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United States Pilots Association |
NMPA President Bob Worthington, with input from NMPA officers, has prepared the following information for NMPA and USPA members. NMPA and USPA are leading the effort to insure safe transit of GA traffic within the proposed Canon AFB military training airspace, which can encompass a large portion of New Mexico.
The US Air Force has proposed that the USAF Special Operations Command take over Canon AFB
This proposal is for 90 aircraft and 3500 people to go to Canon. Already some personnel from the USAFSOC at Hurlburt are at Canon to do research and evaluate what a move would entail. Not too long ago the Base Realignment Committee gave the USAF a few years to come up with a good use for Canon or lose it. Another factor of much interest to us is that the USAF also wants to move its MQ 1 Predator (an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) mission from Creech AFB in NV to Canon. It is estimated it would take several years before all SOW units and personnel would be at Canon.
The USAF Special Operations Command located at Hurlburt Field in the FL Panhandle is a 19,000 person major command. It consists of two Wings (16th SOW and the 347th Rescue Wing), four groups, three subordinate units, two USAFR wings, and seven ANG units. The USAFSOC has major units in Germany and Japan also. The USAFSOC has a variety of C 130 aircraft as troop carriers, command and control aircraft, gunships, and other uses. The helicopters include the UH-1N Huey, the MH 53s (Pave Low), and the HH 60s (Pave Hawk). It also has several civilian aircraft (such as the Spanish pressurized twin turboprop Casa 212, the Swiss SE Pilatus PC 12, and the DC 3) built for short field, dirt strip special missions. And now they are getting the CV 22 Osprey. The normal USAF Special Operations Wing has about 90 aircraft and about 7000 personnel.
Right now most USAF Spec Ops resources are in the FL panhandle in swamps and tropical geography. Much of our actual combat employment of Spec Ops resources are in areas of the world which has deserts and rocky mountains (like NM). So moving some Spec Ops assets to here certainly makes sense.
A major USAF Command is the Air and Education Training Command. One of its units is the USAF 58th Special Operations Wing located at Kirtland (this unit is not a part of the USAFSOC, but the USAFAETC). The 58th does train all USAF Spec Ops aircrews, but its training missions extend way beyond just Spec Ops. It trains the USAF Spec Ops C 130 crews, helicopter crews, and CV 22 (Osprey) crews, and the aerial refueling crews. In fact, the first USAF Osprey aircraft will go to Hurlburt in October. The USMC already has them. For the USAF the CV 22s will replace the MH 53 Pave Lows and some C 130s. With the Spec Ops training wing so close to a regular Spec Ops combat wing, there may be more aircraft movement between Canon and Kirtland (ABQ).
The mission of the USAFSOC is to train and equip USAF Spec Ops forces for global employment. It can conduct unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency operations, as well as psychological ops. Basically it moves special ops troops, unseen, into combat areas or behind enemy lines, and provides close air to ground weapons support, medical evacuation, and extraction. It also does search and rescue operations and deploys parachute drop zone and fire control personnel in hostile areas.
This means the training involves a lot of low-level flying, air to ground weapons training, low-level aerial night navigation in "black-out" conditions, and troop insertions and extractions. For GA pilots that means aircraft training movement in the flying altitudes we favor. The different SOW aircraft fly between 90 K to 250 K.
The USAFSOC has begun its Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to examine all factors involved prior to making its final decision. Two weeks ago it held three scoping meetings in towns around Canon to explain what the AF wants to do and to solicit comments from the audience. NMPA has no doubt as to what the decision will be, but what remains to be seen is what units and what aircraft will actually end up at Canon. The comment period ends on 5 October. If any NMPA or USPA members want to personally add their comments to this proposal contact Carl T. Hoffman at HQ AFSOC/A7CV, 427 Cody Ave, Ste 225, Hurlburt Field, FL 32544-5434 or email at Carl.Hoffman@hurlburt.af.mil. The draft study is expected to be completed in March 2007.
The USAFSOC has been meeting with the Clovis area community leaders over the past three months, and the civilian leaders have already traveled to Hurlburt to visit the USAFSOC. NMPA never received any notification from the USAF, and USPA was not notified about the scoping meetings until a day or so before they began. Consequently no one from either USPA or NMPA could attend.
In the southwest the UAV is a potentially big problem for GA pilots. On 25 April this year the US Customs and Border Protection agency lost control of their Predator and didn't even know it when it crashed south of Tucson, AZ. This UAV is about the size of a C 172. There are NOTAMS at times about where they will be flying, but the FAA Center controllers do not always know where they are, and they can be flying around and across Victor airways.
