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Airlines Push To Kill General Aviation
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/GA-Groups-Protest-ATC-Changes-225545-1.html
GA Groups Protest ATC Changes By Mary Grady Anticipating that Congress will consider changes to how the FAA functions and gets its funding in the upcoming session, 15 general-aviation advocacy groups signed on to a letter today asking the leaders of transportation policy in the U.S. House to hear their “real and long-standing concerns” about the expected proposals. “Some big airlines have pushed for a new governance and funding model for our nation’s aviation system, based on systems in other parts of the world,” the letter (PDF http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/20160119-Association-Letter-ATC-Reform-More-Than-Just-User-Fees.php) states. The GA concerns “go well beyond the user-fee issue,” according to the letter. “These concerns are based on our operating experiences in foreign systems, as well as thoughtful analysis about what those systems might look like in the United States.” Mark Baker, president of AOPA, told AVweb today his organization wants to be sure that “the needs of our community” are considered in any potential changes to how ATC is financed and structured. “That’s why it’s so important that we have ample time to review the actual text of any legislation, so we can make informed decisions to address our concerns with the present system and any proposed changes,” he wrote in an email. “Ultimately, we will protect the interests of general aviation, ensure user fees are not included in any final bill, and that whatever structure is in place will support the entire aviation community, including GA, for the long term.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Airlines Push To Kill General Aviation
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Politicians-Weigh-In-On-ATC-Privatization-225591-1.html Politicians Weigh In On ATC Privatization By Russ Niles Political momentum is gathering against the proposal to fundamentally change the way the federal government funds and administers the National Airspace System. A week after two influential Republican congressmen categorically stated that no new user fees would be accepted to fund a privatized system, two Democratic members are joining a grassroots liberal movement to end the whole privatization debate. In a statement released Tuesday, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said they were joining an online petition http://signforgood.com/airtrafficcontrol/ that has gathered 130,000 names to stop the privatization bid. "An FAA reauthorization bill that includes severing and privatizing Air Traffic Control has not emerged, but, as petitions submitted today from the public demonstrate, the long suspense has understandably fed fears for public safety, loss and downgrading of middle class jobs, and increased costs passed on to passengers — unacceptable tradeoffs," Norton said in a statement quoted by The Hill http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/267035-dems-look-to-ground-private-air-traffic-control-plan. A week before, Republican GA advocates Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) wrote an opinion piece http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/266093-no-reason-to-stall in the The Hill that suggests they've heard the aviation industry's concerns about "per-flight" user fees clearly. In the article, the congressmen say they're in favor of kicking the table over on the current system but not if it hurts GA. "We have stood front and center in the fight against per-flight user fees on general aviation," they wrote. "That position remains unchanged, and we would not even entertain this transition discussion if we found out it would harm the general aviation community. Ultimately, we want to ensure that these aviators reap the benefits of a modern, efficient air traffic control system." The system they envision is a "user-funded, user-governed, not-for-profit organization, all in a manner that protects the small aircraft operators and private pilots who use the system." The debate is ramping up as the deadline to pass a reauthorization bill for the FAA looms on March 31. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://signforgood.com/airtrafficcontrol/ Signature needed: Tell Congress not to privatize our air traffic control system Every day, the men and women working for FAA's Air Traffic Control (ATC) keep our nation's skies safe for air passengers. The busy holiday travel season is no different as they work to ensure we make it home to spend quality time with our loved ones. We can and should expect our air traffic control system to keep working far into the future. But Republicans in Congress and lobbyists for some of the biggest airlines are rushing to privatize ATC operations and jeopardize a system that is second to none where safety is concerned. A few countries have privatized their ATC systems and the results have been what you probably expect: higher costs for passengers, less democratic oversight, and job losses. Privatizing ATC operations here would also hurt rural communities who depend on smaller airports to thrive. In just a few weeks, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be taking up the issue and they need to hear from you! Please help stop this disastrous proposal. Republicans on the relevant committees are making this their first priority when they return to Washington in January, so we have to speak up now. Sign the petition and share it with your network. FAA needs stable, long-term funding to keep our country's skies safe, not more outsourcing. To Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and the members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: The United States has one of the safest air traffic control systems in the world. The FAA is currently working to implement new technologies that will make air travel even safer and more efficient. While all programs can be improved, we urge you not to dismantle and privatize an air traffic control system that is not broken. Our nation can’t afford to privatize our air traffic control system. Were we to do so, the result could be more consolidation and power for airlines, less choice and more expensive travel for consumers, loss of good jobs among air traffic controllers and other aviation workers, and more cuts at rural airports. Privatizing air traffic control and turning control over to an unelected board of airline interests, would further consolidate airline power and be harmful to consumers and small towns. Advocates for privatization claim to be following the examples of the UK and Canada - - but since the UK privatized its air traffic system, 12 percent of jobs were cut AND the new fees and existing taxes on every ticket increased by 140%. In Canada, 14 percent of jobs were cut and the total new fees and taxes increased by 53%. In fact, many privatization initiatives increase costs to consumers, while simultaneously laying off workers without cause. This is not a way to grow our economy or generate broadly shared prosperity. Losing democratic oversight over this part of our national transportation system means that a new monopoly corporation outside of the Federal government will decide how much to charge for air traffic control services and how to allocate resources. This could seriously disadvantage rural communities and small towns by increasing costs and limiting access. Instead of privatizing air traffic control, we believe that Congress should create a pathway to allow the FAA to move forward with long-term capital planning without relinquishing Congressional oversight or allowing a new corporate monopoly run by the airlines to slash air traffic control jobs. The cost of privatization is simply too high. It is bad for