A Storm Is Brewing

by Craig L. Fuller
President & CEO
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association

Sometimes, even on a beautiful summer day, you can tell there’s a storm coming. In the world of general aviation, this is one of those times. The leading edge will hit this fall and the storm could rage all winter long.

Following the November elections, Congress will reconvene and take up something called “sequestration.” Congress will have a few weeks to slash the federal budget deficit dramatically. If they can’t reach agreement, sequestration will take effect on January 1, 2013, triggering automatic cuts across just about every sector of government in an attempt to reduce the federal budget deficit by $1.2 trillion.

If that happens, the consequences are frightening. The FAA’s air traffic organization will have to lay off an estimated 2,000 employees, including 1,200 air traffic controllers and 900 technicians. The agency also would likely close more than 200 contract towers. Another 600 safety and aircraft certification personnel would be lost through attrition and not replaced. The NextGen ATC modernization initiative would not be spared either, potentially receiving cuts of up to 8 percent or $160 million.

Along with budget cuts will come attempts to raise revenue. The battle over user fees that could follow will make our past fights over this issue look like a walk in the park.

The stakes are incredibly high. GA has some stalwart friends in Congress, including 186 members of the House GA Caucus and 39 members of the Senate GA Caucus. These supporters have repeatedly acted to defend general aviation, protect the interests of pilots, and prevent the imposition of new user fees. But come January 1, even their support may not be enough.

None of the alternatives is pain free—and many are very painful.

But AOPA is not waiting for the storm to hit before we take action. During the next few weeks, we will be attending both national party conventions. Together with the National Business Aviation Association, we will be recognizing federal, state, and local officials who support GA.

We’re also encouraging our members to visit their elected representatives while they are in their home states this summer. It doesn’t hurt to remind lawmakers that people in their communities are depending on them not to agree to user fees that could damage GA.

And, of course, we’ll be asking for help from the entire GA community when the timing is right.

In the next few months, the proposals will start coming fast and furious. So now, in the calm before the storm, let me say thank you for supporting general aviation. All of us at AOPA are standing ready to defend our freedom to fly. I hope we can count on you to stand with us.

This entry was posted in AOPA, August/September 2012, Columns, Columns and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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