First, Here’s an update from Washington, D.C. Kate Lang, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports for FAA, came to her opening session with questions. She has many; she suggests industry needs to be asking many more. In light of proposed Bush Administration cuts that could see the (AIP) Airport Improvement Program lose more than $700 million from authorized levels for FY07, it would seem a few answers might be in order.
To Kate Lang, industry needs to explore current programs and ask which ones may not really be necessary anymore, or which could be restructured to save dollars. In particular, she asks, are some of the programs put in place after 9/11 still justified? The assistance to primary airports that saw passenger levels drop, but which may be back at or exceeding these levels? Noise set-asides? Or, the Military Airport Program?
Secondly, Funding. Here comes the future authorization battle. General Aviation groups fight for little or no change; airlines want change. Airport groups sit on the sidelines – they want stability, a reliable funding source, and getting Congress out of the debate every few years. From this chair it seems what ATA wants most of all is real modernization of the U.S. air traffic control system. Whatever business aviation pays to access the system pales in comparison to the savings herein. It is a laudable goal. It would seem that should be the focus of the argument.
Thirdly, Iowa Legislature creates a dedicated State Aviation Fund for aviation programs; revenues from aircraft registration and aviation fuel taxes will fuel flow into the State Aviation Fund beginning in July 2007.
Fourthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airport and Aviation Bills are as follows:
Missouri
House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
(2006)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
HB 1529 --- Sponsor: Storch, Rachel
Requires statewide elected officials and the General Assembly to report any use of a private plane, the cost of the flight, and the passengers aboard the flight within 72 hours after the flight
HB 2005 --- Sponsor: Aull, Joe
Specifies the purposes for which the Civil Air Patrol may be used and clarifies the employment status of air patrol members and the sources of funding for various missions
SB 767 --- Sponsor: Graham, Chuck
Requires Office of Administration and Highway Patrol to oversee use of state aircraft and places restrictions on certain state officers with respect to use of state aircraft
Last Updated June 30, 2006 at 3:22 pm
NOTE: Here’s your Web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.
Web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.
All other State Pilot Associations should follow the same format, to search your specific state’s aviation and airport bills.
Remember that as members of USPA, MPA, TPA, TXAA, NMPA, NPA, EAA, AOPA, or other pilot associations of which you may be a member, we all have a powerful voice, be it here in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, or whatever state you may represent.
Every group of pilots and taxpayers carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., as well as at the State and Local Level.
So let’s not forget to exercise our rights and privileges, so we can continue to make a “Difference for General Aviation.”