The Candidates Answer Identical Questions On Topics Important
To Pilots
Rather than openly
endorsing a candidate for President of the United States in the
upcoming election, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association chose
to simply pose identical questions to both hopefuls... and let the
readers decide for themselves.
The questionnaire covered nine topics of interest, including hot
items like user fees, airport security, and the environment. The
answers varied broadly from concise to rambling, and the candidates
were sometimes even in basic agreement on certain issues, such as
their opposition to the privatization of ATC services.
Questioned about their personal experiences with GA, Senator
Obama said, "I have always been pleased with the ease and
convenience of utilizing general aviation as I travel to all parts
of our country."
Senator McCain talked of utilizing several modes of travel on
the campaign trail, "particularly private aviation. As much as I
enjoy traveling by bus, I will travel many more miles by air during
this campaign."
Another point of consensus was shared in their remarks about GA
security, each lauding the Airport Watch program spearheaded by
AOPA.
McCain said, "The United States cannot afford to be complacent
about the threat" of terrorist activities, but promised "to keep in
mind that to impinge on the rights of our own citizens or restrict
the freedoms for which our nation stands would be to give
terrorists the victory they seek."
"I believe that our country must continue to be vigilant in
strengthening our homeland security," Obama said, and vowed to
"ensure that security regulations are implemented in partnership
with aircraft users and that we do not implement one-size-fits-all
policies."
Asked whether proposed user fees should
replace the current system to fund the FAA, Obama said, "I believe
we must continue to use an appropriate mixture of reasonable taxes
and fees to fund the FAA," and was supportive of general fund
dollars continuing to fund 25 percent of the FAA's budget.
McCain, "frustrated with infighting over FAA financing between
different parts of the aviation community," didn't really give a
yea or nay to user fees, but hopes "all aviation interests can work
together to develop a consensus financing system that will be
robust enough to fund the FAA's requirements, especially
modernization," and cited his past endorsement of Airport and
Airway Trust Fund and general fund expenditures.
The final question related to specific qualities desirable in an
FAA administrator. Addressing the challenging task of implementing
NextGen, McCain said, "I will search for an administrator who will
be a strong leader with the experience and management background
needed to ensure that the FAA succeeds in modernizing the air
traffic control system."
Obama said he "will appoint a qualified FAA administrator who
has an unwavering commitment to public service and will put the
safety and security of the American people ahead of partisanship
and ideology," adding that he is "committed to turning back some of
the recent failures" of past administrators.