Aviation Interest

Upwind 2013 Winners Eric Dasmalchi (L) and Matt Moropoulos(R) Credit Courtesy of UpwindEric Dasmalchi of Half Moon Bay will begin a flight-training program in April as a recipient of the Upwind Summer Scholarship. wo local young aviators are recipients of scholarships that will help them obtain their private pilot licenses.

Eric Dasmalchi of Half Moon Bay and Matt Moropoulos of Belmont were recently selected as winners of the 2013 Upwind Summer Scholarship program.

These aspiring young aviators have been awarded a complete primary flight -training program that begins with ground school in April and continues with flight training once the academic school year is completed, according to a statement released by Upwind.

CalPilots Editor’s Note: AOPA’s strongest words regarding sequester to date – “GA is under assault, and we have every reason to believe the next attack is coming soon”.

News Release California – California commercial aviation activity generates billions for the state’s economy, according to a study released by the California Airports Council (CAC). California airports provide 117,273 direct jobs with a multiplier effect of 386,016 total California jobs related to commercial aviation. However, federal sequestration threatens this important segment of the California economy.

FAA plan to close towers a ‘flawed policy assault on pilots’ – DUPAGE, Ill. — A federal plan to impose across-the-board spending cuts by closing 149 active control towers nationwide will compromise air safety and “should not stand,” according to Craig Fuller, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “The White House…

Blumenthal Blames FAA for Airport Control Tower Closures; Says they’re Unnecessary – HARTFORD, Conn. – A group of U.S. Senators is working to keep the airport control towers from closing due to a lack of funding under sequester cuts. (CalPilots Editor’s Note: There are numerous articles such as this one, so it is obvious that Congress is putting the pressure on the Administration as well as themselves, to deal with this “political game of chicken” they are engaged in).

General Aviation News Staff – Hangared at the Portland-Troutdale Airport (TTD) in Oregon, I got involved when I found out that a power generating plant, proposed for a site less than a half mile from runway centerline would seriously hamper operations at the airport by creating a fog plume from its cooling towers, as well as locating a dangerous, high velocity, high temperature thermal plume directly beneath the north pattern.

(CalPilots Editor’s Note: Airline served ATC Towers are also included – therefore, the current Administration and Congress had better figure it out and soon) – SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —Two Sacramento airports will find out Monday whether their air traffic control towers will face closure and reduced service due to federal budget cuts.

Sacramento International Airport was listed by the FAA among more than 60 airports nationwide to lose overnight staffing of the tower.

Sacramento Executive Airport was named along with Stockton Municipal airport on the list to have their towers closed.

The FAA announced 238 airports that may have their towers closed.

As the search for the next president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association kicks off, AOPA Chairman Bill Trimble reached out to members with a detailed description of who they are looking for: “The candidate must be an outgoing, passionate aviator who believes in the critical value GA brings to our country and citizens….

The FAA has published in the Federal Register an AD, effective March 11th, for Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes. The AD was prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control.

General Aviation is dead. If it’s not dead, it’s dying. If it’s not dying, it’s paralyzed with a sickness that manifests itself in the form of high prices, lousy service, ancient participants, and a generalized sense of ennui among the spectators at the fence line. You’ve read these charges, and I’m here to tell you they’re bunk.