Greetings! First, Here’s an update from Washington, D.C. Both the United States House, and Senate have moved their respective bills out of committee and await floor votes and conference committees to hash out the precise funding mechanisms.
Primary issues yet to be resolved include raising the cap on passenger facility charge, which could go to $7; potential increases in aviation fuel taxes for business aviation, and, implementation of a $25 per instrument flight fee to pay for ATC modernization, or should we say digitalization.
The good news is that both houses agree that the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) needs to be adequately funded, and it appears $4 billion a year, could become a reality.
The aviation bills will be competing with a lot of last-minute legislation on Capital Hill, before all the current aviation authorization expires on September 30, 2007.
Secondly, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implements new screening procedures, beginning August 4th. 1. TSA will no longer enforce the lighter ban; however, torchlighters remain a safety issue and thus prohibited in the sterile areas; 2. Video game consoles must be removed from carry-on luggage; 3. TSA will implement new liquid container screening procedures to take place on the back end of the screening checkpoint; 4. TSA document checkers will be magnifying glasses and fluorescent lighting on identification to ensure the ID is valid; and 5. Military personnel in uniform will not be subject to random screening.
Thirdly, Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases a report examining future capital needs at airports and whether or not funding will be available to meet those needs. GAO found that capital needs will exceed available funds by at least $1 billion annually through 2011; www.gao.gov.
Fourthly, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is changing the way aviation security is handled, to allow it to take over the role of checking passenger information from airlines. DHS sources say the airlines have not been doing the job consistently or effectively.
Fifthly, Here’s an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The aviation and airport bills are as follows:
Missouri
House of Representatives
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
Last Updated August 30, 2007 at 2:11 pm
NOTE: Here’s your Web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all aviation related bills.
Web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all aviation related bills.
All other state pilot associations should follow this same format, to search your specific state’s aviation and airport bills.
Remember, that as members of USPA, MPA, 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, New Mexico, Nebraska, or whatever state 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