FAA Funding Bill

[The Ruptured Duck]

It just makes me want to...STOMP!

Anyone else need to vent?

[DaveSims]

Why don't we just kill general aviation, get it over with.  That is exactly what this bill will do. So many GA pilots are doing good just to afford to fly (including me).  All this is doing is the airlines way of influencing the government.  But they try to say this is a bill to tax the super rich corporate guys jetting around the country, but that is just a fraction of the GA in this country.

[bok269]

What can we do to stop it?

When would these measures go into effect?

[Mobius]

AOPA is very involved in fighting user fees, so if you're interested, head over to http://www.aopa.org/ to check up on it.  

Personally, I think user fees stink.  What's being proposed right now really wouldn't kill GA.   I know I wouldn't stop flying, and I'm not rolling in the dough by any means.  The problem would be, once it started, it really wouldn't stop with this first bill being passed.  The current funding plan would provide enough for ATC upgrades in the future, according to AOPA, so the new funding plan isn't really needed, but there are probably far more lobbyists in Washington working for the airlines than the number working for GA, so they're going to have a bit more say in what happens in the future, and they way they want it is to pass the buck to GA, and save a couple dollars themselves.

[The Ruptured Duck]

What set me off was an AP article that stated that the majority of ATC resources are being used on GA, and that airline passengers are footing the bill for small airport improvements.

As for th ATC upgrades, these are needed.  A new system would make everything move alot smoother.  Sure the ATA supports it, but I think it would benefit GA also.

[beaky]

I've thrown my hat in with AOPA in this fight- they are well-organized and have the ear of many people in Washington. But without support, they can't hope to win. You can join even if you're not a pilot. I urge anyone concerned to visit AOPA's site and have a look at the information provided there.

The bill as currently structured wouldn't kill GA completely in the US, but it will make it a mere shadow of what it was, and ruin many  businesses. Whole communities will be affected.  The gov't has been studying how European rules and fees are set up: need I say more?

Most pilots would find a way to afford to fly regardless, but one of the ways they'll do it is by not using the services. There are already problems arising in Europe with GA pilots making illegal IFR flights, with predictable results.

To argue that we've been lucky, etc. is beside the point: the current funding system works fine, and the required improvements in the ATC system don't have to be paid for in the manner proposed.

The airlines will easily absorb new fees and taxes by jacking up ticket prices slightly, or maybe laying off workers. Corporate charter businesses would be affected slightly, but could still get away with passing the extra cost on to their customers, who are usually writing those trips off on their tax returns anyway.
Your friendly neighborhood GA business, however, will get screwed, as will every wannabe pilot who is already hard-pressed to afford to get into flying.

[DaveSims]

What set me off was an AP article that stated that the majority of ATC resources are being used on GA, and that airline passengers are footing the bill for small airport improvements.

I have read that somewhere before too, but that is pure fiction.  The taxes from airline revenue are only available to airports with commercial service, for projects aimed toward the commercial service there.  The airport I work for gets lots of money for improvements for the air carrier areas, but can't get a dime to build much needed t-hangars for GA.

[Mobius]

Your friendly neighborhood GA business, however, will get screwed, as will every wannabe pilot who is already hard-pressed to afford to get into flying.

That's why I started towards my instrument rating now.  I don't want to have to pay for the training, and for 40 hours worth of user fees.

[Ravang]

I just can't believe it the FAA funding system that has worked for 40+ years, and now they want to change it , because airlines feel GA isn't pulling it weight for funding. Now they also want to raise the AV gas tax  
70 cents or four-fold, that would put the price for a gallon of 100LL at my airport around $5.50-$6.00 a gallon, now most GA's hold 25 gallons of gas per wing tank so thats ($5.50 x 50 gal.) thats a lot of money just to fill up. Then they want to start charging up to $10 for a weather briefing, and silly things like that. And training unless your Bill Gates forget it, in Europe which uses the user-fee system it around $15,000-$20,000 for a PPL thats crazy. So now I'm supporting the AOPA in its fight against the FAA "User System Fees".

I have a great idea...What if everyone here on SimV co-wrote a letter to a Sentor, or to AOPA (I have their email) against the "User Fees System", heck there are 20,000 members on SimV they can't ignore that many voices from around the world  

[DaveSims]

[quote]Then they want to start charging up to $10 for a weather briefing, and silly things like that. '

I have a great idea...What if everyone here on SimV co-wrote a letter to a Sentor, or to AOPA (I have their email) against the "User Fees System", heck there are 20,000 members on SimV they can't ignore that many voices from around the world

[Ravang]

Well we could always sent a letter to AOPA for their mag , its better than sitting around feeling sorry for ourselfs