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United States Pilots Association |
Please see the USPA website for a revised USPA Wichita Flyout registration form update provided by VP Meetings Arnold Zimmerman (www.uspilots.org). Zim has added more information on the fun activities and events in the lineup, including a tour of the Cessna turbine factory and a tour of the Hawker Beechcraft piston factory. Our Saturday night banquet speaker at the hotel will be Courtney (Corky) Nason, Chairman of the Board of Nason Associates, Inc. of Mission, KS--the largest wholesaler of aviation insurance in the country. Nason will speak on the changing insurance requirements and related topics.
This will be a fun time in "The Air Capital," so plan now to join us. The Saturday morning meeting will include the annual members' meeting, and, as always, your input into YOUR organization will determine our future efforts.
Be sure to call for hotel reservations NOW, as the special USPA rate will go away 5/31. And also be sure to register for the Thursday evening safety seminar at www.FAASafety.gov.
We'll see you in Wichita!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
"A Nation of Aviation"
Airlines - 1 GA - 0. But we have a long way to go.
The Senate Commerce Committee, Wednesday, failed to approve the Nelson/Sununu amendment that would have eliminated the $25 "surcharge" from the Senate funding bill. The airlines are feeling the heat of VLJs and want to "user fee" them out of the sky (and smaller GA planes right behind them).
The vote lost by 12 to 11, and those voting for user fees are as follows: John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), and John Thune (R-S.D.)
Those opposing user fees were: Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), John Sununu (R-N.H.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Mark Pryon (D-Ark.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Ensing (R-Nev.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C., and David Vitter (R-La.).
Other committees have to weigh in on funding before reaching a full Senate vote. It's still not too late to contact your Senators. Do it today.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Airlines - 1 GA - 0. But we have a long way to go.
The Senate Commerce Committee, Wednesday, failed to approve the Nelson/Sununu amendment that would have eliminated the $25 "surcharge" from the Senate funding bill. The airlines are feeling the heat of VLJs and want to "user fee" them out of the sky (and smaller GA planes right behind them).
The vote lost by 12 to 11, and those voting for user fees are as follows: John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), and John Thune (R-S.D.)
Those opposing user fees were: Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), John Sununu (R-N.H.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Mark Pryon (D-Ark.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Ensing (R-Nev.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C., and David Vitter (R-La.).
Other committees have to weigh in on funding before reaching a full Senate vote. It's still not too late to contact your Senators. Do it today.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
This was taken from the AVweb site on May 15, 2007. Headline: Lockheed Martin wants more FSS money. It seems the big savings we were all promised would occur when the FAA outsourced the Flight Service Stations to Lockheed Martin probably will not be as big after all. By my memory this is the second time LM has gone back to the well, this time for an additional $177 Million. The original contract as awarded was worth over $1.8 Billion. These sums do not include the monitoring of uncontrolled airport ILS systems which the "FAA conveniently forgot to insert in the original contract." Meanwhile the Inspector General's office of the Federal DOT has fined LM $9,000,000 for failure to live up to service and performance guarantees. Then we have the problem in Washington, DC, where filed flight plans are being "dropped" for no explainable reason while at the same time briefers in other states like California do not know the procedures for operating in the Washington, DC, ADIZ. A report is forthcoming from the OIG's office for release later this month.
The revised bill as of Tuesday, May 15, to fund the FAA in fiscal year 2008 has exempted piston powered aircraft from the onerous $25 proposed user fee to apply every time the plane flew. Unfortunately the $25 fee remains for turboprop and pure turbine aircraft. An amendment was introduced yesterday (May 14) to exclude all user fees. We will keep you advised as to the outcome of this amendment.
To illustrate how unfair this proposed system would be, imagine this scenario. An E-90 King Air takes off with four passengers on a 500 mile flight between two uncontrolled airports. At the same time, a Boeing 737 takes off from DFW enroute to ORD in Chicago carrying 124 passengers. Both planes would have to pay the $25 fee. Where is the fairness here? Under the proposed legislation the King Air would have to pay an additional $.50 a gallon in fuel taxes (fees) while the airlines would get a reduction in fuel taxes. There simply is no way the general aviation community will assume the tax responsibility of the airlines because the government wants to give these same airlines a $1.9 billion tax break. I have said before that the airlines need to clean their own house before trying to invade mine looking for more money.
