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United States Pilots Association |
There is finally an FAA ruling on UAVs. I like to think USPA played a part in the final rule coming out.
Following is LBB FSDO FAASTeam Program Manager John Boatright's forward of the information from the FAA National FAASTeam Production Manager.
FAA ISSUES UAV POLICY
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly being developed and deployed, and the FAA on Tuesday published a UAV policy to outline how these aircraft can be used in the National Airspace System. The rules vary depending if the UAV is operated as a public aircraft (operated by the government), a civil aircraft or a model. Public aircraft operate under individual Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs), which are issued after an FAA review of the program and its safety protocols. More than 50 COAs have been granted in the last two years, and a record number are expected for 2007. Civil aircraft must operate under experimental airworthiness certificates. Guidelines for operation of model aircraft are found in FAA Advisory Circular 91-57 . Such aircraft may only be used for sport, and not for commercial or business purposes, the FAA notes. More policy statements can be expected as the technology and its applications continue to develop.
Obie S. Young, National FAASTeam Production Manager
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
There is finally an FAA ruling on UAVs. I like to think USPA played a part in the final rule coming out.
Following is LBB FSDO FAASTeam Program Manager John Boatright's forward of the information from the FAA National FAASTeam Production Manager.
FAA ISSUES UAV POLICY
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly being developed and deployed, and the FAA on Tuesday published a UAV policy to outline how these aircraft can be used in the National Airspace System. The rules vary depending if the UAV is operated as a public aircraft (operated by the government), a civil aircraft or a model. Public aircraft operate under individual Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COAs), which are issued after an FAA review of the program and its safety protocols. More than 50 COAs have been granted in the last two years, and a record number are expected for 2007. Civil aircraft must operate under experimental airworthiness certificates. Guidelines for operation of model aircraft are found in FAA Advisory Circular 91-57 . Such aircraft may only be used for sport, and not for commercial or business purposes, the FAA notes. More policy statements can be expected as the technology and its applications continue to develop.
Obie S. Young, National FAASTeam Production Manager
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
The New Mexico Pilots Association is meeting at the Santa Teresa Airport (5T6) March 7 at 8:00 p.m. to discuss and provide input to the FAA on what training and safety seminars would best benefit NM pilots in conjunction with the new FAASTeam concepts. The FAA wants much more training to maintain currency, and this is an opportunity to present NMPA pilot views on what is needed in the new program.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Last week President Bush sent his proposed budget to the Congress to be voted on during March of 2007. Included in the budget was a substantial drop in required funding of the FAA for airport improvements and a complete revamping of the Air Traffic Control System. The reduction in funding is to be offset by the imposition of user fees to be collected by a new entity which in all probability will be an offshoot of the legacy airlines. I am not surprised, as the signs of what was coming were there for all to see. I had reserved comments until I saw what everyone else had to say on the issue. We are all diametrically opposed to user fees in any form. We do not want the airlines to have control of the skies and the major airports. We can do without the administration's talking head, Marion Blakey, or for that matter any one else that pops up telling us what a great idea this is. There are many people on both sides of the aisle in Congress who are very uncomfortable with the idea of user fees.
USPA is a relatively small organization. And when an issue such as this appears, we need to be heard. My suggestion is to get on to NBAA.com and follow the prompts to protest these fees. NBAA will send your comments directly to Congress where you can be assured they will be heard. Do not depend on AOPA, NATA, NBAA, or any other organization to carry our water on this issue. Contact your Congress person or Senator or all, and in your own words let them know our displeasure with this onerous idea. I for one do not want to pay increased fuel taxes, landing fees, communications fees, etc. because Mr. Bush wants to show the country he is now a fiscal conservative.
General Aviation is in a boom period right now. Cessna and Cirrus both delivered a record number of aircraft last year and Cessna is sold out on their 2007 production already. Nothing will kill GA faster than the imposition of these fees and the appointment of the airlines to run the ATC system.
You can join in the battle or stand on the sidelines. Regardless of the outcome, if you do not participate in the debate, and we have user fees imposed, then you have nobody to blame but yourself. I strongly suggest you have your service organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists, and the like become informed on the issue and get them to speak out as well. If you have access to the print or broadcast media, get to them as well. Shine the light of truth on this issue, and quite possibly we can defeat it once and for all.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
USPA VP Communications JC Zalog, upset at the lop-sided view presented in a recent USA Today article, sent the newspaper another, more correct, view of the proposed Bush budget as it affects aviation. I think I feel JC's pain as I read his comments in which he attempts to "straighten out" the facts of the issue.
