President's Position: Strength in numbers

When hurricanes struck Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean last fall, pilots were some of the first responders, bringing much-needed supplies and elbow grease, and even ferrying people away from the devastation. Angel Flights carry sick patients daily who don’t have the resources to pay for a trip. Pilots N Paws transports rescue dogs to new homes. And many pilots introduce underprivileged kids to the wonders of flight.

We’ve also seen the general aviation community unite to protect GA itself. In recent years, GA pilots have successfully banded together to bring about major reforms in medical and aircraft certification, made it easier to install lower-cost experimental avionics that enhance safety, shined a light on egregious FBO fees, and worked to stop unreasonable Customs and Border Protection searches. While we haven’t come out on top on every issue, and still have much more to do, our collective voice has informed and driven leaders in government to take action on numerous occasions.

But few things have brought the GA community together like the proposal to remove air traffic control from the FAA and hand it over to a board dominated by special interests. Supporters call it “privatization,” but it’s hardly that. With no competition or effective accountability, the reality is that the proposal would hand over control to 13 individuals with no congressional oversight. Not surprisingly, pilots aren’t taking this sitting down.

Since the bill was introduced, AOPA members have contacted Congress nearly 150,000 times, and believe me, Congress has noticed. Your calls and letters have reminded them about what’s happened in other countries that have gone down this path, and the hypocrisy of arguments offered by supporters of the legislation.

We all want to see modernization. We just don’t think we should give away control of ATC and add nearly $100 billion to the deficit to accomplish it.While the airlines claim the change would reduce delays and speed up the implementation of new technology to reduce their costs, your calls and letters set the record straight.

The fact is, ATC modernization is on time and on budget, and 80 percent of airline delays are caused by weather or the airlines themselves. Many of the benefits the airlines claim would come with an ATC takeover are already available. Fewer than 20 percent of airliners are equipped with ADS-B Out to take advantage of modern air traffic management. Even fewer are ready to use the performance-based navigation approaches the FAA has already implemented. The airlines’ claims are truly hollow.

Just prior to his departure from the FAA in early January, I sat down with then-Administrator Michael Huerta to discuss his experience and accomplishments while in office. In the interview, he said the legislation and ongoing debate do not get at the challenges facing ATC. It’s a solution in search of a problem.

Let’s be clear, GA pilots support change; we all want to see modernization. We just don’t think we should give away control of ATC and add nearly $100 billion to the U.S. deficit to accomplish it. Biennial budgeting and removing ATC and NextGen modernization from interruptions caused by shutdowns and sequestration would give the FAA more stable funding to plan upgrades. And the FAA could reduce costs by instituting procurement reform, as well as consolidating and improving ATC facilities.

With nearly unlimited resources for lobbying and advertising, the airlines have a loud voice, but with your help, we’ve managed to keep the legislation from coming up for a vote on the House floor—and we can’t let up now. The latest extension for funding the FAA ends March 31. Between now and then, Congress must pass a bill to keep the system operating. Debate about that bill will undoubtedly keep the “privatization” effort alive (see “AOPA Action,” page 12).

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to join me and so many of your fellow pilots in speaking out against giving away control of our skies by using the resources available on our website (www.aopa.org/StopPrivatization). Even if you’ve already contacted your elected officials, please do it again.

Just as we unite when it comes to national emergencies, let’s stay united in opposing this giveaway of the air traffic system. Your voice matters, and it’s making a difference. Thank you for your continued support.

Email [email protected]