December 2004

IAOPA President Visits Athens

At the invitation of AOPA-Hellas, IAOPA President Phil Boyer visited Athens from 24-27 November to work with high-level government officials in creating a better environment for general aviation in Greece. Boyer and AOPA-Hellas President Yiouli Kalafati met with the Ministers of Defense, Transportation, Communications and Tourism to discuss better facilities and provisions for general aviation, especially for the reopening of Athens' Hellinikon Airport, its only general aviation airport. The airport was closed to accommodate this year's summer Olympics and has not been reopened. Boyer was optimistic about the meetings, commenting, "The officials I met with were receptive to the idea of reopening Hellinikon for GA."

Boyer also participated in the AOPA-Hellas Aviation Day in which government dignitaries, civil aviation officials, and others promoted general aviation. "The number one problem is the lack of a general aviation airport in Athens, home to almost half of the Greek population," said Boyer. "And like so many examples in other countries, the problem was created by the closure of two perfectly good GA airports. But, the concerted efforts of local organizations can save our valuable airports."

Additionally, Boyer participated in the semi-annual IAOPA European Regional Meeting, held the day after the Aviation Day presentations in Athens. The meeting served to air issues of mutual importance and to provide a platform for developing new regional strategies. Boyer complimented participants on their efforts to improve conditions for general aviation and aerial work in Europe.

Read the full story on AOPA's Web site.

AOPA-Korea Hosts AOPA-Japan Fly-Out

Bryant J. Shin of AOPA-Korea and Ari Yamagata of AOPA-Japan report a successful November 15-17 fly in to Incheon International Airport (ICN) by five Japanese registered aircraft. AOPA-Korea President Mr. HaeWoon Lee hosted 15 members of AOPA-Japan.

This was a significant event since it was the first time that foreign registered general aviation aircraft operated into Korea's principal airline airport. Much preparation by both AOPAs was required to enable this groundbreaking event to occur, in which new VFR routes were opened between the two countries. During the visit, productive discussions were held to ease restrictions for general aviation aircraft operating to, from, and within Korea and Japan.

Mr. Yamagata expressed his sincere appreciation to his Korean hosts and promised reciprocal visits would occur.

AOPA-Botswana Obtains Government Concessions

AOPA-Botswana President Tony Rees reports that the Association has received a temporary reprieve from the Botswana Department of Civil Aviation's January 2005 mandatory introduction of 406 mHz ELT's. The Association's opposition was based on the fact that, a) the requirement is primarily intended for improved, more exact, crash location for commercial aircraft, and b) it is too short of a notice period for the general aviation owner to finance this expensive conversion. Since the present 121.5 mHz satellite capability will not be discontinued until 2009, private aircraft owners should be given that period of time in which to convert. Current feedback is that DCA has agreed to the proposal and shall waive this requirement for aircraft of 5,700kg and below MGTOM until 2009, subject to annual review.

The Association has also had meetings with Botswana DCA concerning inconsistent security measures for pilots and owners entering through the security gates to gain access to their aircraft at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. DCA overreacted initially, and security officers at the gates became overly obstructive. Association efforts have reduced these measures to more manageable terms, whereby both sides are not entirely happy but both sides have a workable system. Additional meetings with the DCA to discuss further improvements for general aviation owners and pilots are ongoing.

AOPA-Hellas Obtains ELT Postponement

AOPA-Hellas, with the help of other European AOPAs, managed to persuade the Helenic CAA to postpone for two and a half years the otherwise imminent enforcement of reequipping all GA/AW aircraft with new 406 mHz ELT's.

Secretary General Works on ICAO Security Issues

IAOPA Secretary General John Sheehan attended the Second Meeting of ICAO Working Group to revise ICAO Annex 17 (Security) in Brussels from 26-28 October.

The major issues for GA/AW are:

• In general, how should all GA/AW be treated with regard to security?
• Specifically, which classes of GA/AW require closer surveillance/control?
• How should GA airports be organized and regulated regarding security?
• What special measures should be taken to surveil/control on-demand air taxi ops?
• How will GA/AW and air taxis fit together at air carrier airports?

