USPA Legislation Reports

March 2006 Legislation Report

GREETINGS! First, Here’s an update from Washington, D.C. The overwhelming sentiment of more than 20,000 written comments and dozens of personal presentations at two public meetings is that the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) surrounding Washington, D.C., is an operational, legal, safety, and economic boondoggle that does almost nothing to enhance security, and therefore should be scrapped. Well, that isn’t going to happen. But there are some (vaguely) encouraging signs that voices opposed to permanent ADIZ may have permeated the inner rings of the nation’s security apparatus, even possible that some common-sense revisions may be in the works. During public hearings held in Virginia, and Maryland last month, a panel of FAA, Department of Defense, Secret Service, and Homeland Security representatives heard horror upon horror story of dropped clearances, cases of mistaken identity and delays in gaining clearances that could have turned dangerous. They were also told of the huge economic cost of the airspace restrictions—which according to one source actually caught their attention.

Secondly, The FAA signs off on an agreement in which the City of Los Angeles would shelve its $11 billion modernization plan for LAX in exchange for nearby communities’ dropping their legal challenges.

Thirdly, Kathryn O’Leary Higgins is sworn in as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Fourthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airport and Aviation Bills are as follows;

 

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session (2006)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS

HB 1529 --- Sponsor: Storch, Rachel

Requires statewide elected officials and the General Assembly to report any use of a private plane, the cost of the flight, and the passengers aboard the flight within 72 hours after the flight

SB 767 --- Sponsor: Graham, Chuck

Requires Office of Administration and Highway Patrol to oversee use of state aircraft and places restrictions on certain state officers with respect to use of state aircraft

Last Updated March 2, 2006 at 4:57 pm

NOTE:  Here’s your web site address for Texas Legislation:  www.texas.gov

Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

 

NOTE:   Here’s your web site address for Illinois Legislation:  www.illinois.gov

Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

 

Now, In Conclusion, Remember we as USPA, MPA, TPA, NPA, IPA, EAA, AOPA, or any other State Pilot Association of which you may be a member, all have a powerful voice, be it here in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of pilots and taxpayers carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., and on the State and Local Level.

 

So, Let’s Not forget, to exercise our privileges, and continue to make a “Difference for General Aviation.”

 

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

 

SAFE FLYING!

 

Larry G. Harmon

United States Pilots Association

Vice President

Government & Technical Affairs

E-mail address:  USPAVPLHARMON228@aol.com