Editorials

Harrison Ford appeared before the Senate General Aviation Caucus Oct. 18 to discuss GA. From the AOPA.org story on the session, “Caucus co-chairs Sens. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) kicked off the session explaining that GA isn’t a luxury and, in some cases, is often a necessity. The lack of understanding of the role GA plays in the United States has placed it in jeopardy, they said.”

Blog: Santa Monica Airport is worth saving
Blogger and pilot Pia Bergqvist advocates on behalf of the beleaguered Santa Monica Airport in Santa Monica, Calif. “It would be a true shame to lose what I consider the most beautiful airport in the United States and a large piece of aviation history,” writes Bergqvist. The Los Angeles City Council has recommended the closure of all six flight schools at the airport. Flying

Jamie Beckett is a CFI and A&P mechanic who stepped into the political arena in an effort to promote and protect GA at his local airport. We’ve seen it in Santa Monica, Calif., where the city has gone to war with the airport over noise emanating from turbine-powered aircraft. We’ve seen it at Buffalo-Lancaster Regional,…

Has the Customs and Border Patrol Agency deemed you to be a national security threat, simply because you are a pilot?

The following opinions are expressed by the General Aviation Forum, and are posted here as informational. While the California Pilots Association does not participate in political actions or opinion, we do, however, maintain a separate Political Action Committee anyone can contribute to.

Each of us who wishes general aviation was better respected has the power to make that case publicly, outside the confines of the FBO, or the hangar. Every single one of us has the ability to let our candidates for public office know what we think, what we value, and what we’re looking for in a governor, senator, representative, or city councilman. Individually, we are many, but we are weak. And that is how we have traditionally presented our arguments – individually, and weakly. Collectively however, we are a power to be reckoned with. We can turn the tide if we apply ourselves as a unified machine, working toward a common goal.

I read your article regarding the $5,000 application fee for the BPPE – are you aware of the audit cost as well? We’ve had an estimate of $50,000. Here is my letter to them – just want to share and vent with someone who feels the same way.
Editor’s Note: The “one size fits all” mentality of the state legislature affects all small businesses, including of course, flight schools. Please take the time to read this letter to BPPE from the RN Director of Nursing Professional Medical Careers Institute to understand what this ill advised legislation really costs.The question needs to be asked – Does California really need BPPE – or is this a typical method the legislature uses to keep lucrative paying state jobs?

UPDATE – The bill was vetoed – no surprise to CALPILOTS –
September 15, 2010 CALIFORNIA’S FLIGHT INSTRUCTION WOES UPDATE AB 1889 (Portantino) Private postsecondary education Act of 2009. This bill is expected to be vetoed by the Governor of California on or before September 30, 2010.

If you are an aviation enthusiast and didn’t get an opportunity to attend Oshkosh AirVenture this year you can still watch a daily high point review presented by Aero News TV. I haven’t been able to attend Oshkosh in a few years but we did make it this year. I have to say that just…

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense in general aviation. It will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to not fly into a storm, life isn’t always fair, and maybe it was pilot error. Common Sense lived by simple, sound principals, including “follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance practices” and “the pilot is in charge.”