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United States Pilots Association |
It is early December as this is being written, and let’s see what the various federal agencies have in their bag for pilots and just plain members of the general public.
From the Transportation Safety Administration is the offer to stop the seizure of cuticle scissors and nail files, etc. while going through security checkpoints at the major airports. They apparently feel they have fooled the public long enough and are now going to devote more time and effort to look for explosives. I sure feel better now that they can really protect me from those nasty villains who want to set their shoes on fire. What about the unhindered movement of airfreight and the thousands of containers entering the country every day at border crossings and container ports?
From the Bush administration we are being given more border patrol agents to strengthen our unprotected borders with Mexico and Canada. Read this one as an increase in the government staff with no difference in security.
Also from the Republican side of the aisle we are now being told there will be a cap on government spending. This comes after they passed the largest pork barrel bill in history (The transportation bill of 2005).
Now, from Marion Blakey who is still railing over the inefficiencies of the aviation fuel tax funding the FAA, I ask, “Since the fuel prices have hit record highs this year, and since we are not seeing any dropping of avgas or jet-A prices at the pump, and since the airlines are already flying a record number of flights, can you please inform us how much money is being generated this year in comparison to previous years?” Inquiring minds wish to know.
Moving back to the TSA, we have the gift of being virtually excluded from the Washington, DC, ADIZ. Furthermore, we are prohibited from landing for all intents and purposes at the Washington DC3 airports. This prohibition exists in spite of the fact that when put out for public comment, the result was overwhelmingly against closing this airspace.
I could go on and on, but you get the point. It will not get easier. We need to be diligent in our efforts to bombard lawmakers with our objections to some or most of these silly proposals.
Here is something new from the FAA. I recently sold an airplane using a title and escrow company to complete the transaction. One month after the sale date I received a form letter from Oklahoma City that under 14CFR47.41(a)(4) I am now required to return the original registration in my name to the FAA Aircraft Registry. "It is in the interest of national security and aircraft safety" according to the Feds. In checking the above CFR, I found that it does not appear in the FAR-AIM manual, but apparently is contained in the mechanics’ corresponding publication. One would think the FAA could publish a notification somewhere where we aircraft owners might be able to read it.
Finally, from the insurance industry, always at the cutting edge of shooting themselves in the foot, we have this seemingly innocuous announcement. Many of the carriers are no longer offering competitive terms for 1960s vintage retractables such as the Comanches, Bonanzas, and 210s. The theory being these are old airplanes, and they contaminate our books of business. I recently looked at a pristine, low time 1960 M series Bonanza with new paint and interior, new engine, new three-blade prop and a King stack. The price of the plane was fair, but the lowest insurance offer I could find was almost $2,500 per year. I have been getting similar answers on Commanches, 210s, and Vikings. I have said before that with normal attrition of aircraft from the overall fleet, it is a matter of time until we who do not want to pay or cannot afford the $300-500,000 prices for new planes are forced out of the activity.
So there you have it. A mixed bag, to be sure. Let us all hope that 2006 brings common sense to the FAA, and may every day be severe VFR with ceilings unlimited and visibility 50 miles.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association