AOPA Action: ATC up for grabs?

Trump’s 2019 budget proposal calls for removing FAA control

April 1, 2018

Despite a growing chorus of opposition both in Congress and among nearly 200 general aviation industry groups, consumer groups, unions, small airports, state aviation departments, and local elected officials—not to mention the $100 billion price tag—the president’s fiscal year 2019 budget proposal calls for removing air traffic control operations from the FAA.

BAKER ON THE NEWS

“We don’t need to give away the air traffic system in order to modernize. General aviation supports modernization, not so-called ‘privatization.’” —AOPA President Mark Baker

ACTION IN THE STATES

AOPA supports aviation in Rhode Island
AOPA Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins toured airports in Rhode Island to weigh in on an obstacle-clearance dispute that could affect safety at a general aviation airport, and bring the state’s AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers together to map out their advocacy priorities for general aviation in 2018 and beyond. Collins met with the Rhode Island Airport Corp. at its headquarters at Theodore Francis Green State Airport in Providence on a dispute over the removal of obstacles on approaches to Westerly State Airport, a project that the state agency supports, but is blocked by a court order.
www.aopa.org/pilot/rhodeisland

AOPA works for Maryland sales tax exemption
Aviation advocates in Maryland are resuming their efforts to pass a sales tax exemption that could save aircraft operators on maintenance bills and put the state’s aviation services sector on a competitive footing with other states. In 2017, a bill seeking a sales tax exemption for materials used to maintain or repair aircraft passed the state Senate unanimously but stalled in the House of Delegates. The effort did not end there, however. “With the support of AOPA members, the bills’ sponsors worked throughout the off-season to build awareness and support for the legislation,” said AOPA Eastern Regional Manager Sean Collins.
www.aopa.org/pilot/maryland

AOPA supports Colorado seaplane resolution
Long-sought seaplane access and a rejection of the idea of giving away the nation’s air traffic control system are among the 2018 legislative priorities of the Colorado Aeronautical Board. A resolution outlining the priorities also seeks to secure Airport Improvement Program funding for Colorado’s airports. AOPA supports the seven-member board, which was established in 1988 and designed to represent both governmental and statewide aviation interests. In its resolution, the board argues that the FAA should remain under the oversight of Congress who would best ensure responsiveness and accountability.
www.aopa.org/pilot/colorado

Bloomberg reported that “the proposal is largely symbolic given strong bipartisan opposition in Congress.” After nearly two years, proponents of turning the ATC system over to a 13-member board have failed to move the proposal forward because of a lack of votes. This isn’t the first time President Trump has proposed such a plan. He linked it to infrastructure improvements during a White House event shortly after his inauguration in 2017. In June 2017, his 2018 budget request also proposed the change. A bill in the House, H.R.2997—introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)—would accomplish Trump’s goal, but it has been met with strong and growing opposition.

“The U.S. air traffic system is the largest, most complex, and safest in the world,” said AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker. “Giving the taxpayer-funded system to special interests will not improve safety or solve delays caused by the airlines and weather events.”

The airlines have claimed that the system is “antiquated” and doesn’t adapt quickly enough to technology changes. However, the current modernization effort, dubbed NextGen, is on track and has provided several technologies that can improve efficiencies, which the airlines have not equipped their airplanes to take advantage of.

Shuster’s plan passed his committee in 2017, but because of vocal opposition by House members, and AOPA members and other pilots, it has not moved to the full House. Many in Congress would like to move on from this divisive issue and pass a long-term FAA reauthorization without handing over ATC to special interests. AOPA members have contacted their members of Congress nearly 200,0000 times in the past six months to voice their opposition.

In the Senate, there is little support for the change to ATC, and its proposed FAA reauthorization keeps the system as a responsibility of the FAA. The current FAA authorization extension expires March 30, and decisions will have to be made as to whether the fight continues or if an agreement can be reached to advance long-term FAA proposals in the House and Senate that do not include the divisive ATC provision.

www.aopa.org/stopprivatization

GA airport introduces automated passport control

Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport has become the nation’s first general aviation airport to introduce automated passport control self-service kiosks at its onsite U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility. The new service will “expedite entry into the U.S. through an automated process that eliminates the need to handwrite a customs declaration form and assists passengers via a self-service kiosk to declare their citizenship, present their documents, and complete the administrative portion of the process,” according to a news release issued jointly by the city of Fort Lauderdale and CBP. There is no charge to use the kiosks, and preregistration or membership is not required. Visa Waiver Program travelers must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations approval and have visited the United States after 2008.

www.aopa.org/pilot/florida

AOPA gets FAA to delay Piper AD

At AOPA’s request, the FAA delayed the effective date for an airworthiness directive (AD) that would have required inspections of 17,957 Piper PA–28-series single-engine aircraft to verify that the left and right fuel tank selector cover placards are positioned properly, and replacement of those found not to conform. The agency granted AOPA’s request for a global alternative method of compliance that provides aircraft owners an additional 30 days’ relief to perform the mandated inspections, said AOPA Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs David Oord. AOPA is hopeful the 30-day interval will also give the FAA time to consider comments submitted on the AD. Although the AD solicited comments, it was originally to take effect in February without the customary public-notice period.