Page 40 - Volume 16 Number 4

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Online forums have also proven to be an effective advocacy tool for Members to discuss issues affecting the industry, including the user fee threat, with their peers. NBAA Board Chairman Richard Shine, who flies a Mitsubishi MU2 in his role as CEO and Chief Pilot of Manitoba Corporation, recently engaged fellow participants on the MU2 Owners and Pilots Group forum about the President’s latest proposal, and of NBAA’s efforts to combat user fees.
“The fact the administration came out with user fees yet again really frightened people who operate turbine twins,” Shine said. “Adding a $100 cost each time they file a flight plan would add significantly to their costs, to the point many of them would have to give up the airplane.”
While the current proposal would ostensibly affect turbine operators only, the President’s plan could eventually impact piston operators as well. Brad Pierce, president of Restaurant Equipment World, flies a Cirrus SR22 and is active on the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) forums. When he learned that user fees were once again on the legislative agenda, Pierce posted the link to NBAA’s Contact Congress initiative and spurred discussions the industry’s advocacy efforts.
“I don’t post unless I feel I have something relevant to say,” Pierce explained. “We talked how user fees will absolutely pose a real safety issue and that it’s only a matter of time before those fees would affect pistons. It got people thinking.”
38 TWIN & TURBINE APRIL 2012