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United States Pilots Association |
COME TO THE USPA FLYOUT
VICKSBURG, MS
MARCH 15-18, 2007
Watch for more information to come out soon on the spring USPA flyout/meeting in Vicksburg, MS. VP Meetings Arnold Zimmerman is finalizing plans now for an interesting and educational event you won’t want to miss.
You’ll get the details and registration form via:
USPA website: www.uspilots.org
Email newsletter direct to your email inbox
In America’s Flyways magazine
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Today I attended a luncheon of the College of the Ozarks Retirees and also a meeting of the Ozarks Chapter, MPA. The retirees said, "way to go!" And John Lawler was at the Ozarks Chapter meeting tonight and expressed his great appreciation for the support of USPA and MPA. The Branson community residents are in full support of John and the others that have been attacked for using Branson in their business names. We're hoping that this ridiculous and needless persecution will soon be dropped.
If you haven't already written the Branson City Council to express your dissatisfaction with their action against John, please do so. Believe me, your flooding them with letters will help. Branson counts on tourism dollars, and to realize they're alienating those tourists is against what they're about.
Address your letter to:
Branson City Council
110 W. Maddux St.
Branson, MO 65616
I thank you, and John Lawler thanks you!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
I've been to AOPA Expos many times on both coasts, including a previous trip to Palm Springs. However, I found this trip to be different from all those in the past in that both the planes on display and the "goodies" to put in them required a computer techie to understand. Just looking around the more than 100 planes that taxied from KPSP right down the street to the convention center parking lot, it sure wasn't your father's version of planes. Metal was a rarity, while composite was king. Winglets, fences, fancy props, sexy plexiglass, and glass panels made me feel like I had landed on another planet rather than just California!
The rest was the same as in the past. Friendly folks from near and far with a common love of flying, those who were pursuaded to come with them, vendors of everything and anything you could want on a plane and more, excellent seminars that addressed about every topic of interest to pilots, general sessions bringing interesting and important information regarding GA, and fun gatherings with good programs and good food.
The Thursday morning general session kicked off addressing perhaps the most important GA issue today: user fees. AOPA President Phil Boyer introduced a panel to speak on the topic from different perspectives: Tom Poberezny of EAA, Ed Bolen of NBAA, Pete Bunce of GAMA, and MO Representative Sam Graves (R). Not a good thing, funding the FAA with user fees would drive up the cost of new planes and equipment (yes, higher than they are now!), and the related 1.3 million aviation industry good-paying jobs would be at risk, along with the economic impact that would have.
User fees don't work in other countries. Just handling the collection system is expensive by itself. User fees could easily add an extra $125 to every flight we're now making in the U.S. And you could be required to file a flight plan for just a short hop around the patch so that you would have to pay a user fee. The airlines have put a target on the back of GA, are working together against us, and want us to pay more and have less control. They're using the influx of VLJs to justify a need for more money, although the VLJs will be operating from smaller airports that are not served by commercial flights.
Congressman Graves said the FAA wants the money for ATC improvements now, and then they'll figure out how they'll spend it. What it ends up being might even be cheaper than what we have now. And a burocracy needs to be put in place to collect all those user fees. What will that cost? Furthermore, it will put control outside of Congress with no accountability. We have a system now that works. It should be left that way.
The FAA must have a new budget by October, 2007. However, since the recent elections, it's possible that Congress could be deadlocked on the issue, giving us more breathing room before it comes up again. Nevertheless, the power of GA pilots needs to be focused. We as individuals and organizations need to contact our elected officials about user fees. We need to get to know these people, talk to them personally, tell them why it would be hard on the entire industry. And tell them it's about CONTROL, which they will lose if a user fee organization takes over (which would be controlled by the airlines, not Congress).
Aside from that scarey topic, did I have a good time? You betcha! And a wonderful flight out from Missouri and back. The trip home took us to 16,000' with an excellent tailwind, making a stop for $2.90 fuel at St. Johns, arriving home at KPLK at dusky dark. Only six hours of stick time reminded me of why I bought my Mooney Ovation2 in 2000 and why I love flying.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Many of us fly specific airplanes for several different reasons. I favor Cessna high wings because I am most comfortable flying these meat and potato aircraft that I know will always get me home. During 1990 I bought a Bellanca Super Viking in Hawaii and flew it for some 200 hours both in Hawaii and in New Mexico. In 1994 I upgraded to a later model Viking and soon had an accident involving the aircraft's tendency to weathervane into the wind in landing configuration. Two more of these incidents taught me that the Viking and I were not meant for each other. I went back to an old friend--the Cessna 206--with no further problems.
