Well, folks. The time has come. Go visit the AOPA web site. I’ll wait…
Back? Great. What do you think? Are you ready to start paying new fees and taxes to our government so you can enjoy your freedom to fly? Ready or not, here they come! The FAA (and President Bush) have announced their plans to fund the FAA and it most certainly includes using user fees and new taxes for general aviation users.
What kinds of fees and taxes? It’s gonna cost you to use airspace. It’s gonna cost you more to fill up your aircraft at the pumps. And it’s gonna cost you to file new applications for medicals, pilot certificates, etc. etc. I don’t know about you, but it’s sounds good to me! Or not….
If these measures hold up and get passed, this is certainly mean the end of flying for many people. Having to pay for simple usage of airspace and other minor tasks is going to kill off any hope that flying is an expression of our freedom as human beings. It will severely limit the desire of people to enjoy aviation on a personal level.
Oh, and by the way… aviators already pay their taxes. Unfortunately, some states (IOWA) tend to take the tax money that goes into the aviation fund and use it in the general fund. Hmm…
