Well, take advantage of our 16^th Annual Day on the Hill on Thursday, March 29, and let Congress know why this president and his administration are wrong in their views on general aviation.  Every year, NATA encourages its members to come to Washington, D.C. to visit with their Members of Congress and their staff to educate them on their businesses, our industry and the role general aviation plays in the U.S. and global economies.  And every year our members respond by taking time out of their busy schedules to meet with congressional leaders and discuss issues including, but certainly not limited to, the detrimental impact of user fees, how temporary flight restrictions are suffocating FBOs across the country, and airports competing against FBOs. 

There is certainly no shortage of critical issues affecting our membership as can be seen via the association’s 2012 Policy Priorities.

So, please check your calendar and try to squeeze in a day or two at the end of March to participate in the association’s 16^th Annual Day on the Hill and 2012 Spring Committee meetings.  Our members’ support of this event is instrumental in educating congressional leaders on the importance of the aviation business community!

“If you’ve never participated in Day on the Hill, you owe it to yourself and the next generation to participate this year!  A better understanding of the political process unfolded for me after a “visual inspection” of the congressional offices.  The NATA staff did a great job of outlining key issues and the opportunities for other issues for us to discuss with our representatives.  It was immediately apparent that congressional representatives were not fully aware of crucial issues that we face in the aviation community.   Your representatives and their staff need to hear from you regarding your legislative and regulatory concerns and their effect on your business.” – Marian Epps, Epps Air Service Inc.  

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I started clock-watching two Fridays ago when the White House sent out its communiqué titled “Why We Need User Fees” in response to the petition filed last fall titled “Take User Fees Off The Table.”  I continue to marvel at the Obama administration’s stubbornness in insisting that our community needs to pay user fees.  Congress and the general aviation community, in almost complete unanimity, have said “Hell, No!”  Yet somehow, the White House believes it knows better. 

At a time when President Obama is trailing in some polls behind Republican front runner Mitt Romney, one would think that this administration would be looking to make amends with a community that has a large number of voters in key battleground states, especially Ohio, Florida, Washington and Nevada.  In the White House response from Dana Hyde, the comment is made that tough decisions must be made during challenging fiscal times.  Quite true.  But there is an enormous difference between tough and foolish.  And the critical importance of the general aviation community is a factor that this administration continues to fail to recognize, whether it is general aviation’s economic impact or the number of jobs it provides to this great nation.  This White House has made foolish statements and detrimental proposals against this great industry. 

When the President took office, his mantra was all about change we can believe in.  Well, Mr. President, it is time to change your position and support an industry that is so vital to the American economy.  There is a reason the U. S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate general aviation caucuses are nearly the largest in membership numbers in Congress.  It’s because general aviation is an integral part to so many states in this country.  If Congress can recognize this fact, surely the White House can.

So, as we kick off this 2012 election year, I can’t wait for it to end.  We need a political shakeup in this town where our political leaders recognize the importance of this industry.  Disagreeing on issues is one thing.  But crucifying an industry for political gain is not tough. It is foolish.

According to The Washington Post, “Under statutory mandate, the NLRB has the responsibility to protect the right of American workers to form, join, or assist unions, to bargain collectively with their employers, and to refrain from such activity if they so choose.”

This is where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill comes into play.  Contained within the U.S. House of Representatives’ bill is a provision that would alter National Mediation Board (NMB) rules so that non-voting workers would be considered “no” votes in elections to form unions.  Republicans want the change to make it less easy to unionize and Democrats are opposed to the provision because they want it to be easier for workers to unionize.  This provision has been the chief obstacle in a final agreement on the FAA reauthorization bill. 

While the NMB and NLRB are two independent federal agencies, the issues that both handle are similar, namely labor negotiations.  And when it comes to presidential election years, all things labor-oriented rise to the top of the political spectrum.  President Obama needs labor support for re-election, and Republicans use labor issues as the bulls-eye on their political dart board.  That dartboard at the moment includes the FAA reauthorization bill with this labor provision. 

So, as we embark upon the latest January 31^st deadline and the strong potential for a 23^rd extension, I wonder if a cool two dozen is on the horizon.  If I were a betting man, I would double down and say absolutely, especially during a presidential election year.  Historically Congress and the White House simply do not get along, as both are trying to demonstrate to the American public that one is more effective than the other.  And, as evidenced by the contentious deliberations involving extending the payroll tax cut that was set to expire at the end of 2011, I think we are in for more of the same political wrangling and ineptitude.

