August 02

IAOPA President Phil Boyer notes, "The first World Assembly in South America promises to be a memorable one, featuring a full agenda of issues that we in general aviation will have to face in the future. Our hosts have planned one of the finest social and spouse programs we have seen to date. And, the recent announcement of the special Varig Airlines IAOPA World Assembly travel discounts make the trip more affordable.

"I know that some of you may not have given World Assembly registration a high priority, but please send your registration in as soon as possible to make the job of our hosts easier. Tell your friends, too."

APPA Brazil has announced that VARIG Brazilian Airlines is the official airline for the IAOPA 21st World Assembly. The airline is offering preferential airfares to participants as follows:

· 50% discount on economy class "N" and business class "R" fares.

· The discount is applicable to flights operated exclusively by VARIG (not valid for code shares and connecting flights).

· Ticketing must be done directly by a VARIG ticket office. Only reservations may be made with the help of a travel agent, who will not receive a commission.

· VARIG operates flights to/from: Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Nagoia, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogota, La Paz, Caracas, Santiago, Montevideo, Sta. Cruz de La Sierra.

· Use Reference code: ERIO 016902

Also, a separate feature, the Brazil Air Pass, enables travelers to visit up to five cities within Brazil for only $550.

AOPA Netherlands President Gerry Jacobs was invited to provide the views of general aviation pilots and aircraft owners regarding the Hoogeveen aerodrome. This important facility has become completely surrounded by offices and houses, prompting the community to investigate the future of the airport property. Among the several options discussed will be moving the aerodrome to another nearby area.

After years of effort AOPA Israel was instrumental in changing opinions handed down by that country's CAA regarding medical certification. At issue was the granting of an appeal of four airmen who had minor color eyesight deficiencies. The CAA appealed to the Supreme Court against the Airmen Appeal Medical Committee, which had granted the pilots their medicals; the CAA's surgeon general refused to do so. On appeal, AOPA Israel joined the case as a codefendant.

On 22 July the Court told the CAA that their petition did not justify the reversal of the medical committee's decision and advised them to take it back. The CAA did so, effectively closing the case.

While the CAA may re-appeal the case, this is a clear victory for AOPA Israel. Congratulations to AOPA Israel executive Omri Talmon who spent much time researching the case and presenting it to the Supreme Court. Our thanks to AOPA Australia, AOPA U.S., and Dr. Ian Perry for their assistance in this case.

After more than 20 years of service to AOPA Japan and to IAOPA, Hisato Sasaki has submitted his resignation to IAOPA President Phil Boyer. In his letter Sasaki stated, "I am very pleased to have served as JAOPA President for 13 years. I also had the honor to serve as the Vice President of the IAOPA Southeast Asian Region for over 10 years...As the VP of Southeast Asia many members from the region have visited Japan and formed unfailing friendships with us. Naturally enough, talks about flight are important to AOPA, but it seems to me that friendship among AOPA members is even more important...I look forward to the further growth and prosperity of the AOPAs." In President Boyer's reply he thanked Mr. Sasaki for his service to IAOPA by saying, "You leave this position with a sense of pride in knowing that you've done an outstanding job of representing and supporting the mission of IAOPA within the Southeast Asia region. I thank you for the many years of devoted service that you've given to IAOPA, AOPA-Japan, and the pilots in your community."

As of 29 July 2002, the United Kingdom National Private Pilot License is effective. The simplified license, which will enable an individual to carry passengers within the U.K. is hoped to encourage more people to become pilots. For more information see www.nppl.uk.com. AOPA UK has been one of the principal architects and proponents of the new license.

Pilots in Germany often have to wait for extended periods to receive their medical certificates if a special issuance is involved. The Aeromedical Committee of the German federal government aeronautical agency, LBA, regularly has long delays for special request medical certificates. Citing delays of as much as 18 months, AOPA Germany Executive Director Michael Erb said, "We consider these delays unacceptable, especially since private pilots have a significant investment in their pilot training and medical certification. We have asked our flight surgeon working group to investigate these delays and to offer solutions."

In a recent email to Eurocontrol authorities IAOPA Europe's Martin Robinson said, "We have no wish to stop the airlines & Eurocontrol addressing problems that are associated with delays and capacity... but we have consistently said no to Mode-S for VFR flights out side of controlled airspace and for GA IFR flights there must be the continued use of Mode-A/C transponders.

