MEIGS BATTLE HAS UPS AND DOWNS
Following on the heels of AOPA's highly publicized press conference last week proposing a "buy-out" plan to save Meigs Field, there were major legal setbacks. First, a state court last Friday dismissed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago by airport advocacy group Friends of Meigs. That dismissal also removed a temporary restraining order prohibiting the city from further damaging the airport. As soon as that decision was issued, AOPA attorneys marched into federal court seeking a restraining order in its case against the city. That suit involved violations of federal aviation regulations. But federal judge James Moran noted that the FAA had had AOPA's complaint for 53 days and had not done anything to reopen the airport, nor was it likely to. He denied the request to issue a restraining order. But late that evening the Illinois appellate court granted a stay on the Friends of Meigs' suit, protecting the airport until June 4. "We knew from the beginning that the legal actions had only a limited chance of succeeding," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "but AOPA members across the nation have made it very clear that no measure should be spared to save this iconic airport."
...BUT THERE ARE SOME BRIGHT SPOTS
Despite the legal setbacks, AOPA is still winning the public relations battle. The Chicago media have given great coverage to the AOPA plan, including stories in the major Chicago newspapers, on TV, and a long write-up in the influential business publication, Crain's Chicago Business. AOPA capitalized on congressional outrage over Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's actions by lobbying for legislation that would severely punish any official who unilaterally destroys an airport. Known informally as the "Meigs Legacy Amendment," the proposed amendment would require a 30-day advance notice to the FAA before closing an airport. Any agency that doesn't comply with that law could be fined $10,000 for each day that an airport remains closed without having given the required notice. "In the long term, regardless of what happens to Chicago's lakefront airport, pilots will have gained substantial new tools to protect other airports," Boyer said. For a chronology on the closure of Meigs Field, see AOPA Online.
CIRRUS SEES INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
Cirrus Design is continuing to see its international market grow. The company recently delivered an SR22 to its first Russian customer, a flying club in Moscow. The club bought a fully loaded airplane with a few extras that might not be readily available locally: tires, spark plugs, and, yes, chewing gum. Cirrus also has airplanes flying in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, France, Holland, and Germany.
SOCATA GEARS UP FOR PRODUCTION INCREASE
Officials at EADS Socata forecast a good year for the company's single-engine turboprop, the TBM700. Estimates are that 43 of these 300-knot airplanes will be delivered this year. To keep up with demand, Socata is reorganizing its manufacturing facility and moving all TBM700 subassembly work to a dedicated building. Previously, TBM700 subassemblies were built alongside those for the TB series of piston singles. While most think of EADS Socata as the company that manufactures a line of single-engine airplanes, the truth is that it does plenty of subcontract work as well. New contracts with Dassault Falcon Jet (to make belly fairings and upper fuselages for the new 7X business jet) and Airbus (to make lower nose subassemblies for the new A380) have prompted EADS Socata to buy new tooling and build a new assembly hangar at the company's Tarbes, France, headquarters. Current monthly output of the 1,098-employee factory is four civilian TBM700s, five military TBM700s, and four TB20 and TB21 Trinidads.
NTSB RELEASES SWEARINGEN CRASH DETAILS
The April 26 crash of a Sino Swearingen SJ30-2 test aircraft in Texas that resulted in the death of test pilot Carroll Beeler, 59, occurred after the aircraft entered a slow uncontrollable barrel roll, according to an NTSB preliminary report. One day earlier the aircraft had experienced what one flight engineer suspected was Mach buffet. Beeler reported an uncommanded roll to the left and felt a rumble in conjunction with the roll. In a test report Beeler had entered the comment, "Rudder input?" As a result, the fatal flight was intended as a second flight-flutter test to confirm that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot had completed pulsing the control surfaces at Mach 0.884 and was cleared to repeat the exercise at Mach 0.894 when the barrel roll to the right began. The chase pilot called, "Get out," but Beeler reported he was unable to do so and said there were too many Gs. The aircraft continued to barrel roll and increased its dive angle until impact near Loma Alta, Texas.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
Inside AOPA
CLEAR SKIES FOR GA, AOPA's BOYER FORECASTS
AOPA President Phil Boyer told an audience of Washington, D.C., insiders this week that at least one sector of the aviation industry has a bright future. Borrowing a phrase from aviation meteorologists, Boyer said the future for general aviation is CAVU–ceiling and visibility unlimited. In a presentation to the Aero Club of Washington, which boasts some of the biggest names in aviation, Boyer said that everything from single-engine piston sales to avionics installations to new student pilot starts indicate that the industry is still moving ahead in spite of a generally sour economy. One of the best indications of where GA is headed is the general attitude of its pilots. AOPA asked its members in a survey this year whether they are optimistic or pessimistic about the future of GA. "Even in these times of uncertainty and heightened security restrictions, a full two thirds of our members said they're optimistic," Boyer reported. See AOPA Online.