Let's talk about what the airlines do not do. They do not go in to 97% of the airports in this country. They will not offer seats to indigent folks needing medical care in a city far from where they live. Many will no longer transport pets, even in the cargo holds. Food is no longer served routinely on long flights. Service is atrocious. People are literally imprisoned in airliners for hours at a time with no food and limited restroom facilities when a weather delay is encountered. They currently charge for everything. Some will charge for a pillow or blanket. Just look at the recently released report of the "worst" airlines from a service perspective and leading the list is United Airlines. United has just purchased a minority ownership in Aloha Airlines--one of the best service providers in the business. United got a seat on Aloha's board of directors. How soon will the United beancounters begin to insert their "reforms" into Aloha operating policies? One can only wonder.
Finally, a word of caution to my fellow piston aircraft pilots. Even if the exemption for the $25 fee and possibly the elimination (for now) of the increased fuel tax occurs, it will only be a matter of time before the camel's nose under the tent becomes the whole camel. The FAA has already acknowledged that the original bill as proposed would result in a huge shortfall of revenue ostensibly needed to fund the FAA. How soon do you think it will be before they eliminate the exemptions for small planes?
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
This was taken from the AVweb site on May 15, 2007. Headline: Lockheed Martin wants more FSS money. It seems the big savings we were all promised would occur when the FAA outsourced the Flight Service Stations to Lockheed Martin probably will not be as big after all. By my memory this is the second time LM has gone back to the well, this time for an additional $177 Million. The original contract as awarded was worth over $1.8 Billion. These sums do not include the monitoring of uncontrolled airport ILS systems which the "FAA conveniently forgot to insert in the original contract." Meanwhile the Inspector General's office of the Federal DOT has fined LM $9,000,000 for failure to live up to service and performance guarantees. Then we have the problem in Washington, DC, where filed flight plans are being "dropped" for no explainable reason while at the same time briefers in other states like California do not know the procedures for operating in the Washington, DC, ADIZ. A report is forthcoming from the OIG's office for release later this month.
The revised bill as of Tuesday, May 15, to fund the FAA in fiscal year 2008 has exempted piston powered aircraft from the onerous $25 proposed user fee to apply every time the plane flew. Unfortunately the $25 fee remains for turboprop and pure turbine aircraft. An amendment was introduced yesterday (May 14) to exclude all user fees. We will keep you advised as to the outcome of this amendment.
To illustrate how unfair this proposed system would be, imagine this scenario. An E-90 King Air takes off with four passengers on a 500 mile flight between two uncontrolled airports. At the same time, a Boeing 737 takes off from DFW enroute to ORD in Chicago carrying 124 passengers. Both planes would have to pay the $25 fee. Where is the fairness here? Under the proposed legislation the King Air would have to pay an additional $.50 a gallon in fuel taxes (fees) while the airlines would get a reduction in fuel taxes. There simply is no way the general aviation community will assume the tax responsibility of the airlines because the government wants to give these same airlines a $1.9 billion tax break. I have said before that the airlines need to clean their own house before trying to invade mine looking for more money.
Let's talk about what the airlines do not do. They do not go in to 97% of the airports in this country. They will not offer seats to indigent folks needing medical care in a city far from where they live. Many will no longer transport pets, even in the cargo holds. Food is no longer served routinely on long flights. Service is atrocious. People are literally imprisoned in airliners for hours at a time with no food and limited restroom facilities when a weather delay is encountered. They currently charge for everything. Some will charge for a pillow or blanket. Just look at the recently released report of the "worst" airlines from a service perspective and leading the list is United Airlines. United has just purchased a minority ownership in Aloha Airlines--one of the best service providers in the business. United got a seat on Aloha's board of directors. How soon will the United beancounters begin to insert their "reforms" into Aloha operating policies? One can only wonder.
Finally, a word of caution to my fellow piston aircraft pilots. Even if the exemption for the $25 fee and possibly the elimination (for now) of the increased fuel tax occurs, it will only be a matter of time before the camel's nose under the tent becomes the whole camel. The FAA has already acknowledged that the original bill as proposed would result in a huge shortfall of revenue ostensibly needed to fund the FAA. How soon do you think it will be before they eliminate the exemptions for small planes?
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
This was taken from the AVweb site on May 15, 2007. Headline: Lockheed Martin wants more FSS money. It seems the big savings we were all promised would occur when the FAA outsourced the Flight Service Stations to Lockheed Martin probably will not be as big after all. By my memory this is the second time LM has gone back to the well, this time for an additional $177 Million. The original contract as awarded was worth over $1.8 Billion. These sums do not include the monitoring of uncontrolled airport ILS systems which the "FAA conveniently forgot to insert in the original contract." Meanwhile the Inspector General's office of the Federal DOT has fined LM $9,000,000 for failure to live up to service and performance guarantees. Then we have the problem in Washington, DC, where filed flight plans are being "dropped" for no explainable reason while at the same time briefers in other states like California do not know the procedures for operating in the Washington, DC, ADIZ. A report is forthcoming from the OIG's office for release later this month.
