AOPA President Says Group Has "Strategic" Plan

In a letter to members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association posted on the group's website, AOPA President Phil Boyer called on all pilots to help combat the FAA's funding proposal on Capitol Hill.

"I've heard from a lot of you since the Bush administration revealed its plan to coddle the airlines and kill general aviation with a 70-cents-a-gallon avgas tax, user fees for flying into Class B airspace, and new or increased fees for other FAA 'services,'" Boyer writes. "Most of you want to know what you can do right now to fight this harmful FAA funding proposal."

"We have a battle plan, and it's much more sophisticated than just asking all of you to write your congressman or senator immediately," Boyer adds. "Our strategic plan calls for bringing pressure to bear on certain members of Congress at specific times."

"In the coming months, each of you will be called to help, but in a highly segmented fashion. And when the final bills are up for vote by the entire Congress, we will issue a national call to action," Boyer writes. "Within a short time, I'll be asking some of you who reside in certain districts to contact your elected officials. These officials are members of key committees in both the Senate and House."

"As the proposal moves through other committees, we will call on others to weigh in at the most effective times. And a lot of committees will have interest in this bill, including the House Ways and Means Committee, Senate Finance Committee, plus committees with jurisdiction over the military, homeland security, etc."

Boyer also urges members to write their representatives or senators, and keep AOPA apprised on their efforts and any responses they receive. He notes a letter or fax is far more effective than an email, as it is more likely to be seen by the member of Congress, rather than be answered directly by a staffer.

"Whenever you send something to Congress, please send me a copy," Boyer adds, "and more importantly, send me whatever response you get. We are tracking every single member of Congress. We will hold each one to their promises."

Above all, Boyer says, members shouldn't despair. While the battle is just beginning, it is winnable.

"'I'm going to sell my airplane now, Phil, and give up flying because I won't be able to afford it anymore,' wrote one [member], echoing the feelings of many others," Boyer writes. "Well, let me tell you -- after saving up for years, I now personally own two single-engine airplanes, and I'm not ready to give them up yet. I know in my heart we can win this fight."

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.faa.gov