Help AOPA Sweden fight for GA access to Stockholm
AOPA Sweden is asking for your help to keep general aviation viable in the Stockholm area, where it faces being forced out of the last paved runway to which it has access, at Bromma. Two excellent general aviation airports, formerly used by the military, have been closed around the Swedish capital in recent years, while Bromma is now being turned into a mass-travel commercial airport. AOPA Sweden's Chairman Lennart Persson reports that the state-owned operator is using an array of 'brute force' methods to get rid of the remainder of the GA traffic which once kept the airport alive.

Lennart is asking those who wish to help to write to the Mayor of Stockholm asking him to use his influence to prevent the state monopoly from driving GA out with new 'service' fees and charges. Lennart has written a sample letter which you can use as a template. It reads thus:

Mayor of the City of Stockholm
City Hall
S-105 35 Stockholm
Sweden

Sir,

Where can I land my small aircraft in Stockholm?

I have been informed of the plans for the only remaining airport near Stockholm - Bromma. If those plans are carried out, as I understand, it will no longer be practically viable to visit Stockholm by private aircraft. I find it especially bothersome that Bromma is now being operated as a state owned monopoly with many of the manners inherent in old bureaucracies. Developments point towards ever increasing fees and unwanted 'service offerings'. Is this really happening in a country with Sweden’s international standing? Where business and private aircraft used to be welcomed with simple procedures and, not least, easy access to the city?

The closing of Barkarby airport was from an international perspective incomprehensible. To close a historically well functioning general aviation airport and then turning Bromma, a city airport, into a regular commercial mass transport hub must be attributed to lack of political management. This motivates me to write and respectfully suggest the involvement by the mayor's office in the unfortunate path towards isolation on which Stockholm is now embarked.

The closure of Barkarby airport is, I hope, reversible and may solve part of the problem. If Bromma is to become increasingly blocked by mass transit it will preclude me from visiting your beautiful city. My business is achieving operating efficiencies and competitive advantages by using modern light small airplanes. Current development of Bromma will force me, most definitely, to exclude Stockholm from possible business engagements in the future. Stockholm seems to be on a path to isolation which I sincerely regret. It is my sincere hope that this letter shall contribute to a more welcoming Stockholm – not an increasing isolation beyond reach by future efficient point to point travel by small aircraft.
Sincerely yours...

Lennart Persson adds: 'The effect is of course greatly improved if you personalise the letter by adding or replacing text to make it personal – from you. The letter may be sent by normal post as addressed in the dummy or sent via email to: kommunstyrelsen@stockholm.se The effect on recipients is of course enhanced by signing in the name of a corporation or similar, but all private contributions will of course be very important input into the decision process in the Mayor's offece now under way. To help us monitor this campaign please forward a copy to info@aopa.se   The 'copy to' us is preferably left out of the original message sent to the Mayor. Please also advise us if you send by post and/or mail or only by mail.
'Sincere and many thanks from AOPA – Sweden. We hope to be able to help you whenever needed in the future.'

Finland comes in from the cold
Finland has applied to join the 69 countries which make up International AOPA, and has been granted provisional membership as a step towards full participation status. The secretary of the new AOPA Finland is Esa Harju, and the official email address is hallitus@smll.fi AOPA Finland is also planning a website – Finnish language only. IAOPA Senior Vice President Martin Robinson said Finland had been brought on board largely through the good work of AOPA Sweden Chairman Lennart Persson. "We thank Lennart very much for the work he has done, which helps Finland and helps IAOPA," Martin said.

AOPA Finland is staging an event called 'Polar Nights' in Oulu, a town in central Finland famous for making its own entertainment on long Arctic nights, on February 4th and 5th to mark the start of the 2012 flying season. Unlike some of Oulu's attractions – it hosts the World Air Guitar Championships, the World Wife-Carrying Olympics and the World Welly Boot Throwing Competition, as well as international mud-football and ice-swimming events – this is a serious look at safety in general aviation. Last year speakers included representatives of all major aviation organisations and authorities and covered such topics as maintenance and Part M, ultralight flying, diesel fuel, accident investigation and rescue services. They will also be involved in the annual 'Sunny Nights Fly-in' later in 2012.

Ukraine plans big fly-in for summer
AOPA Ukraine invites you to a summer fly-in in Uzhhorod, at the western extremity of the country close to the Slovakian border, for a programme of events which run from July 12th to 16th. The fly-in is a joint event involving AOPA, Uzhhorod Airport (UKLU), the Padonki International Motorcycle Club and the Ukraine Development Institute of Flight Technologies and promises a long weekend of excursions and entertainments in a fascinating part of the world. The event incorporates flying displays and motorcycle stunt riding, visits to extraordinary local castles and much indulgence in traditional Carpathian delicacies and drinks. Landing fee at Uzhhorod for the event will be €1, parking is €1 a day, and all customs and immigration requirements will be catered for. This has all the makings of a unique and memorable flying experience. Gennadij Khazan of AOPA Ukraine – aopa.ua@gmail.com – can send you English-language details.

Greece plans to repeat Kavala success in 2012
The Mayor of Kavala, a small town in northern Greece, has officially announced that Kavala Air Show is to take place again from June 22nd to 24th. The first event, staged with the co-operation of AOPA Greece, took place in June 2011 and was an outright success. Anton Koutsoudakis of AOPA Greece reports that more than 20,000 spectators gathered in the town – population just 60,000 – for the event. The economic impact on the local market was substantial, and it was decided to make it an annual event.
AOPA Greece, together with Egnatia Aviation, provided the required technical assistance in 2011 and will do so again this summer. Egnatia Aviation is a major European aviation training establishment based at Kavala Airport.

The air show is now seen to be a win-win for everyone involved; the local authority and Kavala's businesses make a profit, and GA benefits from the publicity. AOPA Greece is working hard to make Kavala the biggest general aviation event for the South East Europe.

AOPA Greece now has its own aviation magazine
An agreement has been announced between AOPA Greece and the owners of the only general aviation magazine in Greece “RBF” (Remove Before Flight). Under this agreement, a member of the board of AOPA Greece will work together with the editor of the magazine, who happens to be a private pilot himself and a member of AOPA Greece. Together they will be responsible for the long-term planning of the magazine, and they will co-operate in the production of each edition. Anton Koutsoudakis says: "It is hoped that the addition of a news-stand magazine will make AOPA Greece much more visible in the country, and will make the voice of AOPA Greece much louder."