Re: Will Obama kill general aviation
As a libertarian I have no philosophical objection to paying for services I use. Unfortunately when government is involved, there is no natural market mechanism available on the supply side (in this case ATC) that keeps it in check - particularly since any funding shortages can be made up via other tax revenue streams. So if they inadvertently squeeze GA traffic down so that even large fees can't make up the difference, they are unlikely to cut expenses or drop the fees as a private organization would have to do.
I should point out that Robert Poole of the libertarian Reason Foundation has been advocating aviation user fees for years. Has Obama suddenly become a libertarian - or could it be that this is an election year and this is being used as a populist appeal? The constant reference to corporate jets might be a clue.With his proposed $100 user fee anytime a flight is in controlled airspace. Does not say if class E is also included. Sounds like he is going to do the same thing as he does with appointments ( no congressional approval) something he said he was so against a few years ago
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2012/120113white-house-aviation-user-fee-response.html
As a libertarian I have no philosophical objection to paying for services I use. Unfortunately when government is involved, there is no natural market mechanism available on the supply side (in this case ATC) that keeps it in check - particularly since any funding shortages can be made up via other tax revenue streams. So if they inadvertently squeeze GA traffic down so that even large fees can't make up the difference, they are unlikely to cut expenses or drop the fees as a private organization would have to do.
