May 2006

AOPA-Italy Questions Need for Firefighters

The Italian Interior Ministry is considering making airport firefighting equipment and personnel mandatory at all airports, regardless of activity levels or type of aircraft served. Currently, small general aviation aerodromes that have flying clubs are permitted to train airport and club personnel to fulfill this role, with three firefighters required to be on duty during times when the airport is active.

The new proposal would make the use of trained professional firefighters mandatory at all aerodromes. This means that a small aircraft user would be required to pay € 20 - 30 for each landing to cover the costs of fire fighting equipment and personnel. Further, the highly unionized firefighters could easily control aerodrome operations by invoking strikes when they chose.

Massimo Levi, AOPA-Italy President, says, "If the compulsory use of aircraft fire fighters is passed the results will prove catastrophic for general aviation users. This is because many small aerodromes would be forced to close and the fees at the remaining ones would stifle growth. More importantly, there is little evidence of the need for fire fighting equipment or personnel at small aerodromes." Mr. Levi has requested information from other affiliates regarding the use of fire fighters in their countries.   

Israel Proposes Large Aviation Fee Increases

The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority currently imposes fees for every phase of aviation activity, from issuing licenses and medical certificates to periodic instrument check rides. Aircraft owners must pay for the issuance of an annual Certificate of Airworthiness, special maintenance activities and conformity certificates. The Ministry of Transport and CAA are proposing to increase these and other fees by an average of 400 percent!

Omri Talmon, AOPA-Israel Director of International Affairs, states that, "More than an issue of restricting general aviation growth, these fees will actually reduce safety within the community. Inevitably, the fees will reduce flying activity and, eventually, safety will be affected due to the lack of proficiency by all pilots. Notably, general aviation activity decreased by more than 30 percent in 2005 over previous years due to fee increases.

"The aviation community within Israel apparently would like to accommodate new fees with passenger ticket and fuel taxes. However, the extreme increases in some fees will be difficult to be absorbed by the general aviation community."   

Nav Canada Imposes Pay-as-You-Go Fee

Nav Canada, the Canadian air traffic services provider, issued a decision regarding user fees on 13 April, following a yearlong rate structure review. Despite extensive arguments from COPA, AOPA-U.S., and IAOPA on the grounds of safety and reasonableness, the Nav Canada Board accepted management's original proposal, with minor changes, for a new daily charge, applicable to all civil aircraft.

At the heart of the fees for general aviation, a daily C$10 departure fee will apply to the seven major airports in Canada: Vancouver, CYVR; Calgary, CYYC; Edmonton, CYEG; Winnipeg, CYWG; Toronto, CYYZ; Ottawa, CYOW; and Montreal, CYUL. Enroute and terminal fees will not apply to aircraft of less than three tonnes MTOW. For full information regarding these fees, see this document.

Kevin Psutka, COPA President, commented, "COPA considers this as a devastating precedent that will most likely be expanded over time to capture more airports and/or services, leading to more general pay-as-you-go fee for service for our sector. In addition, the new daily charge is on top of the annual fee that we now pay and, of course, is also in addition to the fuel excise tax that we continue to pay. We will now turn our efforts to filing an appeal with the Canadian Transportation Agency, which according to the Canadian Air Navigation Services Commercialization Act is the vehicle for protesting fee changes. We will employ our Special Action Fund, financed by member contributions, to finance the legal work that will be required."   

Special Status Granted to AOPA-Afghanistan

The Afghan Flying Club has requested permission to become an IAOPA affiliate, however the club has few members or assets and no aircraft available to its members. But, the club president, Omir Hunaryar, made a compelling case for affiliation to help their organization get started with government and international organizations and other aviation personnel within Afghanistan. Therefore, special provision affiliation has been granted to the Afghan Flying Club that will enable them to use the designation, "AOPA-Afghanistan," and participate in IAOPA activities, however without a vote in the association's affairs. This status will continue until 1 December 2006 at which time the organization's status will be reviewed for viability as a full affiliate association.

If other affiliates have information or advice to provide to this new organization, please do so. See the Web site.   

World Assembly Fast Approaching

The 23rd IAOPA World Assembly will open in less than six weeks in Toronto, Canada. See the Web site below for full details. This is an assembly you won't want to miss; it features a week packed with events that all pertain to general aviation. See you there!    << Back to top

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