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United States Pilots Association |
Catching everybody by surprise, Congress voted overwhelmingly to reject President Obama's request for $9 Billion dollars in user fees put forth in his 2010 budget request. Instead Congress ignored the user fee issue and gave the FAA four years of funding from fuel taxes and ticket taxes. General Aviation will be assessed an additional $05c per gallon of tax to assist in this funding. Randy Babbitt was confirmed as the FAA chairman at the same time. We can thank the 45 or so legislators who signed on in support of no user fees. This shows what we can do by contacting our representatives and keeping the pressure on. You cannot lose hope.
The next problem we must face is the enhanced security directives coming out of Homeland Security/TSA. June is coming up very quickly and still no word from both agencies. The pressure is on them to justify these onerous measures, and a number in Congress have questioned the need for this regulation. Keep writing and call your representatives. A much more literate soul than I once said: "It ain't over until I say it is over.”
I have just signed up to be able to cross the borders into Mexico or Canada and return. I now have my security code as assigned. I am wondering where I will find a computer to call ahead when returning to the U.S. Before I am done I will have to buy a sticker for my plane (user fee), it says so on the application, and probably be cleared by TSA background check.
I can see that gradually the government will have all of us driving hybrids or worse. They would like nothing better than to see GA fold its tent and go away. It is my chosen job to see that neither happens. Can I count on your support?
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association