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United States Pilots Association |
For those of you who thought the issue of user fees was over, think again. Avweb today published their business edition stating that the airlines are hunkered down to commence a long campaign to (1) increase GA's contribution to the operation of the ATC system, and (2) attempt to get control of this system. It was stated that we incur about 6% of the operating cost of the system and, imagine this, we contribute through fuel taxes about 6% of the actual cost. In other words we ARE paying our way. This fight is a long way from being over. It would be a good thing if you write your individual members of Congress and express your opinion of this attempted travesty.
Once again some genius piloting a Maule MX-7 busted the Crawford, TX, TFR several times in one flight before being escorted by F-16s to the ground. This occurred on New Year's Day. It took the discharge of flares from the fighters to get this guy's attention. When will these pilots finally learn that you cannot fool around with permanent TFRs. A simple pre-flight briefing is all it should take to be reminded. I for one hope the FAA gives this individual a 12-month cooling off period (suspension) if it turns out he did what he is accused of.
A USPA member wrote to us complaining that several FBOs representing aircraft manufacturers are refusing to work on aircraft built by those manufacturers if the planes are over 18 years old. Regardless of who or what is at fault here, we need to avoid these FBOs. And when the time comes to buy a newer model aircraft, find a reputable broker and buy from him or the seller direct. If this is indeed a liability issue, the alphabet organizations representing FBOs (NBAA, NATA, etc.) should contact the various insurers and lobby against this crazy idea. Considering all of the accidents that Cirrus aircraft have had in the past several years, and the cylinder and crankshaft problems Lycoming has experienced, it is ludicrous for the FBOs to take this position. It has become very difficult for prop shops, paint shops, and engine overhaulers to find adequate insurance at reasonable prices.
The Sovereign State of Hawaii has entered the news arena. Several years ago the Navy gave up the Barbers Point NAS and it became a public use airport administered and managed by the State of Hawaii Airports Division. This is not an airline-served facility, instead concentrating on GA and reliever function for Honolulu International Airport (HNL). You would think the state would want GA people to move out there from HNL to relieve some of the congestion at the main airport. An old friend called me this week complaining that the state was up to their old tricks once again. He has asked for a land lease to erect at his own cost a private hangar on currently unused land on the new airport. The state is offering a 30-day conditional use permit which means he could be evicted from the airport upon 30 days' notice. He still wants to build the hangar. The state is demanding a $30,000 surety bond with unlimited expiration before considering the request. The bond would guarantee the removal of the hangar within the 30-day period if required. No bonding company I know of would issue such a bond. Result: the hangar probably will never be built. This may seem like a small issue to us in Texas or Kansas, but it is another infringement on our rights as pilots and aircraft owners, and may well be in violation of the FAA rules governing operation of the airport.
One other blurb from Hawaii. For those of you who served in Hawaii in the military, you may well remember the P-3 Orion sub hunting aircraft formerly based at Barbers Point. These planes are military versions of the Lockheed Electras of 1950 and 60s vintage.. The planes were moved to Kaneohe Marine Corps station when Barbers Point closed down. The Navy is scrapping the P-3 program and replacing it with a bomber, torpedo, mine, missile etc.carrying version of the Boeing 737 aircraft called the P-8A. Eighteen aircraft are being considered for Hawaii in three squadrons. The navy plans to buy 108 P-8As eventually. This story taken from The Honolulu Advertiser Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. A scoping meeting for environmental impact will be held at the Pacific Beach hotel on January 18th, 2007, at 5:00 to 8:00PM in Honolulu.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association