AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2012 - 14

AOPAACTION

AOPA MEMBERSHIP PRODUCTS

NATIONAL ACTION
medical certification cases that require additional time for review. The convenience of an online application comes with some risks, however, for pilots who do not have access to a wired Internet connection at their home or office. Using a public computer at a library, or a computer networked through a public wireless “hot spot” such as at a coffee shop or Internet café, could potentially compromise the security of medical information. AOPA will launch an education effort to ensure pilots become familiar with the online application.

Protecting flight instructors
light instructors are a valuable and critical resource to the future of GA. To help protect them, AOPA has a specialized insurance program especially for active CFIs. Whether a loss occurs at the time you are instructing in someone else’s aircraft or afterward, such as being named in a lawsuit for instruction previously given, AOPA can help protect instructors with a practical level of insurance coverage. Multiple coverage options allow CFIs to best control the cost of policy premiums, as well as meet specific needs for the types of aircraft in which they are instructing. And most important, defense costs are in addition to any selected coverage limit; those often can be a much larger expense than the bent metal involved in an accident or incident. Spend a few minutes visiting the website (www.aopaia.com/cfi_insurance.cfm) to review coverage options and obtain a quick quote, or simply call a helpful and knowledgeable member of the aviation insurance team in Wichita at 800-622-AOPA (2672) to discuss your needs and get answers to your questions.

West Coast sanctuary overflight now a dangerous gamble

ilots could face stiff fines—up to six figures—for violating new overflight regulations that place the National Airspace System on a slippery slope. The FAA has ceded to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration authority to enforce new airspace restrictions. AOPA supports the basic intent of “flying friendly” and compliance with FAA Advisory Circular 91-36D, “Visual Flight Rules Flight Near Noise Sensitive Areas,” the NOAA regulation would restrict overflights even further and impose consequences if a pilot does not comply. The rule is meant to protect wildlife in the Channel Islands, Monterey Bay, and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries in California; and the Olym14 • APRIL 2012

pic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Washington. The regulation presumes that any pilot who flies below 1,000 feet msl in the vicinity of one of the protected sanctuaries (or below 2,000 feet msl in some areas) has disturbed the wildlife there. Penalties will be based on observations from the ground by personnel who may not have any aviation knowledge, training, or specialized equipment to make accurate calculations of an aircraft’s altitude. Once NOAA advises that an operator has violated

“their airspace,” pilots would be forced to prove wildlife was not disturbed to escape sanction. Fines could range up to $100,000. However, NOAA action does not mean the

FAA will take any certificate or enforcement action. The FAA did not oppose the move by NOAA to regulate overflights, and AOPA is concerned that other agencies will follow suit.

Join AOPA at Sun ’n Fun 2012
Special admission discounts are being offered for AOPA members attending the thirty-eighth annual Sun ’n Fun Fly-In March 27 through April 1 in Lakeland, Florida. AOPA is once again the Platinum Sun ’n Fun sponsor and will offer many exciting activities around the show grounds throughout the week. Make your travel plans now. For show details, highlights, and ticket discount information see the website (www.sun-n-fun.org).

AOPA PILOT •

http://www.aopaia.com/cfi_insurance.cfm http://www.aopaia.com/cfi_insurance.cfm http://www.sun-n-fun.org

AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2012

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