AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2011 - I1

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IAOPA speaks at Global Runway Safety Symposium
IAOPA Secretary General John Sheehan made a presentation at the first ICAO Global Runway Safety Symposium which drew 420 participants from 75 ICAO member States and international aviation organizations in Montréal held 24-26 May, 2011. Runway safety has become one of ICAO’s principal safety initiatives. This is done because runway accidents, incursions and excursions in particular, constitute more than one-third of all reportable accidents worldwide. Of course, the primary area of interest is at large airports featuring an air traffic control tower and used primarily by airline aircraft. Sheehan spoke on the subject of runway safety at nontowered airports. Since few of the attendees were familiar with the more than 100,000 nontowered airports in the world the presentation was used to educate the audience, linking the unique characteristics of small airports to potential hazards. Emphasis was placed on pilot continuing education and proficiency, linked to airport operators’ and government oversight to enhance safety. Small aircraft operating at large towered airports was also addressed, featuring the Air Safety Institute’s continuing education products. www2.icao.int/en/grss2011.

AOPA-Japan provides earthquake relief flights
AOPA-Japan pilots began to fly relief flights to Fukushima Airport shortly after the disastrous earthquake struck that region in March. The aircraft carried medical and food supplies to the stricken area near the coast which was struggling to survive in the wake of both a tsunami and earthquake. Mr. Yamamura in a Malibu, Dr. Shioyasu in his Cessna 210, and Mr. Sakuma and his brother, Tetsuya, in a Mooney flew from several locations in Japan in support of the disaster relief efforts. This was not easy since much of the ramp space at the Fukushima airport was occupied by Japanese Self Defense, local authorities and U.S. military aircraft. However, after the initial flights they were prohibited from providing further operations into the area because of airport congestion. Instead, AOPA-Japan members donated money in support of further humanitarian efforts. Sakuma discovered that his other aircraft, a Mailbu, had been lost at the nearby Sendai airport when the tsunami swept it away. Six other AOPA-Japan members also lost aircraft at the Sendai airport. H. Nishimura, AOPA-Japan, who provided the information for this article said, “Our general aviation community is relatively small in Japan, but our spirit of

cooperation is strong. Compared to the large number of relief flights already taking place by military aircraft, our efforts are small, but we would like to continue our relief flights as long as possible.”

ICAO UAS group meets
The ICAO Unmanned Aerial System Study Group met in late May to continue its work of devising guidance for States and operators to safely operate remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). This is a major task that will create changes for a majority of the 18 ICAO Annexes which comprise the technical and operations standards and recommended practices (SARPS) for civil aviation worldwide. IAOPA Representative to ICAO Frank Hofmann participated in the discussions. While basic guidance has been created in the form of an ICAO Circular (number 328) this will provide interim guidance only, rather than specific SARPS. The current work of the study group focuses on establishing definitions for the various annexes affected by the introduction of UAS. Current discussions also included methods of permitting RPA operations in Class A – C airspace, separation standards, normal operations and failure modes. Additionally, the “detect and avoid” concept is still being discussed to determine acceptable methods for separating RPA from VFR operations in Class D-G airspace. Most of these discussions are quite detailed, requiring extensive discussions because of the unique nature of UAS operations. Final SARPS will likely require at least one year to complete.

AOPA-Australia comments on general flight rules changes
AOPA-Australia has lodged comments with its Civil Aviation Safety Authority on proposed changes to the general operating and flight regulations, known as CASR Part 91. The changes include proposals regarding regulatory violations, radio equipment, aircraft ownership, electronic charts, and the use of aerodromes, all that would cause significant impact to general aviation interests. President Phillip Reiss said, “AOPA wants to contribute to the completion of the new regulations so that they are effective tools in the enhancement of aviation safety. AOPA notes that this may be the last opportunity to review the draft regulations before they are finalised. This would appear most ambitious given the degree of AOPA’s concerns and the surprise inclusion of completely new requirements in a final draft. Given our concerns about the unsatisfactory state of so many of the proposed regulations, AOPA is unable to support their further progression without substantial revision.”

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AUGUST 2011

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2011