Sigh. User fees.

[Frank Giger]

Well, here we are with a new President, and regardless of party that means the suggestion of user fees in aviation has once again been put forward.

Time to pay attention to both EAA and AOPA's calls to write your Congressman and Senator to kill it when it makes its way into legislation offerings.

A big thank you in advance to EAA National for doing what they do down there in D.C. - lots of rubber chicken dinners and friendly talks with staffers that are always too busy to talk, but somehow make time for our folks.

[Bill Greenwood]

What are the facts about costs for user fees re private control of air space. Those pushing it claim to lower costs, but what's the history? According the a story on the news yesterday when this was implemented in Canada costs went up 59% and in the United Kingdom up 30%.
The airlines have backed this, all except Delta for some reason. Even Southwest is pushing it.
I am not sure , but I think the increase in costs as per the story yesterday were airline costs, maybe Delta knows something others are not seeing.

[rwanttaja]

One big problem is that no details of any potential implementation have been announced; like the Airspace privatization, only the bare fact is announced. Hard for non-Governmental organizations to do any sort of parallel cost-checking.

Bill's point about Delta is an interesting one...what do they know (or NOT know) that hasn't been shared with the GA community?

The ironic thing, of course, is that aviation always HAS had "User Fees," in the form of taxes on aviation fuel. You can probably guess that these "traditional" user fees won't be reduced when discrete fees are implemented.

Ron "Where's my representation? Wanttaja

[Kurt Flunkn]

Yeah, but this does not replace fuel taxes. User fees are in addition to fuel taxes.

[Mike M]

Yeah, but this does not replace fuel taxes. User fees are in addition to fuel taxes.

If the purpose is to improve safety and efficiency at a lower cost, why are the costs going up? Lie. It's a lie. It will make different people wealthy at the expense of others. Us.

[saber25]

First ADS-B and now user fees... ADS-B will make it easier for them to collect the fees. The pilot groups bent over to accept the former now get ready for the latter.