Happy New Year to all…

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I open with this diatribe because I am extremely concerned that the next 12 months are going to be incredibly challenging.  The threat of a double-dip economic recession, TFRs shutting down airspace at levels never seen before, a President who simply does not understand the value of the general aviation industry, the continued lack of long-term legislation allowing for proper aviation infrastructure planning, and states like California who have outrageously stupid, quasi-regulatory regimes like Proposition 65, all make 2012 look daunting. 

It is absolutely critical that the President submit, and the Senate confirm, a qualified candidate as soon as possible to ensure that our industry has the proper leadership in place to navigate our community through the myriad pitfalls that we are facing next year. 

It’s time for President Obama to cancel one of his many campaign stops on Air Force One and spend a few hours with Secretary LaHood identifying a candidate to nominate.  We simply cannot have a leadership vacuum at the FAA during such a critical period of time for this industry.

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Some may say that I am overstepping my bounds with my statements on measures taken regarding national security, but I am truly not.  We must ensure that our political leaders are safe and that our national security concerns are met.  But there absolutely must be some risk-based analysis as to what good is coming out of these TFRs that will only multiply with the 2012 election season in full swing.  The USSS has only one focus: protecting the President at any and all costs.  Fine, I completely understand and agree with this mission.  But is there not a way where general aviation can operate when the President is in the air or on the ground next year?  With all the personnel working to ensure aviation security in this country, there has to be a means to allow general aviation traffic to continue when the President comes to town. 

The Transportation Security Administration has worked hard to ensure that portals are provided to enable operators to move into and out of locations where the President is.  But these portals are simply not enough.  The duration of aircraft remaining grounded is still far too long.  Someone on the Hill needs to man up, take the USSS to task, and ask the hard questions.  What exactly are we accomplishing by shutting down general aviation when the President is in town?  And in doing so have you really guaranteed any true security threshold, or are you simply throwing your weight around because you can and because no one is willing to question directly the big, bad wolf otherwise known at the USSS? 

We need someone, anyone, to raise these types of questions.  No one entity is above the law, including the United States Secret Service.  Someone needs to blow the big, bad wolf’s house down and fight for what is fair.  If not, general aviation will continue to be a punching bag for those with “national security” concerns.

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I encourage everyone to take a few moments to write to your Members of Congress and address the fact that user fees would cripple our community.  While many say that the inclusion of user fees for aviation are becoming more unlikely in the final proposal, that notion is something on which none of us in the general aviation community should count.  As everyone heard at NBAA’s convention last week, user fees are fraught with peril for this community.  We must continue to band together to fight those on Capitol Hill looking for new revenue sources who are willing to listen to the Obama administration and their proposed $100 flight fee.  The worst possible course of action for the general aviation industry at this time is inaction.

So take five minutes, write to your House and Senate members, and encourage them to oppose any and all user fee proposals against the general aviation industry.  Doing so is a step towards preventing an economic calamity for this community.

Visit or return to NATA site: www.nata.aero

Last Friday, a gentleman from Iowa picked up on a new process recently announced by the White House that allows citizens of this great country to petition the White House on a specific issue.  The petition, titled “Take User Fees Off the Table,” was offered by Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) member Kevin Mossey of Marion, Iowa, and is part of the Obama administration’s new “We The People” program.  If a petition is able to generate 5,000 signatures within 30-days, “the White House staff will review it, ensure it’s sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.” 

Yesterday morning, there were only 40 or so signatures on the petition.  As of this morning, thanks to AOPA and their announcement of this effort yesterday, the petition has more than 2,400 signatures.

I would encourage all NATA members and non-members alike to take advantage of this campaign (especially since it is from the White House and on our tax dollars) to let the President and his staff know that user fees are a non-starter!  Let’s push this petition over the 5,000 signature threshold by week’s end!

To sign the petition, visit the user fee petition page and then create an account.  Once you receive the confirmation email from the White House, you can login and sign your name to the petition!

Happy petitioning!

