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May 2009 Chapter Meeting

The meeting of Chapter 890 was called to order by President Mike Atwell May 9 at Isbell Field in Fort Payne. Twenty Three (23) members were present. Minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted. The Treasurer’s report of the memorial fund and checking account were read and accepted.

OLD BUSINESS:
Space Camp - The applications for Aviation Challenge & Space Camp for our three Young Eagles have been sent to Huntsville. Each of the applicants have also had pre-flight & simulator flying, thanks to Guy York.

Cookout- The May 30th Fly-In and cookout were discussed. Joyce Myers will coordinate breakfast on Saturday morning. There is always plenty to do at this popular event. Please pitch in and help keep this a success.

Lunch will also be served that day for 890 Chapter members. A sign-up sheet was sent around for contributions of potato/macaroni salads, baked beans, cake, etc. for the cookout. If you haven't signed up, please contact Barry or Madonna Wigley.

Laura will be looking for help to clean up the kitchen and hangar on Friday, May 29th around 8 AM. There have been birds nesting inside the hangar so it will require more than the usual spit-shine this time around.

Bud O'Neal, Rodney Graham and Guy York have offered to help direct parking. Please contact any of them if you are willing to help.

Flying Seniors- We discussed flying seniors. The pilot needs insurance and we will have them sign a waiver. Bob & Guy will work on things before setting a date.

Wings & Wheels - We are still trying to pin down the Sheriff’s Department for the DARE Wings & Wheels support. We will look into doing it in October with or without the Sheriff Dept. We will check on dates.

NEW BUSINESS:

International Flights - On May 18, pilots who fly internationally will have to provide passenger information to Customs and Border Protection using a new electronic reporting system called the Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) at https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/. Pilots must register for an online account and allow one week for the account to be approved. Passenger manifests must be filed at least one hour before departing or arriving the United States, however, they can be filed further in advance from home or wherever you have convenient Internet access. Arrival notification and coordination with the port of entry can be done over the phone.

Canada Delays requirement for 406 Mhz ELT
Canadian Transport Minister John Baird has refused to sign off on a controversial rule that would have required most aircraft to have certified 406 Mhz emergency locator transmitters installed by February 2011 to legally operate in Canada. Baird reportedly backed off on the rule because it indicated that alternative methods of compliance to 406 ELTs were possible, but it didn't include any practical alternatives. AVweb (5/5)

NTSB Recommends Grounding Zodiac CH-601XL
The FAA, already reviewing design issues for all variants of the Zodiac light sport aircraft (LSA), is now weighing a decision to ground the CH-601XL version as the NTSB urgently recommended on Apr. 15.

Other News:

User Fees Planned for 2011 Budget
A footnote in the Obama administration budget plan has grown to become a serious threat to those opposed to user fees to support the FAA budget. According to the Transportation Department, cost-based user charges are expected to yield $9.6 billion of the FAA operating budget for Fiscal Year 2011. Details are under development, according to a statement, and "some time will be needed to implement the charges once approved." The proposed budget for the FAA in FY2010 is $16 billion, an increase of almost $500 million over the 2009 spending. According to an administration spokesman, "The FAA's current excise tax system, which generated $12.4 billion in 2008, is largely based on taxes that depend upon the price of customers' airline tickets, not FAA's cost for moving flights through the system. The administration believes that the FAA should move toward a model where FAA funding is related to its costs, the financing burden is distributed more equitably, and funds are used to directly pay for services the users need." Plans for user fees pick up from similar proposals promoted during the Bush administration. Most general aviation proponents oppose the fees and maintain that the current system of excise taxes on aviation fuel more accurately represents GA's demand on the FAA and the ATC system. -- Flying Magazine e-newsletter 5/14/2009

Mayors Speak Out on GA Benefits
As general aviation advocates learned the bad news on user fees, mayors of close to 70 U.S. cities placed their signatures on a letter to President Obama extolling the benefits of GA. The letter also urged the president to help reverse a trend toward negative press that, they say, is helping cripple the industry. The letter read, in part, "For our communities and those of many small and midsize towns across the heartland who depend on general aviation, this is a very troubling situation. To make matters worse, nearly 100 cities and towns have lost scheduled airline service in the last several months. General aviation has become that much more important to the economic life for those communities the airlines won't serve." Carl Brewer, mayor of Wichita, a Democrat and former aerospace worker, pressed President Obama to help support GA. He cited the $7.1 billion economic impact on his state from general aviation. "For every aviation job created," said Brewer, "it creates another three jobs. We must sell planes, and individuals must have planes to conduct business." -- Flying Magazine e-newsletter 5/14/2009

Senior Democrats urge higher aviation excise taxes
Two key Democratic lawmakers are urging the House Ways and Means Committee to stick with excise taxes, rather than user fees, for funding the FAA. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, joined with Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello, D-Ill., to advocate higher tax rates on jet fuel and aviation gasoline. After 15 years of stable tax rates, Oberstar said it is time for an increase in general aviation taxes, but that airlines should not pay less. "Airlines will receive by far the most benefit from NextGen-related capital investments, which will make airlines more efficient and more profitable. Airlines stand to save billions of dollars annually from fuel savings," he said. AviationWeek.com (5/12)

From Our Members

Congratulations
Our best wishes go to Glenda and Wayne Goza who were married last month.

50 years for Dr. John
From Pat Ryce ~ "I was at the annual State Medical Association meeting in Montgomery this past weekend. I saw Dr. John Isbell's name on the 50 Year List. That is a big deal for an Alabama doctor!! It means he's been in Medicine for 50 years! Knowing him, I figured he might be too modest to tell, so I wanted to pass it along to you all."

frugal flying
AOPA has introduced a new BLOG for the frugal flyer. Visit this link: http://blog.aopa.org/frugalflier/

Upcoming Events

Chapter Meeting - June 13, 2009 at 10 AM
The regular chapter of meeting of EAA 890 will be held at the Fort Payne FBO at 10 AM.

Young Eagles - July 11, 2009
Young Eagles flights will be offered on Saturday, July 11th from 9 am to Noon. Bring your young aviation enthusiast to the airport for a free introduction to the world of flying. Young Eagles that complete the orientation will receive a free flight in a general aviation plane and a certificate of completion.

Fly-in Breakfast - May 30, 2009
Chapter 890 will be hosting the next fly-in breakfast on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Breakfast for members begins at 7:00 and is open to all others from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM CST. Please contact Laura or John Bundy if you would be willing to help in the kitchen, or hangar cleanup.

Chapter Lunch - May 30, 2009
Lunch will be served on Saturday, May 30 from 11 AM to 1 PM for EAA 890 members. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs & buns will be provided. Please bring a salad or desert and join us for an afternoon of aviation friendships. Please contact Barry or Madonna Wigley if you are willing to help.

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