Beelzebub Not Fond Of Snow Cream

Aero-Commentary By Gene Yarbrough; ANN's Resident Political Analyst / Conspiracy Theorist

As the climate change (nee global warming) polar vortex once again cools the AirVenture grounds below expected temps for the height of summer, a groundswell of growing discontent for FAA slithering tactics surrounding the third class medical / drivers license medical issues promises to draw to a head the political fervor of the masses desiring to commit acts of aviation in the face of ever increasing overlords in Washington.

Judging by the number of forums and news releases involving pending legislation and/or living within the existing status quo, the public is indeed having their voices and prayers heard by those holding the controls. A full 14 forums or press events are scheduled during the week of AirVenture activities; a significant amount of activity surrounding this topic compared to previous years. Time will tell whether these congregations are merely lip service or indicate a real and meaningful paradigm shift within the governmental circles. Aero-News Network will attend and aggressively scrutinize whatever information (or pseudo-information / pabulum) may be disseminated.

Representative Todd Rokita (R-IN) (pictured) and EAA Chairman Jack Pelton made statements supporting the leading legislative initiative (General Aviation Pilot Protection Act, GAPPA) in Forum 3 Monday morning. Rokita, being a long time pilot and aircraft owner himself, is spearheading the most promising effort to bring about beneficial aero-medical reform, and stated that currently the bill has 124 members of Congress backing the effort. Rokita’s bill includes aircraft of up to 6 seats, 6000 lbs, retractable gear and IFR operations on a driver’s license medical standard, or equivalent. Rokita rightly commented that the current third class medical standard does little, if anything, to ensure or create any meaningful standard of safety, stating that operating certain aircraft is no more difficult than driving a car on the highway.

Equally important is the fact that the personal and recreational aspects of general aviation are dying a slow torturous death from the noose of useless draconian FAA regulation. Rokita seems to recognize that thousands upon thousands of jobs are at stake, have already been lost, or worse transferred offshore. Rokita expanded on these comments with Chairman Pelton before a large and intensely attentive crowd cheering them on.

Pelton commented that his interaction with FAA, even at the casual level, has been frustrating to say the least. Pelton, being in a position of direct influence as the head of the EAA, has lobbied FAA for years to see some modicum of relief to uncork the massive economic engine that is currently stymied.

After a brief comment session by both men the floor was opened up to questions from the audience. Certain questions directed at both organization's activities alluded to the strategy at play. Replying to questions regarding their intentions should the FAA move in the desired direction before Congress' acts demonstrated that Rokita and Pelton are in lockstep and have a clearly organized plan. Both men stated that regardless of the FAA’s actions they will stay the course with no compromises to how the current bills are written.

Rokita admitted that the bill likely will not survive the journey through the House and Senate as written, however he didn’t elaborate on any concessions he would accept in compromise, stating that any deviation from the bill as written would be put before the general public via comments to determine what if anything would placate those of us living and dying by every word out of Washington. Rokita also opined that the process is taking longer than he had originally hoped, blaming partisan politics and the general ignorance or apathy of Congress. Rokita said that Congress has a plethora of very important legislation on its plate that will likely require all of the remaining term this year to slog through. However he was adamant that should the bill spill over into next year that picking up where 2014 left off would be little more than resigning the current sponsors in January and then proceeding.

Regardless of how the bill grinds its way through the houses of Congress the existence of the bill has had the desired effect of forcing the FAA into a position to either do something or exacerbate the ire of the flying and aircraft-owning public. Pelton hinted that the rumor mill within the FAA is expecting “something” from Administrator Huerta that is in the vein of a positive and beneficial move. Jack said he couldn’t elaborate conclusively but has been assured that the wheels within the FAA are turning and have heard the outcries of the masses. Reminding us that the FAA is “Here to help us”.

The annual “Meet the Administrator” gathering later this week should be well attended, and Mr. Huerta may find himself surrounded by a disgruntled populace bearing pitch-forked tongues if not actual pitchforks and torches. Some of the gentle folk of this industry are becoming not so gentle in their view of FAA. Perhaps if Mr. Huerta would throw us a crumb of compromise we could “feel” as if our elected and appointed political agents are worth their salaries. Unfortunately it seems a more affirmative, and perhaps confrontational, approach is required.

VIVA VOX POPULI EN MASSE

FMI: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr3708