Letter To President Trump Outlines GA's Concerns About Too Much Power For Airlines

A group of 16 associations representing general, business and sport aviation have sent a letter President Donald Trump expressing concerns about his plan announced Monday to privatize Air Traffic Control.

"Our associations represent the individuals and companies that make up a significant portion of the diverse and interrelated general aviation industry in the United States. This is an industry that generates more than one million jobs, and more than $200 billion for the nation’s economy. It is worth noting that the majority of all general aviation in the world today takes place in the U.S. and we appreciate your support for our industry. Simply put, general aviation in America is the envy of the world," the letter states.

"Today, the U.S. air traffic control system is the best in the world, moving more aircraft, more safely and efficiently, than any other country. Working with Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration, aviation stakeholders have been able to ensure that our system operates for the public benefit, providing access for all stakeholders to airports, heliports and airspace, and encouraging competition and innovation.

"As you know, for over a year, some big airlines have pushed for a new governance and funding model for our nation’s aviation system, based on systems in other parts of the world. The general aviation community has very real and long-standing concerns, which include but are not limited to user fees. These concerns are based on our operating experiences in these foreign systems and the impact they have had on general aviation.

"We respectfully request that you provide ample opportunity for all stakeholders and citizens to carefully review, analyze and debate any proposed legislation changing the governance and funding for air traffic control."

The letter was sent by:

• Air Care Alliance
• Aircraft Electronics Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Citation Jet Pilots
• Commemorative Air Force
• Experimental Aircraft Association
• General Aviation Manufacturers Association
• Helicopter Association International
• International Council of Air Shows
• National Agricultural Aviation Association
• National Association of State Aviation Officials
• National Air Transportation Association
• National Business Aviation Association
• Recreational Aviation Foundation
• U.S. Parachute Association
• Veterans Airlift Command

In a separate statement, EAA Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton took issue with President Trump's characterization of the current system in his Monday speech. "The White House principles make a gross misrepresentation that the air traffic control system is broken, but the facts don’t support the claim,” Pelton said. "This proposal is a solution in search of a problem. EAA supports modernization of the American airspace system, and progress is happening with the input of all the system’s stakeholders. This new plan would do nothing to solve any current technology or efficiency issues, while undermining the world’s most extensive general aviation system and disrupting the world’s largest and safest air traffic control system. It is a bad idea, and EAA will continue to state that to those in aviation, Congress, and the public.”

(Source: News releases)

FMI: www.eaa.gov