Shares Association's Opposition With Foreign Experts

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) told ANN Thursday the association's vice president for government affairs Andy Cebula (right) spoke about general aviation and aerial work (GA/AW) at an informational session with nearly 20 transportation experts from embassies from around the world.

The meeting of the Aviation Assembly, held at the embassy of the Netherlands in Washington, DC, was an opportunity to explain the current general aviation system in the United States to the aviation officials, and express AOPA's position on the current debate over air traffic control user fees.

After explaining AOPA and its mission, Cebula underscored the fact general aviation aircraft are essential to the US economy. "Two thirds of the world's GA/AW aircraft are located in the United States," said Cebula, "and nearly 70 percent of flying is business related.

"General aviation also includes medical evacuation, disaster relief, and other lifesaving missions," said Cebula. "It is also a vital tool for small business owners as well as large corporations."

At the meeting, Cebula covered the current FAA funding debate, explaining it's currently funded through an efficient system of taxes on aviation fuel, airline tickets, and general tax revenues, and outlined how the FAA wants to change to a system of user fees and increased taxes.

By October 2007, the US Congress must extend the current system, approve a new system, or approve a combination of the two.

Cebula explained AOPA's position that Congress must maintain its role in management and oversight of the FAA, and that continuing the current system of aviation excise taxes through the federal budget process is the best way to do so.

The association strongly opposes a user fee-funded system.

"If Congress were to approve a user fee-funded system in this country, we could expect a huge decline in the general aviation community, being literally priced out of the sky," said Cebula. 
 
Using information obtained at the International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations (IAOPA) World Assembly last year, Cebula presented the facts about user fees in other countries. For example, a landing fee for a Cessna 172 in the Netherlands is between $10 and $50; it costs $250 to get a medical certificate in that country; and pilots pay $750 for a private pilot certificate exam. These costs are considerably higher than what pilots pay for medical certificates and flight exams in the United States. In addition, most US airports do not impose landing fees on general aviation pilots.

Countries represented at the meeting include: Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Commission.

IAOPA represents the interests of more than 470,000 general aviation and aerial work pilots and aircraft operators through AOPA affiliates in 65 countries around the world. The Council was formed in 1962 to provide a voice for general aviation in world aviation forums.

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.iaopa.org