AOPA News September 2002
September 2002
FINAL PREPARATIONS MADE FOR IAOPA WORLD ASSEMBLY
The 21st IAOPA World Assembly will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil 29 September - 4 October 2002. Final preparations are underway to make the first South American World Assembly a notable event. Speakers from ICAO, FAA, Brazilian DGAC and aircraft manufacturers are scheduled to bring participants up to date on a variety of issues facing general aviation and aerial work operators around the world. Newly elected president of APPA-Brazil and host of the Assembly, Alan Lowy, said, "We have planned a variety of business and social events that will make this Assembly a memorable one. We invite all interested parties to participate in what promises to be a worthwhile and informative event." For further information and registration, contact APPA-Brazil at info@appa.org.br, +55 11 3845 1344, or Ruth Moser, IAOPA Administrator, at info@iaopa.org, +1 301 695 2220.
IAOPA PREPARES FOR ICAO AVIATION SECURITY PANEL MEETING
ICAO Annex 17, Security, makes no reference to general aviation and aerial work (GA/AW) activities; the practices included in this annex apply only to commercial air transportation, specifically airlines. As a consequence, States are provided with no ICAO guidance regarding security measures for GA/AW activities. Attempting to apply airline security measures to GA/AW will prove ineffective and costly.
Ater input from IAOPA, the February 2002 ICAO High Level Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation Security concluded that, "Since General Aviation operations are very different from commercial air transport operations, they warrant separate measures within ICAO SARPS and/or guidance material...." Consequently, the ICAO Aviation Security Panel was given the responsibility of incorporating separate measures into Annex 17 and associated advisory materials.
The IAOPA Secretariat will participate in the upcoming AVSEC Panel meeting, presenting the case for separate standards and recommended practices for GA/AW. The working paper submitted to the panel calls for a clear distinction between commercial air transport, general aviation and aerial work. Within GA/AW distinctions are called for between large and small aircraft, with the traditional 5700 kgs. being the dividing line between the two classifications. Large aircraft would have to operate under a written security program, outlining the responsibilities and procedures to be used in safeguarding passengers, cargo, third parties and the aircraft. Operators of small aircraft would be responsible for ensuring that State regulations regarding GA/AW be complied with.
AOPA-UK INTRODUCES FLYING COMPANIONS CERTIFICATE COURSE
AOPA-UK has introduced a course of instruction designed to increase the enjoyment, participation and confidence in flying of those who regularly accompany private pilots. It will enable those who fly regularly with private pilots to be more involved in the flights and, therefore, more confident when flying as passengers. The course consists of a minimum of eight hours dual flying with a flight instructor and 10 hours of ground training. The course is available from any flight training organization that is a corporate member of AOPA.
Although the course does not in itself lead to a pilot's license the syllabus is an abridged version of the early flight exercises and ground studies for the PPL. It is appreciated that some flying companions may wish to continue training for the PPL and the hours flown on the course may be counted towards that qualification. See www. aopa.co.uk.
COPA PROTESTS FAA RULING
The FAA has effectively banned Canadian owner maintained general aviation airplanes from U.S. airspace. COPA has escalated previous requests to rescind this ruling by joining with the Experimental Aircraft Association to request that the FAA Director of the Flight Standards Service reconsider the matter.
The joint letter points out that the O-M category in Canada operates to virtually the same rules that the Canadian amateur-built and advanced ultralights operate. It also points out that Canadian amateur-built aircraft have been flying in the U.S. for more than 20 years with an acceptable degree of safety and the O-M category aircraft operating to the same rules should see a similar safety record.
AOPA-US OPENS WEB SITE PROMOTING GENERAL AVIATION
AOPA-US has established a major new website designed to promote general aviation and aerial work activities. "General Aviation: It's Working for America" was conceived to answer the question, "What is GA and why should you care about it?" The site is a diverse and comprehensive listing of the advantages of GA and why it is important for America. AOPA-US president Phil Boyer said, "Let's help them [lawmakers, business leaders, communities] to better understand GA's critical role in our national economy, the essential role it plays in the daily lives of all Americans, and that a vital link in our air transportation system is 'GA Serving America.'" See www.gaservingamerica.org.
CAA NZ PREPARES GUIDE TO ESTABLISHING AN AERODROME
An informative guide entitled "How to Establish a Small Aerodrome" was recently published by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. While it contains regulatory and advisory references unique to New Zealand, the guide is a useful overview of the processes necessary to start a small airfield anywhere. The guide is available at: www.caa.govt.nz/safety%20info/booklets_on_web/aerodr_home
UK GENERAL AVIATION AWARENESS COUNCIL FOLLOW UP
"Our Chairman wrote to the Minister for Aviation earlier this year asking that central government should be more involved in the provision of a national network of GA aerodromes. Despite their claim to support the development of an integrated transport system the Minister reiterated the long standing policy that 'decisions about the future of aerodromes must be a matter for their owners. It would not be right for Government to attempt to direct from the centre what are essentially local issues. Government cannot force an aerodrome, whether publicly or privately owned, to stay open if the owner/operator is determined for business or other reasons to close it.' Obviously further educational effort is required to get the message through to a Government that is committed to an integrated transport policy that a network of aerodromes for the UK is part of the national transport infrastructure." (www.gaac.co.uk)
