Editorials abound recently speaking out for AirVenture and
why ill conceived FAA users fees are double taxation. In the Northwestern paper
one OSH editorial stated: "EAA leaders, members of Wisconsin's
Congressional delegation and the aviation community have made a strong case for
why the Federal Aviation Administration's demand is out-of-line and potentially
unlawful without explicit Congressional authorization. Thousands of aviators
who will make their way to Oshkosh this summer will shell out substantial user
fees for fuel and the like to help directly cover the expenses of controllers
and other parts of the nation's air traffic safety system."
A separate article by Representative Tom Petri from the Northwestern said: "But
after 60 years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently informed EAA
that it would no longer fund the cost of the additional air traffic controllers
for the event and that these costs would now have to be reimbursed. This is a
basic abdication of its responsibilities. The FAA exists to regulate air safety
and direct air traffic. Directing the 20,000 air operations that will occur at
Oshkosh that week is part of the basic core mission of the FAA. And this is
their mission regardless of the reason for the air traffic."
Time is running out for this last minute scheme, next week should highlight possible resolutions. FMI:
The Northwestern-Editorial , The Northwestern- Rep Petri article , Bipartisan letter