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United States Pilots Association |
USPA VP Dr. Bob Worthington has lost his Internet provider and won’t be on-line again for at least one week. Therefore, he won’t be receiving or sending emails for a while. He does, however, want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR, and to let you know he’s still alive and kicking, in spite of being quiet.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
As voted on at the last USPA meeting in October, the minimum number of USPA Directors meetings per year was reduced from four to three. Therefore, in 2009 USPA will meet only three times. The spring meeting will be in March in Tyler, TX. The summer (annual) meeting will be in Branson in May. The fall meeting will probably be in Western Arkansas in September. Here are the plans for the next two meetings.
USPA Spring Directors Meeting 12-15 March 2009 Tyler, TX
Theme: Aviation Career Day in Tyler at the Airport.
USPA in conjunction with the Tyler Historic Aviation Memorial Museum will host on Saturday morning, 14 March, a series of short presentations on various careers in aviation. Topics will include aviation writing; flying for the airlines, corporations, military, and charters; teaching flying; aircraft maintenance; managing airports; working for the FAA; and how to get scholarships for college or vocational education. Ten USPA members will do the presentations.
The presentation will be at the Aviation Museum at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport running from 9:30 am to noon. From Noon to 1 pm USPA members will have their airplanes parked on the museum ramp, open to the public. The purpose of this presentation and aircraft display is to introduce Tyler high school students and interested adults to the various career opportunities available in aviation and how to obtain information on ways to get the required education and training.
Airport and FBO: Johnson Aviation at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR). Free tiedowns and discounted fuel. Rental cars available. Open 7 days from 7am to 8pm. Phone: 903 593 4343.
Hotel: Marriott Residence Inn. $100/night plus tax for a studio suite. Included are complimentary full hot breakfasts every morning. The hospitality suite and meeting will be here. Call 903 595 5188 for reservations.
Saturday evening banquet will be at a nearby local restaurant.
Schedule:
Thursday evening: FAA WINGS Safety Seminar from 7pm to 9pm at the Aviation Museum on the airport. The museum will open at 6pm for USPA members to tour the facilities before the seminar.
Friday morning: USPA directors business meeting. The afternoon and evening activities are still being planned.
Saturday morning: USPA Aviation Career Day at the Museum. This will end around 1pm and the rest of the day will be open for members to sightsee Tyler. The Saturday evening banquet with a guest speaker will be at a local restaurant near the hotel.
More details on costs and Friday activities will be available next month. Hotel reservations at the hotel may be made at this time.
USPA Annual Meeting: 7-10 May at Branson, MO.
The USPA flyout and annual meeting in Branson, MO, May 7-10, 2009, in conjunction with the annual convention of the Missouri Pilots Association is one you won’t want to miss. The four-day event is wrapped around what is planned to be the biggest air show in the country. Branson Airport (BKG) will be celebrating its grand opening as the first privately owned and operated commercial airport in the U.S and will be conducting a star-filled air show, featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights. Registered USPA and MPA attendees will receive VIP treatment and seating at this big event.
The headquarters hotel will be the Lodge of the Ozarks, where we will enjoy an $80 group rate. Conveniently located amidst many fine theaters, restaurants, and Branson attractions, The Lodge offers comfortable accommodations and a welcoming atmosphere.
Although details have yet to be worked out, watch for a special guest speaker at a noon or evening banquet. And to whet your appetite further, how about a Bose Headset and a Garmin 696 for door prizes!
This is an event you won’t want to miss. Put the dates on your calendar and watch for a registration form to be coming soon.
Bob Worthington, VP Meetings
USPA
As you can see from the following email to USPA President Steve Uslan from the Alliance for Aviation Across America, you are requested to watch for articles portraying general aviation in a negative manner.
If you will forward any such articles you find to Steve, he will coordinate your input with the Alliance.
Thanks for your help.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the United States Pilots Association. If you would like to be removed from the email list, please email me at jan@hoynacki.com, and I will be glad to comply. Thank you.
Dear Steve,
As you have seen through news reports in recent weeks, the CEO’s of the Big 3 automakers have come under tough scrutiny for their use of small, company planes to travel to Washington, DC to testify before Congress. As more and more news outlets covered the story, we wanted to make sure you were aware that the Alliance for Aviation Across America and our members worked hard to make sure that the public and the media didn’t forget the immense importance of general aviation.
