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United States Pilots Association |
In an astounding change of heart, the FAA has agreed to reduce the size and shape of the Washington, DC ADIZ, eliminating 1,200 sq. miles from the zone and freeing up 33 airports in the process. FAA Adminstrator Marion Blakey made the announcement at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh WI. Well over 20,000 comments were received on the NPRM two years ago. Apparently somebody listened.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
Monday's AvWeb featured a column discussing the FAA's newest means of harassment concerning French made Alouette helicopters operating in the United States. Currently all of these machines are grounded because the FAA cannot find French certificates of Export that would have been issued by French authorities when the aircraft were shipped to the U.S. Even though these machines were purchased in the U.S. and issued American standard airwortiness certificates, the FAA claims their staff approved them for import without the paper they are now demanding.
This is yet another case of Ms. Blakey's anti GA regime at it's best. One operator of three of these machines has already been grounded after a visit from the FAA accompanied by State Troopers.
It should be noted that these machines have all been in the country for more than fifteen years, and are being grounded by the FAA's Southern Region for an unsolvable paperwork snafu caused by the FAA.
If you think this can't happen to you, think again. It is disgraceful that a government agency can with the stroke of a pen, put a company out of business solely because of the ineptness of that agency.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
Here is a cool website that will allow you to map the airports you have been to, plus more, per our VP Communications.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
It's all put together and ready for you to make your reservations NOW. The USPA Summer Fly-Out to Santa Fe, NM, is a fun trip you won't want to miss. Combined with the New Mexico Pilots Association Mountain Flying Clinic, there will be educational information, the opportunity to fly in the mountains with experts, time to renew your BFR, and a beautiful, historical part of the U.S. to explore and enjoy.
Since the special hotel cutoff date is AUGUST 13 BEFORE 3 P.M., make your reservations now. And be sure to register for the event at www.uspilots.org or by completing and mailing the attached registration form.
For more information, see the USPA website, email Arnold Zimmerman at zimjr@uspilots.org, or call Zim at 314 849-USPA. This fly-out is for ALL USPA members. And bring your friends!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Rarely, if ever, do I agree with United States Senator Charles Schumer from New York. However Senator Schumer has publicly called for the resignation of Marion Blakey, Administrator of the FAA, before her term ends later this year. Schumer cites the labor difficulties between the FAA and the controllers union, but primarily the inordinate delays at the three New York metropolitan airports. I have to say he is right on point even if he avoided the subject of user fees. If there is one thing President Bush can do to restore sanity in the aviation world, it is to appoint an individual who firstly is a pilot, and secondly understands the economics of how to administer a federal agency without favoring one side or the other. Ms. Blakey and her recently appointed former airline executives are singlehandedly destroying all credibility of the FAA.
Here is yet another example. One of the results of Hurricane Katrina was the near total destruction of the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, which happens to be the major reliever for the N.O. International Airport. The airlines and Senators Rockefeller and Lott are threatening to restrict our access to large airline served airports because we are restricting the ability of the airlines to operate efficiently in those domains. Lakefront is open, although the FBO operates from a trailer on the field. The FAA has never restored the ILS system at Lakefront so guess where those aircraft that require that service have to go when the weather goes down. It is because of the inability of Ms. Blakey's organization to function as it should that causes delays and demands for service. When the weather goes down in the NY metropolitan area, does any sane person think that only the airlines are affected? Ask the GA pilots flying the Citations out of Teterboro if they are not affected the same way. They all use the IFR system to exit the NY Class B airspace.
One of the worst areas in the country for airspace delays is O'Hare airport in Chicago. If Ms. Blakey was concerned about these delays she would have slammed the door on Saadam Daley when he plowed up Meigs Field, thereby eliminating a major component of the ATC system. Those planes that used Meigs have to go somewhere.
Does anyone remember when USPA uncovered a grand scheme on the part of the FAA to eliminate instrument approaches all over the country at designated airports? When the light was shone on that scheme, they simply reverted to form and began piece mealing the eliminations. How many NDB approaches are still active? Now they want to start eliminating VORs around the country. I am positive that not all of us use GPS for navigation. You get the point.
