AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011 - 4

PRESIDENT’SPOSITION

BY CRAIG FULLER
AOPA PRESIDENT

Elections matter

“E

lections matter” is a favorite phrase of a friend of mine, and, after the first quarter of 2011, it is certainly accurate as it pertains to

capabilities and benefits of enhanced systems are known before further requirements are embraced. And, we appreciate their sensitivity to making sure the costs are driven lower and the value is driven upward. Continuously, we are asked whether budget cuts will hurt general aviation. Of course, in this day and age every organization can and should look for savings. I know the FAA administrator and his colleagues are doing this on an ongoing basis, which life in Washington, D.C. As the 112th Congress got we applaud. The FAA budget is a little different to work in January, new leaders assumed committhan other areas of federal spending in that about AOPA President Craig Fuller was two-thirds of it is generated every year by those of tee chairmanships in the House of Representatives Vice President and new members of Congress began serving their us who use the system, either by flying commerGeorge H.W. constituents in the House of Representatives and cial airlines or by operating aircraft and paying fuel Bush’s chief of the United States Senate. taxes. With about 65 cents on every dollar coming staff. To be sure, there was a settling-in period. But from the aviation sector and traveling public, we right from the start, things have been different. do believe that the expenditures going to ensure First, House leadership, undaunted by the fact that we are (as that the air transportation system is both safe and efficient of April) six months into the 2011 budget year, began a top-to- represent a fair and reasonable investment. bottom review of spending, looking to trim $100 billion from When all is said and done, we support FAA reauthorization the federal budget before it will approve a 2011 funding level— legislation, which covers all of these issues and many others. something the federal government needs to keep it running We do want to see decisions made that will give us greater to avoid a government-wide shutdown. The battle continues certainty about future initiatives and a clear understanding of as I write this. how new technologies can improve the safety and efficiency Then, the Obama administration submitted its 2012 bud- of flying GA. For these reasons, we are supporting the passage get with its proposal of federal funding reductions. Some in of FAA reauthorization legislation and of budget agreements Congress objected, saying the cuts were too deep. Many others ensuring adequate funding for the FAA into the foreseeable suggest the reductions did not go far enough. future. On most of our specific issues, policy makers on a bipartiIt goes without saying that our own issues are important, san basis share our views. First and foremost, there continues but to be truly responsible we must also consider the view to be a big “no” to aviation user fees. Indeed, there is a con- from 40,000 feet. From that perspective, we simply cannot suscern about fees and tax increases in general among many in tain the rising national debt. To give you one example, if we Congress. remain on the present course of spending, the interest on the There are moves to reduce funding to airports, which con- debt in 2021 will be $1 trillion a year in 2020 (this is from Presicerns us. However, even in this cost-cutting environment, dent Obama’s Fiscal Advisory Commission). And, with regard community airports used by general aviation have been to energy, we cannot tolerate oil at $100 per barrel without identified as places where continued federal support remains working to reduce our dependence on this resource, especially important. when its source is beyond our control. There also remains a commitment to advance NextGen— Increasingly, I talk about both of these areas as being of critithe next generation of air traffic management. Both the House cal importance to all of us in general aviation, believing that of Representatives and the Senate provide funding for the getting it right will make a real difference to our community. So development of the NextGen program and have set timeta- while all of us who care about GA want to see appropriate levels bles for action by the end of the decade. Importantly, there are of spending on the FAA and the aviation system as a whole, we requirements being suggested that the FAA must meet before are also conscious of the bigger picture. That said, we at AOPA will continue to work for the best interests of the general aviaequipment can be mandated at the end of the decade. At AOPA, we have argued that the current system will not tion community. We recognize that, while our members care continue to meet our future aviation needs. And we support deeply about GA, they want GA to function effectively within a the development and implementation of NextGen technolo- system that is viable as a whole. That is what we at AOPA want, gies. However, we must always see a meaningful return on the too, and it’s what we work toward every day. investment in equipment we are being asked to put in our aircraft. We commend those who are working to ensure that the E-mail AOPA President Craig Fuller at craig@aopa.org. 4 • APRIL 2011

AOPA PILOT •

AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011

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