Category Archives: FAA

User Fees In New Zealand: $1 Per Touch-And-Go And Rising

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 I hope our government doesn’t get any ideas from this. Reprinted form Avweb.

A trip around the patch at a controlled airport in New Zealand will soon carry a $1 NZD charge under a user fee schedule announced by the Airways Corporation of New Zealand, the “state-owned enterprise” that runs the country’s airspace system. By 2015, however, that same touch and go will cost $3.55 NZD as will transiting controlled airspace and something called a “vicinity landing” that is not defined in the Airways announcement of the fees. Fees for airliners will increase an overall 15.7 percent over the next three years.

The new fee schedule was finalized after six months of consultation with stakeholders and the airlines appeared to make their case especially well. “As a consequence of the high quality of customer submissions, we have revised Airways’ price increase from the 23 percent proposed in February to 15.7 percent over the three years of the pricing period,” the company said in its release. GA, however, is losing a discount system that presumably benefited big users of the system.

.http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/2514-full.html#208722

BIRD? PLANE? IT’S JETMAN AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2013!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BIRD? PLANE? IT’S JETMAN AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2013!

First public U.S. flights will be in Oshkosh

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (May 2, 2013) — Yves “Jetman” Rossy, the world’s first jet-powered man, will make his first public U.S. flights this summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, showcasing the cutting edge of human flight at The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration on July 29-August 4.

The U.S. flights are supported by Jetman’s sponsor, the luxury Swiss watch manufacturer Breitling. Complete details on the AirVenture flight schedule will be announced as it is finalized. Along with the appearance at Oshkosh, Jetman will fly in the U.S. at the Reno Air Races in September.

“We have eagerly followed and supported Jetman’s progress and success for several years,” said Jim DiMatteo, EAA’s vice president of AirVenture features and attractions. “He has already been featured as our cover story in EAA Sport Aviation magazine (March 2011), so to welcome him here this summer is an exciting first and part of the unique flying world you’ll see only at Oshkosh.”

The American tour follows Jetman’s successful private flight over the Grand Canyon in 2011 and numerous demonstrations in Europe. EAA assisted Rossy with the paperwork to make the U.S. flights possible.

“I am excited to share my project with fellow enthusiasts and be a part of aviation’s biggest gathering in the world,” Rossy said from his home in Switzerland. “EAA helped me secure the experimental exhibition special airworthiness certificate for my jetwing. It will be a privilege to attend Oshkosh and demonstrate how experimental projects can push forward the boundaries of flight.”

Using a carbon-Kevlar jetwing with four engines, each of which capable of a 22-kilogram thrust, the Swiss aviator is able to propel himself through the sky at upward of 150 mph, controlled by a simple throttle in his hand. The rest of the controls are left to the human fuselage – Rossy himself – who simply uses his shoulders, body, and legs to steer, pitch, and descend. This forward-thinking technology has allowed Rossy to achieve many outstanding feats since 2008, including soaring above Rio de Janeiro, completing aerobatics from the Breitling Orbiter balloon, crossing the English Channel and flying in formation with various Breitling jets, warbirds and passenger aircraft.

For Breitling, a watch brand synonymous with aviation, both the Oshkosh and Reno events are a natural fit to celebrate the past, present, and future world of flight. The watch manufacturer joined Jetman as his main sponsor in 2010 and allowed him to achieve many aviation firsts.

“Breitling is honored to bring Jetman back to the United States,” said Breitling U.S.A. President Thierry Prissert. “His aerobatic feats exemplify the spirit of aviation, and his never-ending dedication to air exploration enhances each event in which he performs. Jetman in flight is truly incredible and something everyone should see for themselves.”

Jetman’s flights will be part of AirVenture’s air shows during the week. EAA AirVenture air shows are presented by Rockwell Collins.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.

 

Senate Committee Proposes 65 Percent Fuel-Tax Hike

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More fuel taxes….I guess its better than user fees!

Reprinted from AVWEB 

The Senate finance committee approved a plan to hike the taxes on general aviation jet fuel by 65 percent, from 21.8 cents per gallon to 35.9 cents, The Hill reported on Tuesday. The change would raise $400 million per year, which the committee says will help fund NextGen, the FAA’s plan to modernize the air traffic control system. The committee also approved a surcharge of 14.1 cents per gallon on jet fuel used by fractional aircraft. Fuel taxes have been supported as a better option than user fees by most aviation advocacy groups. “In the last two Congresses, AOPA and its members agreed to 25 percent and 65 percent increases on aviation gasoline and non-commercial jet fuel, respectively,” AOPA noted on Tuesday. “Our position really has not changed,” AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy told AVweb. “In 2007 and again in 2009, we and our members agreed to higher fuel excise taxes as a way to fund the FAA and NextGen in lieu of user fees.”

NBAA agreed that the committee’s plan is acceptable. “The business aviation community has long said that the best way for companies that rely on general aviation to help fund aviation system modernization is by building upon the proven and efficient general aviation fuel tax,” NBAA said in an e-mail to AVweb. “The bill approved by the Finance Committee today mirrors previous Congressional FAA reauthorization proposals supported by NBAA and the rest of the general aviation community, in that it makes adjustments to the fuel tax in lieu of new user fees for general aviation. The revenues raised through the fuel-tax increase will go to funding aviation system modernization; we welcome this legislation, and look forward to working with its supporters in Congress to ensure its final passage.” The full Senate is expected to continue its work on the FAA bill over the next week or so. The House Aviation Subcommittee also is holding hearings this week to hear from government officials and advocacy groups about FAA funding. After both the House and Senate have completed their bills, a final bill will be worked out. The current funding bill has been extended 17 times, and may have to be extended at least once more before a final bill is worked out, with a term of two to four years.