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Letters to send and addresses of representatives![]() Submitted by Mike D. on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 18:57.
Although it is always best to write a personal letter and fax it to congress, if you are unable to invest the time, here is text of a message you can fax, email or snail mail to your representatives: I am writing to express my strong opposition to the FAA proposal to increase fees on general aviation. I urge you to reject the Bush administration's request for air traffic control user fees for any segment of aviation. I believe, in agreement with projections using Office of Management and Budget data, that the FAA can be funded using the existing system of aviation taxes. I support having you work with the general aviation community to develop a reasonable and balanced plan for financing the FAA and modernizing the air traffic control system. Find your Representative in the House by clicking here; http://www.house.gov/zip/ZIP2Rep.html Find your Senators by clicking here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_in... If you can take the time, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) (the leading voice for general aviation), recommends the following for contacting your Representatives and Senators: Make the following points on your personal or business stationary. These talking points are helpful, but writing your own personal message is important. It is far better to send a personalized letter than an e-mail on issues like the future of the aviation system. All e-mails look alike, yet letters are unique. Letters emphasize the fact the writer is in the congressional district and often the letterhead illustrates the business and other relevant background of the author. Please send your letter by fax (the fastest and best way to communicate with Congress), then follow up by mailing a copy. Please be sure to record your pledge here on YouChoose to ensure we tally an accurate count. You may also fax (301/695-2372), mail or email at FAAfunding@aopa.org, AOPA a copy of any letter you send or response you receive from your representative. Contents of your letter to Congress should include: 1. Introduce yourself by describing how you use your pilot certificate. 2. Express your opposition to the ridiculous fuel tax increase in the FAA plan by explaining what effect the tax on avgas going from the current 19.4 cents per gallon to 70.1 cents per gallon would have on your flying. (For turbine fuel users, the tax would escalate from 21.8 cents per gallon to 70.1 cents per gallon.) 3. Urge them to reject the Bush administration's request for air traffic control user fees for any segment of aviation by explaining that this is a major step toward privatizing the ATC system, placing it in the hands of FAA bureaucrats and the airlines by diminishing, and ultimately eliminating, congressional oversight of the nation's air transportation system. By the FAA's own admission, the system provides the world's safest airspace and handles more than six times the traffic of the next largest air traffic service organization. 4. While the FAA claims that the changes are needed because the current financing system is "broken," share with your representative that, based on projections using Office of Management and Budget data, the FAA can be funded using the existing system of aviation taxes. The radical changes proposed by the FAA are not needed to keep the U.S. aviation system vibrant and successful. 5. Conclude by asking if they will agree to oppose this plan and work with AOPA and others in the general aviation community to develop a reasonable and balanced plan for financing the FAA and modernizing the air traffic control system. |
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