FAA Acting Administrator Huerta.

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), a participant in the study, applauded the FAA in a news release,  for issuing the report which was unveiled today by Acting FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta during his luncheon presentation at the Aero Club of Washington.

Over the last century, GA airports have evolved from unpaved landing strips to aviation hubs. This in-depth analysis highlights the pivotal role GA airports play in our society, economy, and the entire aviation system. The FAA has conducted previous commercial service airport studies, and now has analyzed both aviation segments with the completion of this GA study.

NASAO was honored to have played a role in assisting FAA with this first-of-its-kind study of GA airports. The report highlights the importance of general aviation to the nation through an extensive network of 2,952 airports that make an important economic contribution to society and according to President and CEO Henry M. Ogrodzinski the FAA has done a wonderful job of collecting and cataloging information on GA airports which will assist everyone in strategic planning.

The report identifies four categories for GA airports and documents the many important aeronautical functions that are economically and effectively supported at these airports.  The report provides a framework to better communicate the value of GA airports and their benefits. A NASAO spokesperson said they were pleased with the process which will serve as a model for future projects with the FAA.

The NASAO General Aviation Airport Strategic Plan Task Group, that assisted FAA, consisted of members from the Alabama Aeronautics Bureau, Massachusetts Aeronautics Division, Missouri Aviation Section, Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics.  They worked closely with FAA from the inception of this process, bringing the perspective of the states and general aviation airports to the project.  "This study will benefit airports together with their federal and state partners in planning for the future," said Debbie Alke, NASAO Chair. "I thank the FAA and all the partners that participated in this effort, particularly those NASAO members that served on the task group.”

Along with NASAO, aviation industry stakeholders involved with the FAA included other aviation associations, aviation user groups, airport directors, airport authorities, airport planners, academia, other federal agencies, and local councils of government.

GA airports can serve many different functions and advance the public interest, ensuring that Americans nationwide have access to medical flights, search and rescue, disaster relief, aerial firefighting, law enforcement, community access, commercial and industrial activity, flight instruction, and air cargo. The study also aligns the 2,455 GA airports based on their existing activity levels — national, regional, local, and basic.

• The categories reflect the current aviation activity at the airport, such as the number and type of based aircraft, number of passenger boardings, and the type of flights.
• national airports give communities access to national and international markets
• regional airports connect communities to statewide and interstate markets
• local airports provide access to intrastate and interstate markets
• basic airports link communities with the national airport system and support general aviation activities

The FAA plans to further study some GA airports to better understand their role. The FAA will begin working in the fall of 2012 with airport sponsors and state aeronautic divisions to identify the activities these 497 airports support, and how they serve the public interest.

The study does not affect an airport sponsors’ eligibility to receive federal funding, and does not remove any airports from the federal five-year planning document called the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

The FAA will incorporate findings of the study into existing GA airport guidance. The United States has the largest and most diverse network of airports in the world and general aviation is a critical component. GA airports do more than relieve congestion at other airports, and in 2009 contributed $38.8 billion to the economy.

The PHX Sky Train™ makes its first run. (Photo by Kim Stevens)

Mayor Stanton said that today represents a major milestone with the PHX Sky Train™.  “Each day brings us closer and closer to completing this vital project.  The future success of Sky Harbor is the future success of our City.”

The electrically-powered, automated PHX Sky Train™ will transport travelers between the regional light rail system, Sky Harbor’s largest parking area and Terminal 4, which serves 80 percent of the Phoenix Airport’s passengers. It will serve passengers beginning in the first quarter of 2013.  The PHX Sky Train™ will run 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and will be free of charge.  In future stages, the PHX Sky Train™ will serve all of Phoenix Sky Harbor’s terminals by early 2015 and will continue to the Rental Car Center by 2020.

Aviation Director Danny Murphy welcomes guests and dignitaries. (Photo by Kim Stevens)

Aviation Director Danny Murphy noted that today’s test run is a visible sign that the project is on track and will soon deliver a new level of service to their customers. The train brings with it many new amenities, including baggage check-in services, boarding pass kiosks and pet parks at the stations. Trains will arrive and depart every three to four minutes, and it will only be a two minute ride between the East Economy Parking train station and Terminal 4.

