Former Chair Of The House Transportation Aviation Subcommittee Says Agreement 'Best Course Of Action'

In a statement following the announcement of an agreement reached between the FAA and the EAA on reimbursement for ATC services at AirVenture in Oshkosh, U.S. Representative Tom Petri (R-WI), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says that he is generally supportive of the agreement.

“I continue to question the FAA’s authority to charge EAA for the costs of AirVenture and other air shows or special events, but I’m glad this moves things forward for the time being as we look for a more permanent resolution,” Petri, who formerly chaired the House Transportation Aviation Subcommittee, said in the statement.

“At the end of the day, the EAA felt this was the best course of action, and I support them in this decision.  It was certainly not the best outcome possible, but it does give the organization and the general aviation community certainty that AirVenture will continue."

Under the agreement announced late last week, FAA will provide air traffic control and other personnel for AirVenture as in past years, with EAA covering the cost of travel, accommodations, backfill overtime, and other miscellaneous expenses. At the same time, the FAA agrees that if EAA does find a better solution to provide a high standard of ATC services at Oshkosh, EAA may move to that option with full FAA support.

FMI: http://petri.house.gov