Petition of the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) To Amend FAA Policy Concerning Flying Club Operations at Federally-Obligated Airports.

This notice requests comments on a petition by the Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association (AOPA) to revise certain policies concerning flying clubs in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 5190.6B, FAA Airport Compliance Manual. As part of its effort to promote flying clubs, AOPA has requested certain revisions to FAA guidance intended to lower barriers for new flying clubs. These revisions allow flight instructors and mechanics who are club members to receive monetary compensation for services provided to club members. On April 3, 2015, the AOPA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs & Advocacy, James W. Coon, wrote to Mr. Randall Fiertz, FAA's Director of the Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis proposing revision to FAA guidance regarding compensation for flight instructors and persons maintaining aircraft within the context of flying club operations. AOPA seeks ``to help current flying clubs and airport sponsors comply with the FAA guidance outlined in 5190.6B, and to provide future flying clubs the opportunity to strengthen and unify general aviation pilots.'' AOPA states that its goal is ``to provide guidance that is attainable and ensures educated compliance from all airport users,'' and thus asks for ``updated guidance regarding compensation for flight instructors and maintainers'' because ``flight instructors and aviation mechanics are valuable assets to the aviation industry, and should be granted the privilege of fair compensation for their efforts on a local level.''