Read it for yourself at http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/02/general_aviatio.html#more, and then write your own opinion to USA Today right there on line. Unfortunately, most Americans do not even understand what GA is, much less what it means to our economy and national transportation system. They believe the lies rather than investigate the truth.
Good job, JC! Good job, USPA!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
USPA VP Communications JC Zalog, upset at the lop-sided view presented in a recent USA Today article, sent the newspaper another, more correct, view of the proposed Bush budget as it affects aviation. I think I feel JC's pain as I read his comments in which he attempts to "straighten out" the facts of the issue.
Read it for yourself at http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/02/general_aviatio.html#more, and then write your own opinion to USA Today right there on line. Unfortunately, most Americans do not even understand what GA is, much less what it means to our economy and national transportation system. They believe the lies rather than investigate the truth.
Good job, JC! Good job, USPA!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
The Missouri Pilots Association has plans for a first-ever aviation event to increase the public's awareness of the economic impact of all aspects of aviation on the state's economy, and to increase the visibility of the Missouri Pilots Association. Flying to every paved, public airport in the state, delivering aviation economic impact information to each location, and then convening in the state's capitol (Jefferson City) on April 25, the pilots will host a luncheon for elected officials, make a presentation of aviation information, hear the declaration of Aviation Day in Missouri, and then proceed to meet with individual legislators to discuss mutual concerns.
Since this is the first such event, it is expected to be followed each year with similar activities.
MPA is an extremely pro-active aviation organization, and USPA is proud to have its affiliation and active participation within our national organization. Other state groups may wish to consult with MPA on this project.
For additional details see www.mopilots.org.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Thanks to the good efforts of USPA VP Arnold Zimmerman, USPA can extend its 501(c)(3) status to affiliated aviation groups, provided they meet certain IRS requirements. Recently, USPA's Cactus Grande Chapter in Arizona such a request of USPA, and we received official approval from IRS, so notifying the chapter on February 6.
As many organizations have come to realize, there are definite benefits to 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. However, making application and receiving approval can be a lengthy and complicated process. USPA local chapters and other aviation organizations affiliating with USPA can make this procedure much less painful by pursuing it through USPA.
If you know of such an aviation organization desiring tax free status, please have one of its officers contact Arnold Zimmerman to find out the requirements and benefits. For any association to grow, its members should consider themselves all members of the membership committee, and invite pilot friends and aviation groups to visit and consider affiliating with us. The tax free consideration is just one of the many reasons to get involved.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Thanks to the good efforts of USPA VP Arnold Zimmerman, USPA can extend its 501(c)(3) status to affiliated aviation groups, provided they meet certain IRS requirements. Recently, USPA's Cactus Grande Chapter in Arizona such a request of USPA, and we received official approval from IRS, so notifying the chapter on Feburary 6.
As many organizations have come to realize, there are definite benefits to 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. However, making application and receiving approval can be a lengthy and complicated process. USPA local chapters and other aviation organizations affiliating with USPA can make this procedure much less painful by pursuing it through USPA.
If you know of such an aviation organization desiring tax free status, please have one of its officers contact Arnold Zimmerman to find out the requirements and benefits. For any association to grow, its members should consider themselves all members of the membership committee, and invite pilot friends and aviation groups to visit and consider affiliating with us. The tax free consideration is just one of the many reasons to get involved.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Finance Committee Chairman Arnold Zimmerman has called to our attention that the IRS has published a course about what 501 (c)(3) organization officers and directors can and cannot do in order to maintain their tax exempt status. It is actually a test which gets graded, and is more easily understood that much "government-ese."
Since many of our officers/members have asked questions about this issue, I would recommend you check it out at http://www.stayexempt.org/.
By the way, Zim said he got 100% on the first section. But he's a CPA!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Following up on USPA's concerns about UAV collisions, we see that the U.S. Navy published a request for proposals to develop a radar sensor for UAVs that would allow them to operate safely in civilian airspace. They are looking for an anti-collision system that would enable small UAVs to avoid all other traffic, whether or not those aircraft are transponder-equipped.
In the meantime, be on the lookout for active UAV areas.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR VKS, MARCH 15-18
Having called and made my room reservation at the Battlefield Inn in Vicksburg, MS, today, I learned that very few USPA members have booked their rooms yet. In fact, I was the first one!
Even though VP Arnold Zimmerman has gotten our hotel cut-off date extended, it's advisable to book your room early to insure accommodations. At the excellent rate of $69, it's a bargain. The co-located restaurant, Jacques, boasts some of the finest cousine in town.
Get your room reserved today! 800 359-9363. And while you're at it, register for the gathering at the USPA website: www.uspilots.org.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association