[JYO] 9/21/2001 7:00:23 PM -FAA approves resumption of most flight training activities

FAA approves resumption of most flight training activities  
— The FAA has just released a <A 
HREF="http://38.200.9.137/010915tfr.html#346";>notam</A> permitting the 
resumption of most flight training activities. The notam, which is effective 
at 0000Z (8 p.m. ET) tonight, allows VFR flight training in non-turbojet 
aircraft and gliders (weighing less than 12,500 pounds) outside of enhanced 
Class B airspace. Within enhanced Class B airspace, with the exception of the 
Boston enhanced Class B and the Washington and New York exclusion areas (<A 
HREF="http://38.200.9.137/010915tfr.html";>see 
TFR</A>), VFR flight training in single- and multi-engine piston-powered 
aircraft 
under 6,000 pounds is permitted. (Almost all single-engine and light twin 
piston powered aircraft are less than 6,000). Flight training, for the 
purposes of the notam, means with a certificated flight instructor on board 
and acting as PIC. Solo flight does not qualify. VFR flight training is still 
prohibited in the Boston enhanced Class B and in the Washington and New York 
’s <A HREF="http://38.200.9.137/index.html#plain";>plain-language guidance on 
notams</A>’re 
’s flight training 
” said AOPA President Phil 
“This is fantastic news for a segment of our industry that was 
“AOPA is also pleased to have played a role in crafting 
the solution to restoring flight training in the Class B areas. AOPA earlier 
this week gave FAA a compilation of the number and weights of GA aircraft 
inside Class B airspace. The association suggested that a temporary 
6,000-pound weight limit could be imposed to answer security concerns near 
major metropolitan areas." Conspicuously missing from this good news is 
permission for basic, non-training VFR flight in enhanced Class B airspace 
“This is bizarre, and we expected VFR operations would be 
” In raising this issue with the 
FAA, it seems there is the perception of a greater element of control with 
flight training than non-training operations. The agency has assured AOPA 
they have a clear set of proposals to restore most VFR operations in enhanced 
Class B airspace, but they now must be approved at a higher level before they 
can proceed. In addition, Boyer pressed for the relocation of aircraft from 
the exclusionary Washington and New York areas. He was told that work on this 
is progressing, with relief expected very shortly. Boyer assured members 
“’t taking the weekend off on these remaining issues, and 
’ll be working to assist FAA in any manner to 
rapidly close the loopholes that are so critical to expanding Class B VFR 
”
 Due to the complexity of this notam, AOPA has gone to the extraordinary 
length of opening its 800 lines this Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 
p.m. ET to answer member questions. Technical specialists will be standing 
by. AOPA Online will be updated throughout the weekend with answers to the 
most common questions about the new rules and other new developments.

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