The Candidates Answer Identical Questions On Topics Important To Pilots

Rather than openly endorsing a candidate for President of the United States in the upcoming election, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association chose to simply pose identical questions to both hopefuls... and let the readers decide for themselves.

The questionnaire covered nine topics of interest, including hot items like user fees, airport security, and the environment. The answers varied broadly from concise to rambling, and the candidates were sometimes even in basic agreement on certain issues, such as their opposition to the privatization of ATC services.

Questioned about their personal experiences with GA, Senator Obama said, "I have always been pleased with the ease and convenience of utilizing general aviation as I travel to all parts of our country."

Senator McCain talked of utilizing several modes of travel on the campaign trail, "particularly private aviation. As much as I enjoy traveling by bus, I will travel many more miles by air during this campaign."

Another point of consensus was shared in their remarks about GA security, each lauding the Airport Watch program spearheaded by AOPA.

McCain said, "The United States cannot afford to be complacent about the threat" of terrorist activities, but promised "to keep in mind that to impinge on the rights of our own citizens or restrict the freedoms for which our nation stands would be to give terrorists the victory they seek."

"I believe that our country must continue to be vigilant in strengthening our homeland security," Obama said, and vowed to "ensure that security regulations are implemented in partnership with aircraft users and that we do not implement one-size-fits-all policies."

Asked whether proposed user fees should replace the current system to fund the FAA, Obama said, "I believe we must continue to use an appropriate mixture of reasonable taxes and fees to fund the FAA," and was supportive of general fund dollars continuing to fund 25 percent of the FAA's budget.

McCain, "frustrated with infighting over FAA financing between different parts of the aviation community," didn't really give a yea or nay to user fees, but hopes "all aviation interests can work together to develop a consensus financing system that will be robust enough to fund the FAA's requirements, especially modernization," and cited his past endorsement of Airport and Airway Trust Fund and general fund expenditures.

The final question related to specific qualities desirable in an FAA administrator. Addressing the challenging task of implementing NextGen, McCain said, "I will search for an administrator who will be a strong leader with the experience and management background needed to ensure that the FAA succeeds in modernizing the air traffic control system."

Obama said he "will appoint a qualified FAA administrator who has an unwavering commitment to public service and will put the safety and security of the American people ahead of partisanship and ideology," adding that he is "committed to turning back some of the recent failures" of past administrators.

FMI: www.aopa.org