User Fees

[Frank DeBartolo]

AOPA had a town hall meeting in DSM last night and I attended. It appears that the FAA and the Administrator, Marian Blakley are proposing a user fee that according to AOPA will have the effect of increasing the cost of and curtailing General Aviation. According to AOPA, the only recourse we have is to communicate with our elected officials (US congressmen and senators) and lobby for our interests. According to AOPA, user fees are prevalant in Europe and other parts of the world. The only pilot I know of that is in another part of the world is our own Rob Lees. Rob, can you elucidate on this and give us your impression of what is going on there and if it has curtailed your flying or curtailed the GA community in Europe. I intend to contact my congressman, however, my congressman, Leonard Boswell is a GA pilot who flies an Comanche and attended the meeting last night and was in support of AOPA's position. My senators will also hear from me.

Thanks,

Frank DeBartolo

[Larry Lyons]

Re: User Fees

For what it is worth I already made my Representative aware of my objections. I had a face to face scheduled last month so used that opportunity to lobby against it. Rep. Manzullo from IL. is big on small business so will follow along with the Chamber of congress and other users of GA flying. However when the time is right I will again contact him. We talk 2 to 3 times a year as I always have something to opine about
Larry

[Len Petterson]

Re: User Fees

Yes we have landing fees in Canada but only on selected Airports. Toronto Lester Person is to big for me but Toronto Island has them as well.
Kichener west of TO but what is as far as I gone to find out.
We also pay for the CFS ,Canadain flight supplement,in 2006 1 Issue was 32.00 4 times a year if you want to be up to date)
Our maps are 16.00 a Pc . Chicago chart was 8.00 last year.
Larger issues maybe brings the price down.
But we dont need anymore bills ! or regs!
We need Owner Maintinence or vintage aircraft regulation.(;f
Len