Page 4 - Volume 17 Number 9

2 • TWIN & TURBINESEPTEMBER 2013editor’sbriefingThe Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2013 AirVenture convention came and went in much the same fashion as past years; it is, as we’ve said before, a reunion of sorts, with all aspects of general aviation on display. There was a decided tint of righteous indignation over the proceedings, however, cast by the FAA’s shakedown of almost a half- million dollars in order to let the show to take place.To recap, back in May, with less than 90 days before show time, the Administration notified EAA that it would have to pay for the extra cost of air traffic control services supplied for the show. Oshkosh’s rest-of-the-year low-activity tower is normally staffed by contract personnel, but, due to the special waivers and procedures required to move thousands of aircraft, the FAA brings in its best and brightest for the week of AirVenture. And the bill has always been paid by FAA out of normal operating funds. Lord knows, there’s plenty of extra fuel taxes being generated by all the Oshkosh activity.However, the rules of the game were changed for 2013. The FAA determined that EAA would have to pay up, or else the show would not be allowed to happen. It was extortion, pure and simple. The EAA had no choice; plans were far advanced, commitments had been made, and the income generated by the show was vital for all concerned. EAA wrote a check for $447,000, under protest. But, the slogan on prominent display at AirVenture was “It’s Not Over Yet”. A petition for redress has been filed in Federal court.The simple question is, do the Federal Aviation Administration’s policy-makers have the right to decide, with no warning or guidelines, just who does and who doesn’t get a bill for so-called services provided by the agency? Picking out the EAA for pluckingmeans that unelected officials can now determine if you owe a fee, and how much it’s going to be. Congress, answerable to the voters, is supposed to have sole power to levy taxes. Taxation without representation once caused a revolution.Will AOPA’s Summit or NBAA’s convention be next? Special procedures and ATC are put in place for a lot of occasions, like major sporting events. A temporary tower was even put in place for tiny Tarkio, Missouri’s July 13th airshow; will Congressman Sam Graves’ friends and constituents be billed for next year’s “service”?If FAA is allowed to bill at will, you can bet other administrative agencies could get into the act. Toll booths for frequent highway users may pop up, pay-at-the-pump could be assessed before dispensing health services to certain “users”, and you might be asked to pay up front if you want FEMA to come to your disaster. Once Congress is taken out of the loop, capricious application of administrative plundering can reign unchecked.Are you next? Don’t be so sure you’re not.In This MonthOnce again, this issue contains a special CJ Magazine section, relating specifically to Citation jet owners and pilots. When combined with the content in Twin & Turbine, there’s a lot of great reading. This time, we’re extremely fortunate to have not one, but two, first-person experiences from readers who’ve made the leap from single-engine (PA-46) airplanes to single-pilot jets. In Twin & Turbine, Dan McGee masterfully relates his transition into a Phenom 100. We also have a report from our tour of the Melbourne, Florida Phenom factory. And, in CJ, Bud King gives great insight into how he became proficient and comfortable in his Citation CJ2. We’re sure you’ll enjoy them both.LeRoy Cook, EditorAre You Next?