MPA LEGISLATION REPORT
July 2008

GREETINGS! First, Here is an update from Washington, D. C. The Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General is investigating a complaint that the FAA certified the Eclipse E500 jet "despite safety concerns raised by the engineers and test pilots, " USA today reported on Tuesday July 1, 2008, citing "congressional officials". A briefing on the report is expected "within weeks," according to Jim Berard, spokesman for the House Transportation Committee. Questions about the certification process were raised in October 2006, when the National Air Traffic Controllers Association filed a grievance with the FAA alleging that the type certificate was issued by FAA Managers over a weekend and safety issues raised by staffers were not addressed. FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told USA today that the FAA stands behind its certification of the jet, and Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn said that the airplane is in "complete and total conformity" with federal regulations.

Secondly, The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports first quarter billings were up 16.1 percent to $5.3 billion, and all-time high for the first quarter, while total shipments were down by 7.5 percent.
Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 399 units, a 28 percent decrease. Business jet shipments totaled 297 units in the first quarter, a 40.8 percent increase over the 211 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007.

Thirdly, Officials from U.S. and European aviation agencies and industry wrapped up a two-day meeting in Brussels on Tuesday July 2, 2008 with general agreement on business and safety issues. FAA Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell and Antonio Tajani, Head of Transport for the European Union, signed an agreement to promote technical cooperation between the FAA, and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The agreement addresses aircraft certification, regulatory costs for manufacturers, operators, and aviation authorities. Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), welcomed the new agreement. "We view this strategic partnership between the U.S. and the European Community as a real milestone that will advance our shared safety visions," said Bunce.

Here's an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airport and Aviation Bills are as follows:

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session (2008)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS

HB 1495 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Sater, David
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and the funding for certain air traffic control towers

HB 1639 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Richard, Ron
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and air traffic control towers

HB 1760 --- Sponsor: Storch, Rachel --- CoSponsor: Oxford, Jeanette Mott
Requires statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly to report any use of a private plane, the cost of the flight, and all the passengers within 72 hours after the flight

HB 1888 --- Sponsor: Schoeller, Shane --- CoSponsor: Lampe, Sara
Allows cities to annex land within airport zones in Greene County if cities agree to enforce Springfield's airport zoning ordinance

HB 2221 --- Sponsor: St. Onge, Neal C.
Revises the definition of "commercial aircraft" as it relates to the taxation of aircraft by lowering the maximum certified gross take-off weight from 7,000 to 1,000 pounds

HCR 10 --- Sponsor: Scharnhorst, Dwight
Urges Congress to enact legislation to protect airline customers

HCR 43 --- Sponsor: Funderburk, Doug --- CoSponsor: Wells, Don
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country

HCR 46 --- Sponsor: Darrough, Bruce --- CoSponsor: Smith, Jason
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country

SB 930 --- Sponsor: Stouffer, Bill
Removes cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used

SB 943 --- Sponsor: Clemens, Dan
Allows cities to annex land within airport zones in Greene County if cities agree to enforce Springfield's airport zoning ordinance

SB 947 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Increases the cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used

SB 1049 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Expands sales tax exemption purchases of tangible personal property used in the repair and maintenance of aircraft

SB 1073 --- Sponsor: Dempsey, Tom
Creates a state and local sales and use tax exemption for defense articles sold to foreign governments

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Note: Here's your web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov.
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

Note: Here's your web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov.
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

Now, In Conclusion, Remember, we as USPA, MPA, EAA, AOPA, or any other State Pilot Associations of which you may be a member, all have a powerful voice, be it here in Missouri, Indiana, Texas, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of pilots and taxpayers carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., and on the State and Local Level.

So Let's not forget to exercise our privileges, and continue to make a "Difference for General Aviation."

SAFE FLYING!