From the EAA forums…. The EAA gave in.

[T. C. Downey]

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

[blueldr]

Apparently the EAA was concerned that their cash cow would not get bred and would go dry.

[T. C. Downey]

Apparently the EAA was concerned that their cash cow would not get bred and would go dry.

IMHO it set a precedence that will haunt the industry for years.

For me, I never did like the big hoopla, I'd much rather go to a laid back weekend camp out at a grass field.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I think the EAA should have told the FAA, "fine don't show up".

I'm pretty disgusted.

[DaveF]

I think the EAA should have told the FAA, "fine don't show up".

I'm pretty disgusted.

That would have brought on the Ramp Check From Hell. This could only be stopped by action from above.

[canav8]

If you knew how much an FAA Inspector would kill to get that kind of an assignment so they could get out of the office, The EAA would be getting donations from them. This is Aviation Vacation for anyone in the FAA.Yes It is a lot of work, do not get me wrong but the amount of stroking ego that goes on with that job is phenomenal. I really hope Tom is wrong but I think he nailed it. This is the remaining coffin nail on your last remaining free in aviation. Dam Politics!

[T. C. Downey]

I think the EAA should have told the FAA, "fine don't show up".

I'm pretty disgusted.

Exactly!

[bagarre]

I'm on the fence about this one.
Considering that Oshkosh is a BIG money maker for the GA industry as a whole (From the EAA to all the vendors), why shouldn't the sponsor (EAA) have to pay for the additional air traffic control support?

Some call this new move a User Fee. In a way, it's been a government subsidy program to this point in time.

On the other side, we do pay a fair amount of gas tax (along with every other tax).

My fear is they will start putting a fee on ANY organized event that causes an increased amount of traffic at airports (which is where I see this going).

I wonder if the Coast Guard will start charging for services at the Annapolis boat show next year.
The 4th of July isn't that far away, perhaps they will charge a fee to get on to the National Mall to watch the fireworks.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I'm on the fence about this one.
Considering that Oshkosh is a BIG money maker for the GA industry as a whole (From the EAA to all the vendors), why shouldn't the sponsor (EAA) have to pay for the additional air traffic control support?

Or just maybe the EAA could have handled the traffic just fine without the FAA and we could then have asked, do we really need them?

Never been to OSH but have been to Sun N Fun. I understand it may not compare but expect the procedures to be the same. Does it really take a certified person to advise one airplane to fall behind and follow another?

[T. C. Downey]

I'm all for user fees, WHEN properly applied, bridge tolls are user fees, toll roads like the NYS thruway is a toll road and is very well maintained highway. I would love to see the FAA go to a user fee system, but it is unlikely to drop the gas tax if they do, So I do not like the idea of a system collecting both.

IF they were to go to a totally user fee supported system, I and a multitude of other pilots would elect not to use it, so it would die of starvation.

IMHO by 2020 you will be required to use it, and it will be a user fee supported system of ADS-B. 30 years after that, it will be normal for every one flying.

[T. C. Downey]

Or just maybe the EAA could have handled the traffic just fine without the FAA and we could then have asked, do we really need them?

Never been to OSH but have been to Sun N Fun. I understand it may not compare but expect the procedures to be the same. Does it really take a certified person to advise one airplane to fall behind and follow another?

It would work if all that went there were small aircraft in the pattern. but that is not what goes there.

[blueldr]

I used to attend a good many fly-ins that were real fun. When the FAA started making their temporary towers mandatory it spoiled the whole experience. When the Watsonvill fly in was over they used to dispatch all the departures with a flagman. When the FUZZ moved in and required radio dispatch, it took at least three times as long to get out of there.

[mike roe]

As many as possible should send a short email stating disapproval of EAA actions. Load the in-box. Maybe next year they will come up with a better solution. I don't know the liability issues but EAA is big on volunteers. How many retired controllers would love that vacation. The regulars would be on duty to oversee. Heck EAA can give them free room and board at Pioneer village.

[W.J.Langholz]

Just doing some farmer math........that's a lot of money.......if 1 makes 100k/yr that would be 225 FAA people for 1 wk.....that's a lot of people. 50k/yr makes it 450 FAA people...........

100 retired Air traffic controllers, pay them $100 cash per day and free room and board comes to aprox $150,000....offer some free advertising for the food vendors and you could peel out some more.

When any organization gets "Big" it becomes harder and harder to hang on to their "roots" Growth promotes Change and Change promotes Growth. Do you start a new club, new forum....new flyin or do we work with what's there and how does one promote change for the better.

I'm as guilty as most, I gave up my EAA membership 2 years ago because I felt they no longer represented what I thought EAA was all about and drifted too far away from it's core values. By holding my dues did I make a change.....nope, they are still doing some dumb a## things. How much time do I have to get personally engaged in this battle......not much right now, and change needs to come from within. Those who have served or are on the 170 board or have served on any board will know it takes a lot more time than what most people realize.

So how do we swing the pendulum back the other way?.......maybe have a summit of the club presidents ie 170,180,Piper, supercub, etc together and come up with statement as a whole back to EAA, then.....just maybe then someone may listen........

[blueldr]

I gave up my membership back in about 1995 when one of the directors over at the Pioneer Airport told us about having to stop "Pope Paul" from loading a DC-3 up with firewood in Wisconsin to take to his place up in Colorado.