A quick look at the MOAs, Restricted areas, and the low-level Military Training Routes the USAFSOC wants to use, and it becomes apparent that most of eastern NM airspace will be used for their operations. Spec Ops training involves lots of low-level night flying and much of the training is air to ground either for weapons training or troop insertions and extractions. The proposal is to use these three MOAs: Mt Dora, Bronco, and Pecos and Melrose Range (Restricted Areas R5104A and R5105). But they may also use other MOAs and Restricted Areas of Holloman AFB and WSMR.
A major concern for GA pilots is the movement of the UAV from Canon to wherever they will be doing their training. Favored night training for the spec ops aircraft is to be in "black-out" mode, i.e. no lights at night. Another concern is the low-level flights on Military Training routes. Most of the MTRs indicated around Canon AFB begin from the surface to 600 feet AGL with the upper limits at all altitudes. Also numerous airports and airstrips lie below the MOAs.
Now for the GA pilot the problem becomes one of not knowing who is where. Normal GA flying in these areas is low level for a variety of reasons. There is no FAA radar coverage here unless pilots fly quite high, sometimes well over 10,000-12,000 feet MSL. The White Sands Missile Range Restricted areas and the North-South running mountains don't give GA pilots a lot of choices flying east and west across central NM.
NMPA should not be against the USAF moving into NM. But the level of distrust that NM ranchers have against the US military and the taking of both land and airspace is still high. This all goes back to the 1940s when many ranchers lost all their land without due compensation for the creation of WSMR. Many of these ranchers still fly and resent what the federal government has done to them. In fact, USAFSOC has acknowledged that some ranchers who hold cattle grazing leases on Melrose Range (R 5104A and R 5105) may be moved off. NMPA represents some of these pilots, and they can be quite vocal in their opinions.
But our main concern is what the introduction of 90 plus low flying aircraft will do to safe VFR flying across eastern NM. If air operations in these areas increase and there is no radar separation, it could be too dangerous to fly (most especially if the Predators are also milling about) meaning that a 1-2 hour flight could stretch into several hours if pilots are forced to go south into Texas to get to Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Especially dangerous could be the low-level navigation flights on the MTRs which may be without lights and at night. So for us that live and fly in NM this is potentially a serious situation.
Now that you know what the potential safety concerns are, here is what NMPA is proposing to the US Air Force.
1. Radar coverage be implemented for all the areas that USAF aircraft will be using that will cover low flying GA aircraft.
2. Radio communications be established for GA aircraft flying in the areas that USAF aircraft will be
using so the USAF can communicate with civilian aircraft.
3. Vigorous General Aviation pilot education programs be created using FAA, USPA, and NMPA resources
to make GA pilots aware of the potential dangers of flying blind in these areas.
4. The USAF take steps to insure the people flying the UAVs are aware of the FAA rules and regulations GA pilots must obey and have safeguards to preclude mid-air collisions or UAF loss of control by their manipulators.
Bob Worthington, President, NMPA
VP Southwest Region, USPA
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
USPA has been very vocal in the area of outsourcing of services by the FAA in an attempt to reduce costs. We all know that government outsourcing is a direct road to cost overruns and mismanagement of funds.
AVWEB's issue of Thursday, September 28th, quotes the Washington Post as stating the FAA is under fire for wasting money in a project that was designed to fast track its contracting process by using pre qualified vendors. The project has been shut down by the Transportation Department's Office of The Inspector General for awarding 114 contracts under the system with a potential value of $543 million dollars.
I also noticed a blurb buried in a news release that the City of Chicago was fined multiple thousands of dollars for the closing of Meigs Field. Guess where the money is going. Why, to the improvements at O'Hare Airport. Cost to the city and Mayor Daley in real dollars: $0. Why was the airport plowed up? "It presented a security risk to the City of Chicago."
The next time you are asked to quietly submit to the imposition of user fees, feel free to quote these two examples of why not to give any more of our money to the FAA.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
I had a call this afternoon inviting Paul and me to attend the Branson West Airport ground breaking ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 6. City Administrator Kenny Smith said to extend the invitation to other airport supporters who might like to come.
This is an important day for the Branson West area. We have worked many years to get to this point, and it will be hard to keep back the tears. Sometimes, if you live long enough, you can actually help to make good things happen.
