In the last issue of our magazine, I discussed a number of major
challenges to both our organization and to warbird aviation in general.
Fortunately, we have made major progress in some of these areas.
We have seen almost all of the flight restrictions imposed after
September 11 lifted, except for in some very small areas around
Washington, D.C., and New York.
As outlined in the letter that we sent out to our members, the
demilitarization language was dropped from the National Defense
Authorization Act for fiscal year 2002. This represented a major effort on
the part of our members, EAA, and a number of other aviation and
non-aviation organizations, and it was a major victory for us. It clearly
made the point that support of the Warbirds of America and our mother
organization, EAA, is critical to keeping warbird aviation alive and to
maintaining our right to fly.
Unfortunately, in reviewing past issues of this magazine, it became
clear that I discussed this same issue in my "From the CO’s
Cockpit" article one year ago, as this rider was also attached to
last year’s National Defense Authorization Act. In fact, this battle has
reared its head for three consecutive years. We plan to make a major
effort this year to continue working on this issue to prevent it from
appearing again next year.
We had a constructive meeting with the FAA in Orlando during the ICAS
(International Council of Airshow Performers) convention and discussed a
number of issues including the LOAE (letter of authorization evaluator)
and the Warbird ACE (aerobatic competency evaluator) programs. We will
continue discussing these issues and other issues, such as the
time-limited parts problems for the L-39, at a follow-up meeting that we
are planning to have in Washington, D.C., in February.
As you saw in our last newsletter, we have hired a new editor for our
magazine (Kim Rosenlof), and this will be her first issue. In this issue
you will find articles on the Stuart Air Show, CAF Airsho 2001, a C-54
restoration, and Tom Reilly’s restoration shop at Kissimmee. There is
also information on squadron activities and fly-ins and some great photos.
It is clear that she will continue to maintain the high quality of this
magazine and keep it as the showpiece of our organization.
By the time you read this article, we will have hired a new executive
director. We are in the final stages of choosing from a number of
qualified applicants.
The cost of fuel has become one of the major issues in warbird flying.
As most of us have noticed, the price of auto fuel has come down markedly
over the last couple of months (although OPEC is taking steps to try to
reverse that). However, in most places, the price of avgas has not come
down at all, and prices of $2.70 to $2.90 per gallon are not unusual.
Avgas prices may vary quite a bit within the same area and even on the
same airport. A good example of this is in Teterboro, New Jersey, where
the lowest FBO charges $2.57 a gallon and the highest charges nearly a
dollar more a gallon at $3.52! If you are interested in saving money on
avgas, let me draw your attention to a website, http://airnav.com, that
may help. This site can help you find the cheapest fuel within 25 miles of
any airport whose identifier you enter. If you are planning a trip, it
will enable you to locate the cheapest gas along your route. For those of
you that are flying to Sun ’n Fun, this could mean a significant cost
savings. And by the way, it is time to send in your motel reservations, as
the rooms are going fast.
From our staff, our Board of Directors, and me, we wish all of our
members the best for 2002. Fly safe, stay current, and "Keep ’em
Flying."
