Since the holiday season has
passed us by, it is hoped that yours was a meaningful and
significant event. Hopefully all of you got a chance to
pause, relax, and reflect on how really fortunate we all
are.
If one considers the whole population of the earth, those
of us who get the chance to "play airplane" now
and then are but a very tiny minority. In contrast to
aviators in other countries who are bound so strictly by
restrictions and user fees, we are again most fortunate.
I commend Phil Boyer’s editorial, "Enjoy Your
Freedom," in the January 1999 AOPA Pilot. For those
of you without access to that publication, he wrote of
his flight in a French registered aircraft from Paris to
Agen, France. He was charged for weather briefing, flight
planning help and airport fees.
After having read that informative editorial, I was again
reminded of how much I take our freedoms for granted.
Throughout the year, as new restrictions are proposed,
and new regulations and fees are recommended, we will be
asked by concerned aviation organizations to write our
Representatives and Senators to keep our airspace open,
our fees restricted and increased regulation to a
minimum. I will attempt to give all our members a
"heads-up" when a significant issue is thrust
upon us, and will try to avoid the knee-jerk "give
‘em hell" approach to less important or rumored
concerns that are without merit. So, when an item of
importance is before us I will list it and provide
relevant information for you should you wish to help
preclude needless fees, restrictions and/or regulations.
Speaking of such, there is an item pending before the FAA
at the present time that we will be watching, and passing
on information to you, as it becomes available. That is
the Sport Pilot License. Here is some information on the
subject:
- Background.
Some years ago, several aviation organizations
proposed to the FAA that a license be established
that was less complicated than that of the
Private Pilot. The result of that effort was the
Recreational Pilot. It was somewhat less
complicated than the Private, but had
restrictions and required a 3rd class medical
exam. To date there are under 500 such licenses
throughout the nation. One can rightfully say
that it has been a monumental "flop."
This year, another less
complicated license was recommended to the FAA, the Sport
Pilot. After having been shared and worked through
committees of the aviation community, it was submitted to
the FAA. The FAA was to have commented on the proposal by
November 1998. Recent inquiry by the EAA indicated that
the FAA was "...not ready to comment at this
time."
- Current Status.
At this time the proposed Sport Pilot License
awaits FAA comments. Once that is completed, a
180-day public comment period called a Notice of
Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) will go into effect.
You and I, along with airlines, commercial and
business air commerce companies, the
military--everyone--gets a chance to comment for
or against the proposal. Should it be approved,
then the machinery, regulations, tests, will be
printed and distributed to be effective at a
given date.
- What is the
proposal? In brief, the Sport Pilot
License is proposed to allow medical
self-certification as opposed to having to take a
3rd class medical. Older aircraft and some
homebuilts whose gross weight is 1,200 lb. and
under may be flown. There are airspeed and stall
restrictions, and a basic test on airspace,
hemispherical rules, etc., will be required. In
short, it will allow "heavy
ultralights" to be legal, and pilots who
have lost or cannot pass a medical exam will be
able to fly on self-certification.
Notice!
It ain’t here yet!
As much as we wish to see something akin to what has been
proposed, it will be a minimum of 6 months after the
comment period begins. Should that go smoothly, we are
realistically looking at a 9-12 month time frame at best.
Also, there is no guarantee that what comes out will be
what went in--in other words, some changes may well
occur.
Your comments will be elicited when the NPRM is out. We
will need your favorable comments. You can be assured
that CEOs of airlines are not going to take kindly to
people without medicals flying around in airplanes that
weigh up to 1,200 lb..., nor are they bashful about
letting the FAA know where they stand. So, stand by for
MORE!
Chapter
Meeting
The next meeting will be held in the Gainesville High
School library January 11, 1999, at 7:00 p.m.
Our program will be presented by Ron Wade. Ron is an
instructor for powered parachutes, and will present a
program on that sport. He will describe the ground
training and the flight training that is required before
one flies a powered parachute. For those without medicals
or an ultralight, this is one option available for flight
under current regulations. We will look forward to seeing
you there--Monday January 11th, at 7:00 p.m.
News
from the aviation community:
- Cessna began production of
the Stationair 206, the first 10 going to the Air
Force of Uruguay. (AOPA)
- The correct title for the
proposed Sport Pilot License is the Sport Pilot
Airman Certificate. (EAA)
- AOPA will run ads on The
Weather Channel Dec. 24th through Jan. 2nd
telling of the importance of airports to local
communities.
- New grade 82 unleaded
aviation fuel is now ready for production. Alaska
will probably be the first state to market the
fuel. It can be used by more than 70 percent of
the general aviation fleet. (EAA)
New
Officers
Jerry Luna, Clint Allen, Orv Neisingh, Mary Dryer and
Gene Pascoe will "guide" us through 1999.
Let’s all give them our support and encouragement.
Dues
are due! Dues are due! Dues are due!
Our fiscal year is January 1-December 31, which means
that Gene will be collecting dues at the January 11
meeting. The dues are the same as last year--$10.00 for
an individual, $15.00 for a couple or family. Do be
prepared to pay your dues when you arrive. A reminder is
in order: All members of the Chapter must be members of
EAA National--the reason is simple, this is an EAA
Chapter. Please let Gene know when your national
membership is due to expire when you pay your dues. We
are preparing a database that has names, telephone
numbers, national EAA membership numbers, expiration
dates and e-mail addresses. Your assistance in providing
Gene this information will be most appreciated. The South
Central Ozarks Chapter #1218 finished our first partial
year in the black!! Gene reported that we were solvent at
the end of the year--barely. We will be very close to
being broke by the first meeting, but we made it! A most
sincere thanks to all of you who generously provided
food, snacks, drinks and coffee for our meetings. Had we
purchased that, we would not have finished with any cash
on hand.
What is
in store for the next few months?
Here is a tentative
look ahead:
- January:
Six-Chuter powered parachute program by Ron Wade.
- February:
(pending, not confirmed at this time) a program
on careers in aviation to be presented by the
Aviation Department of the College of the Ozarks
for high school students from Douglas, Howell,
Ozark and Wright Counties. It may be necessary to
move the date in order to accommodate the
college, but we will attempt to hold the date
firm.
- March: an
Aviation Safety Seminar conducted by Mr.
Duckworth and Mr. Bartels from the Kansas City
Flight Standards District Office. The program
content will be that of how to get a homebuilt
aircraft certified and "flown-off" as
well as what to do if you receive a violation by
the FAA. This team does an outstanding program,
and attendance at this meeting qualifies as one
part of the Wings program.
Notice: There
will be a Chapter Leadership Workshop
held at Lake Texoma Resort, Lake Texoma State Park
Airport from 9.30am-5:00pm on February 6th, 1999. This
program is not just for chapter officers. Any chapter
member may attend. Should you wish to attend you will be
responsibe for your own transportation and room. There is
no cost for the workshop (underwritten by the National
Chapter Office) and breakfast and lunch is provided. See
Len Ahrnsbrak for lodging information should you wish to
attend.
May the upcoming year bring you health, happiness,
meaningful experiences and new friendships. We look
forward to seeing you throughout the year!
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