counsel report that outlined the legal options relating to the airport. As AOPA had pointed out in a letter to the board, the only real option was to keep the airport open. "This vote puts to rest the latest attempt to close Reid-Hillview," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of local airport advocacy. Read more on AOPA Online.

PBS STATIONS AIR FAMED AVIATION FILM
One of the greatest challenges for pilots is conveying to nonpilots the joy and emotion received from piloting an airplane. Most pilots who have seen the film One Six Right agree that the high-definition documentary with its spectacular images and soaring musical score carries the message better than any other medium. Now, nonpilots across the country have the opportunity to view this film through their local PBS stations. Read more on AOPA Online and learn how to find when it will air in your area.

DON'T LET MEDICAL PROBLEMS BREAK YOUR HEART
A heart problem doesn't necessarily mean the end of your flying days. Nearly 21,000 pilots are flying on special-issuance medicals with some type of cardiac medical history, including heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty with coronary stents, heart rhythm problems, pacemaker, valvular disease, and even heart transplant. To get a special-issuance medical certificate for a heart condition, the FAA requires a maximum exercise treadmill stress test, routine blood chemistry profile, and cardiac exam report. The tests must not show evidence of disruption of blood supply to the heart or other significant abnormalities. For more information, call AOPA's medical certification specialists (800/872-2672), or visit AOPA Online. 

COST OF FLYING A HINDRANCE TO NEW PILOTS, MEMBERS SAY
When AOPA recently asked members for ideas about boosting the pilot population, many responded that rising costs in aviation are a significant barrier. "We recognize that rising costs are a factor in the declining pilot population," said Greg Romano, AOPA vice president of public relations. "That's why AOPA is working to reduce the cost of flying on several fronts: on Capitol Hill, through discounted pilot products and services, and by offering flight training scholarships." Cost has always been a factor, but it's not the only one. AOPA wants to know your creative ideas for getting more people interested in flying. In the 5,000-plus responses we've received so far, we've heard clever ideas ranging from new ways to develop communities among local pilots to opportunities to enhance the flight training experience. Share your ideas now!

AOPA WORKING ON FUTURE AVGAS
100LL—its rising cost, future availability, and environmental impact—is on the minds of everyone in the aviation industry. AOPA is working to help find a viable fuel replacement that would have a minimal impact on our members and general aviation aircraft. On March 17, AOPA responded to the Environmental Protection Agency's publication of a rulemaking petition to limit lead emissions from general aviation aircraft. The EPA's move stems from a petition from the environmental group Friends of the Earth. Removing lead from avgas without having a suitable alternative would have a catastrophic impact on 30 percent of the GA fleet. Read more on AOPA Online

TIPS FOR FACING DOWN FUEL COSTS
With the increasing price of avgas, many pilots are looking for ways to conserve fuel and reduce the cost of flying. "Unfortunately, many of the habits we formed in operating airplanes when fuel was one-quarter or even one-half of what it costs today are not optimal given the current fuel prices," explained Peter A. Bedell in "Facing down fuel costs: How to ease the high price of avgas" in the September 2006 AOPA Pilot. Read Bedell's article for 11 techniques to help you save fuel, plus several products to help reduce fuel costs. Use the AOPA Airport Directory Online to look up FBO fuel prices at airports along your route of flight and plan your fuel stops accordingly.

HAVE YOU SWITCHED FROM PAPER TO PLASTIC?
The FAA is reviewing comments on a proposal that would require pilots to replace their paper pilot certificates with tamper-resistant plastic certificates. The final rule is expected to be released early next year, and it's anticipated that pilots will have two years to make the change. Beat the rush by requesting a plastic pilot certificate online. You should keep your paper certificate, with your original issuance date, for your records, because your plastic certificate will have a new issue date. Ordering a new certificate costs $2, but if you want the FAA to remove your Social Security number from the certificate or its records, you can get a plastic certificate for free.