Please join us October 6 if you can.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
USPA has consistently taken a position opposing the grabbing of airspace in various parts of the country for exotic and sometimes ridiculous reasons. The recent attempt to consolidate MOAs in central New Mexico is an excellent example. The Air Force wanted to create a supersonic bombing range for F-16s carrying JDAMs which had it been implemented would have required massive diversions of civilian traffic, movement of a jet airway, and numerous other inconveniences. I am pleased to advise that this idea was terminated after numerous "scoping" meetings and environmental studies. The Base Realignment commission (BRAC) came in and pulled all of the F-16s out of Cannon, ultimately negating the need for the airspace. I'll check this as one in the win column for General Aviation and USPA in conjunction with the New Mexico Pilots Association.
The BRAC commission gave the Air Force until 2009 to find another use for Cannon or the base would close. Apparently they have found another use.
On September 13th I received a letter dated 9/11/06 advising that a transfer of the AFSOC (Special Operations Command) assets consisting primarily of some 90 aircraft and 3500 men would commence. The scoping hearings were to be held September 18th, 19th, and 20th in three cities in eastern New Mexico. In other words, the public (us) were given from Wednesday to the following Monday to prepare for this enormous undertaking. NMPA was not even directly notified. When the government acts this way, I begin to smell a coverup.
I am advised that SOC operates C-130 aircraft among others and probably would have no use for high altitude restricted airspace. I do believe some of their aircraft are AC-130 "Spooky" type gunships which can spray a huge amount of heavy ordinance into a concentrated area. The advantages in coming into the high desert and mountainous terrain of New Mexico are obvious. Assuming those 90 aircraft are going to be flying, one can imagine the additional traffic at lower altitudes civilian pilots will have to deal with. The same problems that caused USPA to oppose the supersonic bombing runs are still here two years later: poor radio communications below 10000 feet and no radar in many of the affected areas.
We cannot blindly oppose the use of Cannon without knowing all of the facts. If you fly in New Mexico or West Texas, I strongly suggest you read the attachments and contact the Environmental Branch Chief, George Ormley, at his address at Hurlburt field in Florida. Ask for copies of the scoping proposal to be sent to you. After reading and digesting the information, send your comments to Mr. Ormley. You will be helping your fellow pilots, plus you will be informed as to the details of this proposal.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
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It has just been called to my attention that I failed to include the date of the Odessa FAASTeam/USPA meeting in Odessa, TX. It is October 19.
Please excuse the omission, which I hope has not caused any inconvenience.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
As most of you know by now, the FAA is in the process of transitioning from the Aviation Safety Program to the FAA Safety Team Program (FAASTeam). Since an important mission of USPA has historically been aviation safety, we are working with some of the new FAAST Team Managers to establish a role for USPA in the new program.
One such effort is a meeting set up by President Steve Uslan in Odessa, TX, in the conference room at the Troy Chestnut Insurance Agency, 4820 E. University. The meeting will be conducted by West Texas and New Mexico FAASTeam Manager John Boatwright, from 6:00 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m., and all area flight instructors and safety counselors are encouraged to attend. USPA will provide pizza and drinks. President of the New Mexico Pilots Association and USPA Regional Vice President, Bob Worthington, is also coordinating the same meetings on November 6 in El Paso, TX, and on November 7 in Albuquerque, NM.
As stated by Boatwright: “I would like you to encourage any flight instructors you may know to attend this meeting if possible. The new program is going to really emphasize the use of CFIs, flight schools and DPEs to work together in training and evaluating pilots in a manner that will improve decision making skills and take off and landing skills. The Safety Seminars we have done in the past will still be a part of the program, but they will be a smaller part.
At the meeting we will be discussing the purpose and plans for the FAASTeam and how we can work together to make an impact on the GA accident/incident rate. We will look at forming committees and work groups that can cooperate and work together as a team to foster and promote aviation safety.
I truly believe this program is the most effective tool the FAA has to make a difference in that area. The important thing you need to know is that your talents and time are going to be a very vital part of the program.”
USPA plans to play an active part in the new program of aviation safety education.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
September 13, 2006
Ms. Jeanette Hoynacki
1652 Indian Point Road
Branson, Missouri 65616
Dear Ms. Hoynacki:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me to share your thoughts about user fees for Federal Aviation Administration services. I appreciate your interest in this issue.
Right now our aviation system could be considered to be at a critical decision point. We know that airline travel is increasing and that the dynamics of the industry and technology is constantly changing. We need to ensure that we keep up with the demand and change of this evolving industry. I am still reviewing the National Civil Aviation Review Commission’s report “Avoiding Aviation Gridlock & Reducing the Accident Rate: A Consensus For Change.”
