ADIZ Violations, FSS Modernization Lead List Of Topics At AOPA Town Hall Meetings

General aviation pilots in the Midwest last week said that while additional punishment for violating Washington, DC's restricted airspace (ADIZ) is probably necessary, the sanctions proposed in some congressional legislation are way too tough. These pilots also expressed extreme disappointment over the pending roadblocks to flight service station modernization.

AOPA President Phil Boyer led three Pilot Town Meetings this week, exchanging views with GA fliers in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Indianapolis.

Pilots also saw a special message from Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), who had some very pointed words on Congress and GA security. "The biggest security issue facing Congress is not aviation," he said. "I know that's heresy around here, but I'm much more worried about port security and central city security."

Boyer presented recent survey data showing that 65 percent of AOPA members believe that recent ADIZ violations have threatened their freedom to fly. Not surprisingly, 96 percent of pilots in Washington, D.C., and the adjoining states of Maryland and Virginia think the actions of a very few have seriously threatened the rights of many.

Nationwide, about half of all AOPA members think organization should support strict penalties, including criminal charges and substantial fines, for pilots who recklessly fly too close to the Capitol and the White House.

But the Midwestern pilots told Boyer that they think the current legislative proposals go too far. Some of those laws would impose $100,000 fines, confiscate the aircraft, and suspend a pilot's certificate for five years.

Many pilots have pointed out that because many aircraft are leaseback rentals or club-owned, confiscation would penalize people who had nothing to do with the incursion or the pilot flying the airplane.

A fine of $5,000 to $10,000 and loss of certificate for one to two years was a better fit for the crime, in the opinion of many pilots attending the Midwest Pilot Town Meetings.

These pilots also expressed disappointment that FSS modernization could be delayed because of legislation that would block the outsourcing contract with Lockheed-Martin, or because of the appeal filed by one of the losing bidders, FAA employees teamed with Harris Corp.

"Pilots understand the need for a twenty-first-century FSS system and the need to significantly reduce the costs of providing that service," said Boyer. "They understand that ultimately a few hundred people might lose jobs but have a hard time trading that off for the needs of more than 600,000 pilots."

Boyer also struck down a rumor that apparently is being spread by a few disgruntled FSS employees. "I don't personally have any stock in Lockheed-Martin. The only reason AOPA supports this contract is because after more than five years of study, including our own detailed investigations into the FSS system, we are convinced that this is the right thing at the right time for the benefit of GA pilots." (In fact, AOPA's ethics code prohibits any association employee from having an interest in a company with activities in the general aviation sector.)

More than 400 pilots attended the Midwest meetings. The next meetings are scheduled for September 14 and 15 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Antonio, Texas.

FMI: www.aopa.org