That's particularly true when
AOPA President, Phil Boyer (the aero-equivalent of the proverbial
600 pound Gorilla...), decides to cry "foul" and make an issue of
the problems GA faces from the heavy hands at the Federal
government. Thanks to the efforts of AOPA's action team (and at
least 100 ANN readers who shared their e-mail protests with
us), the Leesburg (Virginia) automated flight service station
(AFSS) has reopened its doors for walk-in pilot briefings. The
warning went out, and action taken, principally, due to the quick
notice of Leesburg Airport Support Network volunteer Ed Levine
and AOPA.
The FSS was closed to walk-in briefings
this week because of fears the briefers were in danger due to the
orange level security alert (or was it due to the fact that
pilots were making it clear that they were tired of waiting on hold
all the time???). Leesburg was the only FSS that locked its doors
to the public. ASN volunteer Levine notified AOPA, and President
Phil Boyer immediately pushed for action.
“This is one of the few AFSS in the country sited on an
airport, making face-to-face briefings possible,” said Boyer.
“Considering that this AFSS serves the Washington area, which
with the ADIZ is an area where pilots need the most help from
flight service, and considering that pilots calling the Leesburg
AFSS are confronted with an average wait time of 9 minutes when
they can get past the busy signals, cutting off walk-in briefings
is just unacceptable.”
AOPA bumped its complaint all the way to the highest levels in
FAA headquarters, arguing that there was no evidence of any
credible threat of terrorist activity directed towards Leesburg or
any other AFSS the would preclude the ability to safely provide
face-to-face pilot briefings.
AOPA reminded FAA of the pledge made to AOPA from both FAA and
TSA that the government would use concrete, threat-based
intelligence to issue airspace and other transportation
restrictions.
FAA responded by immediately reopening the Leesburg
AFSS.
“AOPA appreciates the hard work of
Airport Support Network volunteers, like Ed Levine, and also thanks
members who call or email ‘absurd' situations like this
during these trying times, said Boyer. “The association
checks out the details of each and acts within its ability and
strength, as in this case, to remedy the situation.”
Thanks to all the AOPA staffers and ANN readers who reacted so
quickly to this ridiculous problem. You won this one for us
all.