AOPA ATTACKS PLAN TO PRIVATIZE NEW ORLEANS AIRPORT
Plans by a for-profit operator to privatize New Orleans Lakefront Airport and transform it from the primary general aviation reliever for New Orleans' main air carrier airport into an airport that caters to charters and corporate aircraft threatens to force out current users. In formal comments filed with the FAA, AOPA said the proposal for the Orleans Levee District to lease the airport to American Airports Corporation (AAC) changes the role of the airport in ways that could have a significant negative impact on light GA aircraft owners and pilots, contains no controls on increases GA users of the airport and airport tenants may have to pay for rent or services, and does not meet the intent of Congress when it created a pilot program for privatizing public airports. "We have serious concerns," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "not the least of which is, who pays?" See AOPA Online.
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On Capitol Hill
CALIFORNIA POLITICIAN PRAISES AOPA's EFFORTS TO SAVE AIRPORTS
Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) on Tuesday paid tribute to AOPA's efforts to preserve and secure general aviation airports. In congressional comments, Miller said, "AOPA has pioneered two critical programs that work to protect and preserve safe and secure access of general aviation pilots to the nation's airspace and airports–the Airport Support Network and the Airport Watch Program." See AOPA Online.
Quiz Me!
Here's a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: When I'm looking at the profile view of an instrument approach in my terminal procedures, what does it mean when there is a line above and below a given altitude? I'm using NACO charts.
Answer: The legend in the front of each volume of U.S. Terminal Procedures published by the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) provides an explanation of altitude restrictions. When an altitude is shown with a line above and below it, it is a mandatory altitude. Minimum altitudes are shown with a line below the number. Maximum altitudes are shown with the line above the number. If the altitude is given with no lines, it is a recommended altitude. Terminal procedures are available on AOPA Online.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? Call 800/872-2672 or e-mail to inforequest@aopa.org. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to epilot@aopa.org.
Picture Perfect
Photos from the June AOPA Pilot featuring the Mooney M20R Ovation2 DX have been posted to the AOPA Online Gallery. The gallery allows you to download your favorite images to use for wallpaper, send a personalized e-card, and order high-quality prints to be shipped directly to your doorstep. Search the hundreds of fabulous images in our archives and select your favorites today! For more details, see AOPA Online.
What's New At AOPA Online
Looking for the most convenient location to take an FAA knowledge test? The updated state-by-state directory of authorized testing centers is available at AOPA Online. Click here to download.
Weekend Weather
SOUTHWEST FORECAST
Synopsis: No significant surface weather features are expected over this region during the weekend with the exception of thermal low pressure located over the desert southwest.
Flying Forecast: VFR conditions are expected to prevail for the most part over this region during the period. One exception will be the California coast, where night and morning MVFR/IFR ceilings and fog will be possible. Widely scattered thunderstorms are also expected to develop over portions of the mountain west during the forecast period forming during the afternoon hours and diminishing for the most part during the evening hours. Some gusty winds may accompany a few of the storms.
See the current weather on AOPA Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
ePilot Calendar
WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Frederick, Maryland. The thirteenth annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House takes place June 7 at AOPA headquarters, located on Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK). Join us for the largest fly-in event on the East Coast. Visit AOPA Online for details.
Alice, Texas. The Wings of D-Day CAF Airshow takes place June 7 at Alice International Airport (ALI). Honoring Veterans of all eras with an exciting aerial display, aerobatics, and lots of static airplanes. Gates open at 7 a.m. for a waffle breakfast and 10 a.m. for the airshow. Contact Tom Reynolds, 361/563-4723; Ed Mickley, 361/882-9556; or visit the Web site.
FLYING DESTINATIONS IN CALIFORNIA
Chino, California. The Air Museum Planes of Fame presents "Air War Over Italy" June 7 at Chino Airport (CNO). Begins at 10 a.m. Event features veterans of aerial combat over Italy during World War II; concludes with a flight demonstration. Contact 909/597-3722, or visit the Web site.
Merced, California. The Forty-sixth Merced West Coast Antique Fly-in takes place June 7 and 8 at Merced Municipal/Macready Field (MCE). Contact Virginia Morford, 209/383-4632.
To submit an event to the calendar, or search all events, visit AOPA Online. For airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online. For comments on calendar items, contact calendar@aopa.org.
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Austin, Texas, June 7 and 8. Clinics are also scheduled in San Jose, California, and Columbus, Ohio, June 14 and 15. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online. Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Renewal Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter?? Ground School will take place in Columbus, Ohio, June 15. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Frederick, Maryland, June 7. Topics vary; for complete details, see AOPA Online.