Well it is and it is not, one needs to know a little about govenment
to understand the system. Just like commercial fuel taxes at the gas
station pays for the interstate highway system, the fuel tax and other
fees pay for the airway jetroute system. Each system of
transportation is mostly self supporting.

It is also very interesting how much each system ties into the other.
Ever wonder why a VFR C150 can fly into ORD on the busiest day and why
at such a busy commerical place they dont try and restrict slow
private aircraft. Once they do, then Grayhound Bus could demand the
same thing over the George Washington Bridge into NYC. And we all
know the little guy driving the VW Bug has the same right to the road
as the driver of the Greyhound bus.











"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message nk.net...
"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
...

My understanding:
The system as it is currently financed is from fuel and gate (ticket)
taxes. The system is not only self supporting, but actually
accumulates money. Unfortunately the way the system is set up the FAA
has to justify the money they spend as if it comes from the general
fund. Only those who fly and use aviation fuel are paying in to the
system, not he general taxpayer.

It is one of the few government agencies that has been self
supporting, even if it does have some problems. Many of which are due
to the way congress lets them have their own money.


My understanding is that Air Traffic is about 85% funded by the trust fund,
at least it was several years ago. It shouldn't be funded exclusively from
aviation taxes because Air Traffic also provides services to the military.