Why don't we just kill general aviation, get it over with.  That is exactly what this bill will do. So many GA pilots are doing good just to afford to fly (including me).  All this is doing is the airlines way of influencing the government.  But they try to say this is a bill to tax the super rich corporate guys jetting around the country, but that is just a fraction of the GA in this country.

AOPA is very involved in fighting user fees, so if you're interested, head over to http://www.aopa.org/ to check up on it. 

Personally, I think user fees stink.  What's being proposed right now really wouldn't kill GA.   I know I wouldn't stop flying, and I'm not rolling in the dough by any means.  The problem would be, once it started, it really wouldn't stop with this first bill being passed.  The current funding plan would provide enough for ATC upgrades in the future, according to AOPA, so the new funding plan isn't really needed, but there are probably far more lobbyists in Washington working for the airlines than the number working for GA, so they're going to have a bit more say in what happens in the future, and they way they want it is to pass the buck to GA, and save a couple dollars themselves.

I've thrown my hat in with AOPA in this fight- they are well-organized and have the ear of many people in Washington. But without support, they can't hope to win. You can join even if you're not a pilot. I urge anyone concerned to visit AOPA's site and have a look at the information provided there.

The bill as currently structured wouldn't kill GA completely in the US, but it will make it a mere shadow of what it was, and ruin many  businesses. Whole communities will be affected.  The gov't has been studying how European rules and fees are set up: need I say more?

Most pilots would find a way to afford to fly regardless, but one of the ways they'll do it is by not using the services. There are already problems arising in Europe with GA pilots making illegal IFR flights, with predictable results.

To argue that we've been lucky, etc. is beside the point: the current funding system works fine, and the required improvements in the ATC system don't have to be paid for in the manner proposed.

The airlines will easily absorb new fees and taxes by jacking up ticket prices slightly, or maybe laying off workers. Corporate charter businesses would be affected slightly, but could still get away with passing the extra cost on to their customers, who are usually writing those trips off on their tax returns anyway.
Your friendly neighborhood GA business, however, will get screwed, as will every wannabe pilot who is already hard-pressed to afford to get into flying.

beaky wrote on Apr 25^th, 2007 at 10:08am:

That's why I started towards my instrument rating now.  I don't want to have to pay for the training, and for 40 hours worth of user fees.

Ravang wrote on Apr 26^th, 2007 at 8:34pm:


I can guarantee you there will be a jump in GA crash rates by charging for weather briefings.  Right now the FAA encourages pilots to brief before every flight, but less will if they have to use their credit card to do it.

And as for the world wide part, US congress doesn't care what non US citizens who can't vote for them think.