I am echoing the "good" Senator's call for Ms. Blakey's resignation. I think she should (and probably will) become a lobbyist for one of the major airlines.
I am not against the FAA. I work with the finest individual in that organization who happens to be the FAAST Team manager for West Texas and New Mexico. My point is, instead of appointing political hacks as administrators, why cannot the government promote from within the organization (FAA), and get somebody in the job who does not have an agenda other than Safety, the good and welfare of the people who use the ATC system, and the ability to be fair to all sides including labor? The answer is simple. They do not want to. The government operates best when opposing sides of an issue are made the scapegoats of the failure of the entire system. It is never the government's fault.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
The USPA and Bob Worthington will offer, only to USPA members, a guided trip into the Bahama Islands for a week, probably the fourth week in April (after income tax day). The group will meet at Fort Pierce, FL, on a Sunday afternoon to get the paperwork done, briefing, etc. for the Monday morning departure for Nassau. Three days will be spent in Nassau, with a guided tour of the city and an evening, informal, banquet. On day four (Wed.) we will depart for an outer island experience at some resort for rest and relaxation. Saturday morning we will depart back to Fort Pierce and clear US Customs.
USPA will provide all the information needed to fly an international flight and make all the travel (accommodations) arrangements. The cost for the trip (excluding getting to Fort Pierce and back home) will be about $4000 to $5500 per couple. Each person will need a US Passport. So if you are considering going, apply no later than October, 2007 (apply at your local Post Office). FAA requires all planes leaving the US and returning have an FCC radio station license, 12” numbers, and a Customs decal. Life jackets are required for the over-water flight and a life raft is suggested, all can be rented for the trip. Details on the plane requirements will be provided at a later date.
Bob Worthington, USPA officer and 6,400 hour instrument rated pilot, has made numerous trips to the Bahamas, with the latest trip being April, 2007. Bob also has set up two USPA trips to Alaska and he has made several other trips there also.
If you have any interest in going on this trip, please sign up for the email info at rworthin@zianet.com. There is no obligation for this info, but a money commitment will be required by January, 2008. The email info will provide all you need to know to make the trip as it is gathered, to include specific costs.
Bob Worthington, USPA VP
rworthin@zianet.com
Once again the New Mexico Pilots Association (NMPA) is presenting a weekend mountain flying clinic on 14-16 September, 2007. This begins with a mountain flying ground school Friday evening covering flying safely in the mountains. There will be a half day flying in the mountains with a highly experienced and qualified mountain CFI. Upon completion of the seminar and the flying, each pilot will receive a clinic completion certificate, completion of a phase of the FAA WINGS program and completion of a Biennial Flight Review (BFR). Many insurance companies give a premium discount for completion of this clinic
This FAA approved course consists of a mountain flying ground school, and three hours flying with mountain flying CFIs. The WINGS safety seminar will be held Friday evening, 14 September at the Holiday Inn Santa Fe at 4048 Cerrillos Road from 7-9pm. While this seminar is for the mountain flying pilots it will also be open to the public and free. The pilots taking this clinic, though, will additionally get the Mountain Flying Clinic Booklet. The ground school will cover all aspects of flying techniques in and over mountains as well as landing and taking off from high altitude/high density airports. This seminar will also cover where the flying will be taking place, in the rugged mountains of northern NM and southern CO where many peaks exceed 13,000 feet and most airports range between 6,000 and 8,000 feet MSL.
The mountain flying part will be conducted on Saturday and Sunday mornings where each pilot will fly his/her plane in the mountains with a CFI who flies regularly in these mountains.
The flying in the mountains will be spectacular as it will be in the height of the fall foliage color changes. Each CFI will fly with one pilot in the morning on each day. In a weekend NMPA can accommodate 10-12 pilots.
