Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/287214
EAA Experimenter 7 THREE U.S. SENATORS recently introduced the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act as a companion bill to one unveiled in the House of Representatives in December, which includes a provision that would reform airman medical certifi cate stan- dards while maintaining safety. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) co-sponsored the bill that provides a solution to a long-standing hurdle of burdensome medical certifi cate standards for pilots who fl y recreationally. In March 2012, EAA and AOPA requested an exemption that would ease third-class medical requirements for pilots fl ying certain types of aircraft, but the FAA has not to date taken action on that request despite more than 16,000 comments received in favor of the proposal. "I urge the FAA to work with our pilots, respond to these reasonable peti- tions, and provide additional fl exibility," Sen. Boozman said when introducing the legislation. "If the FAA continues to delay, this bill will start the discussion toward a legislative solution." The proposed legislation would allow pilots to use a valid state driver's license in place of the traditional medical certifi - cate if the fl ights are: • Not for compensation • Conducted in VFR operations only, at or below 14,000 feet MSL • No faster than 250 knots • In aircraft with no more than six seats and no more than 6,000 pounds gross takeof weight. • In addition to allowing pilots to oper- ate common GA aircraft for personal and recreational fl ying without a third-class medical, the bill mandates that the FAA prepare and send a report to Congress detailing the impact of the bill's passage on general aviation safety within fi ve years of the bill's enactment. EAA has activated its Rally Con- gress website to make it easy for mem- bers to contact their elected of cials and urge them to cosponsor this impor- tant legislation. The House bill, H.R. 3708, was intro- duced in December by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) and Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO). To date that bill has gained 52 co-sponsors and continues to gather support. Please take a few moments and Rally Congress to support the General Aviation Protection Act! U.S. Senate Introduces GA Pilot Protection Act AS THE AIRVENTURE FLY-IN grounds con- tinue to evolve, one area needing a little love is the long-standing workshop pavil- ions that have served the event for more than 25 years. That's happening in 2014! Three spacious new workshop pavilions will be completed prior to the 2014 fl y-in, each having the capability to be split into two separate working areas. That means six dif erent workshops can be occurring at any time. A new Builders Education Center also will be construct- ed just west of those workshop pavilions, replacing the old building just across from Aces Bistro. Another noticeable change will be the elimination of the old Central Exhibit Building along the fl ightline. That build- ing was mostly unused at EAA AirVen- ture Oshkosh 2013, and at about 35 years old, was in need of extensive renovation if it was to be kept. A green space area will replace that building. Additional green space also will be created around the Federal Pavilion Building and in front of Aces Bistro. The projects continue the ef ort to make the grounds more visitor-friendly and also establish the homebuilt, forums, and workshop areas as unique destina- tions at the event. AirVenture Workshop Areas to Be Upgraded for 2014 THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED its proposed budget for the upcom- ing fi scal year and once again included a $100 per fl ight user fee for many general aviation (GA) fl ights. The concept is almost exactly the same proposal that was rejected by Congress a year ago and for each of the two years before that. EAA and other GA organizations maintain that such a proposal would be bad policy as it was in previous years. General aviation already pays into the Aviation Trust Fund through taxes assessed on every gallon of aviation fuel purchased throughout the year. This system ensures that everyone who fl ies pays into the fund, not just those who fi le fl ight plans or otherwise use ATC services. Fuel taxes are by far the most equitable and inexpensive means of administering revenue collection and do not require a large bureaucracy to invoice and collect. EAA will continue to battle before Congress on behalf of its mem- bers and GA, as user fees would add expense and administrative burdens on those who fl y without providing any advantage to those who use the airspace system or the agencies that maintain it. User Fees in White House Budget E A A E X P _ A p r 1 4 . i n d d 7 EAAEXP_Apr14.indd 7 3 / 3 1 / 1 4 9 : 4 0 A M 3/31/14 9:40 AM