The Future of US Aviation...

[Trent 0]

I wanted to post this here because I figured it would be the one thing that *almost* all of us could agree on.

Basically congress and the senate will be deciding how to fund aviation in the US very soon. The airlines want to make it easier and cheaper for them (if you think that'll make YOUR tickets cheaper, think again) at the expense of practically killing general aviation (including skydiving). Basically, the airlines want much of the burden of funding to come from general aviation, which would make it so expensive that it would kill off much of the "fun" flying and make it inaccessible to much more of the population.

No, it's not about helping rich guys keep their planes and keep it cheap to operate their private aircraft, it's about keeping one last vestige of the American "pioneer spirit" alive. (IMO).

Check out AOPA's position (they're on our side) and sign their petition if you're so inclined. It might end up saving all of us from losing a hobby or job! All the pertinent info is available via links on the right of the page.

https://www.aopa.org/faafundingdebate/petition_form.cfm

Oh, hello again!

[tbrown 26]

I just got a letter from AOPA asking me to join. You'll probably be getting yours soon. The poo is about to hit the prop. Think I'll sign up.

It's that or join a bowling league.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[lurch 0]

This "user fee" thing has been all over the grapevine last few months. There was a petition circulating around Jumptown, my guess is a lot of DZs might have done the same.
Is there anyone on these boards "in the industry" so to speak, who actually knows something about how such things are done who can give us an educated guess as to the chances of citizen action successfully killing this thing?

Live and learn... or die, and teach by example.

[willard 0]

I got my private pilot certificate in '93. Even back then there was talk of user fees, so it's nothing new. But that doesn't mean it will just keep going away. Sign the petitions, donate to the groups fighting it, etc. Every bit helps. (AOPA does a good job and you get a really nice magazine with pictures of really cool and expensive airplanes.)
Personally I am not opposed to reasonable user fees, but I have never seen anything reasonable proposed.

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

I just got a letter from AOPA asking me to join. You'll probably be getting yours soon. The poo is about to hit the prop. Think I'll sign up.

It's that or join a bowling league.

It's worse that ya might think....


I was changing planes in Newark last week and there were literally dozens of people walking around with petitions asking for signatures....and trust me, these were NOT supporting 'private' aviation's cause!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[quade 4]

Bah! The average joe hasn't been able to afford to fly in quite awhile. When a "cheap" rag and tube airplane goes for over $125,000 new, the average joe is simply priced out.

I love AOPA magazine, but one of the more depressing things to look at each month is how much of it is devoted to aircraft I'll NEVER be able to even come close to affording.

As for the "pioneer spirit" . . . where the hell did you get that idea? While there is still a certain amount of romance to be had in the sky, ain't nobody been doin' nuthin' in the way of "pioneering" for a long damn time. THAT era was over a LONG time ago.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kallend 2,148]

The airlines are keeping a steady drumbeat of propaganda, trying to blame GA for delays caused by their own ineptitude.

Hey Trent, shouldn't you be paying attention to Nationals? There's a cool video of your team on OmniSkore.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.