Editorial: “Federal Event Fees” Are a Reality
By Ed Downs
As most readers know by now, the EAA was given a short notice demand for nearly half a million dollars for services to be rendered by the FAA at AirVenture 2013. The fact that such services have already been paid for and delivered in the past, or that the FAA does not have the legal jurisdiction to levy user fees without Congressional consent seems to have no bearing on this action. This is a purely political move by the political leadership of the FAA as directed by the Executive branch of our Government.
Numerous other aviation events that have involved FAA coordination or services have also received notification that “event charges” would apply, resulting in a number of show cancellations. Such federal charges are not limited to EAA AirVenture or even to aviation events. An “event charge” does not need identifiable users that are getting “more than their fair share” of services. An event could be any activity that utilizes federal resources in the conduct of the event, even if only on a casual basis. This could easily include security issues for large sporting events, perhaps a charge to implement required TRF’s over large outdoor gatherings. NASCAR races are heavily aviation related, ideal targets, and even a local rodeo could end up with federal fees from the Department of Agriculture. The potential of “event” related revenue sources is virtually limitless. Point this out to those who brush off AirVenture as simply a party for rich guys. They are next.
It is important to know that this challenge to EAA AirVenture has not been created by the same FAA that we as pilots, aircraft owners and aircraft manufacturers work with on almost a daily basis. Aircraft Certification Services, MIDO and FSDO offices, the good folks at Flight Standards, Air Traffic Control professionals and many other fine employees of the FAA who punch the morning clock and do the best job they can, have nothing to do with what the popular media is referring to as “an FAA action.”
Confused? Perhaps, unless one realizes that the sequestration trick now in play is solely designed to highlight the importance of government services by taking them away. In fact, the “take away” is an old sales trick used in many businesses, wherein a hesitant buyer is persuaded to make a fast “buy” decision when the salesman suddenly announces that the product in question is about to be sold to another person and cannot be replaced. The fear of loss is created, causing the product to suddenly seem more important than it really is. In the case of sequestration, both sides of the political aisle are trying to create as much “pain” as possible with a plan to blame “the other side.” This is not a war of ideals or political principles, but simply a war between mega buck ad companies and PR professionals, all aiming for an advantage in the 2014 Congressional elections. It just so happens that aviation services and the entire American aviation industry is delicate, and therefore, a good target for this type of politics. EAA AirVenture is the perfect big name target, as most non-aviation folks simply think of this event as a fly-in for recreational pilots. They have no idea that AirVenture is the largest aviation related trade show in America, if not in the world. In other words, the D.C. based political leadership of the FAA, leadership with little or no operational aviation background, has chosen to play AirVenture as a pawn in their political chess game…but this pawn can bite.
The EAA has initiated an outreach program that encourages all pilots to contact their elected officials. Aviation enthusiasts and professionals are asked to spread the word, aviation related or not, that the fees assessed to EAA AirVenture are but the tip of an ugly iceberg. Eventually, many federal services that have been bought and paid for by general revenues and special purpose taxes will be unavailable to those without a pocket full of “event money.” EAA Chairman, Jack Pelton, has pulled no punches in stressing just how unacceptable this unilateral action is and is continuing a good fight through the EAA Government Advocacy program. You can participate, whether or not you belong to EAA. Simply enter this URL, http://govt.eaa. org/10387/this-isnt-over-continue-fight-against-ga-event-fees/?src=widget, to go directly to the action page wherein you can quickly sign a petition and contact your local representative by simply entering your zip code. If you have difficulty typing all of this into your computer, just enter www.eaa.org and click on the “PROGRAMS” tab. That will give you a “pull down” to “Government Advocacy” which takes you to a page having a big red “ACTION” logo. Click “ACTION” and you are in the game. Or, simply visit In Flight USA’s web site at www.inflightusa.com. Look for the EAA link on our home page. It will take you right to the action page of the EAA web site.
EAA has created a well-crafted letter to the FAA Administrator’s office, with 28 Senators signing on as supporters of the letter. As of the writing of this column, the FAA has not responded to this Senatorial inquiry, taking on the style of the IRS, State Department and Justice Department by simply ignoring the congressional branch of government. This kind of contempt will eventually result in the FAA Administrator being subpoenaed. As of the writing of this column, FAA leadership is planning to cancel the many technical and safety programs presented by the FAA at AirVenture in the name of “cost savings.” FAA Administrator Huerta has not committed to the traditional “Meet the Administrator” visit to AirVenture, perhaps a good move, in that he will not be received well and lacks the qualifications to discuss many of the operational and safety issues facing pilots. There is little to be learned from a political appointee who can only repeat pre-written policy talking points. Questions regarding FAA leadership qualifications are not simply angry rhetoric. Visit the www.faa.gov and read leadership bios for yourself. You will see a well-written “boilerplate” with descriptive words that obscure a lack of operational expertise.
A copy of the EAA letter to Administrator Huerta follows – it contains a well-written and persuasive argument on behalf of the American aviation industry. Use the facts and arguments presented in this letter, when contacting your own elected officials.
Dear Administrator Huerta:
We respectfully urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fund the air traffic and other safety services at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and other major aviation events around the country.
For one week every year, the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh is the busiest airport in the world. EAA’s AirVenture is the world’s single largest general aviation event, attracting over 10,000 various aircraft and more than half a million people annually from all 50 states and over 60 countries.
We find it hard to believe that the agency tasked with providing air safety for all aspects of American aviation has arbitrarily decided to force this organization to pay close to half a million dollars for air traffic and safety services at one of the largest aviation events in the world. This event, while being a substantial economic driver for the state and local community, is a catalyst for promoting the aviation industry as a whole on a global scale. Its more than 700 exhibitors from 48 states and around the world derive hundreds of millions of dollars in sales of aviation products and services, resulting in tens of millions in federal tax revenue. In addition, attendees at this event contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Aviation Trust Fund through aviation fuel and airline ticket taxes associated with personal and commercial flight to and from the event. We frankly fail to see the logic behind this decision.
One of the FAA’s core missions is to “provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.” Additionally, the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization states that: “The primary service of the Air Traffic Organization is to move air traffic safely and efficiently. Our stakeholders are commercial and private aviation and the military.” Based on the actions taken by FAA to require payment by EAA and other general aviation events for air traffic and safety services, the FAA is failing to abide by its own stated goals and mission statements and is in fact discriminating against a class of aviation users who already contribute to the funding of the FAA through aviation fuel excise taxes. Simply stated, the FAA is provided an annual appropriation by Congress to fund its activities. Of paramount importance is the funding of air traffic services, including air traffic controllers and safety inspectors to all sectors of the aviation community equally. The decision to charge for safety critical air traffic services for AirVenture and other major aviation events has not been authorized by Congress. While sequestration did reduce funding for federal agencies, it did not authorize agencies to seek out ways to raise revenue by arbitrarily charging for services.
The FAA has provided these services to EAA without additional charge for over half a century. We are adamantly opposed to the FAA altering this policy and are greatly concerned by the boldness of the FAA to assume that this type of revenue mining would be deemed acceptable and lawful.
Therefore, we again request that the FAA reconsider its decision regarding funding for EAA AirVenture and other aviation events across the country. Due to the time-sensitive nature of this event we ask that you respond to our request as soon as possible, but no later than June 28, 2013.
We at In Flight USA hope that our readers will take action and become part of the solution, not a victim. This writer knows that many readers may feel it is a waste of time to work through your representatives and actively fight for fairness and consistency in our laws. Just remember, one spark and ignition within a single cylinder will never get you airborne, but add in a few more cylinders and then “spark” them relentlessly, and you are flying. Give it a try.