The cost of this mountain flying clinic is $200 for NMPA members and $225 for non-NMPA members. The extra $25 goes to joining NMPA. To join NMPA before the clinic see www.nmpilots.org. The cost covers the ground school mountain flying booklet prepared by the clinic presenter Jim Van Namee, pre and post flight briefings, and the flying, landings, and take-offs, in the mountains with a CFI.
To take this course each pilot must have a private certificate or higher and a current medical. The airplane must have a current annual and liability and medical insurance, and a POH. Proof of the above must be brought to the clinic Friday evening. Each plane must also have survival gear on board (food, water, shelter, signaling equipment, and warm clothes) and current Denver and Albuquerque Sectional charts. Bring these charts and your Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) to the class. NMPA will provide airport information charts. The cut-off date for reserving a slot for the flying portion is 7 September. Send your name, address, phone number, email address, certificates and ratings, flight hours and type of experience, and the year, make, and model of plane you will be flying. Send this information and a check (made out to NMPA Mt Fly Clinic) to Jim Van Namee, 9611 Carriage Creek Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. For more info contact Jim at jvannamee@gmail.com or 719 282 8547 or 719 310 9150. Pilots who want to take this clinic but don’t have a plane contact Jim to make arrangements for renting a plane.
Please note that not everyone will be able to fly Saturday morning and then leave that afternoon. If many pilots sign up to fly then some will be flying Saturday and some Sunday so plan your reservations accordingly. Jim will try to email a schedule to all pilots several days before the flying weekend. Our past experience has shown though, that plane problems, personal problems, severe weather where you live, etc, quickly require changes be made.
On Saturday afternoon there will be CFIs available to provide additional training such as improvement of basic skills, BFR, introduction to acrobatic flying and a Pitts S2 will be available for acrobatic training. The cost of a CFI is $45/hr and the Pitts with a CFI is $235/hr. Contact Jim Van Namee for details.
Hotel is the Holiday Inn Santa Fe: The room rate is $71/night plus tax. The cut-off date is 13 August before 3 pm. The hotel will provide transportation to and from the airport. Call 505 473 4646 to reserve your room. Mention you are there for the US Pilots and New Mexico Pilots weekend. This hotel is located between the airport and downtown Santa Fe at 4048 Cerrillos Road. Note: This is not the Holiday Inn Express.
FBO: The flying will be done out of Capital Aviation on the Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF). The field elevation is 6814 feet. The FBO will offer a fuel discount from either self-serve or the truck. Parking is charged by the city and is $6/night. Rental cars are available. The FBO phone is 505 471 2700 or 1 800 757 9030. Capital Aviation is on the northeast side of the airport and is open from 6 am to 10 pm.
During the NMPA Mountain Flying Clinic the US Pilots Association will also be holding its quarterly fly-in and directors meeting at the Holiday Inn Santa Fe from 13-16 September. All NMPA members are also affiliate members of USPA. For more information on the USPA fly-in at Santa Fe go to www.uspilots.org or contact Executive Director Jan Hoynacki at 417 338 2225 or Jan@hoynacki.com.
USPA will be hosting a Mexican buffet at the Holiday Inn from 5:30 to 6:30 on Friday just before the mountain flying ground school/safety seminar. On Saturday evening USPA will host a banquet with a guest speaker. Clinic pilots who want to join USPA and NMPA members for the buffet or the banquet may send $30 for each meal to Bob Worthington, 1136 Cave Springs Trail, Las Cruces, NM 88011 (505 522 6785). Cut-off is 7 September.
Santa Fe probably does not need any introduction as to what it has to offer. NMPA recommends that the pilot attending the mountain flying clinic seriously consider bringing his/her family or partner and plan to arrive early or stay over a few days to really enjoy the attractions and hospitality of Northern New Mexico.
Santa Fe with its population of over 62,000 people is the third largest city in the state and the capitol of New Mexico. Its heritage and culture began with the Pueblo Indian villages which were abandoned centuries before the Spanish explorers arrived in the early 1600s. Nestled in the southwestern foothills of the Sangre de Cristos Mountains Santa Fe will enjoy warm pleasant days and cool nights in mid September. Known as the City Different and as the oldest state capitol in the US; its 400 years of living contribute to its unique make-up in architecture, residents, and things to do.
