Archive for November 2012
New Flight Plan Requirements in Effect
A Nov. 15 transition to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) flight plans triggered some confusion, with AOPA Pilot Information Center staff fielding calls from members concerned that a major shift in flight plan filing procedures had taken effect.
The date marked the completion of a long-planned transition from the FAA domestic flight plan format to an ICAO format for international and domestic IFR operations using performance-based navigation (PBN). General aviation IFR pilots can still use the older FAA domestic flight plan form that remains available through electronic flight planning applications for operations that do not utilize GPS-based procedures and routes.
Read MoreEmpty Skies Prompt Calls for Lights-Out at Idle Airport Towers
U.S. regulators should begin closing some air-traffic facilities during slow periods late at night, the chairman of the House aviation subcommittee said.
Representative Tom Petri, a Wisconsin Republican, said in an interview yesterday that fellow members of Congress — who have at times blocked cost-saving efforts — need to let the Federal Aviation Administration shut underutilized air-control towers and radar rooms.
Read MoreCalPilots Testifies for Byron Airport Business Expansion
Aero Club of Northern California Dinner November 9th
Allow Technology to Assist Your Aviation Advocacy Efforts
Here is an idea for all of us. Set a Google Alert for your airport. That way, when your airport name is mentioned in the media/web/etc, you will receive a notification. This is an excellent way to stay informed and make sure you don’t miss meetings in which your airport is discussed!https://support.google.com/alerts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=175925 CalPilots Editor’s Note:…
Read MoreLA man pleads guilty to pointing laser at aircraft
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty to pointing a laser at aircraft. Federal prosecutors say 19-year-old Adam Gardenhire of North Hollywood pleaded guilty Monday to a federal offense. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.Prosecutors say Gardenhire aimed a commercial-grade green laser at several aircraft…
Read MoreOceanside – Council Pays Honor by Renaming Bridge and Airfield
OCEANSIDE — City Council paid honor to Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and Oceanside resident and airman, the late Bob Maxwell, by renaming the Mission Avenue Bridge after King and the airfield at Oceanside Municipal Airport after Maxwell on Nov. 7. The council voted unanimously to rename the bridge that crosses Mission Avenue the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge.
Read MoreOpen Letter to Congressman Issa on NOAA's West Coast Wild Life Airspace Change
Read our letter to California Congressman Issa regarding the NOAA’s – National Marine Sanctuaries unwarranted air space change implemented earlier this year. While we all agree that protecting wild life is a good thing, we disagree with the NOAA’s lack of justification, and NOAA’s threat posture of – guilty until proven innocent – associated with this change. It is unacceptable – period.
Read MoreControversy Continues at Sonoma Valley Airport (0Q3)
There is a feud underway between the owner of the Lealand Fly Fishing Ranch and pilots who use California’s Sanoma Valley Airport (0Q3). Ranch owner Josh Frazier has erected a solid-log fence across the airport’s runway safety overrun area.
Sonoma pilot David Mace has placed a petition on the website “Change.org” in an effort to build support for the removal of the fence.
Read MorePalo Alto Airport Day A Resounding Success
Once again Airport Day attracted a good crowd and people learned a lot about their airport. As always, the tower tours were a hit as were the EAA Young Eagles flights. The formation flight was impressive and it really showed the interesting things that ordinary GA aircraft can do. We estimate that between 3000 and 4000 attended. Palo Alto Mayor Yiaway Yeh who gave a brief welcoming statement, was very impressed with the crowd and commented on the range of ages and diversity among attendees.
