Canada is About To Jack Up Aviation Fees... Dramatically

News/Analysis/Opinion By Jim Campbell, ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief During the battle over ATC privatization issuesa few years back, Canada's aviation regulatory agencies (especially NAV CANADA) were held up (by misguided Pro-ATC Privatization concerns) as a reason why ATC Privatization wasn't a bad thing overall... because NAV CANADA was supposedly reasonable to deal with and cost-effectively priced. But... that was yesterday... and tomorrow is a whole 'nuther deal. NAV CANADA is admitting that their budgets are looking thin and that, as 'an essential service' NAV CANADA's 'not-for-profit' status and structure as a private corporation continued to serve Canada's ATC needs, albeit with some slow-downs and interruptions in areas where requirement were reportedly 'minimal' -- and all the while losing money -- or so they say.

Last Seen, "In A Vertical Nose-Low Attitude Just Before The Airplane Impacted The Ground"

On May 20, 2020, about 1640 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna T206N airplane, N51610, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Center, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. According to preliminary information, the airplane departed from the Astronaut Kent Rominger Airport (RCV), Del Norte, Colorado about 0920 mountain daylight time. The flight had stopped at the Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE), Gainesville, Texas, and the pilot purchased 65 gallons of fuel. The flight departed GLE about 1440 CDT and was performing a visual landing at Center Municipal Airport (F17), Center, Texas.

Pilot 'Did Not Recall Retracting The Speed Brakes'

On May 6, 2020, about 1650 central daylight time, a Cessna T240 airplane, N25HE, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion after landing at the Roger M. Dreyer Memorial Airport (T20), Gonzales, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern and set the wing flaps to the takeoff (12°) position. The airspeed on final approach was about 130 kts and he extended the speed brakes to reduce the speed. He did not use full landing flaps (40°) because he was concerned about the "strong wind gusts."

EAA Made Clear That The Public Has Limited To No Exposure To EDB In Concentrated Form

EAA recommended the EPA not designate an integral component of avgas, ethylene dibromide (EDB), as a high-priority substance for future study and regulation to avoid profound safety of flight and economic implications that would result from potential control or limitation on EDB, which could effectively limit or eliminate the continued availability of leaded high-octane avgas. EDB is used as the scavenger for lead in avgas and makes up one of the two major components of the octane-enhancing, lead-additive package used in avgas production called TEL-B, which is principally made up of tetraethyl lead and EDB. Any future efforts to regulate EDB in aviation gasoline under the Toxic Substances Control Act could have the same effect as regulating lead, with serious implications for general aviation. There is no immediate threat to the supply of leaded aviation gasoline, and the current EPA activity to evaluate up to 40 chemicals for prioritization for study and p

Some Restrictions Continue To Negatively Impact General Aviation NBAA and other associations have requested the FAA extend the effective date for several exemptions or extensions for pilot medical certifications, training proficiency and a host of other requirements contained in Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 118. The relief package, which became effective on April 30, 2020, with most extensions expiring on June 30, 2020, provides regulatory relief for affected pilots to remain in compliance with several FAA mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Witnesses Reported "He Got Low" On Final Approach And Clipped Trees

On May 15, 2020, about 1410 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-CD airplane, N3956H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rogersville, Tennessee. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot held a private pilot certificate for single-engine airplanes, and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate with inspection authorization. He had departed from Hawkins County Airport (RVN), Rogersville, Tennessee, at 1350. According to witnesses the pilot flew over a friend's farm and was returning to the airport. They stated that the airplane's engine sounded normal and multiple witnesses reported "he got low" on final approach and clipped trees. The pilot did not make any distress call on the radio.