AOPA Asks Questions, Gets Answers From Presidential Candidates

(In a continuing effort to get the presidential candidates on record about issues important to general aviation, AOPA asked both President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry for some specific answers. This is the second of a two-part story on where both men stand --ed.)

Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Democratic Candidate For President

AOPA: What is your experience with general aviation? How have you personally used general aviation?

Mr. Kerry: I have been a pilot for more than 30 years, so I am quite familiar with general aviation.

AOPA: As an elected official, what is the most important action you have taken to support general aviation?

Mr. Kerry: A couple of things come to mind. First, I supported the General Aviation Revitalization Act in 1994, which is credited with getting the industry out of its economic slump and on the road to record growth. I also wrote a small business relief bill after September 11, 2001, which passed the Senate and would have made low-interest government loans available for an array of affected businesses, including general aviation businesses.

AOPA: Airports are essential in accessing the national air transportation system, but are often faced with the threat of closure or limits on access. Do you support general aviation airports as part of the national airport system?

Mr. Kerry: I believe that general aviation airports are an integral part of the national airport system. General aviation contributes about $100 billion to our economy annually and supports over a million jobs. I am aware that some airports have been closed to GA since September 11 and that others permit limited access to the airspace. Increased domestic security is now a fact of life, but I think that the government has a responsibility to see that the effect on businesses and individuals is minimized.

AOPA: Post 9/11, some have singled out general aviation, in comparison to other transportation modes, as a security concern. How do you view general aviation security?

Mr. Kerry: All modes of transportation have become security concerns since September 11. Aviation is the obvious concern, but we've also addressed port security and have finally started to look at transit and rail. The challenge we face is finding the right balance between security, individual rights, and economic interests. We can't mandate rules that would stifle economic growth or infringe on civil liberties, but we also need to take common-sense steps to make the security improvements that can help prevent another 9/11. I know that AOPA has worked with the Transportation Security Administration to develop a system to help alert authorities to suspicious activity around GA airports. This kind of public-private partnership is necessary since there are well over 10,000 GA airports across the country.

AOPA: Industry observers, think tanks, and some airlines have proposed a variety of management structures for the FAA's air traffic control system. Do you believe air traffic control is a government function or should be spun off to the private sector?

Mr. Kerry: I oppose privatizing the air traffic control system. I believe air traffic control is a national security concern that should be handled by the government.

AOPA: General aviation is very sensitive to cost and access to the air traffic control system. How will you work to address these concerns of general aviation pilots?

Mr. Kerry: I believe that government agencies that regulate sectors of the economy have a responsibility to ensure that the concerns of those affected are heard when policy makers review rules or propose new ones. I'm aware that the GA community is sensitive to airspace access and business-related costs, and my administration will address these concerns inclusively.

AOPA: Several other countries operate using a system that charges based on each component of a flight, replacing the US model that uses a transparent aviation fuel and ticket taxes to fund the aviation system. What is your view of how to fund the aviation system?

Mr. Kerry: I support the current funding system, in which aviation-related taxes are placed into trust funds that pay for airport infrastructure improvements, air traffic control, and security.

AOPA: During the next term you would be nominating an FAA administrator. What qualities would you look for in a nominee?

Mr. Kerry: I'll be looking for the same qualities in all my agency nominees: honesty, integrity, experience in the public and private sectors, and strong leadership skills.

FMI: www.johnkerry.com, President Bush's Responses, www.aopa.org