ADVOCACY UPDATE
GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES
ADVOCATING FOR YOUNG
EAGLES FUEL EXEMPTION
NTSB CONFERENCE
STUDIES GA SAFETY
EAA HAS ASKED THE FAA for an exemption
from pilot reimbursement restrictions
when Young Eagles pilots receive free fuel
while flying youth in the popular aviation
education program.
Without the exemption (FAA-2012-
0442), pilots would not be able to accept free fuel during Young Eagles free flight
experiences, because it would be considered reimbursement that is contrary to
operations by private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate holders, or in the operation of experimental aircraft.
The exemption request also includes pilots who would fly adults within EAA’s
new Eagle Flights program, which is scheduled to launch this summer.
Visit www.SportAviation.org for a direct link to the comments site. The full text
of the exemption request can also be reviewed at that site.
EAA’s Young Eagles program is the largest youth aviation education program in
history, having flown more than 1. 6 million young people at no charge since 1992.
More than 43,000 pilots have volunteered to fly young people in the program, which
has inspired thousands of youth to explore and pursue aviation-related careers.
EAA AND THE VINTAGE AIRCRAFT Association have been invited
to be among the key groups participating in this month’s
“General Aviation Safety: Climbing to the Next Level”
conference at NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The conference on June 19-20 will look at the key safety
issues affecting all levels of GA and some of the major factors behind them. EAA has already worked with the NTSB
on several GA safety initiatives over the past year, expanding
the relationship between the two organizations based on the
shared goal of enhancing aviation safety.
The conference also marks another step in the NTSB’s
engagement of the GA community to work together on
safety issues. NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman and board
member Earl Weener visited EAA AirVenture in 2011, and
Hersman plans to attend again in 2012 to talk directly with
aviators. Hersman has lauded EAA in the past for its efforts
on safety and educating aviators to be more aware of safety
issues and accident causes.
GOVERNMENT AVIATION SAFETY LEADERS ATTENDING AIRVENTURE 2012
CONTINUING
AN EAA/FAA
partnership
tradition
started in
1988, EAA
President/
CEO Rod Hightower will once again
host the FAA administrator in a mod-
erated session at this year’s “Meet the
Administrator” forum at AirVenture,
scheduled for Thursday, July 26, at 11: 30
a.m. in the Honda Pavilion. EAA members
wishing to have their specific questions
presented to Acting FAA Administrator
Michael Huerta during the forum are asked
to submit them to EAA via this e-mail
address: Ask TheAdministrator@eaa.org.
In an AirVenture first, Rod Hightower
will host the NTSB chairman in a moderated
“Meet the Chairman” forum, scheduled for
Wednesday, July 25, at 11: 30 a.m. in the Honda
Pavilion. EAA members wishing to have their
specific questions presented to NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman during the forum are
asked to submit them to EAA via this e-mail
address: Ask TheChairman@eaa.org.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Sean Elliott, EAA Vice President of Advocacy and Safety
RECENTLY, A SIGNIFICANT THREAT arose regarding
warbird aircraft and the ability for private
owners to fly military hardware in the future.
The essence of the proposed amendment
would have restricted the Department of
Defense from lending or gifting any U.S.
military aircraft or parts to any entity except
those that would put the aircraft on static
display, such as in a museum. The implication
behind this amendment was that civilians are
not capable of operating and maintaining today’s military machines
to a safe standard and thus unable to “keep ’em flying.” EAA simply
does not agree with such a blanket approach and restriction.
Who can say that technology and our own abilities will never al-
low us to safely operate a certain level of equipment? What about the
current inventory of military aircraft that are great candidates for
future heritage operations and private ownership? Could you not see
a T- 6 Texan II being a great warbird in private hands in a decade or
two? The United States has a very special aviation community, and
preserving and remembering our past is vital to our future.
EAA, Warbirds of America, the Commemorative Air Force, and
the rest of the warbird community reacted swiftly and effectively in
voicing concern over the precedent this amendment would set. Our
collective membership voices were heard, and the amendment was
dropped. This situation is a prime example of why it is important to
make your voice heard and for all of us in aviation to work together
in solving issues. “Stronger Together” once again has proven itself
to be the best path forward.
On a separate note, the NTSB has announced a new GA safety conference to be held on June 19-20. The NTSB is taking this next step in
engaging the GA community and working together to improve safety.
Doug Macnair and I will represent EAA; I would highly encourage you
to attend the conference in person or remotely via webcast. The forum
is open to the public and will be webcast live at www.NTSB.gov.
