AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2018 - 12

AOPA ACTION

Coalition calls for action
Groups join AOPA in demanding FAA address fees
A diverse coalition of 16 general aviation groups issued a joint statement calling
on the FAA to take action against "egregious, hidden fees and denial of affordable
access to airport ramps." The groups said they want profitable and healthy fixedbase operators, but there must be a balance that gives pilots reasonable access to
publicly funded airports. Among the ways to provide that balance is for the FAA
to chart transient ramp areas on airport diagrams, giving pilots an option to park
in areas not controlled by the FBO; facilitate FBO competition where practicable;
ensure federally funded airports and FBOs on those fields only impose reasonable
fees that are posted online; and stop FBOs from forcing pilots to pay for services
that are neither requested nor needed.
"Egregious, hidden fees drive down traffic and cut off access to important communities," the groups said in the statement. "It's time for the FAA to ensure pilots
have a right to reasonable access to federally funded airports." AOPA President
Mark Baker said the coalition will continue to grow and work together to pressure the FAA to take action at problem locations.
www.aopa.org/FBOpricing

WYOMING AIRPORT OFF AOPA WATCH LIST

Casper/Natrona County International Airport in Wyoming recently
established a transient ramp space for aircraft tiedowns and gave pilots
clearance to access a walk-through gate to avoid paying for fixed-base
operation services they don't need or want. As part of its ongoing campaign to fight egregious fees and improve access to publicly funded airports, AOPA released the Airport Access Watch List, including 10 airports
that fit a certain profile. Casper's move to improve access with a transient
ramp and walk-through gate prompted AOPA to remove the airport from
the Airport Access Watch List in August. Casper now falls into the category of what AOPA is calling a "self-help" airport. Self-help airports have
taken steps on their own to improve the pilot experience at their airports,
whether it be pricing, competition, or access issues.

AOPA BACKS DRONE PREEMPTION
AOPA joined a coalition of drone and general aviation industry
groups calling for the defeat of an amendment to the pending FAA
reauthorization bill that would allow state and local regulation of
drones. The groups argued the amendment would undercut the
Airline Deregulation Act of 1978's provisions that preclude regulation of air carriers by state and local governments, with negative
effects on both manned and unmanned operations.
www.aopa.org/drones

12 | AOPA PILOT October 2018

BAKER ON
THE NEWS
"Grant assurances exist for a reason,
and while the majority of the FBO
industry is doing a great job, there are
a number of exceptions at key locations that the FAA has been ignoring.
The organizations that have joined us
in taking a stand deserve a lot of credit
for their leadership, and we look forward to working with them and other
groups to make sure the FAA gets the
message."
-AOPA President Mark Baker

SENATE CONFIRMS NTSB NOMINEES
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm former AOPA
Air Safety Institute President Bruce Landsberg
and railroad and pipeline safety expert
Jennifer Homendy as members of the National
Transportation Safety Board. Landsberg will
serve a five-year term and would be designated
the NTSB's vice chairman for two years.
www.aopa.org/pilot/NTSBnominees
http://www.aopa.org/FBOpricing http://www.aopa.org/drones http://www.aopa.org/pilot/NTSBnominees
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2018
