WASHINGTON, D.C. — Not since 1981, when the air traffic controllers struck the FAA and then-President Ronald Reagan ordered them fired and replaced, has the air traffic control situation been as potentially explosive as it is now. After nine months of bitter contract negotiations, by law the mess went to the Congress, which had 60 […]
Capital Comments
Tribute dinner shines light on GA’s humanitarian efforts
WASHINGTON, DC — A tribute dinner was held at a hotel just two blocks from the Capitol where legislators are wrestling over FAA budgets, user fees and other issues of aviation. Dinners here are as numerous as fleas on a mangy dog. But this one showed what aviation means to the nation by honoring just […]
Race in on to convince lawmakers about how to fund the FAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — One thing about Washington politics: It is believed that if something is said often enough, it is going to be believed — that is, unless someone or something also says the opposite often enough. Take funding of the Federal Aviation Administration for instance. Like Chicken Little running around screaming that “”the sky […]
Today’s problems have been decades in the making
WASHINGTON, D.C. — One problem of being around an industry for a long time is that you remember what the worries were then and what was or was not done about them. Take airports and air traffic control, for instance. About 45 years ago, general aviation manufacturers were a part of the Washington-based Aerospace Industries […]
FAA officials use growth in number of airline flights to tout user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation flight hours are expected to grow at a rate of 3.2% a year for the next 10 years Meanwhile, airline passenger count is forecast to grow at a rate of 3% a year, but there will be more flights with air carriers using smaller regional airplanes with lower ticket costs. […]
Industry’s excitment about record sales tempered by spectre of user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the annual industry review meeting of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), companies reported a record year for dollar volume in 2005, a 20% growth in the number of piston airplanes delivered, a positive outlook for the future, and a determination to not allow user fees, proposed by the administration and […]
The state of the industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The future of general aviation looks bright but major issues will be faced this year. That was the assessment of the state of the industry by James Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), at that group’s annual luncheon for Washington journalists. Saying the business and charter sides of general […]
Pilots speak out against Washington ADIZ
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “”Don’t take a bad idea and make it permanent.”” — Phil Boyer, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “”This is an idiot’s game. All we are doing is punishing law-abiding citizens.”” — Jim Coyne, president, National Air Transportation Association (NATA). “”Do rules or little lines on a chart really […]
Could tax bill kill GA?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Congress returns from its break, one of the important issues it will take up is the Tax Relief Act of 2005, which contains two harmful proposals for general aviation. The bill —S. 2020 — passed the Senate with these provisions. The House version is different, so it will go to conference, […]