[JYO] UPDATE from AOPA: 9/17/01 2:11:29 PM

VFR operations still prohibited, IFR OK with restrictions   
UPDAT— On Monday morning, VFR operations are still 
prohibited in the United States, with the exception of Alaska. The FAA has 
also re-grounded Part 137 agricultural operations. General aviation (Part 91) 
IFR operations are permitted with restrictions. All flight plans must be from 
airport to airport. Clearances must be obtained on the ground. No air-files 
will be permitted, and cancellations must be made on the ground. Pilots 
should monitor the emergency frequency (121.5 MHz) and review intercept 
procedures. Pilots must review the <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/010915tfr.html#special";>latest
 notams</A>.

"AOPA is in contact with federal authorities on all levels. They are telling 
us that there are still may be threats to our national security. And 
decisions about restoring VFR flight will be made ultimately at the highest 
levels of government, including the National Security Council," said AOPA 
President Phil Boyer.

"We know from phone calls and e-mails that many members remain stranded away 
from their families and businesses. We understand that flight schools and 
other aviation businesses are at risk of failure right now. AOPA has made 
sure that federal decision-makers understand these ramifications."

An AOPA team met with FAA and Department of Defense officials this weekend to 
draft a plan to restore VFR operations. That plan is being revised today, and 
will be presented to the top levels of the federal government late this 
afternoon. However, there is no guarantee that there will be a decision on 
VFR flight today.

In the meantime, it is absolutely imperative that general aviation pilots 
strictly adhere to all restrictions. Over this weekend, there were instances 
across the country where pilots ignored the notams and took off VFR. F-16 
fighter jets intercepted these non-authorized flights and forced them to 
land. [<A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/members/files/aim/chapter_5.html#5-6-2";>Review 
intercept procedures</A>.] And AOPA just received this report from 
a member:

"While flying to [Batavia] (I69) from Fairfield County, a short 35 min 
flight, I heard of two aircraft busting the regs flying VFR with transponders 
turned off. ATC was trying to track them and solicited help from nearby 
pilots to ID them. I hope incidents like these do not undo all of AOPA's hard 
work just to get GA IFR pilots back in the air."

AOPA President Boyer said, "National security officials are paying close 
attention to how general aviation behaves. IFR pilots must follow the rules 
exactly. VFR pilots must remain on the ground.

"If we want a full return to all flying privileges, pilots can't screw up 
now."

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