AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2022 - 12

AOPA ACTION
TOP STOR IES /
FAA extending registration applications
AOPA working to help; buyers will benefit
THE FAA HAS agreed to begin issuing new aircraft owners what
the agency is calling preemptive extensions to 90-day temporary
registrations until the processing backlog is reduced below 90
days. By mid-August, the agency will begin sending preemptive
extensions to new owners of previously registered aircraft. AOPA
has worked closely with agency officials to address the situation
that has led to new registration applications taking up to
six months to process. The aircraft registration process has been
slowed by a combination of factors, including lack of staff and a
very active market for used aircraft. Aircraft registration processing
times have ranged up to six months, and AOPA has made
resolving this problem a priority.
AOPA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Murray Huling
suggested implementation of the idea (proposed by AOPA Legal
Services Plan attorney Scott Williams) of granting preemptive
extensions for as long as registration applications are taking longer
than the 90 days covered by temporary documents.
" This is an overdue and needed interim step to address the
registration backlog and, quite frankly, something the FAA should
have already had in its toolbox, " Huling said. " We'll be checking
in with the FAA early and often and will keep members informed
of the agency's progress. "
The registration branch plans to issue registration extensions
to new owners of aircraft in question by email while the permanent
registration is pending. Owners will not need to request the
extension. Huling said the online processing of renewals has
not been as problematic, and most members reporting impending
expirations and processing delays have been new owners of
existing aircraft.
aopa.org/pilot/registration
Lack of funding for New Jersey
airports a real concern, says AOPA
AOPA AND THE New Jersey Aviation Association (NJAA) urge pilots to contact
their state legislators and encourage them to secure more funding for aeronautic
programs, which have been drastically underfunded in recent years.
Currently, New Jersey's capital grant program for airports averages less than
$5 million in annual funding, while data shows the state's public-use airports need
annual funding of $23 million just to keep pace with existing aviation infrastructure
needs.
The lack of funding has led to a competitive disadvantage and uncertain future
for airports in the state. According to the FAA, since the 1980s, public-use airports
have dwindled from a high point of more than 60 to 41 today. Additionally, nearly
60 percent of these public-use airports are privately owned-meaning they aren't
eligible for FAA airport improvement program funding and rely on the capital grant
program to maintain operations.
AOPA and the NJAA have been working to preserve these smaller privately
owned airports, as they are essential for GA vitality in the state and are key components
of economic development. According to a 2016 statewide economic impact
study, New Jersey airports generate more than $2.8 billion in GA output.
In recent years, the lack of aeronautical funding has had detrimental effects on
GA airports in the state. Trinca Airfield closed in 2020 and Flying W-a once-thriving
destination airfield with more than 100 based aircraft-is expected to be shut
down for redevelopment.
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
12
AOPA PILOT / August 2022
Bahamas postpones
customs entry/departure
program after AOPA request
The Bahamas announced an indefinite
postponement of its new Click2Clear
customs entry and departure program
for private pilots and passengers.
Paul Munroe, acting comptroller of
Bahamas Customs, called for a delay
in implementing the program " pending
further discussion by Customs,
government officials, and programmers to
address reasonable concerns expressed
by stakeholders. " AOPA President Mark
Baker requested a delay in the rollout of
the program, citing the need for more
time to address issues and to help pilots
understand the online process. " This
decision reflects leadership and the great
working partnership AOPA enjoys with the
Bahamas. Our shared goal is to ensure
pilots continue flying to the beautiful
islands of the Bahamas, " said Baker.
aopa.org/pilot/bahamas
http://www.aopa.org/pilot/registration http://www.aopa.org/pilot/bahamas http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2022

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