WASHINGTON, D.C. — Opening salvos in the FAA reauthorization/user fee battle were fired March 8 in the Senate Aviation Subcommittee and it quickly became clear the coming months will see aggressive actions by all sides in the controversy. This first hearing brought out the expected supporters and opponents of the administration’s proposals, plus a few […]
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User fee battle just the beginning: airlines want even more from GA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The user fee/fuel tax issue is consuming much of the time and energy of aviation advocates here but, win or lose the battle, general aviation will continue to have difficult struggles with the airlines for months — or perhaps years — to come. That was obvious from statements made by officials at […]
Bush budget opens ‘Padora’s box’: As predicted, userfees and higher fuel taxes part of plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American airline industry is closer to getting what it wants — user fees for general aviation — now that President Bush’s budget officially calls for taxes and fees on users of air traffic control facilities, instead of the ticket tax on passengers and a fuel tax on general aviation. In the […]
Senators push TSA to ramp up GA security: ‘More robust plan’may be on the way
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some members of Congress want general aviation to undergo the same security checks as airline passengers — and the head of the Transportation Security Administration told senators that TSA is “”looking at steps”” to improve its general aviation tactics, and added that “”a more robust plan”” is on the way. At a […]
A busy year ahead: Expect confrontations on everything from user fees to cell phones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This is going to be a busy year in Washington for aviation. Expect confrontations between various segments of aviation, between the FAA and some of its employees, between the government and some users, between the FAA and certificate holders, and possibly within the political parties. We already know about the user fee […]
The latest on NAVAIDS, user fees and fuel rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Should the NAVAIDS at airports go unmonitored when the tower is closed? That’s a question the FAA is asking as it proposes leaving certain Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), Localizer Type Directional Aids (LDA), Microwave Landing Systems (MLS), and Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) unmonitored at times when the control tower is not operating. Some […]
What is on Santa’s list for GA’s movers and shakers?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaking news to reporters is a favorite indoor sport practiced by almost everyone in this town. While most reporters will not reveal their sources, I gladly will. My source for these items comes straight from the top man himself — Santa Claus. He revealed to me what some of Washington’s movers and […]
Democratic control could bring change to user fee fight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation groups are cautiously optimistic about the changes in Congressional committee leaderships that will bring into power lawmakers who in the past have shown opposition to user fees. Democrats are expected to take a more negative view of changing how the FAA is funded, but reauthorization of the FAA is still […]
Fair is fair? FAA, airlines continue blitz for user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) held its annual conference and exposition here earlier this month and, as with most aviation meetings now, one of the hottest sessions concerned funding for the FAA. A panel discussion brought out the usual airline pitch of fairness. This hackneyed point was touted by Sharon Pinkerton, […]