AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2021 - 15

REGUL ATORY AFFA IRS /
REGIONAL NEWS /
DPE reforms
continue
BY CHRISTOPHER COOPER /
AOPA senior director, regulatory affairs
ON THE FRONT LINES /
DE S I GN A T E D
P I L O T
EXAMINERS (DPEs) serve
a vital and important service
on behalf of the FAA
by providing examinations
to pilot applicants,
ensuring they meet the
necessary knowledge
and proficiency standards
to safely operate in the National Airspace
System. Without the services of the more than
900 DPEs nationwide, there would be significant
delays to individuals wanting to join the
pilot community or who desire to further their
flight training experience. Since the services
of DPEs provide for the safety and growth of
the entire pilot community, it is an AOPA priority
to engage with the FAA and industry to
ensure adequate accessibility to well-trained
and knowledgeable DPEs.
AOPA participated in the Aviation Rulemaking
Advisory Committee's DPE Reforms
Working Group to develop recommendations
on how to improve the DPE system.
Recommendations were forwarded to the FAA
to improve the selection, training, deployment,
and oversight of DPEs. AOPA continues to work
with the FAA on how best to implement these
recommendations because we understand how
frustrating unnecessary delays in completing a
practical exam can be.
Through the hard work and dedication of our
AOPA DPE Advisory Board-five experienced
DPEs who volunteer their time-we have provided
invaluable insight on the important issues
facing DPEs and the pilot community. And thanks
also to you, our members who have reached out
to us about challenges you're experiencing with
the accessibility of DPEs in your area.
If you have experienced issues with accessing
reasonable availability to a DPE in your area,
let us know. Call us at 800-USA-AOPA or email
pilotassist@aopa.org.
christopher.cooper@aopa.org
Support
system
BY MELISSA MCCAFFREY /
Western Pacific regional
manager
THERE ARE MORE than 7,300 state
legislators in the United States,
including many who are general
aviation pilots. AOPA has found
great success in leveraging these
existing pilots to build a coalition
of support when aviation-related
bills are being debated. AOPA
coordinated and encouraged the
formation of nearly 20 active statelevel
general aviation caucuses
across the country. These caucuses
have proved to be powerful unifiers
for legislators, administrative
staff, and constituents specifically
around GA-related legislation.
AOPA's regional managers are
on the front lines representing GA in
the state legislatures. GA caucuses
are a great way to ensure a strong
network of elected representatives
who can effectively represent pilots
in their respective state districts.
What can you do? Remind your
elected state representative that
aviation is an economic driver, job
creator, and a critical link between
communities, and ask them to join
their state GA caucus. If there is not
one, encourage them to contact one
of AOPA's regional managers who
will help support their goals and the
goals of aviators in the communities
they represent.
melissa.mccaffrey@aopa.org
EASTERN REGION
AOPA is working with the Pennsylvania
Aviation Advisory Committee on
legislation to exempt small aircraft
hangars from Uniform Construction
Codes. Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr.
introduced the bill. More GA hangar
construction is needed in Pennsylvania;
71 percent of airport managers report a
waiting list.
AOPA encouraged the Rhode Island
Airports Commission to ensure pilots
have access to flight instruction and
maintenance services at all state airports.
CENTR AL REGION
The New Orleans Lakefront Airport
(NEW) airport sponsor planned to
permanently close Runway 9/27, so AOPA
Airport Support Network volunteer Erin
Seidemann, and tenants and local pilots
opposed the closure. The airport is no
longer planning to decommission the
runway; saving this runway is a big win.
WESTERN PACIFIC REGION
AOPA supports the Community and
Airport Partnership for Safe Operation
to save Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV). The
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
voted 5-0 in favor of seeking closure
of RHV because of lead exposure from
airport operations by prohibiting 100LL
sales and usage.
NORTHWEST MOUNTA IN REGION
AOPA lobbied the Oregon Aviation Board
to take action against an Oregon Court
of Appeals ruling jeopardizing runway
extension at Aurora State Airport. It is a
crucial safety enhancement.
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
$246.8 billion
The total economic output general
aviation contributes in the United States.
-PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
AOPA PILOT / November 2021
15
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2021

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