Posted on 07/06/2007 3:30:42 PM PDT by GoldCountryRedneck
This Flying FReeper (Catchy - should have used that as a sign-up name!), and other pilots here, need your help!
While congressional and grassroot wars have been raging around Illegal immigration, border security, and conduct of the War On Terror, another quieter, but important, battle is being waged which pits supporters of General Aviation (GA) against the airlines.
In a nutshell, the airlines want to take over the FAA function and funding. They want to do this by creating an Airline Transport Association-sponsored program named "Smart Skies". The resulting "panel of experts", comprised of airline executives, would result in billions of dollars in tax breaks- for the airlines.
Part of their funding would be provided by the imposition of crushing user-fees on General Aviation (GA). What we now pay for via aviation fuel taxes (which are already high - a gallon of aviation fuel locally is $4.44!) will be charged under the airlines plan.
Weather reports, flightplans, Instrument clearances, more landing fees, etc., etc., etc. would all be seperatly charged.
It will put much of GA financially out of reach of many. Flying will, as it is in Europe, become prohibitively expensive and more dangerous.
United Airlines, and others, have recently started campaigns to 'educate' the public about the need to implement their program. Their tactics include e-mailings to Frequent Flyers, media spots, and even inserts into on-board In-Flight magazines and literature. Airlines blame GA for delays, accidents, poor service, high ticket costs ad nausum. It's blatant lies, statistical spinnings, and fear mongering.
Here is how YOU can help: AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (of which I am a proud member) has designed a flyer (no pun) that YOU can add to the airlines' propaganda pouch which you will find as you travel. Simply print a few copies and add it to your carry-on and place it accordingly. That way both sides of the controversy is fairly presented.
You can View (and print) the Rebuttal Flyer at the AOPA Rebuttle Flyer Site.
Further articles about the controversy can be found at the AOPA Home Page and you don't have to be a member to bring up the stories there.
Remember that the Airlines routinely run their own businesses into bankruptcy and the taxpayers, directly or indirectly, are routinely tasked with bailing them out. Are these the folks that you want overseeing an air-traffic system, currently under the FAA, that is the envy of every other country in the world?
I sure don't!!
AOPA, together with EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and others are spearheading the fight against user fees. That Cessna overhead might be me, and I want to be able to keep flying it. So, helps us out....
FReep the Airlines!!!
Wow! Thanks for posting.
Thanks for a tip from GoldCountryRedneck
PING!
Sorry....
I don’t know why (well I can guess that it’s campaign $$), but the Bush administration has been one of the unfriendliest administrations when it comes to General Aviation. At one point after 9/11 some feds were making it pretty clear that they would gladly cut GA in the name of fighting terrorism (even though it was clear that 9/11 was just an excuse).
That's a lot of it. The airlines can out-contrbute GA by a wide margin and get the best Reps and Sens that money can buy.
Fortunately, there are a few Private Pilots in the Legislative ranks, but not enough.
What the airlines fear is the oncoming manufacture of VLJ and air-taxi operators. If they can control the airspace, they can make those operators, and private pilots in general, fade away through financial and bureaucratic pressure.
More fares in their pockets. Follow the money...
I’m flying next week. I’m sure I’ll be able to put these in at least a half dozen seat pockets without any trouble.
Going to Alaska on the 21st, just printed u a dozen copies.
If this ever happens GA is done for except for the super rich.
Is this article in the current AOPA magazine, mine just csme yesterday and I havent had a chance to look at it.
AOPA is one fine organization, been a member for 27 years.
I’ve met Phil Boyer (AOPA Pres for those who don’t know the organization) on several occasions. An exemplary individual and one of the easist execs with whom to just talk about flying that you would ever want to meet.
One thing they might want to add to that flyer would be the seat miles traveled by GA aircraf.
I dont know what it is today but about 15 years ago it was about 20%.
If most of those people flew commercial the pasangers of todsy would be mighty unhappy with the crowded airports and airplanes along with the large price increases.
Another thing would be the hugh increase in package delevry service cost that would occur.
Asfar as GA crowding the ATC system, one thing no one talks about is the thousands of daily flights huling bank checks that are being eliminated constantly with checks being cleared electronicly.
I used to keep my plane next to Cal Air Charter in Burbank that flew 80 sigles, 2 jets, and a chopper daily and that business is being eliminated. They were only one of the ones servicing So. Cal., they were part of Unitd Courier.
That used to be a big business, when they had a plane down I occasionaly did a flight for them or transport parts and an IA to repair it.
Here's the part I don't understand.
In 1990, Congress voted in a huge luxury tax, which crippled the aviation industry, nearly wiped out the boat-building industry, and several other alleged "luxury"-type manufacturers and sellers.
The cost in U.S. jobs was astounding and the penalty in taxes NOT collected was significant.
The so-called idle rich just elected not to pay the heavy taxes on yachts, airplanes, furs and the like; and, the only people hurt were the workers in those industries.
The same dynamic is patiently waiting to smack down the U.S. aviation-related economy if this "fee" thing is enacted.
There would be no gain in money collected from GA, net receipts would be down.
Aviation jobs, everything from wx briefers, fuelers, airport restaurateurs, hotel/motel, taxi-services, would be in a steep descent. The inverse multipliers would have a deep effect here.
In 1990, Congress voted in a huge luxury tax, which crippled the aviation industry,...boat-building industry, and several other alleged "luxury"-type manufacturers...
Congress has never been far-sighted enough to weigh "The Law of Unintended Consequences" as they legislate.
The top execs at the DOT and FAA are not aviation-minded or knowledgable. They truely believe that an ATC system which was designed, historically, for the airlines should once again be administered by the airlines as "those people are the ones really knowledgable about airplanes,". All in the guise of 'downsizing government', I suppose.
But, look what is happening with the recent 'outsourcing' of the FSS (Flight Service Station) to the private sector. Phone delays, incomplete briefings, lousy weather interpretations, lost flight plans, etc, etc, etc.
There are some government functions which should be centralized and taxpayer-funded. Like the military, the ATC system should be among them. Capitulation to a private industry group (ATA in this case) with a self-serving agenda who stands to gain a substantial taxpayer windfall is ludicrous.
And, yes, the Pipers', Cessnas', the Diamonds, just getting back on their feet after the luxury tax and liability fiascos of the 90's, will once again be back on the ropes wondering who will by their aircraft...
Bump!
This is too important to let Congress get away with!
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