AOPA Helps Stall Legislation

AOPA's lobbying effort against pilot background checks has paid off, as New Jersey lawmakers decided to put off such a bill scheduled for debate.  A key staff member of the state senate's Transportation Committee said at a meeting with AOPA representatives last week that lawmakers are unlikely to take up the bill (S.B. 148) at this time, due mostly to AOPA's repeated assurances that dramatic improvements in GA security and existing federal safeguards make the state legislation unnecessary. In the meeting, AOPA outlined the federal government actions implemented to address security concerns, including recent modifications to checks of non-U.S. citizens seeking flight training. The transportation aide indicated that the legislati

Crash Claims Lives Of Father, Son

The Florida Everglades are an unforgiving environment and unfortunately, a father and son flight crew found their fate in this harsh environment on Saturday. Saul Zadik, 45, and his son, Timor, 16. departed the Marathon Airport in the Florida Keys in their Raytheon King Air after spending a few hours in the island getaway. Tragically, the aircraft plunged nose-down into the sawgrass of the Everglades National Park a few minutes later, killing the father and son instantly. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said the plane went down about 4:20 p.m. north of Flamingo, a few miles inland from Florida Bay. It crashed into a dense area of mangrove trees that thwarted rescue teams in the rainy weather on Saturday. Helicopters brought

State Airports "On Track"

Virginia's 59 general aviation airports are finally on track to becoming more secure from terrorists, the state's aviation director said last week. Charles Macfarlane, who heads the Virginia Department of Aviation, said that Gov. Mark R. Warner's budget includes $1.5 million split between the next two fiscal years. If approved by the state's General Assembly, the funds will be distributed through a voluntary safety compliance program designed to help airports shore up security gaps by improving fencing, cameras and security identification. The state agency says Chesterfield County Airport took the initiative in 2002 to become one of the first general aviation facilities to undergo major upgrades. But the agency claims many other airpor

Despite 2003 War And Economy

The industry-backed BE A PILOT program to bring new people into aviation generated 34,056 pilot prospects in 2003, up 1.3% by year-end despite lagging 25% during the Iraq War last spring. Results were up 4.3% over 2001. "Since 1997, over 200,000 have registered for the BE A PILOT Introductory Flight Certificate. Surveys show at least 40,000 took their introductory flying lesson and about two-thirds of those came back for more," said BE A PILOT president/CEO Drew Steketee. Over 22,600 consumers responded to BE A PILOT's 2003 TV advertising on Discovery, Discovery Wings, Tech TV, CNBC and ESPN cable channels. Spending on the traditional  20-week campaign was 5% less than 2002, cutting response by 8% but limiting an expected

Threatens Court Battle

Oh, no. Here we go again. Another small-town mayor is getting himself into a boxing match with airport officials. Warwick (RI) Mayor Scott Avedisian said he would go to court if necessary to fight attempts to build longer runways at the T.F. Green Airport. Avedisian let the state know that he would seek legal action if becomes necessary. In March, Gov. Don Carcieri appointed James Rosati as chairman of the Airport Corp. Rosati suspended work on the airport's master plan and reinstated runway expansion scenarios that had been rejected. Avedisian said building a 9,500-foot runway would fully disrupt surrounding roadways. A spokeswoman for the Airport Corp. rejected Avedisian's perception that Rosati is determined to launch a n

Beware Demolition Ops NOTAM: 4/0782 Issued: 02/02/2004 14:19 Effective: 02/04/2004 12:00 - 02/04/2004 22:00 State: IN Facility: ZID - INDIANAPOLIS (ARTCC),IN. Type: HAZARDS Description: CHARLESTON, IN.