PILOT INSURANCE CENTER

Virginia mayors write a letter to Obama over user fee concerns

General aviation is critical to not only the U.S. economy but also to businesses and citizens who rely on it. One state is recognizing this importance and looking to confront changes that threaten the livelihood of those who depend on general aviation.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America recently reported that mayors and city officials across 12 communities in West Virginia have written a letter to President Barack Obama showing their concern over the proposed $100 per flight user fee tax.

The letter starts by showing how general aviation affects the U.S. as a whole. The group of representatives said that general aviation supports 1.2 million American jobs and contributes $150 billion in annual economic output. General aviation is critical to Virginia, supporting 5,200 jobs and contributing more than $728 million in economic output each year.

"Also concerning to us is the recent discussion of new “user fee” taxes on general aviation aircraft operators," the letterstated. "These taxes would mean not only an additional tax burden, but a huge administrative burden on businesses, farms and organizations that use general aviation and that would have to literally keep track of invoices for fees for thousands of take-offs and landings. In addition, at a time when our government is supposed to be finding ways to reduce government spending, we do not understand why some in Congress seek to create huge, new bureaucracy within the FAA to administer these new taxes."

Last month, a group of mayors from 15 communities in Ohio expressed the same concerns to President Obama. The recent letter from Virginia actually contains an important piece of that letter, highlighting who is actually going to be affected by these user fees.

"As you know well, the vast majority of businesses and organizations that own and utilize general aviation are not wealthy CEOs," read the letter from boththe Ohio and Virginiamayors. "Rather, 85% are small to mid-sized businesses and organizations that rely on these aircraft to reach far-off plants and customers, serve rural markets without access to commercial aviation, or deliver medical care and other services. We can tell you firsthand that these aircraft are a crucial tool and resource for businesses in our communities; businesses that keep our communities afloat and help workers to be able to continue to put food on their table for their families."

With the user fee tax a pending issue, pilots in the general aviation community should save where they can and financially plan with pilot life insurance.

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