workers, bad for passengers, and harmful to smaller and rural communities. Sincerely, American Family Voices Courage Campaign Crooks and Liars Daily Kos Deluge People Demanding Action Progressive Congress Progressive Democrats of America RootsAction.org Watchdog.net © 2016 | Paid for by Daily Kos. Organized by American Family Voices, Courage Campaign, Crooks and Liars, Daily Kos, Deluge, People Demanding Action, Progressive Congress, Progressive Democrats of America, RootsAction.org, Watchdog.net. Note: By signing this petition, you’ll get updates and be able to take similar actions from one or more of these participating organizations. You can of course opt out any time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/267035-dems-look-to-ground-private-air-traffic-control-plan Dems look to ground private air traffic control plan By Keith Laing - 01/26/16 12:20 PM EST Two House Democrats are mobilizing liberal groups against a Republican proposal to privatize large portions of the nation's air traffic control system in a funding measure for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) are joining a group of liberal organizations that have collected 115,000 signatures for a petition against a proposal from House Republicans to create a new nongovernmental agency that would take over air traffic control from the FAA http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/245005-gop-chairman-wants-to-separate-air-traffic-control-from-the-faa. Lawmakers are debating the air traffic control privatization proposal as Congress tries to beat a March 31 deadline http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/250267-aviation-funding-bill-up-in-the-air for renewing the agency's funding. Cummings and Norton said Tuesday that GOP leaders should back off of their air traffic control privatization plan and focus on passing a new round of funding for the FAA. “An FAA reauthorization bill that includes severing and privatizing Air Traffic Control has not emerged, but, as petitions submitted today from the public demonstrate, the long suspense has understandably fed fears for public safety, loss and downgrading of middle class jobs, and increased costs passed on to passengers — unacceptable tradeoffs,” Norton said in a statement. “As a member who once practiced constitutional law, I seriously question whether Congress can constitutionally delegate air traffic control to a private, even non-profit, entity," she continued. "Yet, there is considerable frustration about the dysfunction of the current FAA, which has been repeatedly victimized by the chronic delays and cuts in the appropriations process even before the dangerous sequester cuts. "We are long past due for serious discussions between Democrats and Republicans that could produce a bill that would pass both the House and Senate.” GOP leaders in the House have said the proposed nongovernmental entity could better manage the commercial and private jet flights in the nation's airspace. "After examining various models, I believe we need to establish a federally chartered, fully independent not-for-profit corporation to operate and modernize our [air traffic control] services," House Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said during a speech last June at the Aero Club of Washington. The push to privatize most facets of air traffic control comes as the FAA is in the midst of a years-long effort to discard the World War II-era radar technology currently used to manage airplane traffic in favor of a new satellite-based system, known as NextGen. The conversion has hit turbulence amid missed deadlines and rampant budget cutting in Washington, and supporters of the privatization proposal have said the FAA is ill-equipped to complete the project. Cummings and Norton are scheduled to appear on a conference call about the opposition to the air traffic control privatization plan with officials from Daily Kos, People Demanding Action, Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division and Progressive Congress. The groups said they will "discuss plans to travel to Capitol Hill to deliver a petition to Congress from 115,000 Americans who oppose the privatization of the ATC." Most major airlines support the air traffic control privatization plan. The group that lobbies for them in Washington said Tuesday that opponents are mischaracterizing the proposal to alter the nation's flight navigation system. "Today’s announced coalition believes the status quo is just fine and it is arguing against positions NO ONE is taking," Airlines for America said in a statement. "Proponents of reform advocate for a not-for-profit organization that will be overseen by the FAA and governed by a board inclusive of all stakeholders, including employee unions, general aviation and private fliers, and passengers," the group continued. "That’s the way air traffic services are run in most of the rest of the world," the group added. "We want to see more air traffic controllers hired. We want to make the system even more safe. And most importantly, we want to make flying better for the traveling public. Members of Congress should want the same thing.” The airline group added that "modernizing Air Traffic Control is a critical step toward enhancing safety and making flying more dependable and efficient for consumers." "Any one of the two million people who fly every day can tell you: Air Traffic Control is not as efficient as it could be," the group said. This story was updated at 2:52 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/266093-no-reason-to-stall January 18, 2016, 11:00 am No reason to stall By Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) A foundation of conservatism is our belief that the federal government is incapable of doing just about anything more efficiently or innovatively than the private sector. A perfect example is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) stalled effort to bring our nation’s aviation system into the modern era. As commercially licensed, general aviation pilots with thousands of flight hours, we are uniquely positioned to understand the priorities and concerns of the general aviation community, and how FAA reform can improve our aviation system. The Department of Transportation’s Inspector General has detailed to Congress the FAA’s failure to deliver on the promised benefits of NextGen; a GPS-based air traffic control system. The FAA has missed deadlines, exceeded budgets, and has almost entirely neglected industry stakeholders who will be using this new technology on a daily basis. The status quo is not working, and with each blunder by the FAA it becomes more apparent that the agency is simply not capable of implementing NextGen on its own. It’s time for a better approach. After working extensively over the last 2 years and talking to each stakeholder group, we have learned what best practices to replicate and which to leave behind in regards to air traffic control reform. We continue to be intimately involved in discussions on transitioning air traffic control responsibilities from an ineffective federal bureaucracy to a user-funded, user-governed, not-for-profit organization, all in a manner that protects the small aircraft operators and private pilots who use the system. We have stood front and center in the fight against per-flight user fees on general aviation. That position remains unchanged, and we would not even entertain this transition discussion if we found out it would harm the general aviation community. Ultimately, we want to ensure that these aviators reap the benefits of a modern, efficient air traffic control system. It is true that our nation’s airspace is complex, and also that our general aviation presence is the largest in the world. But that does not preclude us from designing an Air Traffic Control Organization that is superior to any system in