Archive for June 2010
FCC Ban on 121.5 MHz ELTs Set – Sort Of
Implementation Date For The Ban Is Still Not Set In Stone
Effective in August, the FCC is prohibiting further certification, manufacture, importation, sale or use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters. The date of compliance by the FCC has not yet been announced. AEA, along with other Associations’ leadership, is working with the FAA and the FCC to postpone implementation and resolve this issue, and AEA says it will post weekly updates on the website to address this critical issue. (See latest info at the bottom of all articles)
Read MoreFAA Removes 'Taxi To' From Controller Vocabulary
New Phraseology Goes Into Effect June 30th
Beginning at the end of this month, Air Traffic Controllers will no longer be using the phase “Taxi To” when clearing aircraft to an assigned takeoff runway.
Big-Engine Type Groups Unite On Fuel Issue
Type groups representing owners of high-performance piston aircraft have formed the Green 100 Octane Coalition to raise awareness of issues surrounding the impending demise of 100LL. So far, members include the American Bonanza Society, the Malibu Mirage Owners and Pilots Association, the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association and some individuals.
Read MoreCatalina Airport Feasibility Study Public Meeting Needs You!
The Catalina Island Airport Feasibility Study Public Information Meeting will be held on June 15th from 1-3pm in the City of Avalon council room. This open house style meeting will include multiple stations dedicated to the key elements of the feasibility study including NPIAS entry criteria, airport sponsorship scenarios, airport facility requirements and next steps. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions, make comments and take home information regarding the airport feasibility study.
Read MoreFresno Airport Receives Top Aviation Award
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) was recognized for its safe flying image with the Outstanding Western-Pacific Airport award given by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).California Law Hurts CFIs, Flight Schools
CFIs and flight schools in California are wondering how they will be able to comply with an onerous new law that requires all businesses that offer flight training to operate like colleges and trade schools.
Read MoreNew California Law Worries Flight Schools, CFIs
A hearing in California on Monday night was packed with flight instructors and flight school operators worried about the impact of a new California law on their profession. The law requires flight schools to comply with various kinds of oversight and fees that are meant to protect students from financial losses if a school should suddenly close down. However, operators have complained that the new rules are so burdensome and expensive that most flight schools in the state would be forced out of business. Schools must register with the state by Aug. 1 under the law, which took effect on Jan. 1. Michael France, director of regulatory affairs for the National Air Transportation Association, told AVweb on Wednesday that the regulations are “burdensome,” and according to a NATA survey, up to 90 percent of the flight schools in the state would close down if they are forced to comply. “This could really have an impact,” he said. “We’ve proposed some changes to the regulations, and we hope we can find a solution.”
Read MoreProtect Your Airport – Free Online Webinar
Get tools to protect your airport in free Webinar You can be your airport’s first line of defense against encroachment, conflict with neighbors, and closure. Join AOPA’s airports team on Thursday, June 10, for a Webinar at 3 or 9 p.m. Eastern time to find out about common threats to airports and how you can…
Read MoreCalifornia Obviously Clueless When it Comes to Flight Schools
California passes requirements for flight schools
Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 48 into law last fall, which mandates FAA-approved flight schools satisfy certain requirements. Called the California Private Postsecondary Act of 2009, the law will require flight schools to pay a yearly fee (i.e., more taxes ….Ed) and open their books to regulators. A hearing about how to implement the law is set for June 7.
More on AB 48
CA Flight Instructors Ready To Lobby For (AB) 48 Exemption
But The Effort Will Be Expensive, And A Win Is Not A Sure Thing
On Monday June 7th, about 50 concerned flight school owners and flight instructors traveled to Sacramento, CA for the Bureau for Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education (BPPE) hearing, and to plead their case for exemption from (AB) 48. While the flight school owners and instructors presented a united front to fight what could be an industry crippling or killing piece of legislation, they were not encouraged by the outcome.
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