Avgas in France has reached $7.50/gal !

Jay Honeck wrote:
BTW: With France's population of 60 million (compared to the US
population of 295 million), statistically France should be expected to
have around 42,000 aircraft and 3,800 airports, all things being equal.


Since they have 6300 and 481, respectively, I'd say their avgas prices
have done a remarkably good job of killing aviation in France.

Of course, this comparison doesn't take into account France's tiny (by
comparison) land-mass (which means they don't have room for as many
airports), but it nevertheless highlights what a horrendous impact
outrageous over-taxation can have on aviation.


It proves no such thing. American enumeracy at work.
The land mass of France, as far as I can determine from a quick sweep,
is one 18th that of the US. Is their number of pilots and/or airports an
eighteenth of those in this country?

Taxation? How did such a silly premise get started?

It proves no such thing. American enumeracy at work.
The land mass of France, as far as I can determine from a quick sweep, is
one 18th that of the US. Is their number of pilots and/or airports an
eighteenth of those in this country?

Since when do potential pilots decide to become pilots based on the
available *land mass*? What kind of logic is THAT?

In my world, aviation enthusiasts become pilots because they can't resist
the call.

Unless, of course, they can't find the money to pay for it...

Taxation? How did such a silly premise get started?

Excessive taxation (or, if you will, social engineering) controls EVERYTHING
in society. When you tax something by 300%, you very effectively limit its
use.

As a fellow Iowan you can relate to this example: What is going to happen
to cigarette smoking in Iowa if (when?) the legislature double the tax on a
pack of smokes, as they are debating this very week? Predictions range
from a 13% to 26% drop in smoking.

Works the same with avgas.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 13:49:20 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote in AbO9e.5855$WI3.1063@attbi_s71::

What is going to happen
to cigarette smoking in Iowa if (when?) the legislature double the tax on a
pack of smokes

Iowa smokers will purchase out of state.

What is going to happen
to cigarette smoking in Iowa if (when?) the legislature double the tax on
a
pack of smokes

Iowa smokers will purchase out of state.

The aviation parallel, of course, is simply to witness how many foreign-born
pilots come to America to train -- to escape predatory taxation.

I'm all for people quitting smoking, but adding 60-some cents per pack
tax -- overnight -- seems like a great way to (a) cut tax income for the
State and (b) create a thriving black market.

Heck, I remember in the 1970s my parents would pay a trucker friend to pick
up 50 cartons of cigarettes whenever he drove through Virginia (?) because
they cost a whole dollar less (per carton!) then they did in Wisconsin.
With this proposed tax, the difference could be as much as $12 per carton!

Social engineering through taxation -- even well-meaning efforts -- almost
always seems to have unforeseen consequences.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:03:58 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:
snip
Social engineering through taxation -- even well-meaning efforts -- almost
always seems to have unforeseen consequences.
You mean something like prohibition? It created a great market for
the mobs back then.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

"Roger" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:03:58 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:
snip
Social engineering through taxation -- even well-meaning efforts --
almost
always seems to have unforeseen consequences.
You mean something like prohibition? It created a great market for
the mobs back then.

Prohibition had noting to do with taxes. It did, though, create a thriving
black market and the highest crime rates in US history. It's counterpart is
the modern "drug war", an it's created a great market for the modern day
gangs in that market niche. Another up and comer is the prescription drugs
coming from Mexico and Canada.

"Crisis mongering" is an apt description.


Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

"Roger" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:03:58 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:
snip
Social engineering through taxation -- even well-meaning efforts -- almost
always seems to have unforeseen consequences.
You mean something like prohibition? It created a great market for
the mobs back then.


The same is practiced in the US. Its called every man for themselves.
Interesting that the main sneerers of using taxation to tackle the problems
of society does not recognise that his passion of flying is heavily
supported by taxation. Not just the tax on AVGAS that covers squat.

Who funds the FAA, who funds the DODD, who funds airport development, who is
funding the bankrupt airlines, usually taxpayers, either federal, state or
city most all of them. Seems to me like US aviation is one of the biggest
babies sucking on the welfare tit.

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:OGT9e.5851$r53.2488@attbi_s21...
What is going to happen
to cigarette smoking in Iowa if (when?) the legislature double the tax
on
a
pack of smokes

Iowa smokers will purchase out of state.

The aviation parallel, of course, is simply to witness how many
foreign-born
pilots come to America to train -- to escape predatory taxation.

[snip]

Social engineering through taxation -- even well-meaning efforts -- almost
always seems to have unforeseen consequences.

Much more than most people realize, or even more than they could possibly
conceive.

http://washingtontimes.com/commentar...5314-5313r.htm

Jay Honeck wrote:

As a fellow Iowan you can relate to this example: What is going to happen
to cigarette smoking in Iowa if (when?) the legislature double the tax on a
pack of smokes, as they are debating this very week? Predictions range
from a 13% to 26% drop in smoking.

Knowing a couple of smokers myself, my prediction is they will just
mumble somewhat, then rise their tobacco budget and continue to smoke.

Stefan

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:AbO9e.5855$WI3.1063@attbi_s71...
It proves no such thing. American enumeracy at work.
The land mass of France, as far as I can determine from a quick sweep, is
one 18th that of the US. Is their number of pilots and/or airports an
eighteenth of those in this country?

Since when do potential pilots decide to become pilots based on the
available *land mass*? What kind of logic is THAT?


Why do you think that there are more pilots per capita in AK than anywhere
else even though the affordability of flying in AK is much less than in the
lower 48?


Mike
MU-2