existence today. To say it cannot be done is to challenge the very fiber of American ingenuity. We must adopt our own way that meets the unique needs of our system and its users while continuing to operate the safest air traffic control system in the world. Last year, we helped lead a group of 50 planes over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the 70th Anniversary of our Victory in Europe. Those planes symbolized more than America’s victory over fascism and imperialism in World War II. They celebrated a generation that knew it had to lead the world in ingenuity and innovation, because the freedom of tens of millions of people across the globe depended on it. Nowhere was that American exceptionalism and determination more evident than in the skies above oceans and battlefields. The United States led the world in aviation in the 20th century, forever changing the course of human history. Remembering that proud tradition gives us the confidence and resolve to overcome the challenges ahead. To pursue these aggressive reforms would set America on a path to continuing its global leadership in aviation for the next century. To fail would be to fall behind and allow other nations to lead. The bottom line is this: the status quo is not working, and the opportunity to reform it is one we simply cannot lose. Graves has represented Missouri’s 9th Congressional District since 2001. He sits on the Armed Services and the Transportation committees. Rokita has represented Indiana’s 4th Congressional District since 2011. He sits on the Budget, the Education and the Workforce and the Transportation committees. ================================================== ========================== On Wed, 20 Jan 2016 09:14:30 -0800, Larry Dighera wrote: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/GA-Groups-Protest-ATC-Changes-225545-1.html GA Groups Protest ATC Changes By Mary Grady Anticipating that Congress will consider changes to how the FAA functions and gets its funding in the upcoming session, 15 general-aviation advocacy groups signed on to a letter today asking the leaders of transportation policy in the U.S. House to hear their “real and long-standing concerns” about the expected proposals. “Some big airlines have pushed for a new governance and funding model for our nation’s aviation system, based on systems in other parts of the world,” the letter (PDF http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/20160119-Association-Letter-ATC-Reform-More-Than-Just-User-Fees.php) states. The GA concerns “go well beyond the user-fee issue,” according to the letter. “These concerns are based on our operating experiences in foreign systems, as well as thoughtful analysis about what those systems might look like in the United States.” Mark Baker, president of AOPA, told AVweb today his organization wants to be sure that “the needs of our community” are considered in any potential changes to how ATC is financed and structured. “That’s why it’s so important that we have ample time to review the actual text of any legislation, so we can make informed decisions to address our concerns with the present system and any proposed changes,” he wrote in an email. “Ultimately, we will protect the interests of general aviation, ensure user fees are not included in any final bill, and that whatever structure is in place will support the entire aviation community, including GA, for the long term.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Airlines Push To Kill General Aviation
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Funding-Bill-With-Privatized-ATC-Introduced-In-House-225638-1.html FAA Funding Bill With Privatized ATC Introduced In House By Elaine Kauh Two congressmen in favor of privatizing the FAA's Air Traffic Organization introduced their proposal Wednesday, just after receiving written opposition from others in the House and Senate. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., introduced the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, H.R. 4441 (PDF), which would fund a six-year reauthorization for the FAA -- resetting a longer funding clock as the current extension is set to end March 31. Shuster said in his announcement that privatization of the U.S. system would build on successful models in other countries. "Our system is incredibly inefficient, and it will only get worse as passenger levels grow and as the FAA falls further behind in modernizing the system," he said. The bill will undergo discussion at a committee hearing next week. H.R. 4441 drew a mixed bag of reactions. Lawmakers from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have already opposed the plan to move ATC services from the FAA to a corporation overseen by a board. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association stated it supports the bill, saying it wouldn't compromise safety, establishes a non-profit entity for ATC services, and maintains controllers' jobs and employee benefits. "Many voices in the public discussion of this issue, including the news media, will continue to use the word privatization to describe this bill. But to us, privatization has always meant a profit motive where safety is not the top priority. That definition does NOT fit this bill today," NATCA stated. AOPA said it will review the proposal in detail. "There are some very good things for general aviation in this bilI. I think everyone can agree that the FAA can be more efficient and effective, and this legislation creates opportunities for both third class medical reform and certification reform that have the potential to make flying safer and more affordable," said AOPA President Mark Baker. "But there are other provisions we will firmly oppose such as user fees for any segment of GA, including business aviation. And still other elements, like the plan to separate air traffic control from the FAA, raise important questions that demand meaningful answers. Ultimately, we need to know that any FAA reauthorization legislation will protect the interests of general aviation now and into the future." The bill outlines general criteria for "charges and fees" and states that they won't apply to ATC services to piston aircraft or "noncommercial" operations for turbine aircraft. EAA opposes the bill on a number of fronts, saying that while it includes third-class medical reform as previously proposed for personal light aircraft, privatization would remove congressional oversight of the system and leave GA without much representation. And while a number of air carriers said last year they support privatization to speed up modernization of the National Airspace System, Delta Air Lines does not. The airline came out on Monday with its own study http://news.delta.com/delta-study-privatizing-air-traffic-control-will-increase-costs-travelers of other nations' systems this week, saying a private ATO would mean a 20 to 29 percent rise in air travel costs, a burden that would be borne by passengers. "Proponents have claimed that privatization would lead to cost savings for consumers," the study says. "But no evidence has yet been produced to show that privatization would reduce costs. In fact, nations that have privatized ATC have seen operational costs increase at a much higher rate than has been seen in the U.S. under the FAA." ================================================== =========================== http://news.delta.com/delta-study-privatizing-air-traffic-control-will-increase-costs-travelers Policy Delta study: Privatizing air traffic control will increase costs to travelers By Kate Modolo • posted Feb. 1, 2016 Travelers could have to cover 20-29 percent higher costs if the U.S. moves to a private ATC organization. Air travelers could be on the hook to cover 20 to 29 percent higher costs if the U.S. moves to a private air traffic control (ATC) organization funded through “user