[JYO] AOPA Update 09/20/01 12:31:06 PM, ET

AOPA pressing for answers, procedures for moving "trapped" VFR aircraft


— Now that FAA has reopened the nation's 
airspace to some VFR operations, AOPA is pressing for answers about the 
restrictions that still remain in place. Flight training is still prohibited, 
and VFR flight is not permitted in "enhanced" Class B airspace surrounding 
the 30 busiest airports in the United States. [See also the notam.]

AOPA's top priorities now are to get relief for VFR pilots whose aircraft are 
trapped on the ground inside enhanced Class B airspace and to get approval 
for the resumption of at least some flight training activities.

AOPA's airports staff has determined that there are some 41,800 general 
aviation aircraft based on 282 airports inside the 30 enhanced Class B 
airspace areas. Those aircraft would normally account for some 21 million 
operations a year. There are also numerous transient aircraft also "trapped" 
at these airports, unable to fly home VFR.

Today AOPA is discussing with FAA procedures for relocating aircraft grounded 
inside the DCA and JFK TFRs. Those temporary flight restrictions prohibit all 
Part 91 IFR and VFR general aviation flights within 25 nautical miles of the 
Washington, D.C and New York JFK VORs.

Also under discussion are relocation procedures for VFR aircraft inside the 
other enhanced Class B areas. The association is working the Flight Service 
Stations to coordinate and standardize messages to pilots, so that pilots get 
the same answer from every briefer.

AOPA is also asking FAA for a clear definition of what flight training 
activities are prohibited. AOPA members have already asked, for example, if a 
flight review for a certificated pilot (such as a BFR or instrument 
proficiency check) is "flight training." What about student cross-country 
solos? Touch-and-goes in the pattern by either a student or certificated 
pilot? Practice maneuvers? AOPA will post FAA's answers as soon as they are 
available, and will make sure the flight service stations also know the 
official line from FAA headquarters.

AOPA is now working to get approval for the resumption of flight training.

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