AviationGroupsSeekNewPandemicReliefFromFAA

In Flight USA Celebrating 37 Years October 2020

HANGARS 51 Years of Manufacturing Excellence AVIATION PANDEMIC GROUPS SEEK RELIEF FROM NEW FAA Buy Factory Direct! Proposed SFAR Update Would Provide

Two-Month Extensions

By Dan Namowitz FAA actions is that the grace period to AOPA complete your training or renewal would run for two months instead of three

AOPA and six other aviation months, said Christopher Cooper, AOPA organizations asked the FAA to senior director of regulatory affairs. grant pilots and flight instructors “The Centers for Disease Control new two-month grace periods for meet- announced the U.S. topped 184,000 ing proficiency, medical, and certifica- COVID-19 related deaths on Sept. 2, tion deadlines that would be impractical 2020 and continues to recommend limitto comply with between October and ed contact with those outside of your December 2020 because of the coron- household,” the aviation groups wrote in avirus pandemic. a Sept. 3 letter to Ali Bahrami, the FAA The regulatory relief now in place associate administrator for aviation safeunder an amended special federal avia- ty. “Even though some restrictions are tion regulation (SFAR) applies to many beginning to ease or disappear, many pilots facing compliance deadlines states and local governments are still R & M Steel Co. through Sept. 30, making further action necessary as the pandemic wears on, the enforcing social distancing requirements. The public remains wary of venturing groups said, noting increasing concern out, and many aviation stakeholders among the groups’ members about their desire to minimize their risk to exposure. status to fly. These restrictions and individual health The aviation organizations’ proposal fears will also continue to create burdens would include relief for flight instructors and restrictions that will negatively whose certificates expire in October, impact the aviation community into the November, or December 2020. Previous foreseeable future.” relief provisions for CFIs facing certifi- Here is a summary of some of the

Carolina Airparks cate expiration were discontinued after June 30. If the FAA agrees to the proposal, it major industry proposals submitted to the FAA for consideration, which can also be reviewed in a table included in the letter:

Sell Airpark & Airstrip Properties in the Carolinas would mark the third action taken during • Pilots with flight reviews coming That’s What We Do! the pandemic, including the issuance of due in October, November, and Allen & Allen, Incorporated an SFAR that expired on June 30 and the December 2020 and who meet experiamended version in effect until ence requirements consistent with the September 30 – and would signify the previously issued coronavirus-pandemic FAA’s concurrence with the groups’ con- SFARs would receive an additional twotention that some impacts of the coron- month grace period for accomplishing avirus continue to make it impractical for required training. pilots to comply with recency, training, • Pilots who meet the SFAR experiand medical certification require- ence requirements and whose instrument ments.Acknowledging the concerns in an currency would normally expire during Aug. 6 webinar, FAA Administrator Steve October, November, and December 2020 Dickson assured the general aviation com- would calculate their status to fly as pilot munity that relief would be extended as in command under IFR based on a nine207 Cirrus Ln $429,950 needed during the health crisis. The main difference between the month “lookback” at instrument flying activity instead of the usual six months –Gilbert, SC new industry proposal and the previous Continued on Page 14 4 Beds - 4 Baths 2,664 sq ft house on 0.59 acres - Built 2007 41’ 6”x37’ sq ft Hangar GAMA Second Quarter

Located at Whiteplains Plantation Airpark (SC99) Continued from Page 11 ter of 2020 was $7.9 billion, a decline of 3000’ paved and lighted runway with VASI. Aircraft shipments through the first approximately 20.2 percent. six months of 2020, when compared to Turbine helicopter deliveries for the Carolina Airparks the same period in 2019, saw piston air- first six months of 2020, when compared www.carolinaairparks.com plane deliveries decline 13.3 percent, to the same period in 2019, saw a decline with 497 units; turboprop airplane deliv- of 37.1 percent, with 188 units; and pisCall Geneva 704-798-5214 or eries decline 34.2 percent, with 152 units; ton helicopter deliveries saw a decline of Toll-Free 877-279-9623 and business jet deliveries decline 26.7 45.2 percent, with 63 units. Allen & Allen, Incorporated Email geneva@nc-airparks.com percent, with 244 units. The value of air- GAMA’s complete 2020 secondplane deliveries through the second quar- quarter report can be found at gama.aero.