Urgent HAI Member Alert: Tell Congress 'NO!'

The recent rhetoric by President Obama against the business aviation community has had GA focused mainly on the possible end of accelerated depreciation for business aircraft purchases. But NBAA sounded the alarm a few days ago about the renewed prospect of aviation user fees, and now Helicopter Association International is joining in alerting members to the threat.

US President Barack Obama

HAI issued a statement Tuesday which says, in part:

"At a time when 14 million people are out of work in the U.S., businesses are struggling to meet payroll, and many Americans find it difficult to put food on their tables, the Obama White House and congressional leaders are seriously considering a $25 'User Fee' as part of the debt relief package...Much of the discussion has flown under the radar under the guise of attacking
corporate aircraft.

HAI President Matt Zuccaro

"HAI President Matt Zuccaro joined the leaders of the major aviation associations in Washington in sending a letter to every U.S. Senator and Member of Congress on this important issue which would create an expensive new federal collection bureaucracy funded on the backs of general aviation operators in the name of deficit reduction.

"HAI needs you to contact your House Member and your two Senators today by phone and email and ask to speak with the aviation or transportation staffer. To obtain telephone numbers and email links, please visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. Any change in current law that would allow for a private aircraft user fee would be detrimental to our industry, and your voice in Washington needs to be heard.

"As the debate continues in Washington, HAI will keep you informed and let you know what you can do to help get this important message to lawmakers in Washington. The bottom line is that any user fee proposal should be rejected by Congress. User fees have absolutely devastated general aviation in other parts of the world."

The full text of the message is linked from the home page of HAI's website, including suggested talking points to use when contacting your federal lawmakers.

FMI: www.rotor.com