AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2012 - 14

AOPAACTION

AOPA MEMBERSHIP PRODUCTS

NATIONAL ACTION
of 945 FAA-maintained VOR stations is reduced to 483 (the minimum operational network) by 2020. The remaining network would allow safe ILS and VOR approaches virtually nationwide—without radar vectors, DME, or ADF equipment—in the event of a GPS outage. VOR coverage would be maintained at and above 5,000 feet agl across most of the continental United States. Comments on the proposed navigation policy, including the reduction to the existing VOR infrastructure, are being accepted through March 7. AOPA encourages members to share their input with the FAA and copy AOPA on those comments as well.

Plan ahead: AOPA’s Medical Services program

edical certification challenges are nothing new to pilots. The problem is that most pilots really don’t pay much attention to the formality of renewing their periodic medical certification until the first time the aviation medical examiner cannot issue a medical certificate at the time of the examination. Then, it’s too late to be proactive, and a deferral of your medical application can result in a delay that could ground you for three months or more. Planning ahead for your next medical application makes a lot of sense, especially because we are an aging pilot population and medical challenges can sometimes snowball as we age. The AOPA Medical Services Program

provides a wide spectrum of services that can be a real asset for those who develop a medical issue that could lead to a problem with the FAA. The program includes a preliminary review of medical records before they go to the FAA to determine that all required information is included, and that the application is favorable for the issuance of a medical. Remember, pilots whose most recent medical application is denied are not eligible to self-certify for flying a Light Sport aircraft, so the AOPA Medical Services Plan is a cost-effective way to provide the best chance at medical certification the first time around. Enroll in the AOPA Medical Services Program online (www.aopa.org/info/ certified/medical/index.html).

New, improved AD&D insurance plan offers 24/7 coverage

121.5 ELT proposal would not affect availability of units

recently published FAA proposal would stop approvals of new 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) models, but would not affect availability of units already on the market. By cancelling the technical standard order (TSO) for 121.5 MHz units, the proposal would establish the TSO for more accurate and reliable 406 MHz ELTs as the standard for bringing new models to market. All existing units that were approved under the 121.5 MHz TSO could continue to be manufactured, sold, installed, and used—an assurance AOPA maintains is critical for pilots who cannot afford or choose not 14 • MARCH 2012

OPA members who enroll in the AOPA Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Plan will now benefit from new, expanded offerings and 24/7 coverage, all available at no additional cost. In addition to providing coverage for general aviation-related activities, this new, expanded coverage now offers protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for all types of accidents. Other new enhancements include exposure and disappearance, safe driver, coma, education, training, transportation,

child care, elder care, common carrier, burn disfigurement, rehabilitation, and total and permanent disability. Up to $300,000 worth of coverage is available, with no health questions asked. Members can take advantage of these great benefits by enrolling in the AOPA Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Plan at any time during their membership year. Those already enrolled will be automatically upgraded to the new coverages at the time of renewal and can upgrade their coverage at any time.

to invest in the newer, more expensive ELTs. “Advanced ELTs offer many advantages, but individual aircraft owners

must be allowed to weigh the costs and benefits and decide on their own whether it makes sense to equip for the way they fly,” said AOPA

Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Rob Hackman. “121.5 MHz ELTs still meet the regulatory requirement for ELT equipage.”

AOPA PILOT •

http://www.aopa.org/info/certified/medical/index.html http://www.aopa.org/info/certified/medical/index.html

AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2012