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EAA AirVenture Today  is published by the Experimental Aircraft Association for EAA AirVenture from July 23 - July 30. It is distributed free on the convention grounds as well as other locations in Oshkosh and surrounding communities. Stories and photos are copyrighted 2006 by EAA AirVenture Today and EAA. Reproduction by any means is prohibited without written consent.

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Forum to discuss GA user fees
By David Sakrison

A forum to discuss the issue of general aviation (GA) user fees will be held at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on Tuesday, July 25, 11:30 a.m., in Pavilion 6. The general aviation community is united in its opposition to the concept of user fees—a concept put forward by U.S. airlines as a new mechanism for funding the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. The forum will be moderated by EAA President Tom Poberezny and will include a panel of GA representatives: Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA); Phil Boyer, president of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA); Jack Pelton, president of Cessna Aircraft Company; Alan Klapmeier, president of Cirrus Design Corporation; and Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

General aviation has always contributed to the cost of the nation’s aviation infrastructure through fuel taxes paid to the aviation trust fund. That funding mechanism, and its congressional authorization, will expire a little over a year from now, on September 30, 2007. In March 2006, the Airline Transport Association (ATA), a Washington-based lobbying group representing U.S. airlines, called for the creation of a new system of user fees to be imposed on general aviation aircraft and pilots, based on the number of departures and the time spent operating in the air traffic control system. Such fees could shift billions of dollars in ATC costs from the airlines to general aviation.

ATA also called for control of ATC operations by a new governing board that would effectively be controlled by the airline industry.

The airline industry has made a concerted effort to divide general aviation interests over this issue. However, the general aviation community remains solidly united against the airlines’ proposal to pay less and control more.

Participants at the User Fee Forum on Tuesday will lay out the key arguments against general aviation user fees and for retaining the current system of GA fuel taxes. EAA has been and will continue to be a leader in promoting a national air transportation system that benefits all Americans.