AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022 - 12

AOPA ACTION
TOP STOR IES /
Alleviating 'illogical restrictions'
AOPA supports FAA proposal on BasicMed, safety pilots, DPEs
AOPA SUPPORTS THE FAA's proposal to
expand BasicMed for those who want
to serve as safety pilots and to change
medical certificate requirements for
individuals completing medical flight
tests. The changes would alleviate
confusion and burdens for individuals
operating under BasicMed and those
obtaining medical flight tests. The FAA
proposes allowing pilots who operate
under BasicMed to serve as a required
pilot flight crewmember when not
acting as pilot in command, and to
allow individuals to receive medical
flight tests while not holding a medical
certificate.
ACTION IN THE STATES
VIRGINIA: AOPA is working with the Virginia Aviation Business
Association and state officials to uphold Virginia's aircraft maintenance
sales tax exemption, in the face of an impending expiration.
Virginia's sales tax exemption was introduced nearly five years
ago, saving pilots and aircraft owners money on maintenance and
repair costs. Virginia-based aviation businesses have been able to
compete with neighboring states such as Maryland, West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, and North Carolina that offer similar incentives.
Should the exemption expire, the cost of maintenance would
increase for both owners and renters. Additionally, airports and
aviation service providers would see a competitive disadvantage
as jobs would be lost to neighboring states. According to
the Virginia Airport System Economic Impact Study of 2018,
the Commonwealth's 66 public-use airports support more than
146,000 jobs and generate $23 billion in annual economic activity.
TEXAS: In a win for local pilots, tenants, and nearby businesses,
the city of Midland abandoned its plans to close Midland
Airpark (MDD) in West Texas. AOPA learned of the closure
threat thanks to Vicki Hurt-a pilot and AOPA Airport Support
Network volunteer at the field. Together, AOPA and Hurt
worked to get more than 200 pilots, tenants, and local business
leaders to oppose the airport's closure. " Local pilots, including
myself, are so fortunate to have the use of such a fine facility
12
AOPA PILOT / April 2022
with all the advantages of the nearby towered airport. I believe
we all see the economic impact with the daily arrivals of people
doing business in Midland, " said Hurt.
NEW YORK: The fate of New York's East Hampton Airport was
sealed on January 20 after the town board voted to close the
airport and reopen it under private control. Under the new framework,
East Hampton will operate as a publicly owned private-use
facility for which prior permission is required. Consequently, the
town has the authority to impose noise limitations, prohibit certain
users, and restrict takeoffs and landings during certain times
of the day. Permanent closure of East Hampton also remains on
the table. AOPA hoped the town board would see the value of
East Hampton Airport as an economic asset to the community
and local businesses it serves. The airport is a staging area for
distributing emergency medical supplies during natural disasters
and facilitates lifesaving medical transportation. A study commissioned
by the East Hampton Community Alliance shows that East
Hampton generates $77 million for the local economy and supports
800 jobs. It has served the eastern end of Long Island for
more than eight decades.
What's happening in your state? AOPA's seven regional managers
advocate for you and report their activities online.
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
Currently, pilots may operate under
BasicMed while operating as PIC; however,
they cannot use the same privilege
as a required flight crewmember when
not acting as PIC. This change would
allow an individual who takes advantage
of BasicMed to serve as a safety pilot.
More than 70,000 pilots have used
BasicMed privileges since the program's
inception, and many who are currently
operating under BasicMed could easily
serve as a safety pilot for any of the
316,000 instrument-rated pilots, not including
the unknown number of instrument
applicants-in-training. AOPA also supports
removing the requirement for pilots
receiving a medical flight test (e.g., statement
of demonstrated ability or special
issuance) to hold a medical certificate. The
FAA determined that requiring an aviation
safety inspector to act as PIC during medical
flight tests put an unnecessary burden
on the inspector.
AOPA also recommended the FAA
allow designated pilot examiners
(DPEs) to perform exams while utilizing
BasicMed. Doing so would significantly
reduce turnover and training, create
a wider pool of well-qualified DPE
applicants, and increase use of DPEs for
pilot applicants.
aopa.org/pilot/medical
http://www.aopa.org/pilot/medical http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2022
