[JYO] Don't sabotage our efforts to restore VFR flight

Don't sabotage our efforts to restore VFR flight, AOPA tells errant pilots
10/11/01 1:20:10 PM, ET — AOPA is asking all pilots to redouble their efforts 
to fly professionally. "Through carelessness, thoughtlessness, and just plain 
ignorance, a few pilots are violating prohibited areas and pulling other 
stunts that make security officials and the general public think that general 
aviation is a risk," said Boyer. "AOPA and other GA organizations are working 
non-stop to restore our flight privileges, but every stupid pilot trick sets 
us back."

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Meigs Field reopens
10/11/01 2:29:00 PM, ET — One month after Meigs Field was closed, the City of 
Chicago finally reopened it today. City officials gave no clear reason for 
the delay. Other airports in the Chicago area were reopened to limited 
operations shortly after last month's terrorist attack. Meigs, like the other 
airports in the Chicago enhanced Class B, is now only open to IFR general 
aviation flights. AOPA yesterday talked with Kirk Brown, Illinois Secretary 
of Transportation [see AOPA's letter to Secretary Brown], to encourage the 
state to push for the reopening. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley intends to close 
the field in February to turn it into a park. AOPA continues its 
long-standing fight against the closure of the lakefront, FAA-designated 
reliever airport.

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Senators Harkin and Inhofe introducing general aviation small business relief 
legislation
Update: 10/11/01 3:31:33 PM, ET — AOPA is working with fellow pilot Senator 
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) on legislation to provide grants through the Small 
Business Administration for losses suffered by GA business as a result of the 
terrorist attacks one month ago today. The draft proposal is similar, but not 
identical, to the bipartisan legislation introduced last week in the House by 
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and pilot members of the House. Senator Harkin has 
now been joined by fellow pilot Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) as an original sponsor 
on what is now a bipartisan piece of  legislation. The senators hope to 
introduce the legislation this evening or Friday.

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