fees,” according to a new study released today by Delta Air Lines. “Proponents have claimed that privatization would lead to cost savings for consumers,” the study stated. “But no evidence has yet been produced to show that privatization would reduce costs. In fact, nations that have privatized ATC have seen operational costs increase at a much higher rate than has been seen in the US under the FAA.” See USA Today Op-Ed by Delta Capt. Steve Dickson, Senior Vice President – Flight Operations. Delta ATC study cover page The study, which is a compilation of data from various independent reports, reviewed the ATC fees associated with a privatized model in Canada and the United Kingdom and found that after the first six years of privatization, Canada saw an additional 59 percent increase on ATC-related fees. In the United Kingdom, ATC fees rose 30 percent. The study also included examples of extreme tax increases, and outlined how a privatized, revenue-based system could result in ATC resources being prioritized at larger airports to raise greater revenue, to the detriment of smaller regional airports across the country. Canada and the U.K. have faced similar challenges in ATC privatization – one cited is that ATC costs are growing at larger rates in both countries compared to the United States that uses a public system. Delta has long held that removing the Air Traffic Organization, which provides air navigation services across the U.S., out from under FAA’s safety oversight is a bad idea for several reasons. Capt. Steve Dickson, Senior Vice President – Flight Operations, has outlined how moving to a privatized model would threaten customer service while not addressing structural issues that will always exist and affect the U.S. airspace, such as the proximity of high-volume airports in the Northeast. “Delta agrees that improvements to our current air-traffic control system are needed.” Dickson said. “Great progress has already been made on this front through years of research and implementation of NextGen technologies and operational capabilities, and we need to focus on continuing this momentum. Any effort to separate the ATO from the FAA will create a distraction that will set back these efforts for years.” http://news.delta.com/sites/default/files/The%20Costs%20of%20Privatizing%20Air%20Traffic%20C ontrol_0.pdf PDF icon The Costs of Privatizing Air Traffic Control.pdf THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT AIRLINE TRAVELERS FEBRUARY 1, 2016 DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For decades, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has operated the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) and remained an international leader in safety and cost-effectiveness. Even as the US maintains far more airports than any other country, flying here remains second to none in safety and American consumers overwhelmingly believe the FAA is succeeding in its mission to provide the safest and most efficient airspace in the world. 1 The FAA’s strong track record has led some of the largest airlines to praise the agency as the “safest ATC system in the world.” 2 At the same time, however, those airlines argue that the ATC system should no longer be operated by the FAA, but rather be removed from the FAA and placed under the control of a corporate entity outside the Federal government. These critics of the current system cite the Canadian model, a non-profit entity run by a board of directors, as the structure they seek to replicate. However, in Canada airline stakeholders appoint one-third of board members, while the government only appoints three of the fifteen seats. Simply put, Air Traffic Control under this model is ceded to airlines and corporate entities that would then have a larger say in priorities. Lawmakers and consumers should understand that a move to privatize ATC would likely formalize silos between divisions within the FAA, add unforeseen transition costs and increase operational costs within the industry. It could also result in additional taxes on airline fuel and other air travel necessities, as has been seen in some other countries. Privatizing ATC would also likely lead to a rise in the cost of airline tickets in the US. Consumers in Canada faced a 59 percent increase in ATC fees on airline tickets. In the United Kingdom air traffic control fees rose 30 percent, 3 while fees remained relatively constant in the United States with six percent growth. These increases prompted Canadians to cross the border in search of cheaper airline tickets. 4 Effects of privatizing ATC could also place a greater financial strain on smaller airports that serve rural communities and other populations located outside major urban centers. If those smaller airports were forced to limit flights or close due to high costs, many would be forced to drive much further to large urban airports in order to access the same service they are currently accustomed to receiving around their communities. 1 https://www.faa.gov/about/mission/ 2 http://airlines.org/news/faa-reauthorization-hearing/ 3 CANSO, Country Aviation and Airport Authorities Canada: Nav Canada Financials 1996 and 2012 revenue per flight, UK NATS Financials 2004 and 2012 revenue per flight 4 http://www.pri.org/stories/2012-06-1...ting-canadians From 1996 to 2012, Canada saw an additional 59 percent increase in ATC fees. In the United Kingdom, ATC fees rose 30 percent. Applying those rates of growth to US costs, operational costs for ATC in the United States could increase by 20 to 29 percent after ten years. The current FAA system helps support equal service at both large urban airports and smaller rural ones, but privatization could cause smaller airports to limit service or shut down. As a result, rural residents could be forced to drive to urban areas to access the same airline service they currently enjoy close to home. DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 3 THE FAA’S STRONG TRACK RECORD The FAA’s ATC oversight includes approximately 30 million square miles of airspace 5 —a total of 17 percent of the Earth’s airspace and more than any other agency in the world. That airspace includes all of the US, large portions of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. In comparison, equivalent agencies in Canada and the United Kingdom oversee approximately seven million square miles 6 and 200,000 square miles,7 respectively. Additionally, the FAA’s jurisdiction in the US contains more airports and serves more passengers than any other nation in the world. There are over 13,000 airports in the US, or more than four times as many as are located throughout the entire European Union. 5 http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...rs_offices/ato 6 http://www.navcanada.ca/en/about-us/...ho-we-are.aspx 7 http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-21195765 8 http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/...DPRT/countries 0 3500 7000 10500 14000 United States European Union Mexico Canada Russia China United Kingdom* 460 507 1,218 1,467 1,714 3,102 13,513 Number of Airports For Select Countries Out of more than 36 million total worldwide flights in 2014, more than 9.5 million — over 25 percent of all flights — took off in the US, which far outpaced any other nation. Takeoffs in the US nearly tripled the total in China, which ranked second worldwide, and were nearly eight times higher than the total in Canada, which ranked third. 