PDF Version October November 2008 - Midwest Flyer

GR E AT LA K E S RE G I O N A L RE P O R T
by Bill Blake
AOPA Great Lakes Regional Representative
Increasing GA Fees
May Result In Losing Revenue,
Not Gaining It!
One of my
favorite
aviation
events each year is
the Wings Weekend
held each July at
the Coles County
Airport, Mattoon,
Illinois (MTO). I
attended the event
this year, as I have for several years
now. It is an opportunity to obtain a
free 3 hour flight review with a flight
instructor, attend a number of ground
seminars, discuss aviation issues
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facing general aviation, and enjoy
evening social events on Friday and
Saturday nights. This event has been
jointly sponsored by the Springfield,
24 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE
Illinois, FAA Flight Standards District
Office; and the Illinois Department
of Transportation, Division of
Aeronautics for many years. Usually
about 200 pilots and 40 volunteer
flight instructors participate. The new
Wings program was utilized this year
for the first time. FAA and Illinois
Division of Aeronautics personnel
were available to help pilots register
online for the new FAAST program
and obtain certification of course
completion. Unfortunately, the
number of pilots and flight instructors
attending was down this year.
However, I think all who did attend
felt it was well worth their time.
____________
As I mentioned in my previous
report, a Michigan Transportation
Funding Task Force (TF2) has been
appointed to recommend future
funding needs and revenue sources
for all modes of transportation to the
governor and state legislature. The
TF2 has held six public meetings and
heard from various transportation
interest groups.
The legislatively appointed
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
submitted its aviation funding
needs report for 2009 -2030 at the
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July 21, 2008 TF2 meeting. The
report discussed four scenarios: Do
nothing (continue with the current
funding sources), Good, Better,
and Best. It concludes that to “do
nothing” will result in a degradation
of airport facilities. Good, Better,
and Best scenarios will require
increasing revenue. Increased funding
alternatives included in the report
were an aviation fuel tax increase,
dedication of 1% of the sales tax
on aviation products that is already
being collected, and raising aircraft
registration fees.
At its August 11, 2009 meeting, the
TF2 concluded that to “do nothing”
was not acceptable for any of the
modes of transportation. The TF2
is to begin its public deliberation of
funding recommendations for aviation
at its September 8, 2008 meeting in
Lansing, Mich. Those interested in
aviation might want to attend that
open-to-the-public meeting.
During the next two months, I will
be attending airport conferences
in the states of Illinois, Indiana,
and Michigan. I suspect one of the
major topics of discussion at all
three conferences will be how to
increase airport revenue. AOPA will
be pointing out to the attendees that
increasing fees to general aviation
may result in losing revenue, rather
than gaining it.
Speaking of aviation events,
to me, the best one of the year
is AOPA EXPO, which is being
held this year in San Jose, Calif.,
November 6-8, 2008. AOPA EXPO
is an opportunity to learn about the
latest aviation technology, climb into
the latest aircraft, hear nationally
known speakers talk on a wide range
of aviation subjects in a climatecontrolled
environment, and enjoy
high quality social events. If you have
never been to AOPA EXPO, you owe
it to yourself to attend. If you have
been before, you know what I am
talking about.
For more information on these and
other aviation issues, please go to the
AOPA web site: www.aopa.org. q