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United States Pilots Association |
The next USPA flyout has been set for June 14-17 in Wichita, KS, so put these dates on your calendar now and make your hotel reservations! VP Meetings Arnold Zimmerman has put together a great time for all USPA members and guests, so you don't want to miss it. He's planning aircraft manufacturing tours, a safety seminar, an outstanding Saturday night dinner speaker, plus more, and for those interested there's shopping, shopping, and more shopping!
We'll be flying into Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (KICT) to Yingling Aviation, and our HQ hotel is the Airport Hilton where we have a special $89 room rate for two doubles and $94 for king, which includes breakfast. The block of rooms will be held until May 31, but book your room now before the block is sold out. Call the Hilton at 800 247-4458 or 316 945-5272. Tell them you're with USPA.
Rental cars with Budget can be arranged through Yingling at 800 835-0083 or 316 943-3246. This fine FBO will also be offering free tiedown and a fuel discount. They're located very close to the hotel, and our Thursday evening safety seminar will be held at the hotel.
June is a good flying month, and Wichita is a great place to rendezvous with your flying friends. This is our annual members' meeting, as well as board meeting, and both will be conducted Saturday morning. Be there, or miss a great time!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
I read the editor's column in the March issue of America's Flyways with great interest. It always amazes me how naive some people can be when it concerns our government and the way it wants to handle our money. Let me put this another way. We are talking about user fees and the contrived reasoning the FAA has come up with to get GA pilots to "pay their fair share."
First, there is no monetary shortage. The current system is working just fine. Second, if the government wants to provide another $2,000,000,000 bailout to the legacy airlines, giving them control of the ATC system is not the way. The FAA is the designated authority to regulate ATC and it should stay that way. Finally, if the submitters of comments in the March column are so desirous of paying more, I have no objection. Since the proposed increase in fuel tax is some $.50 per gallon, I propose that each one of you that believes this drivel the FAA is putting out, simply write a check at the end of each month for $.50 per gallon burned that month and send it to Marion Blakey. That should assuage your collective consciences. Meanwhile do not force me to share in your misguided opinion that the government is always right.
The new FAASTeam safety program is starting to take shape, and it is a good successor to the former Wings program. The stated intent is to reach all pilots through their flight instructors, mechanics, designated examiners, and others in an attempt to futher reduce the number of serious and fatal accidents. A meeting was held in Odessa, TX, on Monday March 26, and was well attended by county government folks, pilots, and new FAASTeam members. West Texas has had 0% of fatal accidents and no serious injuries since January 1, 2007. Take the time to read the February 2007 NTSB reports and see what your fellow pilots have done. The number of IFR accidents occurring at or near destination airports seems most prominent.
John Boatright, FAASTeam supervisor for New Mexico and West Texas, has graciously offered to put both USPA and NMPA in touch with someone in authority at Cannon AFB in Clovis, NM. The subject is UAS-UAV flights, primarily at night, where the military aircraft are blacked out. John feels the AF can see us even if we cannot see them. Bob Worthington, President of the NMPA, and I will continue to keep you informed on the status of these activities. There is still no interest on the part of the AF, the FAA, or anybody else in putting a remote radar and radio site in the middle of the "dead zone," and I continue to believe this will inevitably lead to a serious accident in the future. The FAA has required that any flights of UAV-UAS aircraft (drones) be escorted by piloted planes, which in the Air Force's case will probably also be blacked out. That means there will be two, not one coming at you with no lights.
Lastly, those who attended the USPA meeting in Vicksburg, MS, were treated to an outstanding presentation at our banquet. The subject was The battle of Vicksburg in 1863 and the tactics used by both sides. If you have not attended one of our quarterly flyouts, you are missing a really great time. Our next meeting is in June at the Hilton Hotel at Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita, KS. I can promise an excellent speaker about a subject near and dear to all of our hearts. You can also tour the Cessna facility in Wichita or go to Shepler's Western Wear store. Plan on attending and be informed.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
This Saturday, 24 March, NMPA will hold an FAA WINGS/FAASTeam safety seminar at Hobbs (Lea County Regional HOB) airport from 10 am to noon. The speakers will be Ron Keller who will discuss the latest FAA technology and how it impacts pilots and Bob Worthington who will talk about pilot decision-making and how to avoid making bad decisions. There will also be discussions on the new FAASTeam program and the FAA proposed user fees.
For more info contact Ron Keller at 505 869 5733.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
The FAA has issued a notam restricting flight in the Kansas City area during President Bush's planned visit Tuesday, March 20, from 11:20 a.m. CDT until 3:25 p.m. Many area airports will be included.
You are advised to check with FSS before flying in this area during this time period, and to check for any changes which may occur.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
The USPA Fly-In at Vicksburg this weekend will be filled with a busy agenda, an excellent Civil War historic speaker on Saturday night, and many fun places to investigate, including historic sites, shopping, and casinos.
The business agenda includes items of grave concern to general aviation: user fees, VRef aircraft values, RAVs, and UASs.
Starting with the Thursday evening safety seminar at the Battlefield Inn, the entire weekend is planned to provide valuable aviation information that you need, combined with a fun time in an historic town. All USPA members and friends are invited. For more information and registration details go to www.uspilots.org.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
The March 15 USPA safety seminar in Vicksburg, MS, is now on the FAA website at http://faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=14259. Please register for the safety seminar.
We look forward to seeing you in Vicksburg!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association