The Transportation Security Administration‘s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) is a threat to American citizens’ rights of privacy and freedom of travel, according to Andy Cebula, AOPA‘s executive vice president for government affairs. “It is an unreasonably expansive and intrusive response to an undocumented and unproven security threat,” Cebula said on Feb. 27. “The […]
Words are important
I received the following from Neil Cosentino over the weekend. Interesting food for thought… Dear Friends of Flying, As a proud, long time member of AOPA, I am disappointed that no one at HQ/AOPA/ASF has explained to me the merits or demerits of my terminology recommendations to AOPA, the FAA and the industry. The recommendation […]
172 crashes after running out of fuel
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
A new Eclipse?
Since holders of Eclipse Aviation senior notes have filed a motion in bankruptcy court to convert the company’s Chapter 11 proceedings to Chapter 7, giving them control of the assets, New Eclipse Acquisition LLC has been formed with intent to bid for the assets and return the innovative VLJ to production. The new company is […]
New Jersey Aviation Association asks for stimulus funds
New Jersey Aviation Association Board Chairman Justin Edwards has sent a list of planned airport projects to the Federal Aviation Administration in an effort to bring federal “stimulus” funds to the state’s airports. There is a long list of unfunded projects that are ‘shovel ready,’ he said, adding that most of the airport improvements that […]
TCM’s Ross to speak at Atlanta Aero Club
Rhett Ross, president of Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM), will be the featured guest speaker at the regular bi-monthly meeting of the Atlanta Aero Club scheduled for March 12. His topic will be the challenges ahead for general aviation piston aircraft. Ross, who became president of TCM in 2007, has 21 years of mechanical and nuclear […]
Discarded ELTs could prompt massive searches
The Civil Air Patrol and AOPA are teaming up to remind pilots to dispose of their old emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) properly. Many pilots are upgrading to the more capable 406 MHz ELTs, even though, strictly speaking, 121.5 MHz ELTs still meet the FAA’s regulatory requirement. The possibility exists that a discarded 121.5 MHz ELT […]
User fees in Obama budget proposal
President Barack H. Obama’s proposed budget is calling for aviation user charges starting in 2011, writes Warren D. Morningstar of AOPA. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the proposal on Feb. 26 and, although there is not much detail, the document makes it clear that the administration wants to replace some […]
TSA airports initiative raises major concerns
As more details of new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport-security programs come to light, a troubling picture of yet another unnecessary threat to aviators’ freedoms is emerging. Airport-security directives that the TSA has been holding close to its vest are starting to provoke strong objections from EAA, AOPA and other general aviation groups. Although TSA […]