Many of our members have responded to negative stories with letters to the editor (LTEs), which you can find on our website and our blog. Others have made themselves available to speak to television stations and to their local newspapers.
But we need your help – we can’t be everywhere, so please let us know if you get any calls from the media or if you see negative stories in your local newspaper, and we can help you to get out the message about the value of general aviation and the importance of GA for local economies and communities.
You Can Make The Difference
If you come across news articles or editorials that inaccurately paint general aviation as an exclusive perk for the corporate elite, please email it to us at info@aviationacrossamerica.org or call us at (202) 223-9523, and we can help you to contact the publication’s editor to remind them that GA is an essential lifeline for America’s small towns and communities.
Oh how wondrous our government is. Just follow along with these examples of Christmas cheer being offered to General Aviation.
First we have Homeland Security implementing their LASP or large aircraft security program. Once again they are casting a wide net to ensnare as many aircraft as they can get control over. From the following letter received from Dick Hendrix, a member of the Commemorative Air Force and a B-25 pilot from Missouri we get the point. Unless these older piston powered warbirds are exempted from the LASP, they will not be able to fly demo flights with passengers without HSA clearances first. Whatever happened to $1.00 per pound? I have said many times that Michael Chertoff will get control of civil aviation one step at a time. Can you imagine a terrorist going to a flight school for instruction on how to fly a B-17 straight and level?
How many of you 172 drivers would even think about trying to go in to LaGuardia, Newark, or JFK in New York City? Well, if the thought ever occurs to you, pass on the opportunity. First you need to be quick and nimble on the radio. Then you can expect to be vectored all over the place for "sequencing.” I recently flew on a VFR flight plan into San Antonio, TX, utilizing flight following. Aside from the joy of approaching over downtown and those high office buildings, I was given no less than a dozen heading changes including a 270 degree turn for "spacing" at 1,500'. You will now need a reservation "slot" VFR or IFR during certain times of the day at the three NY airports. Can San Antonio or Albuquerque or San Diego be far behind? Oh, and do not forget about the Port Of New York Authority yellow car that will pull up to your plane on the ramp as you taxi up, to extract their extortionist "landing fee.”
Next up is a "gimmee.” On Wednesday September 24th in Whetstone, Arizona, another unmanned drone went down. This aircraft was piloted by a portable control unit operated by a "student pilot" under supervision by an experienced pilot. There were other individuals involved as well. The aircraft crashed at about 8:41 in the morning. We have predicted over and over again that these accidents were inevitable. The FAA's answer: This aircraft had an N# (602RN). Obviously this makes everything alright. Just so the paperwork is correct. Read about this latest accident on the NTSB September 08 page. It could have been your house the drone hit. One more point. The NTSB categorizes this accident as "General Aviation.” Interesting.
Lastly, the HSA is finalizing its requirements to enter the U.S. with your airplane from a foreign country. Apparently it is not enough to notify Customs in advance; now we are going to have to furnish a manifest of all occupants in the aircraft, etc. It's not going to be fun anymore. I heard about a Cessna 182 that flew illegally into the country from Mexico and landed at an airport in Crane, Texas. The plane sported numerous bullet holes from some kind of encounter of the worst kind. Border Patrol and Customs showed up three days later at the airport where the plane had been tracked upon entering the country. No wonder we have a drug problem. Yes, I know the rest of the story. No, it is not pretty. Yes, the aircraft was being used for a criminal purpose. It only took three days for federal law enforcement to show up. Does that give you warm Fuzzies?
Have a great Holiday, all,
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
How to submit a comment:
To request an extension of the public comment period, refer to Docket No. TSA-2008-0021, “Large Aircraft Security Program, Other Aircraft Operator Security Program, and Airport Operator Security Program.”
• By Mail, In Person or Fax to the Docket Management Facility, US Dept. of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington DC 20590-0001.
Fax 202-493-2251.
• Electronically through the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.Regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
To follow all the public comments to the TSA security proposal, visit the docket site located on www..Regulations.gov.
Small planes
December 6, 2008
Your Nov. 20 article "Execs' private jets rankle lawmakers" failed to highlight the benefits small planes bring to Texas.
No one would disagree that the actions by the CEOs of General Motors were unwarranted and foolish; it must be understood that small planes provide massive economic benefit to Texas.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, small planes provide approximately $8.7 billion annually in total economic output to Texas, not to mention the almost 62,000 jobs that the small Texas airports provide to citizens of our state.
