AOPA-Brazil Works With New Agency

On 28 March, Brazil will have a new aviation regulatory authority, the Agencia Nacional de Aviação Civil, which will be responsible for all civil aviation operations within the country. This move represents a significant transition from a military regulatory authority to a civil-based authority. AOPA-Brazil president George William Sucupira states that the association is working closely with the new agency to ensure that a separate department is established that will address general aviation matters.

Additionally, AOPA-Brazil is working with the Brazilian government to obtain an avgas tax reduction in hopes that it will increase general aviation activity. 

Eurocontrol Aviation Day Scheduled

IAOPA President Phil Boyer will be the featured speaker at the 7th annual IAOPA/Eurocontrol General & Business Aviation Day to be held at Eurocontrol Headquarters in Brussels on Friday, 31 March 2006. The theme of this year's meeting will be, "Future Access To Airspace and Airports." The objective of the event is to provide all general and business aviators with air traffic management information that is likely to affect their flying activities in the future. For more information on attending this free event, see the Web site. On the following day, 1 April, the semi-annual IAOPA European Regional meeting will be held at the nearby Brussels Airport Sofitel Hotel. 

AOPA-Egypt Becomes 63rd Affiliate

In February, IAOPA President Phil Boyer wrote to General Ahmed Maher, president of the newly formed AOPA-Egypt, "It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Board of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) has approved full membership for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Egypt (AOPA-Egypt). The headquarters' staff and I are looking forward to a prosperous working relationship with you, your staff, and members. I warmly welcome AOPA-Egypt as IAOPA's 63rd affiliate member." The organization may be contacted at jetco000@yahoo.com, Box 5739 Heliopolis West, 11771 Cairo, Egypt.  

AOPA-Netherlands Challenges Government Noise Allegations

AOPA-Netherlands has worked with the Ministry of Transport for some time on the task of reducing noise generated by general aviation aircraft. Much of these discussions were based on a government premise that GA made more noise than that generated by vehicular traffic. When AOPA-Netherlands representatives challenged the government to produce evidence of this allegation they were unable to do so. New discussions on the subject are being scheduled. 

"Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the proposed new charges is that they may be the thin edge of the wedge that may introduce further charges downstream. General aviation activity has decreased in many parts of the world due to cost increases in every operational aspect. Each additional cost or fee further reduces the utility of business and personal use aircraft. When the cost-benefit ratio becomes negative the number of general aviation operators will inevitably decrease. While our members are willing to pay for essential services received they are quite mindful of the large fuel excise and personal property taxes paid into government coffers that are seldom used to fund general aviation activities."    

ICAO Proposes New ELT Requirements

IAOPA has long opposed the blanket imposition of an ICAO standard that after January 2005 would have required all aeroplanes operating on extended flights over water and when operating on flights over designated land areas (areas in which search and rescue would be especially difficult) shall be equipped with one automatic ELT. The ELT referred to is the newer 406 MHz model. The poor reliability and high cost of these units tend to make them ineffective as life-saving devices.

Along with other civil aviation interests, IAOPA has petitioned ICAO to modify the above Annex 6, Part II standard to a more realistic and reasonable requirement. In January, ICAO released a proposal to States that would delay the ELT requirement for GA aircraft operating internationally until July 2008. And, only aircraft produced after that date would be required to have an automatic ELT. While this is a marked improvement over existing requirements, the proposal fails to address the reliability issues associated with this equipment. IAOPA will continue to press for improvements in this area.    

New Aircraft Registry Requirements

Aircraft and engine transactions may have an additional registry requirement as of 1 March 2006 when the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and the Aircraft Protocol ("International Registry") takes effect. The new requirements will apply to all transactions involving aircraft that are certificated for at least eight seats (including crew), helicopters that are certificated for at least five seats (including crew) and engines rated with at least 550 horsepower or 1,750 pounds thrust. For more information, see the Web site.    

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations represents the interests of more than 470,000 pilots and aircraft owners in 63 countries. Formed in 1962, IAOPA is dedicated to promoting the peaceful uses of general aviation and aerial work worldwide.

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