We must develop a long-term strategy that will maintain our safety standards and meet air travel needs, or face the continued deterioration of our aviation system that could result in potential disaster. I look forward to working in cooperation with you to ensure that our aviation needs are addressed, safe travel is assured, and we are on track for aviation in the 21st century.
Again, thank you for writing. If I can be of any further assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Christopher S. Bond
United States Senator
CSB:ab
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
All USPA members, affiliated state members, and non-member pilots are invited and encouraged to attend the USPA flyout to San Antonio, November 2-5. Not only will we have a fun time in one of the most hospitable cities in the country, but we will be taking up matters critical to the future life of general aviation.
The registration form will also be posted to the web shortly, with on-line registration and payment available.
Come be a part of this great aviation gathering, and bring a friend!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
THIS SATURDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER AT THE MORIARITY AIRPORT (0E0)
The weekend of 9-10 September is the EAA Land of Enchantment annual fly-in at Moriarity. NMPA will be presenting an FAA WINGS safety seminar. Ron Keller of the FAA will discuss the ending of the FAA WINGS program effective 30 September, this year in three weeks. He will explain the replacement program called the FAA Safety Team. CFII and Aviation Safety Counselor Dick Samuels will also be presenting the safety seminar. It will be from 10 am to noon. Food will be available at the EAA fly-in.
Bob Worthington, President
New Mexico Pilots Association
USPA members including officers and directors are all about caring for other pilots, aircraft owners, and General Aviation in particular. Our organization has spent countless hours trying to improve the regulatory environment, assisting pilots, and combining the advancement of GA with social, safety, and educational functions.
USPA has formed a legacy member status, and as President I am inviting you all to participate in this endeavor to see USPA continue to be a driving force in the future. Simply stated, I am asking each of you to leave in your will a stipend to be left to USPA to enable the organization to continue to forge ahead. A $10,000 bequest invested by USPA at 6% interest yearly would provide $600 income each year without ever touching the principle. Thus far, two members have agreed to assist us, and I am very appreciative of their offers.
Many of you know that USPA has been hampered recently in its attempts to do more for GA because of financial constraints. This is one way that all of us can be sure that the hopes and goals of USPA will continue on after we are gone.
Thank you all for your consideration of this request.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
Harriet Merchant Shipman, 1935-2006
Harriet Merchant Shipman, 70, of Columbia, Missouri peacefully passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, at home.
A memorial service, followed by an internment of ashes at Memorial Prayer Garden, will be held on Friday, Nov. 24, at Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia.
Harriet was born on Sept. 11, 1935, to Edna H. and Chester O. Merchant in Randolph, N.Y. She began her public education in Jamestown, N.Y., where she studied until third grade. Harriet graduated in 1953 from Mill Creek High School in Erie, Pa. She attended Cornell University and graduated in February 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in home economics.
After graduation, she was employed by the New York State Agricultural Extension Service as a home demonstration agent. On March 22, 1958, Harriet became an Army wife, marrying 1st. Lt. Charles S. Shipman, and began Army life at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
In the first 12˝ years as an Army wife, she was instrumental in moving the household 15 times. This involved stays from 30 days to two years, including a two-year period in Bogota, Colombia, and two one-year periods while Charles was deployed in Vietnam.
During this period, she gave birth to four children: Russell of northern Virginia on Dec. 3, 1958, at Fort Leonard Wood; Elizabeth of Rockford, Ill., on Sept. 15, 1961, in Bogota; Stanley of Kansas City on Nov. 14, 1964, at Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts while Charles was in Vietnam; and Wayne of Minneapolis on Feb. 2, 1967, in Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. During this 12˝-year period, Harriet was active as a Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, and PTA member, all while maintaining the household. While Charles was on his second Vietnam tour, she earned an FAA private pilot license in single-engine airplanes.
The last five years as an Army wife were spent at Fort Belvoir, Va., where she became actively involved in Army Community Service as a volunteer. This is a service that provides help and support for military personnel and their families. She became supervisor of the Army Community Service volunteers at Fort Belvoir and was awarded a Certificate of Merit as an outstanding volunteer. In 1974, Harriet was awarded the Military Wife of the Year Award at Fort Belvoir and the award states: "Who by deed and example has materially enhanced the image of Army wives both at home and abroad." She also continued to serve as a Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader and PTA member.