8 Further, New York City Metro Area passengers equate to nearly 90 percent of all passengers transported by the entire country of Canada’s air transportation system. *EU member Source: CIA – https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...elds/2053.html DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 4 9 http://airlines.org/news/faa-reauthorization-hearing/ 10 http://www.indivisible.us/i-love-my-...affic-control/ 11 http://www.pri.org/stories/2012-06-1...ting-canadians 12 http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/02/e...stem-in-place/ 13 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2...trol/76604766/ 14 http://psflight.org/352/speech-rtca-...sable-partner/ All other countries (60.6) China (9) Canada (3.6) United States (26.5) Percentage of Global Takeoffs, 2014 Even as it covers more airspace and handles more volume than any other equivalent agency, the FAA and its ATC operations have continually been referred to as the safest in the world by both sides of the privatization debate. 9,10 Americans have recognized the effectiveness of the FAA and its success in overseeing ATC throughout its airspace. A nationwide poll of American consumers conducted in August 2015 showed that 80 percent of respondents believe the FAA does an excellent or good job operating the nation’s ATC system. 11 That level of success has not stopped the FAA from continuing to improve its ATC service by adopting NextGen technologies. In March 2015, the FAA introduced the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system, referred to as the backbone of NextGen technology. This new system nearly doubles the amount of flights a controller can track and has various other upgrades that modernize the way the United States manages its skies. 12 These upgrades include the streamlined DataComm system, which replaces radio communication with a system akin to text messaging and is scheduled for implementation at more than 50 ATC towers in 2016. New pilot programs throughout the nation have already been implemented to test further additions to the ERAM system. In Seattle, the Greener Skies initiative has demonstrated the benefit of performance-based navigation, which so far allows 73 flights per day to use a more efficient, steady descent, instead of the current stair-step model. This allows planes to begin idling about 100 miles from an airport, saving 1,900 pounds of carbon emissions and nine minutes of flight time. 13 Overall, NextGen improvements have already yielded $1.6 billion in benefits to system users, with another $11.4 billion expected over the next 15 years. 14 Source: The World Bank – http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/...PRT/countries? order=wbapi_data_value_2014+wbapi_data_value+wbapi _data_value-last&sort=desc DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 5 15 http://www.navcanada.ca/en/about-us/...ho-we-are.aspx 16 http://www.nats.aero/about-us/our-history/ 17 NavCanada paid the Canadian government $1.5B CAD in 1996; NATS paid £758 million to the British government. https://www.enotrans.org/wp-content/...ort.FINAL_.pdf 18 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...affic-control- 19 http://www.navcanada.ca/EN/about-us/...overnance.aspx 20 http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30454240 WHAT COULD PRIVATIZATION LOOK LIKE? The FAA currently operates all aspects of ATC and oversees all air safety regulations. That would change if the US were to privatize ATC. Canada and the United Kingdom are two of the largest nations that have already chosen to privatize ATC, and are models supporters of privatization hold up as examples of what it could look like in the US. Canada began its privatized ATC system in 1996 with the creation of the fully private non-profit entity Nav Canada. 15 In that case, Nav Canada operates ATC while the Canadian government (Transport Canada) retains oversight of air safety regulations. The UK took its own route to privatization in 2001, when it established a public-private partnership now known as the National Air Traffic Services (NATS). 16 In both examples, the new entity paid the national government to acquire the existing air traffic control assets. 17 Some proponents of ATC privatization in the US have argued for a scheme most similar to the one chosen by Canada. 18 This would establish a private, non-profit entity — similar to Nav Canada — that would operate ATC in the US, while the FAA would retain oversight of air safety. Upon taking a closer look, corporate interests in Canada outweigh the government’s interest in maintaining the public good. Of the fifteen members of the NavCanada board, airline stakeholders appoint five – one third of all seats – while the Canadian government appoints only three. 19 The UK model has also been discussed in the context of ATC privatization efforts in the US, and it is worth noting the complications that have been reported regarding the implementation of the UK’s public-private system. In particular, senior NATS air traffic controllers raised concerns several years ago regarding health and safety standards and faulty radio communications. 20 While their paths have been different, both Canada and the UK have faced similar challenges in ATC privatization. DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 6 21 Used a 9% ticket tax plus $1 segment fee in 1996 changing to 7.5% ticket tax plus $3.80 segment fee in 2014; fuel tax in both years of $0.043 per gallon and cargo tax assumed to total $75 in both years with both components included in AATF; total AATF revenue is apportioned to ATO based on percent of AATF expenditures going to ATO 22 CANSO, Country Aviation and Airport Authorities Canada: Nav Canada Financials 1996 and 2012 revenue per flight, UK NATS Financials 2004 and 2012 revenue per flight 23 Revenues from Nav Canada Financials 1998 and 2013 http://www.sedar.com/search/search_form_pc_en.htm 24 Cansim Aircraft movements, by civil and military movements, airports with NAV CANADA flight service stations 1998 and 2013 25 http://www.pri.org/stories/2012-06-1...ting-canadians PRIVATIZATION COULD INCREASE COSTS Proponents have claimed that privatization would lead to cost savings for consumers.But no evidence has yet been produced to show that privatization would reduce costs. In fact, nations that have privatized ATC have seen operational costs increase at a much higher rate than has been seen in the US under the FAA. According to historical data, ATC costs in Canada and the United Kingdom have grown at larger rates under a private system than in the United States under a public system. From 1996 to 2012, Canada saw ATC operation fees increase by 59 percent. In the United Kingdom, ATC operational costs increased 30 percent while the United States remained relatively constant with only a six percent increase in costs. Compounded annually, the US has grown .4 percent annually 21 while the UK and Canada have approximately grown by 2.2 percent and 2.9 percent respectively. 22 Due to the much larger overall volume of American airspace, airports and aircraft, the Canadian and UK growth rates lead to much higher cost projections when applied to ATC operations in the US, and show that if the US were to privatize ATC, operational costs could increase by 20 to 29 percent after ten years. It is possible that an ATC privatization scheme in the US could lead to higher fee increases for American consumers. Notably, revenue for NavCanada has increased by approximately 21 percent since 1998,23 even while its annual flight volume has decreased by 16 percent during that time. 24 That growing revenue and shrinking revenue base could be a result of increased traveling costs for consumers. Media reports have already highlighted a phenomenon known as “passenger leakage,” in which some Canadians chose to drive across the border to American airports in search of cheaper airline tickets. 25 DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 7 26 https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42781.pdf 27 http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article...raffic-control 28 http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/tax/gt/ TAXES WILL INCREASE UNDER PRIVATIZATION The FAA is currently funded through a combination of taxes and appropriations as determined by the US Congress. 