RivetBangers.com

I decided to shoot off some emails to my State representatives telling them my $0.02 (1 man 1 vote) Here's what I said, what do you guys think?

"Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am a resident of Humboldt County California. I am opposed to User Fees at airports used for General Aviation. I have wanted to learn how to fly for years and finally saved enough money to start flying. I am currently a student pilot with 23 hours of flying time and I know how difficult it is to get started in aviation due to the cost. I believe initiating a user fee would only increase the cost of flying and take it out of the reach of many hard working individuals. I don't believe general aviation impacts the airport system near as heavy as commercial airliners and should not be placed on a monetary equality. I think "small" airports are good for our country.

Sincerely,

David and Debra Haley
"new pilots"

Here's some links to shoot off you own emails.

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_i ... m?State=CA

Excellent!!

I approve! Way to go!
Lots of people have opinions - but our representatives listen to those few who care enough to write / email.

Lorin D

Here's a link to a little debate on user fees if anyone is interested (you may have already ranted/discussed them as much as you like elsewhere ). Doesn't seem like too many people are in favor of them, myself included.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3163902

Just a suggestion: Actually WRITE your rep and put it in an envelope with a stamp on it. That way it isn't as easy for them to dismiss it as spam.

Or, send a fax.
I have heard there may be problems with mail due to all the security issues ... and if you happen to be eating a powdered donut when you seal the letter you may have real problems!

Calling is also apparently a good idea; I just got a message from AOPA and aviationacrossamerica.com to call now as there is a critical bill being discussed.

Thomas

Well, I got one response back so far. Can anybody interpret this political speak for me?

Dear Mr. Haley:

Thank you for contacting me regarding funding for the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). I appreciate you taking the time to share your
concerns with me.

Representative James Oberstar (D-MN), chair of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Federal
Aviation Authority's reauthorization proposal. This bill, which the
agency has dubbed "The Next Generation Air Transportation System
Financing Reform Act" (HR 1356), was introduced as a courtesy to the
White House, and there is no indication that it represents the chairman's
position. Currently, the House Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure; Ways and Means; and, Science and Technology are
reviewing this bill.

As you know, the general aviation community contributes to the
Airport/Airways Trust Fund through a fuel tax. Fuel taxes allow aircraft
users to pay federal taxes "at the pump" - general aviation pays a 21.9
cents-per-gallon tax on jet fuel and a 19.4 cents-per-gallon tax on
aviation gasoline. However, FAA officials predict that the Agency will
face a funding shortfall as the cost of aviation services continues to
increase. This is a problem because the aviation trust fund is responsible
for paying a large portion of operational costs of the national airspace
system. The FAA is currently searching for a way to close this gap.

Please know that I consider this an important issue. It is critical that the
FAA receive sufficient resources to operate, and any new stream of
funding must be efficient and fair to the general aviation community.
Sincerely,

MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress
http://www.mikethompson.house.gov

not much to interpret. He didnt take a position, acknowledged how the system works, and acknowledged your correspondence. Par I would say.

uhm.. ya... what Spike said
The consumate politician - didn't take a position, can claim support, and in the future can look back and say he "backed the winner"

I guess the good news is that you did get some kind of response.

Lorin D

Yeh, I know the feeling. I wrote my senators and I might as well talk to the wall. They only represent the liberal left and seem to not care how a decision will effect the state as a whole. I wrote one back and told her the user fees (tax) would destroy the general aviation in the state and ruin the economy. Think I got a reply back on that? Nope!