10/21: FDC NOTAM #1475: As of Monday the 22nd at 1100 UTC (0400 PDT) the SFO Class B is open to VFR, with the following caveats:
- NEWS REPORTING, TRAFFIC WATCH, CIVIL AIRCRAFT BANNER TOWING, SIGHTSEEING (IN ROTORCRAFT AND AIRPLANES) CONDUCTED FOR COMPENSATION OR HIRE (UNDER PART 91, PURSUANT TO THE EXCEPTION IN 119.1(E)(2)), AND AIRSHIP/BLIMP OPERATIONS are still not allowed,
- Use a transponder (or get permission not to ahead of time),
- Monitor 121.5, if you can, and
- VFR PILOTS IN "ENHANCED CLASS B AIRSPACE" ARE ENCOURAGED TO OPERATE THEIR AIRCRAFT IN A NORMAL MANNER, AVOIDING AEROBATICS, LOITERING OR CIRCLING, AND UNPREDICTABLE FLIGHT PATHS (student pilots beware! -ed). PILOTS ARE URGED TO CHECK NOTICES TO AIRMEN (NOTAMS) AND CALL THE LOCAL FLIGHT SERVICE STATION AT 1-800-WX-BRIEF PRIOR TO EACH FLIGHT.
For all intents and purposes, we're back in business! But as always, check first -- call OAK FSS and find out whether there are any contradictory NOTAMS or whether the FAA has changed its mind (again)
We will be bringing 4AC and 365 back to Oakland early this week, if possible.
2001/10/12
The club -- like many other GA outfits in the area inside the new "Enhanced Class B Airspace" (ECBAS)-- has been hit badly by the FAA restrictions on ECBAS VFR GA restrictions (see the AOPA site for full details and latest status and NOTAMS). We are struggling to find creative ways to respond so that the majority of our members can fly again, and so that the club itself does not suffer too much in the long term. This page will contain articles, news, etc., on the club's reactions to the various restrictions -- HR.
Flight Restrictions -- What Does It Mean? (10/11)
We called AOPA and asked them what their take is on the VFR restrictions in Class B. They said their legal department does not know what the FAA means by "supervised student solo" flight and they stressed that there are several aspects of the NOTAMs that need clarification. AOPA is still trying to get that clarification.
The AOPA representative pointed out that the local FSDO, FSS, or TRACON may "look the other way" regarding VFR flight within the enhanced class B. They may even tell you something like "we're not enforcing that" or "you can go VFR if you want." However, if something goes wrong during your flight and you are flying VFR without an instructor, you will probably be the subject of an enforcement action REGARDLESS of what FSS or ATC may have told you or allowed you to do.
Use good judgement and fly safely and responsibly (JRE).
4AC and 365 Move To CCR (10/11)
The Board has temporarily relocated 4AC and 365 to tie-down spots at the East Ramp of Buchanan Field (KCCR) in Concord. This is being done primarily to allow non-instrument rated pilots and students to fly VFR. Driving directions to the tie-down spots and instructions for dispatching the planes will be provided shortly at the Oakland clubhouse and on the AAC web site; access codes for the CCR ramp, etc., will also be emailed out individually to members.
See our aircraftclubs.com news page for the absolutely latest news on this. And yes, this means we've retrieved 365 from the sellers for the time being so that we have two planes flyable outside the ECBAS.
Many thanks to John Ewing for spending several days working with CCR administration and the AAC board to get this working. We hope it turns out to be useful, and temporary.... (HR).
"Flight Training" (10/7)
It has come to the attention of the AAC board that some members who are not instrument rated are departing Oakland VFR without an instructor on board. This is currently prohibited by FDC NOTAM 0618:
D. "FLIGHT TRAINING" MEANS THAT TRAINING, OTHER THAN GROUND TRAINING, RECEIVED FROM AN AUTHORIZED INSTRUCTOR IN FLIGHT IN AN AIRCRAFT.
They (probably) mean it -- and we as a club would rather err on the side of caution than cause an unpleasant incident or face grounding because we used a liberal interpretation of the phrase "flight training". If you want to argue the point, please take it up with our Chief Pilot, Dave Penney. Thanks. (HR)
What do you do when you're Grounded?
John Ewing, 2001/9/26
The horrible events in New York City as well as the ramifications on our nation and on general aviation have been weighing heavily on all of us. For nearly a week, virtually all commercial and private aviation activity in the US was stopped. Part 91 IFR flights were the first GA use to be restored. VFR flights are now allowed, but with very serious restrictions. As our lives slowly begin to return to normal, the FAA seems to be gradually returning to the old airspace regulations. But general aviation is certainly not back to normal. A confusing and seemingly endless stream of NOTAMs have been issued and pre-flight briefings are more important than ever.
At this time, within the "enhanced Class B" airspace you must fly under IFR or else be on an instructional flight with a CFI or be on a check ride with a designated examiner. Outside of the Enhanced Class B, most VFR operations are allowed, including student solo flights.
You won't find Enhanced Class B on your charts. Take the existing, outer limits of Class B, extend it down to the surface and upward to infinity. Forget about the 10,000 foot ceiling and the inverted layer cake concept.
Since our club lies within the SFO Enhanced Class B airspace, our members must depart Oakland with an instructor or, if you have an instrument rating, you must file IFR. The VFR restrictions, if they continue, will have a devastating effect on our member's ability to fly as well as on the financial viability of our club.
So what can we do? If you are not already a member of AOPA or EAA, consider joining. Both of these organizations have been working hard for the establishment of reasonable restrictions on Part 91 operations. They deserve our support.
Like the rest of the nation, we pilots need to do our best to return to our normal lives. If you are a student pilot, by all means keep training. If you have a private pilot license, it's a great time to start work on your instrument rating. If you are already instrument-rated, consider taking another club member with you as a safety pilot and let them be PIC time once you're outside of the Enhanced Class B airspace and have cancelled IFR.
To allow student pilots to perform solo flights so they can meet the FAA's private pilot experience requirements, the AAC board is investigating temporarily relocating one of our 172s to a nearby airport outside of the Enhanced Class B airspace. Concord, Livermore, Napa, and Gnoss are possible candidates. In the wake of what happened, the flight restrictions were both necessary and understandable. Until the VFR flight restrictions with in Class B airspace are eased, we need to do our best to work together and keep flying.
A note from Dave Penney, our Chief Pilot:
Our members may be tempted to fly with non-member CFIs in order to get around the VFR ban. This is against Club Rule I.5. that says, "Any flight instruction given in Club aircraft must, without exception, be provided by an approved Aero Club instructor."
I'll be happy to check out any CFI as soon as (s)he joins our club.