Potential user fees protested by general aviation groups
July 20, 2011, 04:45 pm
The federal government is considering instituting general aviation user fees for private pilots in an attempt to reduce the national debt. The possibility of these fees has been strongly protested by a number of organizations, including the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Helicopter Association International, National Air Transportation Association, National Association of State Aviation Officials and the National Business Aviation Association.
These groups wrote a plea to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, urging both chambers of Congress to remain steadfast in their previous rejections of aviation user fees.
"Currently, general aviation contributes to the federal government through an effective system of fuel taxes… we strongly believe that a general aviation fuel tax represents the best way for our industry to contribute revenues. User fees have absolutely devastated general aviation in other parts of the world, and in the United States, they would only serve to create a new federal collection bureaucracy of billing agents, auditors and collection officials to harass small businesses and others," the letter said.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association notes that general aviation already supports the economy through local taxes and fees on hangars, fuel and other charges. The addition of user fees would unnecessarily add to the expenses of aircraft owners who already pay significant premiums for pilot life insurance.
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