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Pilots take weather briefings and PIREPs seriously. When we’re advised of turbulence ahead, we prepare for it: secure seat belts; check systems; perhaps alter speed, altitude or course. But we are never precisely certain when or where turbulence will hit. In September, General Aviation hit some PR turbulence – some forecast, some not. Shortly after we transitioned through it, we found ourselves with new support on Capitol Hill. Here is my quick PIREP.
- On September 16, I testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s aviation subcommittee on the Hudson River airspace and uncontrolled airspace corridors. I noted in my testimony that no airspace in the United States is truly uncontrolled and that there are well-defined rules that govern operations in all airspace to maximize safety. We are encouraged by the FAA’s decision to form a working group, in which AOPA participated. I believe the working group’s recommended safety enhancements will keep the Hudson River corridor open to GA traffic. I invite you to review my testimony and to read highlights from AOPA’s Air Safety Foundation seminar about other matters related to the Hudson River Corridor.
- On September 17, USA Today published a deliberately slanted story asserting that federal spending on airports not used by commercial carriers is wasteful. We know it was deliberately slanted because when AOPA professionals were interviewed by the USA Today writer prior to the story’s publication, they provided the facts about how 5,200 general aviation airports connect American communities to vital services, create business opportunities, and relieve congestion at commercial airports. But USA Today opted for tabloid sensationalism over journalism. And the same morning, by remarkable coincidence, a spokesman for the commercial airliners appeared on NBC’s Today Show, to plug the USA Today story and blame GA for high airline ticket prices.
- On September 24, during a hearing by the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.), who was interviewed by USA Today for the September 17th article, said the reporter left out his comments “defending small airports and pointing out how important they are to the lifeblood of communities, citing specific examples in several states.” Fourteen other Congressmen stepped forward to voice their support for general aviation in the wake of negative publicity from USA Today.
- On September 28, some of general aviation’s best friends on Capitol Hill stepped-up their own GA education efforts in the U.S. Senate. Senators Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) formed a new Senate General Aviation Caucus, and Sen.Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), an experienced pilot and long-standing AOPA member, immediately joined. We are grateful to Senators Begish, Johanns and Inhofe for their support and believe the Senate GA Caucus will grow with the same vitality as the House GA Caucus. This is good news for general aviation. Contact your senators and encourage them to join the Senate GA caucus as well!
Two key takeaways: 1) We not only weathered the September turbulence, but are stronger for it because GA industry partners have come together around the GA Serves America campaign, resulting in unified, thoughtful, and highly effective communications – before and after turbulence; 2) More and more policy makers are understanding the importance of GA to America’s economic health and safety. But we all still have a long way to go. So let’s rally in Tampa on November 5, to take GA Serves America to the next level and – in the meantime – let’s continue to get the word out to friends and family.
Craig Fuller, President and CEO, AOPA
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