Restrictions Spell Trouble For Introducing Kids To Flight
As promised, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has
conducted a thorough analysis of the many issues addressed in
the FAA's new Air Tour Rule
unveiled last Friday... and as feared, the news doesn't look good
for such organizations as the EAA's own Young Eagles program.
Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory
affairs, immediately contacted senior FAA officials Monday morning
to explain how certain elements of the rule's preamble -- not the
rule itself -- could be interpreted in a way that would severely
limit what aircraft could be used for Young Eagles flights, with
additional restrictions on pilot qualifications and frequency of
Young Eagles activities.
After several days of talks with FAA officials, however, EAA
reports there were no immediate solutions to the group's concerns
forthcoming from the agency.
"While we're sure FAA did not intend to create a major hindrance
to introducing young people to flight, this unexpected language in
the rule's preamble could place severe restrictions on the Young
Eagles program," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "Since Young
Eagles pilots do not receive compensation, this language does not
belong in a rule that focuses on commercial air tours.
"If there had been any inclination that such language would be
included in the rule's preamble, we would have immediately and
vigorously defended Young Eagles against such a threat," Poberezny
added.
The Air Tour Rule was published in the Federal Register on
Tuesday, with an effective date of March 15, 2007. EAA is
continuing its regular communication with FAA, advocating that the
agency immediately and publicly clarify the preamble language to
remove the threat to the Young Eagles program, followed by a
rulemaking process that provides a permanent solution.
Most surprising and troubling are aspects that could limit Young
Eagles flights to standard-category aircraft by pilots with 500 or
more total flight hours. Provisions that would require advance
notice of Young Eagles flights with local Flight Standards District
Offices are also extremely restrictive.
"The language of a rule's preamble, which is not subject to the
public comment process, should not establish law or policy.
However, such was the case here," Lawrence said. "FAA has worked
with EAA through the years and provided the environment where
nearly 1.3 million young people have discovered the world of flight
through Young Eagles. We will continue to work with them to
preserve the vitality and reach of the Young Eagles program. The
support of this program throughout the aviation community,
including within the top levels of FAA, is unquestioned and cannot
be threatened."
Poberezny is personally leading EAA's efforts to solve this
situation and also asked that EAA members be ready, if called upon,
to show support for Young Eagles and the future of aviation.
EAA's Young Eagles program was founded in 1992 and has provided
nearly 1.3 million free demonstration flights to young people
around the world, through the efforts of 40,000 volunteer pilots
and 50,000 ground volunteers.