Aviation Regulation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Pilot’s Bill of Rights has been approved by the House of Representatives and is on its way to President Obama’s desk.

This is an example of the FAA being asleep at the wheel during this airspace grab which should never been allowed to happen. We have written a letter to the FAA Administrator (currently acting) with no response to date, as well as NOAA Headquarters. 

Some California FBOs are imposing a nickel-per-gallon surcharge on 100LL fuel sales to fund a legal defense and a counter lawsuit filed against an environmental group that’s trying to restrict leaded avgas from the California market.

If your desire to enjoy the splendor and beauty of a mountain range doesn’t include special footwear and climbing gear, a GA airplane may be just the ticket you need. But, as author Susan Parson points out in her article “The Zen of Mountain Flying,” the flight environment at higher elevations can be very unforgiving of poor planning.

A new Federal regulation finalized this year places airspace over four west coast marine sanctuaries off limits for GA pilots. Three marine sanctuaries are located in Northern California. The fourth is located in northwestern Washington.

The future of leaded Avgas in the State of California is up for debate, at least according to certain environmental organizations. And, California airports, fixed base operators and pilots are taking note. For example, Sonoma Jet Center in Santa Rosa recently began offering unleaded aviation fuel (mogas) to its customers.

The California Pilots Association representing the interests of our membership supports the AOPA, EAA proposal to allow licensed pilots to alternatively use a valid State Driver’s License, in lieu of a third class FAA Medical Certificate for operation of small aircraft.

Temporary flight restrictions for VIP Movement – From May 11, 2012 at 0045 UTC (May 10, 2012 at 1745 PDT)To May 11, 2012 at 1800 UTC (May 11, 2012 at 1100 PDT)

A NOTAM has been issued that will restrict flight in the area during President Obama’s planned visit.

Since the end of March, when the federal government officially posted a third-class medical certification exemption request from EAA and AOPA, aviation enthusiasts have registered 856 comments (as of Thursday morning, April 26). The “Petition of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Experimental Aircraft Association for an exemption from 14 CFT Part 61,” along with the comments, is available at Regulations.gov under Docket FAA-2012-0350.