These economic benefits are reaped by small- to mid-sized businesses and the residents who rely on them. These are the businesses that recycle scrap metal, build new schools, and fly patients in need to life-saving care.
Using small "general aviation" airports, these businesses reach residents in isolated communities that the major commercial airlines ignore and provide them with essential goods and services necessary for their day-to-day lives.
The average American can understand the frustration legislators felt as they heard the news. But let's just keep perspective -- there are thousands of businesses across the country that use their planes for what they invested in it for: serving their customers.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
USPA was at the Branson Airport today to hear the announcement and see a brand new Boeing 717 make the first jet landing on the 7,140’ runway 32 at BBG, one mile south of Hollister, MO. Their announcement follows:
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TODAY ABOUT AIRTRAN AIRWAYS VISIT BRANSON AIRPORT
Branson Airport is proud to announce our partnership with AirTran Airways.
Beginning May 11th, 2009, AirTran Airways, which ranked number one among all airlines in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study, will begin daily nonstop service to Atlanta with an introductory fare of only $99 one way, connecting to over 50 major destinations throughout the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Exclusively from the New Branson Airport.
Low Fares and Superior Service.
AirTran Airway's 717 aircraft is the quietest, most modern and comfortable airplane in the sky today. Each flight offers assigned seating, free XM Satellite Radio® at every seat, 100 percent fresh air flowing through the cabin, overhead storage bins with the same storage capacity per person as Boeing's 747 aircraft, and affordably priced Business Class seating.
Book your flight online today at airtran.com or call 1-800-AIR-TRAN.
Now that low fares have finally arrived, it's time for you to get going.
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
ATLANTA BRANSON 1580 11:30 AM 12:10 PM DAILY
BRANSON ATLANTA 1581 12:45 PM 3:30 PM DAILY
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
In case you haven’t yet put the dates of May 7-10, 2009, on your calendar for the MPA/USPA joint annual convention in Branson, MO, here’s one more very good reason to schedule it now.
MPA/USPA member Billy Ray of St. Joseph, MO, Past President of MPA, has been hard at work securing door prizes you’ll want a chance at, including a Bose Headset and a Garmin 696. You must be registered to be eligible. And, of course, these are DOOR PRIZES, so you must be present to win.
Another good reason to attend is to enjoy special VIP seating at the Branson Airport Grand Opening Air Show on Saturday, May 9, as part of our convention activities. To whet your appetite for the air show, go to www.flybranson.com and click on Air Show at the top right . And if you haven’t already entered the contest to name the Branson Airport commercial carrier, the link is at the top of their home page. Someone will win airline tickets!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
When I write the President's message each month, I try to stay focused on the issues, not the politics involved. USPA is a 501-C3 non-profit organization, and as such we are forbidden to endorse political candidates. However in the case of the three auto manufacturing executives using corporate aircraft to fly to Washington for a hearing in front of the U.S. Senate, I have a different point of view.
Regardless of what Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi put out for public consumption, the truth is and was they did not have the votes to pass a bailout to the auto manufacturers. They used the issue of extravagance on the part of the auto companies by their use of these business aircraft for their transportation to send these people home to come up with a business plan. I ask all of you, if your company had a corporate aircraft, be it a Cessna 172 or a Gulfstream V, based upon time management, would you subject yourself to flying on the cattle cars of the airlines? I emphatically would not.
Then there is the issue of who really pays for those airplanes. Any of you who own and operate a business know that transportation is a tax write-off subsidized by the government. Why would anybody in their right mind attempt to use the airlines with the security procedures, uncomfortable seating, cancelled flights, etc. ad nauseum?
I am one that firmly believes the old axiom, "Get thine own house in order," should apply to all of these businesses that are seeking government aid. If chapter eleven to get rid of onerous benefit and salary contracts is the only way to get these companies back to profitability, so be it. You and I should not have to suffer because a union in Michigan is costing an auto manufacturer profits by forcing retirement benefits and high salaries onto companies that cannot remain competitive in today's market.
This week we have seen the ultimate demise of Eclipse Aviation and their VLJ. Hopefully somebody else will resurrect the dream and keep the company going. Adam Aircraft is gone, Cessna who has a backlog of prior orders is cutting back, and so on.
Listening to political rhetoric chastising corporate executives for using their company aircraft is strictly hyperbole. It plays well in Detroit, New York, and California. I am not giving up my right to use my aircraft for my business because some politician thinks it is wasteful. Let Nancy Pelosi start using the airlines first.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association