American Corn Growers Join Alliance For Aviation Across America

The number of professional organizations advocating against the FAA's proposed fuel hikes and user fees grew by one this week, with the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) joining the Alliance for Aviation Across America's (AAAA) 2,400 members in opposing the measure, reported Business XChange for Air Charter.

Said Larry Mitchell, chief executive of the Washington, DC-based ACGA, "The FAA's plan to triple the tax on aviation fuel and its proposal to impose so-called 'user fees' on farmers and small businesses will be devastating to our rural economy." ACGA represents 14,000 members in 35 states.

The 300 percent GA fuel tax increase, he added, will significantly harm businesses, organizations, farms, and ranchers that use small planes.

"User fees, part of the Bush administration's plan for the FAA reauthorization, will directly offset a multi-billion-dollar tax break for the airlines," he stated.

In addition, said Mitchell, the airline-backed bill also slashes funding for the Essential Air Service Program and the Airport Improvement Program.

"This eliminates funding for the Small Communities Air Service Program, all of which are critical for the preservation of the airports. In fact, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Aviation Subcommittee estimates that approximately 300 airports would lose current grant funding under the new FAA proposal."

The Alliance for Aviation Across America is more than a general aviation-related alliance that opposes the FAA's funding plan, Mitchell said.

"Local officials, small business, rural and agricultural groups, charitable organizations, community airports, as well as aviation professionals have joined the alliance."

According to AAAA spokesperson Selena Shilad, "The coalition was formed to fight the commercial airline-backed user-fee proposal that imposes tax hikes on small businesses and towns across America. In addition to ACGA, coalition members include the League of Rural Voters; National Association of State Aviation Officials; Air Care Alliance; National Farmers Union; National Agricultural Aviation Association; National Business Aviation Association; Angel Flight; AirCraft Owners and Pilots Association; and hundreds of small and medium-size businesses from around the US."

FMI: www.acga.org, www.aviationacrossamerica.org