User Fees Off the Table for 2008!

So says an AOPA website story from Friday, April 24. That is welcome news that’s been a long time in coming. It means that the stalemate in the Senate, over what method to use to fund the FAA for the next four years, appears to be over. There are still many steps needed before an FAA reauthorization bill is actually signed into law, but at least the logjam is broken and progress is being made. It also means that General Aviation can now...

return to basics, which I’ll talk about in a moment.

The user fee battle, which we discussed in an earlier article, is whether to change the mechanism used to collect the taxes that fund the FAA. For years, aviation fuel taxes and passenger ticket taxes have channeled money from both commercial and general aviation into the FAA’s coffers. However, the FAA has argued that the revenue collected from these taxes varies from year to year and that they need a steady and predictable source of income. Hence, they proposed cutting the taxes on commercial aviation and instituting a $25 per flight fee, initially just on turbine aircraft.

It's arguable whether user fees would generate a steady and predictable income. Experience elsewhere around the globe shows that when instituted, user fees have strangled general aviation, decreasing the amount of revenue collected. Also, why should the FAA be guaranteed a steady, predictable flow of revenue? Doesn’t that smack of a monopoly, where an organization no longer has to be innovative and efficient since they’re guaranteed a certain revenue regardless of how well they perform? I can understand why the FAA would like steady and predicable income. Wouldn’t we all? But should the FAA be exempt from the economic realities that affect all other people and organizations? Clearly this was a pipe dream and the Senate now agrees.

The next step in the process is a roll call vote on Monday, April 28 at 5:30 PM EDT to vote on a motion to limit debate on the Senate bill. C-SPAN2 should carry the vote if you want to watch democracy in action.

What's next? Assuming a revised bill becomes law—weeks if not months from now—we’re probably assured of four more years without user fees. But they will eventually rear their ugly head again, and pilots everywhere must remain vigilant for what’s sure to be the next attempt—in one form or another—of the airlines to shift more of their costs to general aviation.

In the meantime, now is the time for general aviation to return to basics and rebuild our ranks. For the past year, whenever I speak to pilot groups, I tack on two themes to my speeches. One is that the pilot population has declined by 25% in the last twenty-five years. We need to focus now on regrowing our ranks to maintain our influence in Congress so that we can fight off the next attempt to shift more costs to pilots. That means that every pilot—including you—needs to take responsibility for introducing new people to aviation. Find an acquaintance that has the means to learn to fly. Take them on a demo flight and find them a flight instructor. Then mentor and encourage them through the process. You’ll both have fun and you’ll be helping preserve GA.

The second theme is that there’s a shortage of CFI’s in the industry. Strong demand for pilots at the regional airlines has sucked many CFI’s away from teaching. If you love aviation and you’re looking for a way to give back to general aviation, consider getting your CFI rating. You’ll enjoy the challenge of a new goal and you’ll love helping other people reach their aviation goals.

Now that’s there’s a lull in the perennial user fee war, go out and celebrate flight!