PDF Version October November 2008 - Midwest Flyer

legendary women in aviation. They
flew 2,800 miles, from Santa Monica,
California to Cleveland, Ohio, across
deserts, mountains and plains, at a
time when female pilots were few
and all women were struggling to
become respected. They overcame
some incredible difficulties and
even suffered a fatality. Through the
years, the air race has been improved
as hard lessons were learned.
Now, stock aircraft with 150-370
horsepower engines can be used, and
handicaps are assigned to equalize the
competition. Each plane must have
two pilots, one of whom must have
at least 500 hours or an instrument
Join Us For The
2009 Midwest Flyer
Canadian Fishing Fly-Out
August 19-23, 2009
info@midwestflyer.com
rating. The race is conducted over
four days at the end of June each
year, using visual flight rules and
Missouri Governor Signs Bill
To Drop Aircraft Repair Tax
ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Spirit of
St. Louis Airport (SUS) reports that
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has
signed a bill that will eliminate sales
tax on aircraft repair parts, making
Missouri more competitive with
neighboring states that have already
eliminated the tax.
Special Price! The bill would expand the current
exemption that applies only to aircraft
used as common carriers of people
DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport and property. The exemption will
(DKB) DeKalb, Illinois now apply to purchases of materials,
replacement parts and equipment
purchased for use directly upon,
Unheated T-Hangars and for the modification, repair,
replacement and maintenance of
STARTING AT aircraft, aircraft power plants, and
$240/MONTH aircraft accessories from January 1,
2009 to January 1, 2015. This would
Heated t-hangars starting at $337/month.
give all aircraft the same advantages
5% discount for pre-payment and put Missouri on the same playing
of annual rent
field as many surrounding states.
Additionally, the bill includes
Condo Hangars Available
an act that increases the cap on the
amount of jet fuels sales taxes that can
Call for Details be deposited into the State Aviation
Trust Fund. Under current law, only
(815) 748-2020 $6 million generated from jet fuel
sales taxes may be deposited to the
www.cityofdekalb.com/DTMA/DTMA.htm credit of the Aviation Trust Fund.
This act increases the cap to $10
22 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
LegisLation
flown only during daylight hours.
The course, though different each
year, is now closer to 2,000 nautical
miles with required checkpoints along
the way. It is flown by women with
varied backgrounds and experience.
It has become the “annual vacation”
for several teams. I believe that every
woman who has ever participated in
this race comes back a better pilot. It
is, in my opinion, the best “rating” a
pilot can earn. q
EDITOR’S NOTE: Karen Workman
is an instrument rated Private Pilot. She
lives in Northfield, Minnesota with her
husband, Eric, who is also a pilot.
million with the funds used to support
aviation infrastructure projects across
the state.
The bill also includes an act
that modifies the definition of
“commercial aircraft” for aircraft
taxation purposes. Under the current
statute, aircraft with a weight
threshold of greater than 7,000 pounds
are taxed on a pro rata share, on the
amount of time actually flown in
Missouri. Under the new act, the term
“commercial aircraft” is now any
aircraft fully equipped for flight and
of more than 3,000 pounds maximum
certified gross take-off weight. This
law will benefit aircraft in this class
by lessening their personal property
tax burden and encouraging them to
remain based in Missouri.
Spirit of St. Louis Airport is the
busiest general aviation airport in
the FAA’s Central Region and is St.
Louis’ prime general aviation reliever
airport. The airport is unique because
the revenue generated from wholesale
fuel sales, land development and real
estate rental allows it to be one of the
few profitable airports of its kind and
operates without public subsidy.
For more information on the
Spirit of St. Louis Airport or the new
bill, contact John Bales, Director of
Aviation, Spirit of St. Louis Airport or
visit www.spiritairport.com. q