"There is no low cost solution for GA/AW and as far as I can tell no
increased benefits for the GA community. We were promised ... that there would be segmented cost benefit studies for all users! We know
that if you do such a study on Mode-S for GA it will show only a cost and no benefit."

A just-completed AOPA Air Safety Foundation analysis of U. S. accidents caused by medical problems shows no meaningful correlation between FAA medical certificate requirements and GA accident rates.

ASF researchers analyzed 37,946 general aviation accidents that occurred from 1983 - 2000, involving fixed wing aircraft under 12,500 pounds gross weight and operated under FAR Part 91 general flight and operating rules. All such aircraft require a valid FAA medical certificate for the pilot in command. Of that total, they found 137 accidents caused by medical incapacitation, for a rate of just 0.36%, slightly over one-third of one percent (heart attacks were the most common accident cause.)

A similar study conducted by the FAA of accidents in gliders and balloons (whose pilots are not required to have a valid medical certificate), found only two medically-induced accidents in the ten-year period from 1990 - 2000. With a total of 609 glider and balloon accidents shown in the ASF database for that period, the no-medical-certificate required rate works out to 0.33%, slightly lower than that for pilots requiring an FAA medical certificate.

U.S. MODIFIES FOREIGN PILOT LICENSING PROCEDURE

All foreign pilots must submit to background checks before the FAA will issue a U.S. pilot certificate based on a pilot license issued by another country (FAR Part 61.75). Non-U.S. pilots will be required to submit an application by mail or fax to the FAA's office in Oklahoma City and, upon approval, will be directed to the appropriate FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) where the applicant may go to apply for and receive the U.S. certificate. According to the FAA, the entire process could take up to 60 days. The full procedure and application form are contained in FAA Notice 8700.15, which may be downloaded from
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2002/020729fsdo.pdf

Over the last four years New Zealand operators of TCM O-470, IO-410 and IO-520 engines have been experiencing wearing and corrosion on exhaust valves and cam followers following overhauls and top overhauls. The first indication of the problem is a compression check indicating as much as 50% leakage.

AOPA NZ would be pleased to hear from any operators of these engines who have been experiencing problems with either Continental or Lycoming engines. Contact AOPA NZ's Murray Paterson at murray.paterson@telstra.net.nz with the following information: model of engine, total time since overhaul, date of overhaul or top overhaul, description of difficulty, hours per year flown, type of cylinders installed (OEM or after-market), and oil type used.

On 23 July, Rolf Siegrist, IAOPA European Communications Director, passed away in Basel, Switzerland. He had served as a member of AOPA Switzerland's board of directors for many years and as editor of the organization's bimonthly publication, Position Report, for more than 25 years. He also served as the principal point of communications contact for IAOPA European affairs and maintained its web site.

Mr. Siegrist was an avid pilot and supporter of general aviation in Europe and around the world. He was well known to IAOPA members because of his faithful participation in the World Assemblies and European Regional affairs. His wry humor and penetrating insights were appreciated by all.

In his eulogy AOPA Switzerland President Dr. Ruedi Gerber said, "AOPA Switzerland is mourning for an outstanding personality and a convincing defender of our common cause. Much of what General Aviation in Switzerland is today is the result of Rolf Siegrist's indefatigable and selfless dedication. We all will keep him in our memory as a great aviator and friend."

After years of study and inquiry the Joint Aviation Authorities have finally released their notice of proposed amendment that will allow commercial operations in single-engine turboprop aircraft. While this issue specifically concerns commercial operations, the outcome of the NPA will have implications for all single-engine night/IFR operations in the future. Especially interesting is the background study that led to the NPA (see web site). Comments for the proposal are due 30 September.

http://www.jaa.nl/catalogue/npas/37/39/373967/373967.pdf (NPA-OPS-29: Single Engine Commercial Operations at Night and/or in IMC)

AIS AGORA is a Eurocontrol initiative to improve the communication and coordination among aeronautical information stakeholders (Data originators, AIS, pilots, aircraft operators, ATC and other airspace users....) with the ultimate goal to improve the quality of aeronautical information.

Since December 2001, the AIS AGORA main entry point is a free web-site
(http://www.eurocontrol.int/aisagora), now featuring more than 700 members. A number of advanced publications, AIS problems and solutions are posted, making for a lively exchange of information. A
facilitator ensures smooth operations and that queries are followed up.

Importantly it acts as a true AIS portal as it contains links to all European AIS web-sites, AIS points of contact and other relevant information. Its slogan, "Voicing problems - Sharing solutions" provides an insight into the site's utility.