August 2005

Germany Requires Background Checks

Every pilot in Germany must now submit to a background check (translates as "reliability examination") in order to obtain and maintain a pilot license. AOPA-Germany has notified the government that there is little or no reason for this new procedure that will require the pilot's time and money. However, now that the new procedure has started, AOPA-Germany is seeking pilots who have been denied clearance on the basis of the background checks to use them as test cases to overturn the negative effects of what are considered baseless accusations. Michael Erb, AOPA-Germany Managing Director, said, "This is a serious challenge to our right to fly; we will vigorously oppose this new requirement."

Also, see AOPA-Germany's recently redesigned Web site.  

AOPA-Netherlands Responds to Regionalizing Airport Issues

Convinced that complaints about airport noise, pollution, and restrictions in town and country planning are local problems, the Netherlands Aviation Authority has transferred these issues to local jurisdictions. When first proposed years ago, AOPA-Netherlands opposed the concept because dealing with a variety of local organizations often following different standards and rules, would make defense of airport issues difficult. Now, suddenly, the proposal has been implemented. Consequently, the organization has stated that localization of airport issues is acceptable only if certain universal standards and rules are followed. The President of AOPA-Netherlands has issued a call for its members to actively participate in local and regional airport and environmental committees.  

Seaplane Access to Toronto's Waterfront Retained by COPA Effort

With little notice in May, the Toronto City Centre Airport seaplane base was closed to seaplanes by a NOTAM from Transport Canada.

Given the critical importance of this facility and the timing of the prohibition (the week before the holiday weekend at the start of the peak-flying season), Canadian Owner and Pilot's Association (COPA) stepped in to help resolve the situation by calling its Seaplane Committee into action. Consequently, committee member Doug Ronan met with Transport Canada and airport officials several times to resolve the issue. The meetings yielded a revised operating policy, and a NOTAM was issued permitting operations with slightly altered procedures.

Kevin Psutka, COPA President, said, "This issue was resolved quickly because of the willingness of our volunteers to devote time and effort for coordination, and negotiations. Although COPA staff was available to assist, we were not available on such short notice for the critical meetings. This is volunteerism in action!" 

Aegean Airlines Provides Discounts for IAOPA Affiliate Members

In 1987, brothers Antonis and Nikolaos Simigdalas established Aegean Aviation, a small aerial advertising company in Greece. Today, that organization has grown into an award winning international air carrier, Aegean Airlines, operating a fleet of Boeing 737s and Avro RJ100s. Antonis is an avid aviation supporter, saying, "Our airline was born and raised from the heart of what we now call general aviation. In this long journey, one lesson we have learned is that we cannot classify aviation into sections. It's just one thing?aviation pure and simple. We feel that a debt is owned to all those people who have witnessed and shared this dream of ours."

Therefore, AOPA-Hellas and Aegean Airlines have recently announced that all AOPA members are entitled to a 15 percent fare discount on all of its flights. The discount will be applied to all fares without exception?economy class, business class, even when special offers are in effect. Airport taxes and extra charges of any form are not included in the offer. The offer is valid only upon presentation of an AOPA membership card. Reservations, ticket issuance, cancellation, payments, and refunds are in accordance with Aegean Airlines general policies. See the Aegean Airlines Web site.   

GA Progressing in the Republic of Korea

In June, Hae Woon Lee, President of AOPA-Korea, and two others flew his Cessna 210 from Seoul to Jeju Island (a famous tourist area in southern Korea) and landed at its airport, the first general aviation aircraft to do so. This marked another groundbreaking event in the annals of Korean GA. AOPA-Korea has literally introduced the concept of general aviation to the country and is slowly progressing toward a better understanding for this type of flying."  

IAOPA World Assembly Toronto, Canada, 18-24 June 2006

IAOPA eNews is published eight times yearly by the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations for the use of its affiliate members in representing and advocating general aviation and aerial work interests worldwide.

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations represents the interests of more than 470,000 pilots and aircraft owners in 61 countries. Formed in 1962, IAOPA is dedicated to promoting the peaceful uses of general aviation and aerial work worldwide.

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