Proposals were initiated by both IAOPA and IBAC that included:

• GA aircraft above 12,500 lbs and all aerial work aircraft need a written security program (samples to be provided by IAOPA/IBAC for inclusion in the ICAO Security Manual).
• Special security areas, called Security Program Zones, would be permitted at air carrier airports for the purpose of permitting GA/AW and air taxi operations outside of Security Restricted Areas (airline sterile areas).
• No specific requirements should be levied on small GA aircraft but a recommendation would be inserted to the effect that States should establish a GA security program in accordance with the ICAO Security Manual, again to be drafted by IAOPA/IBAC.

The working group will continue to meet with the objective of providing a completely revised Annex 17 to the ICAO Aviation Security Panel (AVSECP) in March 2005.

During the meeting it became quite clear that State aviation security personnel are not well versed in GA matters and must be educated by AOPA affiliates.

AOPA-UK Initiates Wings Award Program

AOPA-UK is now offering a Wings Award program to promote skills development of holders of the Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) and the National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL) through the recognition of their achievements.

The Association's Wings Award Guide and Application form describes the program, which offers four award levels, namely Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Wings. Information is given on the requirements for each level and how to apply for them. At each level Wings are awarded on the basis of five elements - minimum flight times, membership in AOPA, air touring experience, achievements, and seminar attendance AOPA-UK Chairman George Done says, "The scheme is designed to encourage private pilots to improve their proficiency and to strive to increase their competence, take on new challenges and find new fulfillment in their flying."

A full description of the program may be found online

COPA Asks to Add More Owner Maintained Cessna's

The Canadian Owner Maintenance category (older certified aircraft moved to the equivalent of an amateur-built aircraft) is gathering steam as a viable alternative to the high cost of maintaining a certified aircraft. As more types and models of older popular aircraft are added, such as Cessna 150s and 172s, the affordability of owning an aircraft increases. Canada now has 280 aircraft in the category and the number is increasing every month. Owner maintenance brings "basket-cases" back into flying status at a much more reasonable price. More information about the category can be found on the COPA Web site. The Guide to the Owner Maintenance Category is available on their "Members Only" section but COPA will send an electronic or hard copy to any IAOPA affiliate upon request.

COPA recently asked Transport Canada to add 13 more types of Cessna aircraft to the list of those eligible for the owner maintenance category. As a result of COPA's request Transport Canada has evaluated the data that COPA supplied and has agreed to add all the aircraft requested.

IAOPA Participates in JAA Medical Panel

Dr. Ian Perry, IAOPA Medical Advisor, participated in the November 2004 JAA Licensing Sub-Sectorial Team (Medical), at JAA headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. A wide range of issues were discussed among which the following are of interest:

• Flying with insulin dependent diabetes is being considered for all classes of flying. Dr. Perry will participate in a newly established working group to study the issue.
• More flexible standards were proposed for patient's who have undergone aortic stenosis.
• Electroencephalograms for ICAO Class 1 examinations are being reconsidered since several European States have discontinued requirements for this procedure.
• Dr. Perry is the leading member of a working group that will soon provide guidance regarding which medications may be safely used while flying. Availability of such a document will be a first in Europe.

Secretariat Acts to Save Canadian Airports

IAOPA Secretary General John Sheehan recently submitted comments to Parks Canada in support of retaining Banff and Jasper Airstrips:

"The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations represent the interests of more than 450,000 pilots and aircraft owners in 60 countries. Our goals are to promote international air transportation in general aviation and aerial work aircraft.

"Airports and the airspace above them are the two most valuable resources available to general aviation operators. Expanding metropolitan areas, increased land values and environmental concerns have greatly reduced the number of airports available to our constituents in the past few decades.

"The airports we use are not a mere convenience but essential to the infrastructure that supports our ability to operate efficiently and safely. This last point, that of flight safety, is very important to us and must be considered in areas where terrain and weather are significant factors of our route of flight.

"The airstrips at Banff and Jasper are essential to the safety of small aircraft operating through the passes surrounding them. The ability to have an airport within a reasonable distance of the route of flight when operating in mountainous areas provides both peace of mind and a safe harbor.

"Our affiliate's members regularly operate within Canada both as transiting aircraft and flying Canadian registered aircraft. Therefore, the retention of these two valuable airstrips is essential to the international community as well as the many Canadian pilots and their passengers who operate in these attractive mountainous regions.

"Please save these airstrips for the safety of current and future generations of pilots and passengers."

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