The Real FAA Lesson: User fees paid by air travelers can be diverted to unrelated gov't spending

National Review ^ | 04/27/2013 | Nicole Gelinas

[Monorprise]

“Have I been to a small airport before? Yes. I am a charter pilot. I go to several airports every day. I do see collection and the bureaucracy required as a problem.”

Then I sand corrected. I am no pilot but I know many in private aviation and I am quite convinced the airport costs can be supported by a combination of gas ‘tax’(as is existing support for the FAA) and local community support where the local’s decide it prudent.

We may loses a few airports but in the end we will be better off without Washington’s involvement.

[CFIIIMEIATP737]

Airports are already supported by gas tax. The Federal Excise Tax collected on aviation fuel goes to the government who in turn spends it on public airports in the form of grants for airport infrastructure improvements. Federal Excise Tax for aviation is also collected on the sale of aviation tires and airline tickets.

[Monorprise]

What if all of theses taxes were turned into fees which in turn went into accounts for each airport.

There the accounts would accumulate until such time that they were large enough to pay for the next “project” for that particular airport? In this way airports might be supported & upgraded according to uses.

[CFIIIMEIATP737]

I think the system is fine the way it is. When user fees have been implemented in other places, like Canada and Europe, it has had a very detrimental effect on general aviation. For a better explanation, I would refer you to the National Business Aircraft Association website or the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association website.