26 Under the privatized systems in Canada and the UK, ATC operations are primarily funded through “user fees,” which are paid by aircraft owners or operators based on the weight of the aircraft and the distance traveled. US supporters of privatization have argued for a shift to user fees as the primary source of revenue for ATC, claiming it will eliminate federal fuel and ticket taxes.27 However, industry developments in Canada have shown that ATC privatization does not prevent airline tax increases at both a federal and local level. An example is the aviation fuel tax in Ontario, Canada. In 2014, the Ontario government approved a plan to increase the tax from its previous rate of 2.7 cents per liter to a new rate of 6.7 cents by 2017 — a total increase of approximately 148 percent. 28 The private ATC funding source of user fees apparently did not dissuade the Ontario government from hiking a tax that would have supported ATC under a publicly funded system.A user fee system would operate similarly to a flat tax on airplane seats. Rather than taxes appropriate to the price of the ticket purchased, the user fee would be a standard figure for all seats on a plane. This regressive model would put a heavier burden on working and middle class passengers by charging the same user fee to all, regardless of the cost of the ticket. DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 8 29 General Aviation Airports: A National Asset, FAA 2012 30 REINVENTING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, A New Blueprint for a Better System, May 1996 Robert W. Poole, Jr. and Viggo Butler 31 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2...rtin/26636141/ PRIVATIZATION COULD CREATE FINANCIAL BURDENS FOR SMALLER AIRPORTS While commercial flights may be more noticeable to consumers, many small airports located outside urban areas in the US primarily serve business and general aviation (private flights or any other flights besides commercial aircrafts). As of 2012, general aviation makes up approximately three out of four takeoffs and landings at US airports. 29 However, general aviation flights typically use more monetary resources than they give back. While these flights use approximately 20 percent of en route ATC services, they only pay approximately three percent of the taxes that are used to support ATC through the current taxes on airplane fuel. 30 This imbalance means that the current FAA system effectively supports many small, rural airports that rely on general aviation but also provide commercial airline services to local residents who need them. The current government-run system ensures equal access to ATC services for all, regardless of the amount of overall revenue generated by each airport. Additionally, recent NextGen modernization efforts have amplified the amount of flights controllers can manage and increased the effectiveness of smaller and rural control towers. Because of the implementation of ERAM in 2015, controllers can view 1,900 flights simultaneously, up from 1,100 flights prior to ERAM. 31 By allowing controllers to view more flights, ERAM increased productivity per controller while keeping costs constant. These increases have increased the effectiveness of smaller control towers and will allow for increased efficiency in flight management. A privatized revenue-based system could result in ATC resources being prioritized at larger airports that raise greater revenue, rather than being spread equally across the country. Additionally, a reliance on user fees could cause general aviation costs to increase. These increased costs could lead general aviation operators to make fewer overall landings and takeoffs, which could in turn cause a decrease in activity for the small airports that rely on their business. DELTA AIR LINES, INC. THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 9 Such a decrease in overall business could result in additional financial strains for small airports, and could also require those airports to limit overall service for both general aviation and commercial flights. These effects have already been reported in the UK under its privatization scheme. A 2015 report by the UK’s Airports Commission found there has been a decline in services from airports outside London, particularly in the more rural areas in the North of England and Scotland. 32 Diminished service at small airports in rural and suburban areas could have negative impacts on residents traveling on commercial flights out of those areas. Residents could be forced to drive to larger airports in urban areas — potentially hundreds of miles away — in order to access the same airline service that they currently enjoy close to home. The UK Airports Commission report also noted that the decline in service at smaller airports has begun to impact local economies outside urban centers. With less traffic at small and rural airports, grants supporting improvement projects stand to shrink. Currently, the FAA operates the Airport Improvement Program, a grant program for airports to update infrastructure based on volume of passengers and total air traffic. If service levels decrease at small and rural airports, the FAA would decrease funding to these airports, resulting in less funding for crucial infrastructure projects. As small and rural airports fall into disrepair, passengers will have an even greater incentive to use larger urban-based hubs. 32 https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...nal-report.pdf WEIGHING THE COSTS OF PRIVATIZATION As discussions continue regarding the possibility of ATC privatization in the US, consumers should consider the potential costs. As noted above, ATC privatization in other large countries like Canada and the UK have led to an increase in operational costs, and studies show that those costs are typically passed down to the consumer. Additionally, ATC privatization has not necessarily led to a reduction in taxes, and in fact, areas such as Ontario, Canada have seen a quite significant increase in airline fuel taxes. On Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:59:03 -0800, Larry Dighera wrote: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Politicians-Weigh-In-On-ATC-Privatization-225591-1.html Politicians Weigh In On ATC Privatization By Russ Niles Political momentum is gathering against the proposal to fundamentally change the way the federal government funds and administers the National Airspace System. A week after two influential Republican congressmen categorically stated that no new user fees would be accepted to fund a privatized system, two Democratic members are joining a grassroots liberal movement to end the whole privatization debate. In a statement released Tuesday, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said they were joining an online petition http://signforgood.com/airtrafficcontrol/ that has gathered 130,000 names to stop the privatization bid. "An FAA reauthorization bill that includes severing and privatizing Air Traffic Control has not emerged, but, as petitions submitted today from the public demonstrate, the long suspense has understandably fed fears for public safety, loss and downgrading of middle class jobs, and increased costs passed on to passengers — unacceptable tradeoffs," Norton said in a statement quoted by The Hill http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/267035-dems-look-to-ground-private-air-traffic-control-plan. A week before, Republican GA advocates Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) wrote an opinion piece http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/266093-no-reason-to-stall in the The Hill that suggests they've heard the aviation industry's concerns about "per-flight" user fees clearly. In the article, the congressmen say they're in favor of kicking the table over on the current system but not if it hurts GA. "We have stood front and center in the fight against per-flight user fees on general aviation," they wrote. "That position remains unchanged, and we would not even entertain this transition discussion if we found out it would harm the general aviation community. Ultimately, we want to ensure that these aviators reap the benefits of a modern, efficient air traffic control system." The system they envision is a "user-funded, user-governed, not-for-profit organization, all in a manner that protects the small aircraft operators and private pilots who use the system." The debate is ramping up as the deadline to pass a reauthorization bill for the FAA looms on March 31. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://signforgood.com/airtrafficcontrol/ Signature needed: Tell Congress not to privatize our air traffic control system Every day, the men and women working for FAA's Air Traffic Control (ATC) keep our nation's skies safe for air passengers. The busy holiday travel season is no different as they work to ensure we make it home to spend quality time with our loved ones. We can and should expect our air traffic control system to keep working far into the future. But Republicans in Congress and lobbyists for some of the biggest airlines are rushing to privatize ATC operations and jeopardize a system that is second to none where safety is concerned. A few countries have privatized their ATC systems and the results have been what you probably expect: higher costs for passengers, less democratic oversight, and job losses. Privatizing ATC operations here would also hurt rural communities who depend on smaller airports to thrive. In just a few weeks, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be taking up the issue and they need to hear from you! Please help stop this disastrous proposal. Republicans on the relevant committees are making this their first priority when they return to Washington in January, so we have to speak up now. Sign the petition and share it with your network. FAA needs stable, long-term funding to keep our country's skies safe, not more outsourcing. To Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, and the members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: The United States has one of the safest air traffic control systems in the world. The FAA is currently working to implement new technologies that will make air travel even safer and more efficient. While all programs can be improved, we urge you not to dismantle and privatize an air traffic control system that is not broken. Our nation can’t afford to privatize our air traffic control system. Were we to do so, the result could be more consolidation and power for airlines, less choice and more expensive travel for consumers, loss of good jobs among air traffic controllers and other aviation workers, and more cuts at rural airports. Privatizing air traffic control and turning control over to an unelected board of airline interests, would further consolidate airline power and be harmful to consumers and small towns. Advocates for privatization claim to be following the examples of the UK and Canada - - but since the UK privatized its air traffic system, 12 percent of jobs were cut AND the new fees and existing taxes on every ticket increased by 140%. In Canada, 14 percent of jobs were cut and the total new fees and taxes increased by 53%. In fact, many privatization initiatives increase costs to consumers, while simultaneously laying off workers without cause. This is not a way to grow our economy or generate broadly shared prosperity. Losing democratic oversight over this part of our national transportation system means that a new monopoly corporation outside of the Federal government will decide how much to charge for air traffic control services and how to allocate resources. This could seriously disadvantage rural communities and small towns by increasing costs and limiting access. Instead of privatizing air traffic control, we believe that Congress should create a pathway to allow the FAA to move forward with long-term capital planning without relinquishing Congressional oversight or allowing a new corporate monopoly run by the airlines to slash air traffic control jobs. The cost of privatization is simply too high. It is bad for workers, bad for passengers, and harmful to smaller and rural communities. Sincerely, American Family Voices Courage Campaign Crooks and Liars Daily Kos Deluge People Demanding Action Progressive Congress Progressive Democrats of America RootsAction.org Watchdog.net © 2016 | Paid for by Daily Kos. Organized by American Family Voices, Courage Campaign, Crooks and Liars, Daily Kos, Deluge, People Demanding Action, Progressive Congress, Progressive Democrats of America, RootsAction.org, Watchdog.net. Note: By signing this petition, you’ll get updates and be able to take similar actions from one or more of these participating organizations. You can of course opt out any time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/267035-dems-look-to-ground-private-air-traffic-control-plan Dems look to ground private air traffic control plan By Keith Laing - 01/26/16 12:20 PM EST Two House Democrats are mobilizing liberal groups against a Republican proposal to privatize large portions of the nation's air traffic control system in a funding measure for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) are joining a group of liberal organizations that have collected 115,000 signatures for a petition against a proposal from House Republicans to create a new nongovernmental agency that would take over air traffic control from the FAA http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/245005-gop-chairman-wants-to-separate-air-traffic-control-from-the-faa. Lawmakers are debating the air traffic control privatization proposal as Congress tries to beat a March 31 deadline http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/250267-aviation-funding-bill-up-in-the-air for renewing the agency's funding. Cummings and Norton said Tuesday that GOP leaders should back off of their air traffic control privatization plan and focus on passing a new round of funding for the FAA. “An FAA reauthorization bill that includes severing and privatizing Air Traffic Control has not emerged, but, as petitions submitted today from the public demonstrate, the long suspense has understandably fed fears for public safety, loss and downgrading of middle class jobs, and increased costs passed on to passengers — unacceptable tradeoffs,” Norton said in a statement. “As a member who once practiced constitutional law, I seriously question whether Congress can constitutionally delegate air traffic control to a private, even non-profit, entity," she continued. "Yet, there is considerable frustration about the dysfunction of the current FAA, which has been repeatedly victimized by the chronic delays and cuts in the appropriations process even before the dangerous sequester cuts. "We are long past due for serious discussions between Democrats and Republicans that could produce a bill that would pass both the House and Senate.” GOP leaders in the House have said the proposed nongovernmental entity could better manage the commercial and private jet flights in the nation's airspace. "After examining various models, I believe we need to establish a federally chartered, fully independent not-for-profit corporation to operate and modernize our [air traffic control] services," House Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said during a speech last June at the Aero Club of Washington. The push to privatize most facets of air traffic control comes as the FAA is in the midst of a years-long effort to discard the World War II-era radar technology currently used to manage airplane traffic in favor of a new satellite-based