General aviation
challenges on the horizon
By David Sakrison
 |
|
The possibility that
the FAA could tighten air show waiver requirements could cast a dark
cloud over the future of fly-ins like EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Photo
by Dave Higdon |
Over the week, AirVenture
Today has reported on the key issues facing the general aviation
community and the work being done here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Each
year, AirVenture brings together representatives of general aviation and
government officials to work cooperatively to preserve and improve
general aviation—work that continues year-round. What are the key
issues that will dominate the dialogue between now and AirVenture 2007?
Fight general aviation
user fees
General aviation fuel taxes
help pay for the nation’s aviation infrastructure. That funding
mechanism will expire in September 2007. The Airline Transport
Association, a lobby for U.S. airlines, is calling for air traffic
control user fees on general aviation aircraft and pilots, and for a new
governing board to control ATC operations—a board that would
effectively be controlled by the airline industry.
The general aviation
community is solidly united against the airlines’ proposal to pay less
and control more. In the coming year, EAA will continue to express its
opposition to the airlines’ proposal, to Congress, the public, and the
FAA.
Finish implementing the
SP/LSA rule
The FAA, with input from EAA
and others, has made tremendous progress toward full and final
implementation of the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule, issued in
September 2004. Several areas of concern await resolution, however:
Complete the transition of
all ultralight pilots who wish to convert to the sport pilot certificate
by the January 2007 deadline, and complete the transition of ultralight
trainers (so-called "fat ultralights") to light-sport aircraft
by the January 2008 deadline. The EAA is providing information,
materials, and assistance to ultralight pilots and owners.
Allow amphibious aircraft to
qualify for the light-sport aircraft category. The EAA will work to
resolve this issue in time to allow owners to complete the transition of
amphibious ultralights to light-sport aircraft by January 2008.
Support and promote the
internationalization of light-sport aircraft standards. Many countries
have adopted, or will, some version of SP/LSA. Australia has adopted the
ASTM voluntary standards for LSA; Europe and Canada are considering
doing the same. The EAA will support and promote this and other
initiatives to create a truly global LSA marketplace and community.
Reduce the aviation
medical backlog
The EAA and its Aeromedical
Advisory Council have been leading the charge on this issue, with
self-certification (the driver’s license rule) for sport pilots and
with specific proposals for reducing the FAA’s backlog of medical
certification cases in Oklahoma City—especially special issuance
certifications. The FAA adopted several of EAA’s proposals earlier
this year. At the 2006 Meet the Administrator forum, FAA Chief Marion
Blakey announced additional changes to ease the backlog: extending the
interval for first class medical certificates from six months to a year
and extending the interval on third class medicals for pilots under 40
from three to five years. Over the next year, the EAA Aeromedical
Advisory Council will continue to work closely with the FAA to address
this and other aviation medical issues.
Support aging aircraft -
‘Keep ’em Flying’
Seven industry-led work
groups are working on issues related to aging general aviation aircraft.
That initiative was launched at an FAA Aging Aircraft Summit earlier
this year; work groups gathered for a progress report at AirVenture this
week. Officials from the FAA said the agency’s goal is to keep aging
airplanes flying safely, not to stop them from flying, and that the FAA
is looking for grassroots solutions to the challenges facing aging
aircraft. EAA will continue to be an active participant in this process.
Preserve and strengthen
the 51% Rule
The FAA’s 51% Rule, issued
in 1952, is the foundation of the homebuilt aircraft movement. The FAA
strongly supports preserving the 51% Rule, but the FAA and EAA agree
there are problems, including how to define consistently what
constitutes 51% of the work of constructing an airplane, and how to
treat increasingly popular "commercial builder assistance"
programs that seemingly violate the letter and spirit of the 51% Rule.
Blakey recently appointed a new Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to
advise the FAA on strengthening the 51% Rule, and named Earl Lawrence,
EAA vice president for government and public affairs, as its
co-chairman.
Reduce the regulatory
obstacles facing air shows
A new FAA air show waiver
policy could place significant hurdles in the path of AirVenture and
countless other air shows and fly-ins held each year. EAA will continue
to work toward improving the understanding and implementation of the new
air show waiver policy, to maintain the outstanding overall safety
record of U.S. air shows, and to ensure that the public can continue to
enjoy flying exhibitions of aircraft and aerobatics.
The spirit of AirVenture
drives a year-round process that keeps general aviation and government
agencies working together to find creative and cooperative solutions to
the challenges facing general aviation. During the year, EAA continues
to play a key role as a facilitator, bringing diverse aviation interests
to the table to share ideas, and as an advocate, representing and
promoting the interests of the GA community.
To learn more, contact EAA.
Better yet, join EAA and get involved.