The downtown plaza is surrounded by shops, galleries, restaurants, and the ancient Palace of the Governors. Southwestern style adobe and stucco buildings and homes contribute to the ambiance of the past Pueblo and Spanish residents. Long known as a tourist destination for its beauty, walled gardens, museums and galleries, missions and cathedrals, cuisine, and shopping; its location is also ideal for travel by road across the mountains to other sightseeing attractions in the villages of Taos, Red River, Angel Fire, and Chimayo. The mountains offer outdoors recreational adventures and there are several Native American communities and pueblos near Santa Fe.
So there are plenty of adventures for the entire family during this Mountain Flying Clinic weekend. For more information about NMPA go to www.nmpilots.org .
****NMPA****
The following letter citing the position of the New Mexico Pilots Association being against the FAA's proposal for user fees was sent to the five NM federal Congress members: Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici, Congresswoman Heather Wilson, and Congressmen Steve Pearce and Tom Udall. NMPA believes that the institution of any form of user fees will have a disasterous impact on general aviation in the US and is only a ploy by the airlines to try to shore up the consistant financial mismanagement by commercial airline executives. General aviation in NM is very important because of our size in land mass, our geography, and our mostly rural environment. For many businesses, our state government, and individuals, general aviation is the preferred method of travel around our state.
You may publish this letter in your efforts to prevent the implementation of user fees by the US Government and the FAA.
Bob Worthington, President, NMPA rworthin@zianet.com 505 522 6785
New Mexico Pilots Association
Dear Senator, Congressman, Congresswoman, 7 July 2007
The New Mexico Pilots Association is very much opposed to the Administration’s and the FAA’s attempts to institute a fee-based method of charging pilots to fly in US Airspace. Anyone with knowledge of US aviation clearly understands that this is nothing more than a desire by the airlines to try to control the use of US Airspace and require others to pay for the financial disasters in the airline industry, primarily attributed to their ineffective management.
The FAA claims that this is needed because there is/will be a serious lack of funding to properly operate the FAA in the near future. Several competent surveys and studies have shown the FAA does have sufficient funding and the US has the best and safest air traffic system in the world and a fee based collection system is not needed. In fact; implementing a fee based system would harm our air traffic system, possibly beyond repair.
The airlines are notorious for being one of our country’s most mismanaged industries. It is the airline management’s desire to pass their fiscal incompetence on to other users of the airspace and since they can’t attack the military, the only other user left is us, general aviation. Numerous airline press releases and articles present to the American public the falsehoods that rising airline ticket costs and delays are all the fault of those small “hobby” planes flown by “amateur” pilots who are hogging the airspace and using the major hubs without paying their share. General aviation tends to avoid larger airports, most especially those that are swarmed by the airlines and most of our flying is by Visual Flight Rules, thus usually not needing air traffic control.
Let’s look at some of the facts and see what can happen if a fee based system is implemented in the US. First look at those countries where a fee based system is already in place, primarily in Europe. Now look at the size of general aviation in those countries. What, no GA? You are right. In those other parts of the world where every flight, regardless of what is flying, starts compiling a series of high costs , GA is totally shut out, except for the very richest of its citizens.
What creates the high costs of flying an airliner and how do these costs relate to GA? The Air Traffic Control system is in place, regardless of who uses it. We have the best system in the world and messing around with it will not improve anything. So where do all the costs come from? The larger airports need infrastructure and security. These costs are very high but does GA avail itself of these expensive needs? No. We don’t typically use O’Hare, JFK, LAX, Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, etc. We use the outlying, reliever airports around the major hubs and therefore don’t add to the strain of the infrastructure of the large airports.