For more information on the PHX Sky Train, visit www.skyharbor.com/phxskytrain

McClardy's email said that both the Department Of Transportation (DOT) and FAA are reviewing conference policies and procedures, and are exploring alternative ways to use technology, such as webinars, to share information and efficiently and effectively collaborate with stakeholders, like airport sponsors.

Conferences like these have been held by regional FAA offices throughout the country for a long time and have proven successful giving airport managers, sponsors, consultants and other personnel the opportunity to learn more about their trade, network with their peers and meet face-to-face with federal aviation officials.

AzAA President Jennifer Maples.

Jennifer Maples, President of the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) said that while the cancellation of the FAA Western Pacific Region conference is disappointing, attendance at the upcoming AzAA conference will still offer the opportunity to interact with key FAA officials in our region.  At last report, the FAA's Mark McClardy, Debbie Roth, and Dave Cushing will all be present and participating in the AzAA conference being held in Tucson on May 20-22.

The email was confirmed by the FAA.

The conference, which has been designated as an official centennial event, will begin with a state-wide fly-in and breakfast on Saturday, May 19 at Ryan Airfield, followed by golf and an opening reception on Sunday, May 20. It will include educational sessions on a wide variety of topics, industry updates, aviation industry exhibits, and an awards banquet.

AzAA is comprised of representatives of public and private airports and others interested in the general benefit of aviation. Conference speakers represent a broad range of expertise from Arizona airports, aviation organizations, private industry, and government agencies.

This conference title honors Neilson A. “Dutch” Bertholf, a former Airport Director for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department who served the aviation profession in a variety of roles during his more than 50-year career.

The conference is being held at the Marriott University Park Hotel, 880 E. Second Street Tucson, AZ 85179. Additional information is available on the AzAA website at www.azairports.org.

Ace Abbott invites both pilots and layman to take a wild ride with him on a unique and improbable aviation career spanning 36 years, in his revised third edition of The Rogue Aviator: in the back alleys of aviation (http://www.therogueaviator.com/). As Ace visits 44 countries with 25 different employers, he takes his readers from five star hotels and restaurants in Paris to noisy, greasy, cargo ramps, and a visit to a Venezuelan jail. The book regales the reader with many unique experiences and "war-stories" from Ace’s early career as an F-4 Phantom fighter- pilot based in the Far East.

When he left the Air Force in 1971 he soon found himself in South Florida where he flew the rich and famous in private-chartered Learjets. His passengers varied from iconic sports figures such as Jack Nicklaus to unsavory drug dealers. Other celebrities Ace rubbed elbows with include Jimmy Buffett, Helen Reddy, and Olivia Newton-John, but his most memorable experience involved smuggling Bob Marley out of Kingston, Jamaica.

This aviation adventure story/expose' will also reveal the "muck and crud" of the smaller commercial airlines as they frequently allow profitability to supersede safety, often to the demise of the pilots and the travelling public. Abbott exposes several accounts of unethical and often politically motivated response by the FAA and its effects on aviation safety, especially situations involving flight crew fatigue.

From an adrenaline-pumping night airborne refueling mission in the F-4 Phantom, to numerous close encounters in a Learjet, to his final 727 flight, when he briefly flirted with catastrophe during landing at Boston's Logan Airport, Ace Abbott brings his readers in for a final smooth landing. His book validates the idealistic premise that the quality of one's life experiences will always trump material wealth and possessions.

Ace Abbott will be in the SFO Bay area in Mid-May for a book tour that will include book signings at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Mateo, the Burlingame library, and the Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa.

A “spring sale” special is now available: A copy of The Rogue Aviator and Squawk 7700, a best-selling aviation expose’, can be purchased for only $25(includes S&H); available at Ace’s website (www.therogueaviator.com <http://www.therogueaviator.com> ).

