Washington governor signs bill that saves pilots money

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has signed an AOPA-supported bill that will save many pilots time and money. Beginning July 1, the state will eliminate the annual $15 pilot registration fee while raising the current 10-cent per gallon excise tax on aviation fuel to 11 cents.

"For most of our members, this bill is a net benefit," said Roger Cohen, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "Pilots will save time and money because they no longer will have to register each year, and more money will actually be raised to support Washington's GA airports." Fuel taxes go directly to the state's Aviation Division.

Even with the one-penny excise tax increase, most pilots will save money. For example, the average fuel burn for many single-engine aircraft is 10 gph. That means a pilot would have to fly more than 150 hours a year for the net cost of the fuel tax increase to exceed the current $15 pilot registration fee. The average single-engine aircraft is flown a little more than 100 hours a year.

May 18, 2005