Dezember 02

European AOPAs React Strongly to European Commission Insurance Proposal

The European Commission has proposed minimum liability insurance requirements for all air carriers and aircraft operators flying within, into, out of, or over-flying European Union countries. While many EU countries currently impose mandatory liability insurance requirements, the new insurance limits are quite high. The proposal would require aircraft of under 25,000 kg MTOM to carry the equivalent of 110 million Euros liability insurance coverage. In contrast, a Cessna 172 currently operating in Germany is required to carry 3 million Euros coverage.

European AOPAs have understandably reacted strongly to this proposal. Michael Erb, AOPA-Germany's Managing Director, said, "This requirement is absolutely above any realistic threat scenario. The cost for insurance coverage of this sum would be unaffordable for GA operators, the consequences completely ruinous for any private or business activity. AOPA-Germany has offered the German Department of Justice all possible support in thwarting this most dangerous matter."

AOPA-UK's CEO Martin Robinson offered, "Our 4000 members as well as our corporate (flying school) members will be severely penalized as a result of the 9/11 tragedy which had nothing to do with general aviation. This regulation must not be allowed to proceed as it could mean the end of general aviation, assuming that you could buy the insurance."

A coordinated effort is underway among IAOPA European affiliates to minimize the impact of this proposal.

IAOPA Reiterates Position on ATM Equipment Requirements

In a recent meeting of the ICAO Air Navigation Commission, IAOPA Representative Frank Hofmann repeated IAOPA's long-standing position regarding general aviation operations. Hofmann told the body, "VFR access to urban areas should increase as the use of the airspace using advanced techniques, such as traffic synchronization, is optimized. Given the fact that in the future advanced concepts will support reduced ATC vectoring, there will be less airspace wasted due to inefficiencies. Therefore, access to densely populated airspace by GA should increase, not diminish.

"System design should focus on minimizing the burden of change on aircraft equipment requirements. Instead, changes to infrastructure supporting performance based aircraft avionics can minimize re-equipage without requiring frequent technology updates."

AOPA-Spain Works Closely With Government Agencies

The impact of AOPA-Spain has recently been enhanced by its President, Manuel Ortigosa, gaining a seat for the Association on the Spanish government's highest-level regulatory advisory body. The Comité de Coordinación de Navegación Aérea y Aeropuertos, based in Madrid, acts as an advisory body for all proposed regulations promulgated by the Civil Aviation Authority; AOPA-Spain represents the interests of general aviation and aerial work activities in this body. Additionally, the directors of AENA (Airports Authority) and Civil Aviation Authority regularly request input and counsel from AOPA-Spain on a wide range of GA/AW issues.

AOPA-Spain, together with the CAA and the Royal Aero Club, recently developed JAR Learning Objectives for the PPL-Instruction that will be presented to the European authorities through the CAA.

Nationwide Security Telephone Number Initiated in the U.S.

As a result of urging by AOPA-USA, the US Transportation Security Administration has instituted a toll-free number to report suspicious activity at an airport - 1-866-GA-SECURE (1-866-427-3287). This federally funded feature becomes a part of AOPA's Airport Watch program to help protect national security at our nation's general aviation airports.

"Airport Watch is designed to work like the highly successful neighborhood watch programs used in communities across the country, said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Who better to know what's normal and what's suspicious at a local airport than the people who spend a lot of time there? We encourage all pilots to watch for unusual or suspicious activities and report them."

The program is much more than a telephone number, however. AOPA has created posters and pamphlets to show pilots examples of suspicious
activities; steps pilots can take to help law enforcement, and sensible
precautions for improving airport security. The brochure is available online at www.aopa.org/asn/watchindex, and will be mailed to AOPA member pilots in December. AOPA has also produced a training video with several terrorist scenarios acted out. Law enforcement officials participated in the production, providing realism for the police response to the threats shown on tape.

