Gentelmen here is the letter that went out yesterday
from the EAA forums
June 13, 2013
In a stunning announcement today the EAA acknowledged that it agreed to pay the FAA $450,000 for the Air Traffic Control services it will provide at AirVenture.
EAA’s agreement with the FAA comes on the same day of the deadline set by 28 U.S. Senators, that insisted the FAA stop with its user fee demand and provide a formal response back to the Senators. Now, with EAA’s agreement in hand, the FAA can authoritatively state that the issue has been settled by mutual agreement, and though not perfect, provides for certainty in these difficult budgetary times and lays the groundwork for cooperation in the future (or some other B.S. to that effect – just watch).
Today EAA betrayed the interests of its Members and all of General Aviation. It blackened the eyes of the 28 Senators that were prepared to fight this issue on our behalf (I suspect they will now be hesitant to back the EAA on future issues). EAA’s agreement cements the foundation for similar, and new User Fees, which the FAA can simply demand on a whim (this one was dreamed up and implemented in just weeks).
The EAA is and will be “spinning” this as a problem with the FAA. I’ll state this is first, a problem with EAA. It is an extraordinary lack of leadership, from one of the largest voices in aviation, on the most critical issue facing General Aviation. From the Board of Directors, to the President and the next layer down, these people must be replaced. As Members, we can make this happen!
As EAA Members we can change course by:
1.) Simply quitting (not a great option, why let EAA flounder), or
2.) Run for the Board of Directors (or via social media campaign/write in candidate), or
3.) Agree upon the candidates and Vote. Get Every Member You Know to Vote.
Change from within EAA may take time, but it can happen. What happened today should never happen again. Ever.
So, if you agree with me, how can you help?
Mike Hongisto
President - EAA Chapter 1221
hongistomichael@aol.com
IMHO this sets a precedence that will haunt our industry for a very long time. they found a cash cow, they will milk her to the end of time. user fees, you bet, they will chip away at your wallet until you are paying for every service you get. Landing fees at every tower controlled airport? you watch. call for weather? what's your N number You wait.
You've sat on your a$$ for so long and said nothing, they you will not do any thing meaningful now.
So get out your wallet and stand by rich boy with your toys.