AIG Aviation insurance has increased the hurricane coverage from $500 to $1,000 for current policyholders with hurricane protection coverage.
Wings, Wheels and Water
EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2008
Results of the 2008 AirVenture
FACTS AND FIGURES
Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny:
* “The concern was that 2008 would be less than a banner year, because of questions and challenges in areas such as fuel prices and the economy, but it turned out to be an overwhelming week. Each day on the grounds was filled with outstanding activities that made every day at AirVenture a unique event in itself. This year’s “Oshkosh” was the shot of enthusiasm, inspiration, and economic boost that aviation needed.”
Attendance: Estimated 540,000 – A slight decrease from 2007 and nearly equal to 2006’s attendance.
Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny:
* “This year’s attendance held steady for a variety of reasons, including superb weather, the substantial number of outstanding programs, a large number of aviation innovations unveiled at Oshkosh, and the importance of EAA AirVenture to the aviation community. Initial exhibitor response indicates that the majority of exhibitors reported good to record-setting sales.”
Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.
Total showplanes: 2,516. That figure includes 972 homebuilt aircraft, 822 vintage airplanes, 404 warbirds, 114 ultralights, 131 seaplanes, 40 aerobatic aircraft and 33 rotorcraft.
Commercial exhibitors: 797 (up slightly over 2007).
International visitors registered: Up nearly 25 percent, with 2,128 visitors registered from 71 nations, with Canada (492 visitors), Australia (299) and Brazil (186) the top three nations. (NOTE: This total includes only non-U.S. visitors who register at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.)
Total estimated campers (fly-in and drive-in camping areas): More than 37,000.
Media: 865 media representatives on-site, from five continents.
What’s ahead in 2009? Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny:
* “We are already looking forward to 2009 with the expected attendance of Virgin Galactic’s White Knight Two space vehicle, a reunion of participants from Concorde’s five visits to Oshkosh over the past 25 years, and a salute to mission aviators who perform humanitarian work around the globe. Visitors in 2009 will also begin to see additional amenities and site upgrades that will make EAA AirVenture 2009 an even better experience and value as The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.”
EAA AirVenture 2009: July 27-August 2
For more information: Dick Knapinski (920-426-6523 or dknapinski@eaa.org).
CONGRESS RESTORES 35-YEAR EXEMPTION
CONGRESS RESTORES 35-YEAR EXEMPTION FOR RECREATIONAL BOATSFROM PROPOSED EPA PERMITTING REQUIREMENTSNO NEW PERMIT FOR BOATS REQUIREDALEXANDRIA, VA,
July 22, 2008 – In a remarkable display of bipartisan support for recreational boating, both the House and Senate today passed S. 2766, “The Clean Boating Act of 2008” which will permanently restore a long-standing exemption for recreational boats from permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act.
The legislation now goes to the White House for the President’s signature. Congressional action was spawned by a U.S. District Court decision in September 2006 under which an estimated 17 million recreational boats would have fallen under Clean Water Act permit requirements effective September 30, 2008. The permit would have dictated maintenance and operation procedures and potentially subjected boaters to citizen lawsuits as well as a penalty system designed for industrial polluters. “This is a fabulous victory for common sense and it just goes to show what can be done when the boating public, the marine industry and its representatives in Congress row together in a bipartisan way,” said BoatU.S. President Nancy Michelman.BoatU.S. Government Affairs Director Margaret Podlich was quick to shower praise on a boatload of legislators who did much of the heavy lifting including Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representatives Jim Oberstar (D-MN), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Candice Miller (R-MI) and Gene Taylor (D-MS).
A complete listing of all legislators involved will be available at http://www.BoatUS.com/gov soon.BoatU.S. has worked for more than a year with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and a broad coalition of stakeholders to resolve the problem before the permitting deadline. “One of the real keys to success here was our collective ability to activate the grassroots,” said Podlich, noting that tens of thousands of letters and e-mails were generated by boaters and anglers over the course of the past 12 months.
BoatU.S. is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boat owners with over 650,000 members