The revised bill as of Tuesday, May 15, to fund the FAA in fiscal year 2008 has exempted piston powered aircraft from the onerous $25 proposed user fee to apply every time the plane flew. Unfortunately the $25 fee remains for turboprop and pure turbine aircraft. An amendment was introduced yesterday (May 14) to exclude all user fees. We will keep you advised as to the outcome of this amendment.
To illustrate how unfair this proposed system would be, imagine this scenario. An E-90 King Air takes off with four passengers on a 500 mile flight between two uncontrolled airports. At the same time, a Boeing 737 takes off from DFW enroute to ORD in Chicago carrying 124 passengers. Both planes would have to pay the $25 fee. Where is the fairness here? Under the proposed legislation the King Air would have to pay an additional $.50 a gallon in fuel taxes (fees) while the airlines would get a reduction in fuel taxes. There simply is no way the general aviation community will assume the tax responsibility of the airlines because the government wants to give these same airlines a $1.9 billion tax break. I have said before that the airlines need to clean their own house before trying to invade mine looking for more money.
Let's talk about what the airlines do not do. They do not go in to 97% of the airports in this country. They will not offer seats to indigent folks needing medical care in a city far from where they live. Many will no longer transport pets, even in the cargo holds. Food is no longer served routinely on long flights. Service is atrocious. People are literally imprisoned in airliners for hours at a time with no food and limited restroom facilities when a weather delay is encountered. They currently charge for everything. Some will charge for a pillow or blanket. Just look at the recently released report of the "worst" airlines from a service perspective and leading the list is United Airlines. United has just purchased a minority ownership in Aloha Airlines--one of the best service providers in the business. United got a seat on Aloha's board of directors. How soon will the United beancounters begin to insert their "reforms" into Aloha operating policies? One can only wonder.
Finally, a word of caution to my fellow piston aircraft pilots. Even if the exemption for the $25 fee and possibly the elimination (for now) of the increased fuel tax occurs, it will only be a matter of time before the camel's nose under the tent becomes the whole camel. The FAA has already acknowledged that the original bill as proposed would result in a huge shortfall of revenue ostensibly needed to fund the FAA. How soon do you think it will be before they eliminate the exemptions for small planes?
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
Don't delay any longer registering for the USPA Fly-Out to Wichita, KS, June 14-17 (www.uspilots.org). The Hilton Wichita Airport Executive Conference Center Hotel cut-off date is May 31. After that, our block room price goes away, and there may not even be any rooms available.
This will be a good meeting and a fun time, including tours of both Cessna and Beechcraft. It will also include the annual members' meeting. So if you cannot attend, please be sure to email me a proxy in order that we may have a quorum to conduct business. A proxy form is attached.
Dubbed "The Air Capital," more general aviation aircraft are built in Wichita than in any other city in the world. In addition to aviation, as the state's largest city, there are numerous attractions and shopping opportunities. Come join us! This is a good reason to fly!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Don't delay any longer registering for the USPA Fly-Out to Wichita, KS, June 14-17 (www.uspilots.org). The Hilton Wichita Airport Executive Conference Center Hotel cut-off date is May 31. After that, our block room price goes away, and there may not even be any rooms available.
This will be a good meeting and a fun time, including tours of both Cessna and Beechcraft. It will also include the annual members' meeting. So if you cannot attend, please be sure to email me a proxy in order that we may have a quorum to conduct business. A proxy form is attached.
Dubbed "The Air Capital," more general aviation aircraft are built in Wichita than in any other city in the world. In addition to aviation, as the state's largest city, there are numerous attractions and shopping opportunities. Come join us! This is a good reason to fly!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
Don't delay any longer registering for the USPA Fly-Out to Wichita, KS, June 14-17 (www.uspilots.org). The Hilton Wichita Airport Executive Conference Center Hotel cut-off date is May 31. After that, our block room price goes away, and there may not even be any rooms available.
This will be a good meeting and a fun time, including tours of both Cessna and Beechcraft. It will also include the annual members' meeting. So if you cannot attend, please be sure to email me a proxy in order that we may have a quorum to conduct business. A proxy form is attached.
