The centennial takes on added meaning for the aviation industry who needs this well
publicized opportunity to send a message to the world:    aviation is alive and well in the
United States!                             
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 SERFI 2001

Southeastern Regional Fly In  -- A Go

              Planning for the 11th EAA Southeastern Regional Fly In continues according to
SERFI Chairman Buddy Moman in an EAA update.  SERFI is scheduled for October 5 - 7
at Middleton Field (GZH), Evergreen, AL. Along with an air show, there will be aircraft
judging, aircraft building workshops, a FAA safety seminar, breakfast on the field both
Saturday and Sunday mornings, Young Eagle flights, an awards banquet, and vendors.  The
admission fee is $5.00 a day or $10.00 for the weekend.   Children under 13 are free. 
Camping and shuttles to and from local Evergreen motels will be available.  For more
information, visit the SERFI website at www.geocities.com/~serfi/ or call the Evergreen
Chamber of Commerce at 334-578-1707.

            The FAA Safety Seminar will be presented Friday, October 5 from 7 p.m. until
9 p.m.  Topics for discussion will be “Airport Signs and Markings,”  “Owner Operator
Maintenance,” and  “How to Communicate With Your Mechanic. ”

            For those who are flying, there will be special arrival and departure procedures. 
Check all NOTAMS prior to departure.  Middleton Field Control Tower will be closed
on Saturday, October 6 from 1500-1600 CDT for the Air Show.

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            With the recent destruction of the World Trade Center and damage to the Pentagon,
the airlines have suffered substantial financial losses.   Since these losses resulted in massive
layoffs of countless aircraft personnel, some might say that now is not a good time to pursue
an aircraft mechanic license.

            I strongly disagree.  I think now is a very good time to get the rating.  I have watched
the aviation industry closely for the past forty years.   There has always been peaks and valleys,
but the people who have stayed with aviation have always been rewarded with interesting jobs
at good pay.

            Yes, we will suffer a temporary setback in the aviation industry.   Demand for A & P
mechanics was high and wages were rising.  Then, the terrorists attacked.  The airlines suffered
heavy losses because of the attacks and were forced to cut expenses.  Massive personnel
layoffs resulted.

            I believe it is only a temporary situation.  The aviation industry is vital to the economy
and the welfare of this nation.  Our leaders and Congress are not going to let it go down.  I
predict that the aviation industry will regain its strength in a short time and that the demand for
mechanics and pilots will be stronger than ever.

            There will be some changes.  The demand for corporate aviation will probably increase.  With airline flying becoming more inconvenient and more restrictive, many companies will be more interested in owning and operating a company aircraft.   This will require more mechanics and pilots.  

            The A & P also has another outlet for employment.  Many technologies in other industries recognize that an A & P mechanic has experience and training that is applicable to areas other than aviation.   The bosses know an A & P mechanic is easily cross-trained into other technical fields.  I personally know of many A & P mechanics that have obtained good jobs with excellent benefits based on the fact that they had the A & P certification on their resume.

            In closing, I reiterate:  If you’re qualified, get that rating.  You will be glad you did! 
                                                                                                   
   Lew Flowers         
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Prop & Rotor

Changing Flight Environment

              In light of the recent occurrences, it has become apparent that we will be operating
in an environment unlike anything in the history of our country.

            The horrific, cowardly, and unforgivable acts at the World Trade Center,
Pennsylvania and the Pentagon caught us unprepared. Now we need to be more aware
of events that take place around us. The people involved in training some of those terrorists
had no idea the students would use their flight training as they did.

           We now have the historical perspective to see the type of extreme individuals  we are
dealing with. They want to disrupt our way of life. We cannot let them succeed, but it will be
necessary for us to become more vigilant.

            The aviation community has been used as a pawn. and the attacks exposed our
vulnerabilities.  General Aviation could be the next area used to further the goals of the
terrorists.  As instructors and pilots we don't want to suspect everyone of a different
background or religion, but a request for strange or unorthodox training  should serve as
a warning flag.

            I expect that General Aviation will be making some unprecedented changes -- such
as requiring a flight plan for all flights, making two way radio communication mandatory and
adding more restricted airspace. We may even see the airspace system revised again in a
way that I can't even imagine at this time.

            In the days ahead we may experience lengthy delays and periods during which
General Aviation is grounded. It is going to require a great deal of patience and
understanding to avoid frustration. Stay abreast of the latest changes and try to anticipate
delays whenever possible. The better prepared we are, the less likely we are to become
enraged with delays. The whole country has been showing that they can come together and
I know the aviation community will band together and overcome any changes.                                                                                             
Leon Ward                                       
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FAA NEWS

On Sept. 21, the FAA lifted many of the restrictions place on flight training operations
conducted under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. On Sept. 19, the FAA
authorized limited return of general aviation Part 91 visual flight rules operations, or VFR,
flights. Instrument Flight Rules, or IFR, flights were authorized on Sept. 14.

 Federal Air Marshal Program

              The FAA is recruiting Federal Air Marshals. The vacancy announcement is posted
on the FAA's employment Web site at http://jobs.faa.gov. Here you can find out about the
job, compensation, qualification requirements, and how to apply.

            If you are a general aviation pilot and are unsure of your authorization status, please
contact your local Flight Service Station at 1-800-WXBRIEF. VFR pilots must receive a full
briefing from their Flight Service Station or DUATS, as well as familiarize themselves with the
text of the NOTAM.

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From the Editor…

A British citizen who visited Washington, D.C. last year wrote on one of my web groups
how much she had enjoyed sightseeing in the nation’s capitol.  She liked being able to enter
museums without having her bag searched.  She said she felt free, something she no longer
felt in England.  She also felt sorry for us, feeling that in the wake of the terrorist attacks we
will now face the searches that are routine for Britons.  

            I think that’s one of the reasons we are so angry with the terrorists.   They used our
freedoms to steal our freedoms.  As someone who loves to fly, it’s difficult to imagine a
person who would go to flight school and learn to fly and be so lacking in a soul, that the
sheer wonder of flight did not touch them.  Did not make them realize the beauty of life.

            I doubt if any of us will ever be able to erase the images of the World Trade Center
crashes from our memories.  For those of us in the general aviation world, September 11,
2001 is a watershed moment in U.S. history.  It will always mark an end to the freedom to
fly where we wanted, when we wanted.