Author Bio: Ace Abbott (pen name) was born and raised in the Finger Lakes area of Upstate NY and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1965. He served as an F-4 Phantom pilot and returned to the civilian world in 1971. He then flew corporate/charter Learjets until 1979 and after a short stint as a G-159 (turboprop) pilot he transitioned to the Boeing 727 aircraft. He accumulated nearly 11,000 hours as a 727 Captain with 14 different airlines until he reached the FAA mandated retirement (age 60) in 2002.

AAAE Chair Bruce Carter, A.A.E., director of aviation at Quad City International Airport (Ill.), named the two Arizona executives to continue their leadership positions shortly after the association's 84th annual conference held this year in Phoenix.

Newman will continue to chair the Operations/Safety/Planning committee and Allin will serve another year as chair of the International Association of Airport Executives.

Bonnie Allin

Carl Newman. (Photo by Kim Stevens)

Allin said that it was an honor to be asked to continue another year. This is the fifth consecutive year that she has held this office. "The International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE) Board has an ambitious agenda of training and networking among our members to exchange ideas and solutions for the challenges in our industry."  As airport executives, Allin said they all learn and grow professionally from this exchange.  "It is also an opportunity for Tucson International Airport to be recognized at the international level."

"I am very pleased to have been asked to continue in this important role and look forward to working with more than 120 colleagues from around the country who provide vital input to the AAAE Operations, Safety and Planning Committee," said Newman. This committee reviews and provides guidance to AAAE and the industry on issues that concern airports around the United States.  Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has been a very diligent participant in the committee. "We are proud to help lead the industry in the areas of operations, safety and planning."

The core benefits of the new program are: year-round tips and advice from nationally-known medical and legal experts, the AOPA Legal Services Plan, and the most valuable elements of the former AOPA Medical Services Program.

“Our Legal Services Plan and our Medical Services Program were effective in helping pilots once they were in trouble with the FAA,” said Vice President of AOPA Products, Ed Thompson. “But we realized that we could help our members even more if we provided proactive, year round information and access to services that could help them avoid those issues in the first place.”

All AOPA members will benefit from written and video content created by a team of experts that includes: Dr. Warren Silberman, former manager of the FAA’s aerospace medical certification division and an AOPA consultant; Dr. Jonathan Sackier, AOPA’s medical consultant and author of AOPA Pilot’s “Fly Well” column; Gary Crump, AOPA’s director of medical certification services; Dr. Robert Posner, AOPA’s weight management consultant; and Yodice Associates aviation attorneys Kathy Yodice, Ron Golden, and John Yodice, author of AOPA Pilot’s “Pilot Counsel” column.

These experts will also create additional content and interactive experiences, including webinars, chats, and live appearances that will be available exclusively to PPS participants.

The new program is available at two levels of service.

The $39 a year Basic Level plan includes: Essential Private Pilot Coverage under the Legal Services Plan (LSP); Airmen Medical Application status checks; exclusive additional content and interactive experiences; archived video and web content for participants only; and health and wellness discounts.

The $99 a year Plus Level plan offers all of the Basic Level benefits and: expanded Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and ATP Legal Services Plus coverage with double to triple the number of hours of coverage based on the type of legal action; Airmen Medical Records Review prior to submission to the FAA; and deeper health and wellness discounts.

AOPA members who were previously enrolled in either the AOPA Legal Services Plan or the former AOPA Medical Services Program have been moved into the new PPS program, providing them with two-for-one coverage.

“We’re really excited about how this more affordable, single program provides AOPA members with access to information, services and protection that increases their chances of flying for as long as they like,” Thompson said.

AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services experts are available for media interviews upon request.

The Arizona Center was the venue for a Monday night celebration.

'It Comes 2 Life' was the conference theme which offered the estimated 2,000 attendees, both timely and interesting topics from the airport industry as well as an opportunity to enjoy a revitalized downtown featuring new restaurants, shops and hotels.

Conference Host Danny Murphy, director of Phoenix Sky Harbor International, and Carl Newman, A.A.E., assistant aviation director, were among the many Arizona and City of Phoenix aviation officials on hand to greet conference delegates from across the globe.

Look for expanded coverage in the next issue of the Arizona Aviation Journal e-magazine.