Greetings! First, Here is an update from Washington, D. C. The Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General is investigating a complaint that the FAA certified the Eclipse E500 jet “despite safety concerns raised by the engineers and test pilots, “ USA today reported on Tuesday July 1, 2008, citing “congressional officials”. A briefing on the report is expected “within weeks,” according to Jim Berard, spokesman for the House Transportation Committee. Questions about the certification process were raised in October 2006, when the National Air Traffic Controllers Association filed a grievance with the FAA alleging that the type certificate was issued by FAA Managers over a weekend and safety issues raised by staffers were not addressed. FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told USA today that the FAA stands behind its certification of the jet, and Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn said that the airplane is in “complete and total conformity” with federal regulations.
Secondly, The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports first quarter billings were up 16.1 percent to $5.3 billion, and all-time high for the first quarter, while total shipments were down by 7.5 percent.
Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 399 units, a 28 percent decrease. Business jet shipments totaled 297 units in the first quarter, a 40.8 percent increase over the 211 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007.
Thirdly, Officials from U.S. and European aviation agencies and industry wrapped up a two-day meeting in Brussels on Tuesday July 2, 2008 with general agreement on business and safety issues. FAA Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell and Antonio Tajani, Head of Transport for the European Union, signed an agreement to promote technical cooperation between the FAA, and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The agreement addresses aircraft certification, regulatory costs for manufacturers, operators, and aviation authorities. Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), welcomed the new agreement. “We view this strategic partnership between the U.S. and the European Community as a real milestone that will advance our shared safety visions,” said Bunce.
Fourthly, Here is an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The Only Aircraft and Aviation Bills are as follows:
Missouri
House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
(2008)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
HB 1495 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Sater, David
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and the funding for certain air traffic control towers
HB 1639 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Richard, Ron
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and air traffic control towers
HB 1760 --- Sponsor: Storch, Rachel --- CoSponsor: Oxford, Jeanette Mott
Requires statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly to report any use of a private plane, the cost of the flight, and all the passengers within 72 hours after the flight
HB 1888 --- Sponsor: Schoeller, Shane --- CoSponsor: Lampe, Sara
Allows a municipality to annex land within the airport zone of the City of Sprinfield if it agrees to enforce Springfield's zoning ordinance
HB 2221 --- Sponsor: St. Onge, Neal C.
Revises the definition of "commercial aircraft" as it relates to the taxation of aircraft by lowering the maximum certified gross take-off weight from 7,000 to 1,000 pounds
HCR 10 --- Sponsor: Scharnhorst, Dwight
Urges Congress to enact legislation to protect airline customers
HCR 43 --- Sponsor: Funderburk, Doug --- CoSponsor: Darrough, Bruce
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country
HCR 46 --- Sponsor: Funderburk, Doug --- CoSponsor: Darrough, Bruce
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country
SB 930 --- Sponsor: Stouffer, Bill
Removes cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used
SB 943 --- Sponsor: Clemens, Dan
Allows cities to annex land within airport zones in Greene County if cities agree to enforce Springfield's airport zoning ordinance
SB 947 --- Sponsor: Stouffer, Bill
Removes cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used
SB 1049 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Expands sales tax exemption purchases of tangible personal property used in the repair and maintenance of aircraft
SB 1073 --- Sponsor: Dempsey, Tom
Creates a state and local sales and use tax exemption for defense articles sold to foreign governments
Last Updated May 27, 2008 at 4:56
NOTE: Your Web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all aviation bills.
Web site address for Illinois legislation: www.illinois.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all aviation bills.
All other states should follow this same format, to search your specific state’s aviation and airport bills.
Remember, that as members of USPA, MPA, TPA, TXAA, NMPA, NPA, IPA, EAA, AOPA, or other pilot associations of which you may be a member, we have a powerful voice, in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of taxpayers and pilots carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., as well as at the state and local level.
We need to learn how to use our voices, and speak up for general aviation.
So let us not forget to exercise our rights and privileges, so we can continue to make a “Difference for General Aviation”.
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
SAFE FLYING!
Larry G. Harmon
Vice President
Government & Technical Affairs
United States Pilots Association
Posted by JC at July 9, 2008 12:31 PM