I was perusing the NTSB reports for October 2006 and found a disturbing trend involving the Cirrus SR-22 aircraft. We have all heard of the Corey Lidle crash in New York City. Mr. Lidle had a total of 88 hours flight time with about ten hours in the Cirrus. His instructor had not taken the manufacturer's approved course to instruct in the airplane. They attempted to execute a 180 degree turn over the East River and ended up hitting an apartment building in Manhattan. Both occupants died. USPA has a video taken in a simulator duplicating the exact wind conditions, etc. which depicts the events that led up to the crash.
Sunday, October 6th, an American registered Cirrus departed from the side of the runway in Germany and struck a fence. There were no deaths.
Wednesday, October 25th, a Cirrus crashed near Meadview, Arizona, killing all four occupants. The aircraft entered icing conditions and was brought down. The Ballistic parachute was deployed, but apparently not soon enough.
Friday, October 27th, a Cirrus attempting an instrument landing at Statesville, NC, crashed on the airport, killing two and injuring two others. The aircraft was seen performing very steep turns before stalling and ultimately crashing.
It appears that this airplane is a very different breed of cat from our Cessnas and Pipers as respects flight characteristics. It has a two stage wing which causes a dramatic stall at slow speeds. The plane has been involved in several incidents of pilot loss of control in level flight. Apparently the ballistic parachute is not the answer. People are still dying in these aircraft. Perhaps a more detailed checkout procedure in the plane with an instructor who has been approved by the factory might help. I also believe that a whole lot more of sensible decision making prior to taking a flight might assist in lowering the accident rate.
I have a friend in the FAA who is deeply involved in the safety program. He teaches a class called "Don't tap the nose of your tiger" referring to the Sigfried and Roy instance where Roy Horn tapped his tiger on the nose with a microphone. The tiger tried to kill him. Don't try to load up your Cirrus (or any other four seater) with full fuel and four passengers; and then go flying at high altitudes into forecast icing conditions. The Cirrus (or any other similar aircraft) will try to bite you. When banking a Cirrus at 60 degrees or more, keep in mind the nose will try to drop. Next will come the stall. This is an extremely high performance airplane and needs to be flown as one. The airplane does not care. If you let it get out ahead of you, it will bite, and sometimes those bites are fatal.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
Several years ago the Air Force attempted to ram through some low level training routes for B-52 and B-1B bombers in SE New Mexico and West Texas. The USPA and NMPA fought these issues along with numerous ranchers, pilots, and others, resulting in the implementation of other routes in less populated areas. AOPA was not represented at any of the meetings.
For the past three years both USPA and NMPA were again involved in protesting the attempted grab of yet more airspace in East Central New Mexico, from Roswell to Clovis and north to Fort Sumner. Our organizations attended all of the scoping meetings and environmental impact studies, and spoke against the creation of this new expanded MOA for numerous reasons, all affecting GA safety. AOPA was not at any of the meetings. All that AOPA did was write a letter of comment to the Air Force.
Our quarrel is not with AOPA. It is with the AF and the State of NM. Pushing this type of project ahead without considering safety and inconvenience to others is foolhardy and dangerous. It is even more dangerous for an organization the size of AOPA to put out press releases taking credit for something they really had no part in, and still to this day do not understand.
If anyone wants further information on this subject please call Steve Uslan at 432-556-0120 or Dr. Bob Worthington at 505-522-6785. We will send you copies of the pertinent documents.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
The FAA plans to establish a Presidential TFR over Joplin, MO, on Friday, November 3
FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER JOPLIN ON FRIDAY AOPA is sending this message to advise pilots in and near Joplin, Missouri, that the FAA has issued a notam restricting flight in the area during President Bush's planned visit on Friday, November 3.
There will be a large 30-nautical-mile-radius temporary flight restriction (TFR) centered on the EOS VOR's 348-degree radial at 16.5 miles, extending up to Flight Level 180. It will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. local until 1:35 p.m. local on Friday. Also, there will be a smaller 10-nm-radius GA no-fly zone in effect within the larger TFR during that timeframe.
Affectged are JLN, EOS, LLU, PTS, MIO, M58, K67, and 2MO.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association