Greetings! First, Here is an update from Washington, D.C. The Senate has defeated a “cloture” motion that would have limited debate on its FAA Reauthorization Bill. A successful cloture motion would have significantly speeded up the discussion on the debate but with all the controversy surrounding the FAA these days that was probably unrealistic.
Members on both sides of aisle were lining up to offer their amendments, ranging from airspace restructuring to the availability of peanuts on airliners, and enough of them insisted on being heard that the hurry-up motion was defeated. Aviation leaders were particularly anxious to see the current version of the bill passed quickly because it does not contain user fees as a method to fund air traffic control modernization.
A compromise between the Senate Finance Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee last week eliminated the $25-per-leg user fee that was proposed for turbine-powered general aviation aircraft in favor of a 65 percent tax increase on jet fuel (the tax on 100 LL would have remained the same). National Business Aviation Association President Ed Bolen said discussion of the bill has been “suspended after a procedural vote unrelated to FAA reauthorization and funding” but he’s hopeful the funding compromise will survive whatever discussions ensue in the future. “Given the importance of air transportation to our nation’s economy and citizens’ quality of life, we hope the Senate will recommit itself to passing an FAA reauthorization bill this year,” he said. The FAA is operating on a temporary financing measure that lasts another two months.
Secondly, FAA releases its fiscal year 2008-2025 forecast for commercial and general aviation, as well as cargo transportation and FAA workload. Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell predicts a “definite pause in growth” for domestic airlines, with traffic reaching the 1 billion level in 2016. Passenger levels are predicted to rise an average of 3 percent each year, with regional carriers growing faster than mainline airlines. FAA forecasts a 4.5 percent annual increase for total international passengers flown by U.S. and foreign flag airlines.
Domestic cargo revenue ton miles (RTMs) are expected to increase an average of 209 percent annually, compared with 5 percent in total RTMs.
Thirdly, Here is an update concerning Missouri Aviation. The only airport and aviation bills are as follows:
Missouri
House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
(2008)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORTS
HB 1495 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Sater, David
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and the funding for certain air traffic control towers
HB 1639 --- Sponsor: Bruns, Mark J. --- CoSponsor: Richard, Ron
Changes the laws regarding the Aviation Trust Fund and air traffic control towers
HB 1760 --- Sponsor: Storch, Rachel --- CoSponsor: Oxford, Jeanette Mott
Requires statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly to report any use of a private plane, the cost of the flight, and all the passengers within 72 hours after the flight
HB 1888 --- Sponsor: Schoeller, Shane --- CoSponsor: Lampe, Sara
Allows a municipality to annex land within the airport zone of the City of Sprinfield if it agrees to enforce Springfield's zoning ordinance
HB 2221 --- Sponsor: St. Onge, Neal C.
Revises the definition of "commercial aircraft" as it relates to the taxation of aircraft by lowering the maximum certified gross take-off weight from 7,000 to 1,000 pounds
HCR 10 --- Sponsor: Scharnhorst, Dwight
Urges Congress to enact legislation to protect airline customers
HCR 43 --- Sponsor: Funderburk, Doug --- CoSponsor: Darrough, Bruce
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country
HCR 46 --- Sponsor: Funderburk, Doug --- CoSponsor: Darrough, Bruce
Urges the United States Air Force to reconsider its decision to replace a Boeing-made refueling tanker with a tanker supplied by a foreign country
SB 930 --- Sponsor: Stouffer, Bill
Removes cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used
SB 943 --- Sponsor: Clemens, Dan
Allows cities to annex land within airport zones in Greene County if cities agree to enforce Springfield's airport zoning ordinance
SB 947 --- Sponsor: Stouffer, Bill
Removes cap on amount of aviation generated revenue that may be deposited in state aviation trust fund and expands purposes for which moneys in the aviation trust fund may be used
SB 1049 --- Sponsor: Kennedy, Harry
Expands sales tax exemption purchases of tangible personal property used in the repair and maintenance of aircraft
SB 1073 --- Sponsor: Dempsey, Tom
Creates a state and local sales and use tax exemption for defense articles sold to foreign governments
Last Updated May 8, 2008 at 8:12 pm.
NOTE: 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 states should follow this same format, to search your specific state’s aviation and airport bills.
Remember, that as members of USPA, MPA, TPA, TXAA, NMPA, NPA, IPA, 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 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 us 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