Dubbed "The Air Capital," more general aviation aircraft are built in Wichita than in any other city in the world. In addition to aviation, as the state's largest city, there are numerous attractions and shopping opportunities. Come join us! This is a good reason to fly!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
The following email was forwarded to USPA by Regional VP Bob worthington, as received by him:
I'm Ben Hinkle National Airspace Coordinator with the Bureau of Land Management.
Fire Season is coming soon. Last year we saw a large increase in near midair's and Temporary Flight Restriction incursions around our incidents. Our goal is to help make flying safe for everyone, our Aerial Firefighters and the rest of aviation as well. In your upcoming news letters if you could either add this "Fly Clear" poster in PDF format or mention it's contents it would be greatly appreciated. We have some handout type information available, such as the flyer attached, flight planning cards and magnets. If you would like to have some please send me an email with your mailing instructions and the numbers requested.
The BLM is still the only government website to graphically plotting all Temporary Flight Restrictions at http://airspace.nifc.gov
See attached file: Fly Clear of Wildfire Poster1.pdf)
Ben Hinkle
BLM Aviation http://aviation.blm.gov
3833 South Development Ave
Boise ID 83705
Airspace - http://airspace.nifc.gov
Aviation Security - http://www.aviation.blm.gov/avsecurity.htm
Flight Standards - http://www.aviation.blm.gov/airops.htm#Flight
ben_hinkle@nifc.blm.gov
Work 208-387-5184
Cell 208-850-4311
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
USPA President Steve Uslan has been working "full time" in an effort to maximize our ability to help in the war against user fees in FAA funding re-aurthorization proposals. In addition to contacting EVERY U.S. Senator in response to the Lott-Rockefeller bill, he has linked USPA with the Alliance for Aviation Across America and AeroBlue.Org.
If you have not yet written your state and federal elected officials, informing them about the importance of general aviation and to not price it out of existence with user fees since we are already paying our way through fuel taxes, please do so NOW. The media is printing mis-information to the general public, stating that GA is getting a free ride and causing the problems besetting the airlines. We must defeat those lies with the TRUTH. It will take ALL OF US to accomplish this. Please do your part.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
USPA President Steve Uslan has contacted all U.S. Senators with the following letter:
*****
The United States Pilots Association has learned that the Senate Aviation Subcommittee is proposing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that includes a drastic new “user fee” proposal, as well as a phase-out of the 4.3% fuel tax currently paid by the commercial airlines, in addition to an increase in the fuel tax paid by general aviation. Consequently, all of this adds up to a huge tax cut for the commercial airlines at the expense of the businesses, industries, and communities that use general aviation for access to mobility, medical services, and economic opportunity.
The USPA is extremely disappointed to find that this Senate bill puts the airlines’ interests ahead of small planes that serve the many communities across the country not served by the airlines, and the airlines serve only about 3% of the airports in our country. This proposal to create a new user fee tax, in addition to what they already pay on fuel, would decimate many of the airports, businesses, and towns that rely on general aviation. At the same time, phasing out fuel taxes for the commercial airlines is just another government give-away for the airlines at the expense of small businesses across the country.
We respectfully request you vote against this bill when it comes for a combined vote. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
The United States Pilots Association represents general aviation pilots and businesses throughout the United States.
*****
Please contact your Senators immediately, asking that he not support this bill.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association
USPA President Steve Uslan has contacted all U.S. Senators with the following letter:
*****
The United States Pilots Association has learned that the Senate Aviation Subcommittee is proposing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that includes a drastic new “user fee” proposal, as well as a phase-out of the 4.3% fuel tax currently paid by the commercial airlines, in addition to an increase in the fuel tax paid by general aviation. Consequently, all of this adds up to a huge tax cut for the commercial airlines at the expense of the businesses, industries, and communities that use general aviation for access to mobility, medical services, and economic opportunity.
The USPA is extremely disappointed to find that this Senate bill puts the airlines’ interests ahead of small planes that serve the many communities across the country not served by the airlines, and the airlines serve only about 3% of the airports in our country. This proposal to create a new user fee tax, in addition to what they already pay on fuel, would decimate many of the airports, businesses, and towns that rely on general aviation. At the same time, phasing out fuel taxes for the commercial airlines is just another government give-away for the airlines at the expense of small businesses across the country.
We respectfully request you vote against this bill when it comes for a combined vote. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
The United States Pilots Association represents general aviation pilots and businesses throughout the United States.
*****
Please contact your Senators immediately, asking that he not support this bill.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association