WAR ON ALL
FRONTS
General
Aviation is taking hits on all fronts. The government is
throwing punches at us with the TFRs and restricted
areas. Years ago, all a pilot had to worry about was the
weather. Today, we have Uncle Sam’ TFR (PFR),
presidential movements, restrictive threats from states,
new rules to protect the world from a Cessna 150, and now
we have a small group of discontents that don’t want a
plane flying over their house. These guys are complaining
about those who are using airspace over or close to their
house to learn to fly or aerobatic practice.
Pictured with
me is Sarah, my granddaughter after a recent flight >>
Their
claim is that they have no problem with normal flights… I
am not sure about that, from some of the literature posted
on the web. If you think they are joking about getting
those "little rich boy airplanes" out of the air... you
should go to their websites. Folks, these guys are most
serious. It is worth any pilot's time to keep informed.
Check out these websites... AOPA is involved in this
encroachment of air space. Several pilots are being sued
by the “Stop the noise” group. Whether they win or lose,
the cost of defending ones self is expensive. A wise
pilot will keep aware and assist when the time comes to do
so. I have listed several website to which you can view
for the “non-pilot side” of the story.
http://www.planesenseofgroton.org/
http://www.maplewoodlodge.com/stunts/home.htm
http://www.peacefulvalley.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.stopthenoise.org/
SPORT PILOT,
NOT DEAD, JUST SENT BACK FOR REWORK…
The
Aero-News Network (www.aero-news.net)
reported that a high-level source, in
regular contact with the FAA and Sport Pilot-associated
officials, has confirmed the worst... that there are more
delays in the works for the oft-delayed, over-promised
Sport Pilot rule. It now appears that the FAA has taken
back the Sport Pilot rule (albeit temporarily) from the
officials who are working it over at OMB. The reason for
this is simple... to work on the questions Office of
Management & Budget (OMB) was raising with certain aspects
of the program.
This may be a smart move since it allows
the FAA to answer the questions that were building up over
at OMB without having to run it back through the
validation process ALL OVER AGAIN. Better yet; this move
may prevent the possibility of the rule getting killed off
by those same remaining questions and concerns. If
questions and concerns persisted to the end of the
process, there was the danger that OMB could have rejected
the entire package out of hand and doomed over a decade's
worth of work to failure and an expectant industry to
further damage and malaise.
It appears not to be dead, but just slowed
down. Whether it will be ready by Oshkosh, we will see.
Keep check our website or that of the Aero-News Network.
EXCLUSIVE!
As our lead story and cover implies,
Fly-Low was present when the world’s only twin jet glider
flew for the first time. This is a story that I have been
watching and waiting for some time. We were informed of
the progress as the plane developed. Thanks to Bob &
Laurie Carlton for allowing up the opportunity to break
the story nationwide. The jets are about the size of two
quart jars. It is an amazing piece of technology applied
to the basic glider. If you ever get a chance to attend
an airshow with Carlton performing in the jet glider… by
all means, GO!
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