USPA Legislation Reports

November 2005 Legislation Report

GREETINGS! First, Here’s an update from Washington, D.C. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September put its long-awaited stamp of approval on the City of Chicago’s $15 billion redevelopment plan for O’Hare International. That action was immediately followed by a stay of the project by an U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. The court is considering an emergency request filed by opposition groups who argue that the project would desecrate a nearby cemetery that holds some 1,300 tombs dating to the 1800s.
 

The project includes redirection of O’Hare runways, will cover some 400 acres, require the city to acquire and raze more than 500 homes, and lead to the relocation of some 200 businesses. The city has already accepted a bid for the $125.9 million site preparation with a Denver-based construction firm.
 

Secondly, The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) adopts a safety study that examines the risk factors associated with general aviation flights into conditions of bad weather and poor visibility. The Board calls on FAA to ensure pilots have a minimum level of proficiency to recognize and respond to weather hazards; www.ntsb.gov.

• Agency also reports that transportation-related fatalities in the U.S. decreased slightly in 2004; deaths from transportation accidents in the United States in 2004 totaled 44,870, down from the 45,158 fatalities in 2003. The number killed in aviation accidents dropped from 710 in 2003 to 651 in 2004; there were no fatalities on commuter carriers in 2004.
• General Aviation fatalities decreased from 632 in 2003 to 556 in 2004. There were 14 airline fatalities, 13 of which occurred in a crash of a Jetstream in Kirksville, MO. Air taxi fatalities increased from 42 to 65.

Thirdly, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ends its 14-month test of its Registered Traveler program that let frequent travelers who voluntarily underwent a background check speed through security checkpoints at five major airports. Officials indicated the federal program may return in some form, and the ongoing, privately administered program at Orlando International Airport is expected to become a model for a more permanent trusted traveler initiative.
 

Fourthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airport and Aviation Bills are as follows:

Missouri House of Representatives
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS

There are no bills indexed by this subject.

Last Updated September 19, 2005 at 2:45PM

Note: Here’s your web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov. Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all your Aviation Bills.

Web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov. Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all your Aviation Bills.

All other States can follow the same format, to search your specific state’s aviation and airport bills.

Now, In Conclusion, remember we as USPA, MPA, TPA, NMPA, NPA, EAA, AOPA, or other state pilot associations you may be a member, all have a powerful voice, be it here in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of taxpayers, and pilots carries strong voice to Washington, D.C. and on the State and Local Level.

So Let’s 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
United States Pilots Association
Vice President
Government & Technical Affairs
USPAVPLHARMON228@aol.com