Oregon in brief General aviation reopens The Federal Aviation Administration Wednesday authorized a limited return to normal for general aviation, affecting operations at the Albany and Lebanon airports among others. Instrument-rated pilots were allowed back in the air Friday. Private pilots still are not allowed to enter Class B airspace, which surrounds major flight-control centers. Seattle is the closest Class B area to the mid-valley.
All flight training is still grounded.
There are also additional restrictions for flights involving banner towing, news reporting and traffic watches, airships and blimps and sightseeing. All air traffic in the United States was halted after the terror attack Sept. 11. Issues include health care benefits, retroactive salary increases and the use of temporary workers. Michael Alexander, an organizer for the Service Employees International Union, said the county offer would give the county control over benefits, co-payments, deductibles and the plan's surplus funds, putting the union at a disadvantage in future negotiations. Both sides have agreed to a 3 percent pay raise.