ADVOCACY UPDATE
GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES
LODA Re-Opens Flight Training
EAA/FAA Recreational Aviation Summit discussions bring results
AFTER YEARS OF DISCUSSIONS, the FAA recently released
revised Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) guidance,
allowing primary flight instruction in gyroplanes and
ultralight vehicles and for sport pilot certificates in previously
exempted experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA). (See
www.SportAviation.org for a direct link to the LODA.)
The LODA issue was a point of
emphasis during February’s EAA/
FAA Recreational Aviation Summit
in Oshkosh. Its release re-opens
avenues for flight training in the
low-and-slow end of aviation. In
addition, the LODA still allows for
compensated transition training
in experimental category aircraft,
which is an essential part of
enhancing the safety record of
amateur-built aircraft. It also fits
into FAA Administrator Randy
Babbitt’s call for more transition
training for pilots.
“There were some huge
challenges to fix with the previously issued LODA document
and although the revision is not perfect, it is a major step
forward,” said David Oord, EAA government and advocacy
specialist. “These changes break down barriers to flight and
enhance safety.
The LODA revision specifically allows:
• Gyroplane training at all levels. This is essential for this
class of aircraft since gyros cannot be certificated as S-LSA.
Pilots receiving training no longer need “category and class”
privileges to receive training.
• Sport pilot certificate training in E-LSA, which is a big
win for the low-mass/high-drag community. The drawback
is this training must be conducted in a previously exempted
E-LSA, owned and operated by the LODA applicant.
• Ultralight training in low-mass, high-drag aircraft
with an empty weight of less than 500 pounds and a VH
(maximum speed in level flight at maximum power) of 87
knots. Any experimental aircraft meeting this definition
can give training without a previously held exemption, but
instructors must hold a CFI rating.
“There is still work to do, and EAA does have concerns
that some potential flight instructors are no longer eligible
because they gave up in frustration while waiting for this
remedy,” Oord said. “Still, we encourage owners of these
aircraft to apply for the LODA and will continue to urge the
FAA to grant them willingly and without delay.”
ADVOCACY IN ACTION AT AIRVENTURE 2011
INHOFE TO ANNOUNCE ‘PILOT BILL OF RIGHTS’
SEN. JAMES INHOFE (R-OKLA.), a
longtime GA pilot and aviation advocate
in Congress, is a regular visitor to
AirVenture, often camping with his
aircraft. As an active pilot, he is also
aware of the frustrations that fellow
pilots have in a number of areas.
On Saturday, July 30, at Oshkosh, Sen.
Inhofe, EAA 179992, will be outlining his
ideas to relieve some of those frustrations.
EAA, AOPA, and the senator’s staff
have spent several months creating
draft legislation with the working title
“The Pilot’s Bill of Rights.” Among the
topics addressed in the bill are FAA
enforcement proceedings, the manner
in which NOTAMs and Flight Service
Station briefings are provided to pilots,
and medical certification processing.
HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE TO VISIT
AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TOM
PETRI (R-WIS.), whose district includes
Oshkosh, will host a group of his fellow
members of the House Subcommit-
tee on Aviation and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure at
EAA AirVenture, affording attendees the
opportunity to meet with policy makers
face-to-face. House members making
the trip to Oshkosh will hold a town hall
meeting on Friday, July 29, at 11: 30 a.m.
in Pavilion 4. All EAA members are wel-
come to attend.
QUESTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR?
FAA ADMINISTRATOR RANDY BABBITT will
answer questions at the traditional
“Meet the Administrator” Q&A session
in the Honda Pavilion on Thursday,
July 28, at 11: 30 a.m. If you cannot
attend but have a question you would
like answered, send questions to
asktheadministrator@eaa.org no later
than July 15, 2011. We will forward your
questions to the FAA and EAA President
Rod Hightower will select a few questions
to ask on members’ behalf at the forum.
