Bill Blake
I attended the “Michigan Legislative Aviation Day” in early March hosted by the Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA), and the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE). The day started with representatives of all the aviation interests attending receiving a legislative briefing by MBAA. The principal speaker, the governor’s chief of staff, Dennis Muchmore, followed the briefing. Mr. Muchmore is an avid pilot and AOPA member. He talked about the importance of aviation to Michigan and the nation. As a 1960 Bonanza owner, he understands the rising costs to general aviation pilots. He also recognizes that those purchasing aviation fuel have been paying more Michigan sales tax because of the increasing fuel prices upon which the sales tax is based. Mr. Muchmore is aware that none of the sales tax is going directly to the state aviation trust fund to support aviation. Although Mr. Muchmore made no promises, I believe if HB 4025, which would dedicate some of the sales tax on aviation fuel and aviation products to the state aviation trust fund, were to pass, he would be a knowledgeable advisor to the governor in his decision in signing the bill.
With that in mind, the attendees spent much of their time during the legislative luncheon that followed in the capitol, reminding legislators of the importance of aviation to the state and promoting the passage of HB 4025. Representative David Agema, the sponsor of the bill, was also present promoting the bill as well. There has been no movement on the bill thus far. However, I expect activity to pick up over the coming months.
On March 29th I attended the “Missouri Aviation Day” and luncheon at the state capitol. Later I was with a group of aviation interests that met with Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon for the signing of a proclamation declaring March 2011 “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in Missouri. Prior to the governor signing the proclamation, he made several comments that indicated he clearly understands the importance of general aviation to the state of Missouri. He urged us all to work together to promote and protect general aviation during these tough budgetary times. Missouri Pilots Association President Jim Morris and the chairperson of Aviation Day, Carolyn Morris, deserve thanks from all of those interested in Missouri aviation for their efforts in organizing this annual event each of the last 5 years. AOPA and a number of other organizations provided financial support for Aviation Day.
I also attended the combined spring conference of the Missouri State Aviation Council (MoSAC) and the Missouri Airport Managers Association (MAMA) at Lake Ozarks, Mo., April 13-14. As requested, I made a presentation on national issues facing aviation from the AOPA perspective. We have all heard that general aviation has been struggling recently. There is, however, some good news. According to the FAA, tower activity was up 10% in 2010 over 2009, ATC Center activity was up 7%, and avgas sales were up 1% over those same time periods. These are not huge gains, but maybe they indicate that general aviation’s declining activity has bottomed out and is beginning to turn around. Also, a lot of progress has been made convincing our elected officials of the importance of general aviation. One hundred U.S. House of Representatives members and 29 members of the U.S. Senate have joined the Congressional General Aviation Caucus. Earlier this year, 116 members of the House signed a letter sent to President Obama opposing user fees. The president’s budget proposal issued later did not include user fees.
The Missouri Aviation Day and the Annual Aviation Conference were the first two events I have attended since having Missouri added to my AOPA Great Lakes Region. I received a warm welcome from everyone that I met.
I received a similarly warm welcome on my first trip to Iowa when I attended the annual Iowa Aviation Conference in Des Moines, April 20-21. Attendees had similar concerns to those attending the Missouri conference. There were presentations and discussions about federal airport improvement program funding, NextGen implementation, and promoting and protecting aviation and airports.
I hope anyone who sees an opportunity for AOPA to help with an Iowa and/or Missouri aviation issue (as well as issues in my original five states) will contact me. AOPA will continue to work to promote and protect general aviation at the national, state, and local level. For more information on any issue affecting general aviation, please visit our website at: www.aopa.org.