system, known as NextGen. The conversion has hit turbulence amid missed deadlines and rampant budget cutting in Washington, and supporters of the privatization proposal have said the FAA is ill-equipped to complete the project. Cummings and Norton are scheduled to appear on a conference call about the opposition to the air traffic control privatization plan with officials from Daily Kos, People Demanding Action, Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division and Progressive Congress. The groups said they will "discuss plans to travel to Capitol Hill to deliver a petition to Congress from 115,000 Americans who oppose the privatization of the ATC." Most major airlines support the air traffic control privatization plan. The group that lobbies for them in Washington said Tuesday that opponents are mischaracterizing the proposal to alter the nation's flight navigation system. "Today’s announced coalition believes the status quo is just fine and it is arguing against positions NO ONE is taking," Airlines for America said in a statement. "Proponents of reform advocate for a not-for-profit organization that will be overseen by the FAA and governed by a board inclusive of all stakeholders, including employee unions, general aviation and private fliers, and passengers," the group continued. "That’s the way air traffic services are run in most of the rest of the world," the group added. "We want to see more air traffic controllers hired. We want to make the system even more safe. And most importantly, we want to make flying better for the traveling public. Members of Congress should want the same thing.” The airline group added that "modernizing Air Traffic Control is a critical step toward enhancing safety and making flying more dependable and efficient for consumers." "Any one of the two million people who fly every day can tell you: Air Traffic Control is not as efficient as it could be," the group said. This story was updated at 2:52 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/266093-no-reason-to-stall January 18, 2016, 11:00 am No reason to stall By Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) A foundation of conservatism is our belief that the federal government is incapable of doing just about anything more efficiently or innovatively than the private sector. A perfect example is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) stalled effort to bring our nation’s aviation system into the modern era. As commercially licensed, general aviation pilots with thousands of flight hours, we are uniquely positioned to understand the priorities and concerns of the general aviation community, and how FAA reform can improve our aviation system. The Department of Transportation’s Inspector General has detailed to Congress the FAA’s failure to deliver on the promised benefits of NextGen; a GPS-based air traffic control system. The FAA has missed deadlines, exceeded budgets, and has almost entirely neglected industry stakeholders who will be using this new technology on a daily basis. The status quo is not working, and with each blunder by the FAA it becomes more apparent that the agency is simply not capable of implementing NextGen on its own. It’s time for a better approach. After working extensively over the last 2 years and talking to each stakeholder group, we have learned what best practices to replicate and which to leave behind in regards to air traffic control reform. We continue to be intimately involved in discussions on transitioning air traffic control responsibilities from an ineffective federal bureaucracy to a user-funded, user-governed, not-for-profit organization, all in a manner that protects the small aircraft operators and private pilots who use the system. We have stood front and center in the fight against per-flight user fees on general aviation. That position remains unchanged, and we would not even entertain this transition discussion if we found out it would harm the general aviation community. Ultimately, we want to ensure that these aviators reap the benefits of a modern, efficient air traffic control system. It is true that our nation’s airspace is complex, and also that our general aviation presence is the largest in the world. But that does not preclude us from designing an Air Traffic Control Organization that is superior to any system in existence today. To say it cannot be done is to challenge the very fiber of American ingenuity. We must adopt our own way that meets the unique needs of our system and its users while continuing to operate the safest air traffic control system in the world. Last year, we helped lead a group of 50 planes over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the 70th Anniversary of our Victory in Europe. Those planes symbolized more than America’s victory over fascism and imperialism in World War II. They celebrated a generation that knew it had to lead the world in ingenuity and innovation, because the freedom of tens of millions of people across the globe depended on it. Nowhere was that American exceptionalism and determination more evident than in the skies above oceans and battlefields. The United States led the world in aviation in the 20th century, forever changing the course of human history. Remembering that proud tradition gives us the confidence and resolve to overcome the challenges ahead. To pursue these aggressive reforms would set America on a path to continuing its global leadership in aviation for the next century. To fail would be to fall behind and allow other nations to lead. The bottom line is this: the status quo is not working, and the opportunity to reform it is one we simply cannot lose. Graves has represented Missouri’s 9th Congressional District since 2001. He sits on the Armed Services and the Transportation committees. Rokita has represented Indiana’s 4th Congressional District since 2011. He sits on the Budget, the Education and the Workforce and the Transportation committees. ================================================= =========================== On Wed, 20 Jan 2016 09:14:30 -0800, Larry Dighera wrote: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/GA-Groups-Protest-ATC-Changes-225545-1.html GA Groups Protest ATC Changes By Mary Grady Anticipating that Congress will consider changes to how the FAA functions and gets its funding in the upcoming session, 15 general-aviation advocacy groups signed on to a letter today asking the leaders of transportation policy in the U.S. House to hear their “real and long-standing concerns” about the expected proposals. “Some big airlines have pushed for a new governance and funding model for our nation’s aviation system, based on systems in other parts of the world,” the letter (PDF http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/20160119-Association-Letter-ATC-Reform-More-Than-Just-User-Fees.php) states. The GA concerns “go well beyond the user-fee issue,” according to the letter. “These concerns are based on our operating experiences in foreign systems, as well as thoughtful analysis about what those systems might look like in the United States.” Mark Baker, president of AOPA, told AVweb today his organization wants to be sure that “the needs of our community” are considered in any potential changes to how ATC is financed and structured. “That’s why it’s so important that we have ample time to review the actual text of any legislation, so we can make informed decisions to address our concerns with the present system and any proposed changes,” he wrote in an email. “Ultimately, we will protect the interests of general aviation, ensure user fees are not included in any final bill, and that whatever structure is in place will support the entire aviation community, including GA, for the long term.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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