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First, corporations, which employ millions of American citizens and contribute so much to the U.S. and global economy, are blamed for using general aviation aircraft for business purposes in an economic recession.  (By the way Mr. President, those big businesses help thousands of small aviation businesses that maintain and repair, fuel and service these aircraft.)  Then, the importance of bonus depreciation to the business community is disregarded and there is the attempt to take away the inherent tax advantages that benefit so many businesses that use general aviation aircraft. 

Finally − first during the annual budget offerings, then via the debt ceiling discussions last summer, and now with the President’s latest and greatest debt and jobs plan − the assessment of a “$100 flight fee, made payable to the FAA, by aviation operators who fly in controlled airspace” is considered.  (Military aircraft, public aircraft, recreational piston aircraft, air ambulances, aircraft operating outside of controlled airspace, and Canada-to-Canada flights would be exempted.)  The premise for this proposal is that “general aviation users currently pay a fuel tax, but this revenue does not cover their fair-share-use of air traffic services.”  Then increase the fuel tax!  The general aviation community has been saying this all along.  Increasing the fuel tax is the cleanest, easiest and most productive way to generate revenue.  Paying a new group of bureaucrats to handle the acceptance and processing of a new $100 flight fee only creates yet another burden on businesses to comply with the FAA and tax regulations.  The idea is beyond absurd and the proposal is fraught with peril in terms of the vagueness by which “aviation operators” may be defined − leaving that determination to those same bureaucrats who would handle the collection and processing of the flight fee.

Mr. President, the general aviation industry is an invaluable stimulator of the national economy.  How about treating it as such rather than taking every opportunity to bash hard working Americans and small businesses that are the backbone of the U.S. economy?  How about taking the time and effort your administration puts into these absurd proposals to, instead, learn more about the true value general aviation provides to the U.S. and global economy.  Mr. President, it’s time for your administration to change its tune and embrace all the good that comes from the general aviation community.  

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The sad fact is that politics continues to trump finding common ground and making sound decisions.  Politics muddled the FAA reauthorization bill and the highway reauthorization bill and, on a larger scale, messed up the U.S. credit rating in the global economy because the White House and Capitol Hill could not in a timely manner agree upon a sound financial plan for this nation’s debt. 

I have asked this in several other blogs, and I ask this again: Why exactly are any of us paying our taxes at this point?  If NATA’s member companies ran their businesses this way, they would be out of business.  Congress can’t seem to make a decision on anything.  And when Congress does, legislation ends up including all kinds of provisions that hurt one constituency to the betterment of another.

Sadly, the only time we see Congress and the White House working together at all now is during a crisis.  It should not take a natural disaster, an accident or terrorism for our elected leaders to come together to do what is in the best interest of this country.

And yet, things will likely continue to get worse.  With a presidential election a little over a year away, gridlock on Capitol Hill will increase, and only the absolutely-must-pass bills to keep the federal government operating will likely pass.

Punting must stop.  Common ground must be found.  And our elected officials must do what is in the best interest of this country.  Enough is enough.

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For all segments of the aviation industry, the 9-11 terrorist attacks were certainly a turning point.  The Department of Transportation (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration, which were responsible for aviation security ten years ago, were cast aside and the new Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration became the government entities with jurisdiction over aviation security. 

For NATA’s members, the changes have been significant and supremely challenging.  Our members have endured the closing of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to general aviation operations, the creation of the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program, temporary flight restrictions around major sporting events that have crippled the banner tower community, the Air Defense Identification Zone around Washington, D.C., the TSA’s initial failed attempt at a new security program called the Large Aircraft Security Program, and the implementation of a host of other security initiatives.  They are now further threatened by a sizable economic recession and a U.S. President who continues to mischaracterize the value of general aviation and its impact to the economy.

The challenges have been seemingly endless and quite daunting for the thousands of small aviation businesses in this country.  Yet, these aviation businesses — truly the backbone of the aviation industry — continue to survive and in some cases are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

As I reflect on the last ten years, I am eternally grateful that we continue to live in the greatest country in the world.  My heart pours out to those who lost loved ones that fateful day, and I thank all those men and women who have defended and those who continue to defend this great nation and its citizens.  I am also fortunate to represent companies that truly epitomize the American spirit that these great men and women help protect every day.

While our industry has continually adapted to change since September 11, 2001, and we may disagree a great deal with some of the decisions thrust upon our community, we must always remember how truly fortunate we are to be Americans and give thanks to all this great country offers.

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