Greetings! First, Here’s an update from Washington, D. C. Springtime and Congress is busy, with airport, tenant, pilot, and government groups testifying on how to fund the aviation system after FY07, which ends September 30, 2007. FAA’s call for new user fees and a restructuring of how the system is funded is meeting opposition from user groups. At the top of their list, airports have an increase in passenger facility charges to $7.50, indexed to inflation, and reform to the alternative minimum tax.
One FAA proposal would change how entitlements are awarded to general aviation airports, and would structure them into four tiers so that the busiest and most complex, ala Teterboro and Van Nuys, would be eligible for $400,000; the smallest would eligible for $100,000. FAA proposes authorizations for AIP (Airport Improvement Funds) of $2.75 billion for FY08, $2.9 billion for FY09, and $3.05 billion in FY10.
Secondly, FAA is also calling for a five-member commission to be set up, the Realignment and Consolidation of Aviation Facilities Commission, to independently examine areas where certain facilities, including ATC, can be consolidated and realigned for efficiency. And, the agency seeks a pilot program for up to 15 airports to implement a system based on market-based pricing during peak hours, also known as peak period pricing.
Thirdly, U.S.DOT (Department of Transportation releases the “National Aviation Resource Manual for Quarantinable Diseases” to help airlines, airports, and local governments prepare to prevent the introduction of emerging diseases into the United States. The 144-page guide is part of a Bush Administration initiative to prepare for a potential outbreak of pandemic influenza, and is available at http://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/OST/013334.pdf.
Fourthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only Airport and Aviation Bills are as follows:
Missouri
House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
(2007)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
HB 118 --- Sponsor: Aull, Joe --- CoSponsor: Schaaf, Robert
Specifies the situations in which the Civil Air Patrol may be activated, which missions are federal or state, and who pays for the missions
HB 302 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Schaaf, Robert
Changes the laws regarding state aviation trust funds and air traffic control towers
HB 305 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Page, Sam
Increases the limit on the amount deposited into the Aviation Trust Fund to $8.5 million
HB 529 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J.
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and air traffic control towers
HB 571 --- Sponsor: St. Onge, Neal C. --- CoSponsor: Schneider, Vicki
Changes the definition of "commercial aircraft" by lowering the maximum certified gross take-off weight from 7,000 to 1,000 pounds
HB 619 --- Sponsor: Aull, Joe --- CoSponsor: Schaaf, Robert
Specifies the situations in which the Civil Air Patrol may be activated, which missions are federal or state, and who pays for the missions
HB 624 --- Sponsor: Wilson, Larry --- CoSponsor: Quinn, Paul
Changes the laws regarding taxation and regional economic development districts
SB 120 --- Sponsor: Nodler, Gary
Increases the cap on the Aviation Trust Fund and allows the Aviation Trust Fund to be used for certain federal air traffic control cost-sharing programs
SB 602 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Creates a sales and use tax exemption for purchases of aviation fuel for transoceanic flights
Last Updated May 1, 2007 at 7:48 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 can 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 have a powerful voice, in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, or whatever state that you may represent. Every group of taxpayers and pilots carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., as well as at the state and local level.
We need to learn how to use our voices, and speak up for General Aviation.
So let’s not forget to exercise our rights and privileges, so we can continue to make a “Difference for General Aviation.”
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
SAFE FLYING!
Larry G. Harmon
Vice President
Government & Technical Affairs
United States Pilots Association