February 2006

IAOPA World Assembly Rapidly Approaching

The 23rd IAOPA World Assembly is rapidly approaching, to be held in Toronto, Canada 18-24 June 2006. The business meetings are planned for 19-21 June with a variety of interesting Canadian aviation activities scheduled for the remainder of the week. Keynote speaker for the assembly is scheduled to be William Voss, Director of the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau; the ANB is the body that develops ICAO standards and recommended practices.

A proposed agenda will soon be circulated to affiliates for comment and input. Delegates participating in the assembly will be able to shape the course of world general aviation for years to come-this will be an important gathering of the IAOPA Board.

The host association, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association requests that delegates and observers register promptly to enable them to finalize essential logistics and arrangements for the meeting. See the Web site for more information.  

Eurocontrol Aviation Day Scheduled

IAOPA President Phil Boyer will be the featured speaker at the annual IAOPA/Eurocontrol Aviation Day workshop to be held at Eurocontrol headquarters in Brussels on Friday, 31 March 2006. Eurocontrol will present and discuss current and future topics of interest to general aviation. On the following day, 1 April, the semi-annual IAOPA European Regional meeting will be held at the nearby Brussels Airport Sofitel Hotel. 

IAOPA Asian Regional Vice President Appointed

Captain Geronimo A. Amurao, AOPA-Philippines President, was recently appointed IAOPA Asian Regional Vice President by IAOPA President Phil Boyer, who said, Gerry Amurao has been a dedicated officer of AOPA-Philippines for many years and is a long-time active supporter for IAOPA worldwide. I welcome him as one as one of our important regional vice presidents. I also wish to thank Mr. Kozo Takita, the retiring vice president from this region, for his faithful and involved service."  

AOPA-Malta Activities

Dr. Ivan X. Gatt, President of AOPA-Malta said that, "Our association has done its best to keep abreast of new and pending legislation which may effect GA locally and in Europe." To this end he reports that he has recently had meetings with the Malta airport regulatory body (MIA) in which they agreed upon procedures designed to expedite GA departures. Since they have been enacted complaints from local pilots on international flights have dropped significantly.

AOPA-Malta, along with other organizations, recently met with Prime Minister Michael Gonzi to discuss methods to assist in boosting the county's economy. During the meeting Dr. Gatt aired complaints that included irregular pricing for charges made to visiting aircraft, hangar, fuel, and maintenance costs.

The President is also a member of the Airport User's Committee, having been elected to the post of Secretary from a group of airline executives and service providers, a prime position from which to make the needs of general aviation known.

AOPA-Philippines Holds Annual Meeting

AOPA-Philippines held their annual meeting in Manila on 12 December 2005 under the theme of "Safety of Air Travel." Principal speakers included the Secretary of Transportation and Communications and the Assistant Secretary of Transportation. The major news brought by these speakers was the decision to continue to permit AOPA-Philippines operations at Manila International Airport, a privilege that was under threat for some time. Also announced were delays in the implementation of mandatory aircraft equipment requirements, temporary relief from TCAS requirements in particular being welcome news. Captain Geronimo A. Amurao, AOPA-Philippines President, said, "The government's positive response to our requests to stay at Manila airport and to delay equipment requirements are welcome news that we have worked hard for. Our annual meeting was a great success."

Also announced is the 10th Annual Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival, to be held 9-12 February 2006 at Clark Field in central Luzon. AOPA-Philippines is one of the organizers of this event, which features a variety of general aviation, and air sports activities. For more information, see the Web site. " 

Major Modification to ICAO Annex 17 Released

ICAO Annex 17, Security, Amendment 11 became effective 30 November 2005. This is a complete rewrite of this important standard, culminating four years of effort by the world civil aviation community. In this amendment IAOPA successfully defended its three years of work at annual ICAO Aviation Security Panel meetings and working group sessions. Objectives achieved for GA included separating commercial and non-commercial aviation security requirements and incorporating the need for a threat assessment prior to establishing State aviation security requirements.  

Protecting Your Aerodrome

The UK General Aviation Awareness Council (GAAC) has produced two new fact sheets on the subject of protecting your aerodrome from a variety of hazards. The information, along with other useful general aviation advocacy materials, may be found at their Web site, under Planning, then Fact Sheets.  

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations represents the interests of more than 470,000 pilots and aircraft owners in 62 countries. Formed in 1962, IAOPA is dedicated to promoting the peaceful uses of general aviation and aerial work worldwide.

IAOPA eNews is published monthly 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.

Visit the Web site | Contact IAOPA

IAOPA Headquarters - 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701, USA          ::        Tel: +301.695.2220       ::             Fax: +301.695.2375