What costs does GA pay? We pay fuel taxes; we pay tiedown fees where we park. Many GA aircraft also pay state licensing (like New Mexico) or taxes annually just to own our planes. Where we keep our planes we either pay rent or we pay the airport owner (in most cases a local government) leases and or fees. If we land at some larger airports we also pay a landing fee. NMPA thinks its GA pilots are not getting a free ride for owning a plane.
If a fee based system is implemented one important question which I don’t think the FAA has even addressed is: how will the fees be assessed and collected? It is not beyond reason to recognize that the cost to keep track of and assess every pilot and every flight would cost more to institute and manage than would ever be collected in fees. As an example a few years ago the state of New York instituted a program to obtain a bullet and shell casing of every gun sold in NY and to also collect the same on every gun repaired by a gunsmith. The cost to implement and maintain this runs in the millions. Ask your NY colleagues in Congress how much this system has cost the NY taxpayers. Then ask how effective it has been. How many convictions have the courts found based on the multi-million collection of bullets and shell casings in NY? Most likely the creation of a special agency to track aircraft usage, assign costs, and implement a collection system will be a colossal financial disaster.
If a fee based collection system were implemented how would that impact GA? It is not difficult to predict the effect of charging every pilot and plane from pre-flight planning to start-up to shut-down. GA will become a concept of the past except for the very rich or those who can pass the costs on to others, like in a corporate jet. NMPA is made up of men and women who fly for both business and for pleasure; but we also do an awful lot of humanitarian flying, spending our own money, to help our fellow man. We are not rich and most of our planes are 30-40-50 years old, or older.
Those of us who fly our own planes in support of the US Air Force Civil Air Patrol do not get full compensation for missions we fly. The CAP not only searches for missing aircraft but does environmental flights to estimate damage after a natural disaster such as a tornado, flooding or hurricane, etc. There are numerous “Angel” type flights where sick people and body parts are flown by unpaid volunteers covering the flying expenses out of their own pockets. How many private aircraft flew hundreds of missions right after Katrina to bring needed medical supplies, food, clothing, and other necessities of life to the devastated areas of the southeast and southwest? Within the NMPA we fly around the state, monthly, at our personal expense, presenting aviation safety seminars to local pilots.
If every flight is going to result in a laundry list of fees for getting a weather briefing, filing a flight plan, flying IFR, using approach control and tower services upon landing; GA flying will almost come to a halt. Pilots won’t get briefings, flight plans won’t be filed and safety will be seriously eroded. CAP and Angel flight may disappear. If GA flying slows down significantly then all those small businesses supporting aviation such as pilot stores, Fixed Base Operators, maintenance facilities, avionics shops, all the companies that manufacturer planes and parts, and all the other businesses that support GA will also go broke.
In the state of New Mexico, GA is a way of life. We use our planes to conduct business, run ranches, visit friends and relatives, help others, spray fields, conduct medical evacuations and do dozens of other things that without a plane would take many hours or days to accomplish, or simply wouldn’t be done.
As our elected official we ask that you recognize the value of GA and fight off the Administration and the FAA and do not allow any type of fee based system to become enacted as it will eventually kill GA in the US. There are plans to implement a partial plan to only charge larger GA planes such as turbine or jet aircraft but this is only one step on a slippery downhill slope. Today, some proponents of the fee system say, we will only charge large jets; but we know that tomorrow they will want to get the two and four seat GA planes. Please do not let this happen.
NMPA would like a response from you and to understand exactly what your position is on this matter. We hope you will recognize the serious adverse consequences of implementing any type of fee based system for controlling aviation in the US.
The New Mexico Pilots Association is a not-for-profit voluntary organization formed in 1985 for the purpose of providing safety education for aircraft pilots in NM, to protect the rights and privileges of pilots in NM, and to encourage the use of airplanes for business and pleasure within the state. NMPA presents FAA safety seminars monthly around the state for pilots to promote safe flying habits and to improve the skills of NM pilots.
Sincerely, for the New Mexico Pilots Association,
Bob Worthington
Bob Worthington, PhD
President
1136 Cave Springs Trail, Las Cruces, NM 88011
Phone 505 522 6785
Email rworthin@zianet.com