GREETINGS! First, Here’s an update from Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL) calls for an end to government funding of airport upgrades to accommodate the Airbus A380, at least until a domestic passenger airline purchases the aircraft. Mica was responding to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report forecasting some $927 million will be spent by 18 domestic airports to prepare for the A380.
Secondly, California Proposal AB2501 is defeated in the State Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing; bill would have required the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to monitor turbine and turboprop aircraft taxi and ground operations 24 hours a day, at a cost of more than $150,000.
Thirdly, U.S. DOT selects Delta Air lines, Frontier Airlines and JetBlue Airways to provide new service between the United States and Mexico. DOT also awards two daily slot exemptions to US Airways to provide one new daily round-trip flight between Sarasota/Bradenton and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, made available when Spirit Airlines ceased service between Myrtle Beach, SC and Reagan National.
Fourthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Aviation Bills are as follows:
Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session (2006)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
HB 1398 --- Sponsor: Pearce, David --- CoSponsor: Witte, Terry L.
Changes the laws regarding military facilities and personnel
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
HB 2005 --- Sponsor: Aull, Joe
Specifies the purposes for which the Civil Air Patrol may be used and clarifies the employment status of air patrol members and the sources of funding for various missions
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 August 30, 2006 at 11:25 am
NOTE: Here’s your Web Site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.
Web Site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.
All other State Pilot associations should follow the same format, to search your specific state’s aviation and airport bills.
Remember, that we as members of USPA, MPA, TPA, TXAA, NMPA, NPA, EAA, AOPA, or other Pilot Associations of which you may be a member, we 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 Washington D.C., as well as at the State and local Level.
So let’s not forget to exercise our rights and privileges, so we can 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