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AOPA Applauds Bipartisan Senate Letter Rejecting Proposed $100 User Fee in Obama Budget

Contact: Benét Wilson
301-695-2159
Benet.wilson@aopa.org

Frederick, MD – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association thanks Sens. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), co-chairs of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, for their leadership in sending a letter to President Obama outlining opposition to a $100 user fee in the administration’s fiscal year 2013 budget.

The letter, signed by 28 senators, noted that the administration’s proposal would bypass the existing per-gallon system and create a new bureaucratic regime within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to collect a new user fee. “We believe the per-gallon tax assessed on aviation gasoline and jet fuel is the most efficient and effective way to generate revenue from aviation users,” they wrote.

User fees proposed in the fiscal 2013 budget could create a “disincentive for pilots and aircraft to use air traffic control services or fly in controlled airspace,” said the letter. That could result in a less safe flight environment, they explained.

“We applaud the senators who have signed this letter, as it demonstrates that they clearly recognize the value of general aviation. On behalf of our 400,000 members, we are grateful for their leadership and steadfast support,” said Lorraine Howerton, AOPA’s vice president of legislative affairs.

- AOPA –

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March 13, 2012