User Fees to impact General Aviation

General Aviation User Fees are being proposed by the congressional senate. This is to fund the next generation aviation system, and gives bigger breaks to the airlines.

If institution of user fee based system happens at any level to the general aviation community this opens the door to more fees. These fees will drive up costs for services such as air rescue, life flights. This can have longer term detrimental affect of higher property taxes for cities to support these services, and reduce business to rural America.

Fact: The current funding system is not broken. GA pays more into the current funding through the "gas tax" and uses less of the ATC services.

Fact: The airlines and the FAA don't have a real plan on how to improve the airspace system.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• aviation
• user
• fees

[dingoklectos]

People look surprised when I ask them the question "which occupation makes the lowest wage in the US?" They are like: 'janitor? cleaner?"...I reply 'NOPE...its the entry-level general aviation pilots!"..they are like "NO WAY!"..when I tell them about the 80 hour work week (60 hours spent with all the non-engine-running/flying duties per week), no hotel accomodation, long commutes, crashpads, forcing to fly in bad weather, get paid less than a cab/bus driver..they are like 'i'll never fly again!'

[wbogaardt]

It's the sad state, but the pilots more than anything love to fly. Obviously young and single this might not be as much of a problem, but the older folks get the harder it will be to hire the right pilots. Safety might be a none issue as most pilots don't want to crash. Where safety is a concern is experience and as the older guys move out this is the problem. I got my PPL out of love of flying not to get a job. The benefit is I can use this skill incidental to business.

[wbogaardt]

We've seen how a user fee system has limited the European economies and in some places has crippled it. In addition, congressmen comparing US to Europe is an apples to oranges comparision. Europe is segmented into many countries across the same landmass of the US. We dont' see a user fee system in Russia or China for the same reason.

[757LeftSeat]

It is not just that folks. The biggest problem is most people are ignorant to the impact that GA has on our overall economy and that is because GA has done a lousy job of educating the average American that does not fly. That's the problem.

There are all kinds of companies that depend on GA flights up to an including part 135 operators, to get business done on a daily, weekly and monthly basis - yet how many non-flying Americans actually understand this.

Government is not to blame - we are!

[wbogaardt]

I agree. Although the FAA who should promote it hasn't been too helpful either. Look what happened to Megis field and only a slap on the wrist? The impact would have been greater had some plane tried to land and crashed killing all on board.

GA has a hughe PR battle especially with the latest attack from congress on the CEO's who fly GA and then ask for bail outs. So congress is also culpable.

[countryflyboy]

i may not be a real pilot. but as soon as i graduate high school im marching stright to craig municipel airport to sign up for lessons, i want to be a proffetional airline pilot. but i support AOPA all the way

NO USER FEES!!!!!

[wbogaardt]

We desperately need new young pilots. Our population of pilots is getting older and smaller. Check out project pilot with AOPA and sign up for the mentor program. It will help you with a lot of free stuff and information and a mentor can help you keep motivated in your training.

[dingoklectos]

@wbogaardt

Flying as an occupation (under pressure, taking risk in bad weather, fast-maintained flights, underpaid wages) get old really quickly. My friend flew for 6 months as a career and then quit because he was living on food stamps and hated the risk he had to take due to being forced to fly in bad weather.

As a pilot told me 'if you love flying, then do it as a hobby so you'll still love it'..the only problem with that is it gets expensive...lol

[dingoklectos]

@wbogaardt

I agree with you. But the problem is I see a lack of people applying for pilot jobs due to starting wages of 4-5 bucks per hour (they say its 21/hr...but in reality, you have to work for 80 hours/week instead of the 20 hours, which is only the engine-run time). Miles o Brien interviewd the greedy thug, Roger Cohen who justified the low income and safety issues. Jonathan Ornstein of Mesa Air is another douchebag. The GA carriers need to raise the wages/benefits for the future .

[pacdset50]

I got my ppl when i was 18, and am now 20 and can barely afford to fly. Id be lucky if i could fly for an hour every 2 weeks. if they impose user fees, i'll probably end up cutting flying back to just once every 90 days just to stay current...sad...

[countryflyboy]

ill check it out thanks