CAA: GA News, "Lessons resume, but private pilots mostly grounded"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Lessons resume, but private pilots mostly grounded
By Dave Hirschman
The Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution 


Flight schools in Atlanta and around the country have resumed flying,
but continuing airspace restrictions are keeping most private pilots
grounded. 

The FAA has banned private pilots from flying within about 35 miles of
the busiest airports in 30 U.S. cities including Atlanta --- except if
they are flying under Instrument Flight Rules or taking lessons from
instructors. 

"We're steadily getting back to where we were before Sept. 11," said
Phil Sanders, manager at Aviation Atlanta, a flight school with 25
aircraft at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. "But there are some things we're
still not allowed to do." 

For example, private pilots are barred from flying under Visual Flight
Rules near major cities, and student pilots are prohibited from flying
solo in those areas. Sanders said 80 percent of Aviation Atlanta's
revenue comes from flight instruction, 20 percent from aircraft rentals.


About 90 percent of private aircraft flights are conducted under
less-restricted VFR, and fewer than 15 percent of private pilots are
licensed and current to fly IFR. 

"Without student pilots being able to solo, or private pilots being able
to rent, it's going to be very hard to make up what we've lost," said
Steve Shaner, co-owner of American Air Flight Training, also at
DeKalb-Peachtree. 

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association estimates 41,000 private
planes have been "trapped" at airports near major cities since
terrorists took over and intentionally crashed four U.S. airliners two
weeks ago. Banner towing, news helicopters and crop dusters also were
grounded, although crop dusters were expected to return to the air
today. 

Uncertainty about when, or if, VFR flying will resume near major cities
has caused some Atlanta-area pilots to search for hangar space or
aircraft parking areas far outside the city. 

Coleman Sutton, manager of a business that sells fuel, maintains planes
and leases hangars at Canton Airport in Cherokee County, said he
received "half a dozen" or more inquiries about hangar space last week
--- roughly twice the normal number. 

"My little airport is completely full," he said, "and it's been that way
for five or six months." 

FLIGHT RULES

General aviation restrictions have been eased somewhat but remain in
effect for certain operations in Class B airspace, which includes a
35-mile radius from Hartsfield and other big airports. The current Class
B rules:

What's allowed

Flight lessons with an instructor on board
Flights under Instrument Flight Rules

What's not

Solo student flights 
Private pilot flights using Visual Flight Rules
Banner towing and aerial advertising
News helicopters

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