In July 1976, the family left the military life and Virginia to search for a permanent home in the Midwest. After spending some time in Columbia and discovering an ideal piece of land for gardening, Harriet and Charles settled the family in Columbia, where they lived happily for the last 30 years. Initially, Harriet was a dietitian for the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging. In May, 1978, Harriet and Charles opened a local restaurant, The Hungry Tiger, and operated it until 1986. Her next endeavor was as the assistant to the director of the Home Health Care Association in Jefferson City, where she worked from 1986 to 1987. Harriet then became the administrative supervisor at the American Red Cross Blood Center in Columbia, where she worked for 13 years. She was awarded the Employee of the Month award for the St. Louis Bi-State (Missouri and Illinois) Red Cross chapter in March 1989. Harriet retired from the Red Cross in 2001 and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for her 13 years of service from the president of the American Red Cross.
Since 1992, Harriet traveled throughout the United States in the airplane that was owned by the family and flown by Charles. This included trips for high school, college and military reunions; visits to family and friends; and vacations. Early this year, Harriet made a trip with her husband and a friend to Vietnam.
Harriet also enjoyed gardening, cooking, quilting and sewing. She had a love and skill for sewing, which included making most of the family clothes during early family life. Through the years, she continued to sew outfits for grandchildren and dresses for wedding attendants for her children’s weddings. In recent years, she became passionate about quilting and made countless quilts for family, friends and silent auction fundraising for organizations.
Harriet was instrumental in planning the reunion of the 114th Aviation Company in conjunction with the Salute to Veterans celebration during Memorial Day weekend in 2001. She served on the board of trustees for the Boone County Fire Protection District’s Perseverance Endowment since 2001. Harriet served as secretary and board member of the Missouri Pilots Association since 2001. She was also secretary and board member of the Friends of Rock Bridge State Park since 2000. Harriet was in her fourth year as president of United Methodist Women (UMW) at Missouri United Methodist Church.
In 2004, she was presented with the Special Mission Recognition Award from UMW. A week before she passed away, UMW presented her with the Distinguished Mission Recognition Award.
Survivors include her husband, Charles; her four children, Russell and wife Sherry Lea, Elizabeth Volk and husband Dan, Stanley and wife Linda, and Wayne; her mother, Edna Merchant; her grandchildren, Jessica and Kate Shipman, and Abby, Sam and Aidan Volk; and her brothers, Clifton, Charles and Frederic Merchant.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Missouri United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
The Branson Flyout/Meeting was well attended and touted by many to be among the best USPA gatherings yet. In addition to business meetings, the Thursday evening safety seminar had nearly 70 in attendance who were treated to refreshments courtesy of a grant from the Wolf Aviation Fund. President Steve Uslan gave a brief description of USPA and invited non-members to join. And MO FAAST Manager Fred Harms brought hot-off-the-press information on the FAA’s new safety program and how it will affect GA pilots. Attendance prizes finished off the night.
The fun weekend activities included touring the world’s largest Titanic museum on Friday; plus dinner, the 1957 Patch auto collection, and an energetic show all at
the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater. Saturday afternoon saw many visiting the new Branson Landing, going shopping, and seeing other area attractions.
Saturday night featured a great Radisson prime rib dinner, followed by a 25th anniversary celebration MCd by USPA member and professional entertainer Mike
Radford. USPA past presidents were honored, and Fred Harms made a special presentation of the FAA Wright Award for 50 years of continual safe flying to
Arnold Zimmerman.
Sunday weather allowed everyone to depart safely. Watch for flyout pictures soon to be posted on the USPA website: www.uspilots.org.
The next USPA gathering will be held in San Antonio, November 2-5. There will be plenty of aviation fellowship and interesting things to see and do. Watch for
the registration form which will be coming to you soon and which will also be posted on the USPA website.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
“Hello, Friends,
I received a long awaited call yesterday from Will Dawson, manager Clinton Municipal Airport. He said the Clinton AWOS is now in service. The frequency is 118.725 Mhz and you can also call it direct by telephone by dialing 501-745-5000. However, it will be a while before it makes it into the ATC system to be automated into your onboard XM/Garmin, etc. systems or into the automated FSS data.
Just remember when it gives the ceiling height, the elevation at Clinton Municipal is 513 MSL and Holley Mountain Airpark is 1,268 MSL. Also, Clinton Muni is in the valley with Greers Ferry Lake. This morning it's giving a visibility of 1 mile with mist and that's very common on moist cool mornings in the valley, however HMA will normally be above that fog level, .... BUT not 100%.
Everyone have a very safe & enjoyable Labor Day Weekend !!!
Jim Collom”
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association