8.33 Vertical Extension in Europe

Because of a continuing frequency shortage in the VHF-band, Eurocontrol intends to introduce 8.33 channel spacing in Europe's core area below FL 245 in 2008. Estimated costs for reequipping airframes and ground stations: up to 400 million Euros. One of the main drivers behind this plan is the privatised German ATM agency "Deutsche Flugsicherung". AOPA-Germany doubts that 8.33 is an adequate way to handle the shortage. Critics within the ATM system state, that with an improved frequency management system the shortage could easily be solved. Estimated cost to implement such a plan: 4 million Euros. Equipping with 8.33 by 2008 makes even less sense in view of the introduction of the next generation digital radios, expected to be in operation by 2012. AOPA-Germany is working closely with several avionics specialists to develop plans, which could make the 8.33 vertical extension unnecessary.

Boeing ATM Project

The Boeing Company is attempting to devise a new air traffic management system and asked IAOPA Europe's Technical Assistance Team Head Martin Robinson for input regarding their proposals. The details of the plan are not as important as the principles contained in his response:

"Many of the ideas seem revolutionary and for future ATM they may have to be. However, IAOPA in Europe and probably in the rest of the world believes that ATM needs to evolve at a pace which takes into account the needs of general aviation.

"Certainly we believe in the benefits of global solutions but in order to achieve this your program will need to focus on some of the institutional problems that restrict this, i.e., the different philosophies and cultural working practices between Europe and the USA, not to mention the rest of the world!

"Before global solutions can be achieved there needs to be convergence of ideas. Most large projects like yours tend to focus on the needs of the air traffic service provider's main customers, the airlines and very little attention is paid to the GA/AW community. Big plans often require big investment - as we have seen in the UK the airline group (NATS Owners) is struggling financially. There is now pressure from our Government to look at charging GA for using the airspace! We do not have equal or unfettered access to the airspace and we may in the future have to pay for the little we do use!!

"More commercial aircraft in the sky is not necessarily a good thing for GA as this may mean greater restrictions. Whilst the aim of the Boeing plan is increased efficiency in ATM what it really means is more CAT aircraft & more Boeing aircraft sales-not necessarily a good thing for GA.

"Any Boeing ATM plan will need to assure GA that:

1. There are quantifiable benefits for GA;

2. No hidden charges; and

3. We have unfettered access to airports & airspace.

"Finally, ICAO would be the best place to obtain agreement or harmonization of regional ATM plans."

New AOPA-France Web Site

An innovative new web site has been established for AOPA-France at www.aopa-fr.org. The new site features multilingual template, news board, special user access features, bulletin board, photo albums and other useful items. The site uses a new portal concept that eliminates the need to pay for portal access. Emmanuel Davidson, who manages this system for AOPA-France, and is one of their officers, has offered to make the complete source code available to AOPA's that are willing to evaluate the system. Contact him at: davidson@worldnet.net.

JAR-FCL Update

Pam Campbell, IAOPA's Joint Aviation Authorities Licensing Sectorial Team (LST) Representative, attended that group's November meeting and reports the following essential features of the meeting:

· The importance of mutual recognition of JAR FCL principles and requirements by member States, based on consensus, was emphasized by the Licensing Director when speaking about regulatory harmonization.

· Subject to adoption by the JAA Committee and implementation by the National Aviation Authorities (CAAs), flight instructors will be required to undergo a proficiency check flight during every other revalidation cycle. The proposal, opposed by IAOPA, will impose a check flight every six years.

· A French proposal to give credit for the use of Basic Instrument Training Devices to satisfy instrument training requirements for private and commercial pilot certificates was favorably received. This useful addition will need the support of national AOPAs with their CAAs.

· An extension of the time permitted for PPL applicants to complete their theoretical knowledge examinations has been introduced as a long-term exemption. The 18-month eligibility period will now commence at the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination.

· Distance learning has now been accepted by the LST for JAR FCL PPL theoretical knowledge training.

ICAO Exploring UAVs

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are currently a topic of some interest at ICAO. While many issues exist regarding their design, certification and use, IAOPA has expressed just one concern: protection of airspace users from a potential collision hazard. If you have other concerns, contact Frank Hofmann, IAOPA Representative to ICAO, at, fhofmann@e-scape.net.