New Badge Requirement for GA Pilots

This is an article published by AOPA before the previous two articles,

Pilots unhappy with TSA security directive,

The bottom line is:

Under the current version of the directive, pilots based at air carrier airports are required to undergo a security threat assessment and receive a security badge in order to continue to have unescorted access to their airports.

How much will we endure before we realize we have sold our freedoms for the chains of slavery, all in the name of safety.

BE

Increased Security in CO Airports

This is another post to the same group:

Guys here is a news article related to the security measure that TSA is taking with GA (General Aviation) at airports with commercial operations.

The link:  Rule seen as badge of anger 

Here is a quote at the end of the article:

Dennis Heap, director of the Front Range Airport, called the directive draconian. "We've just taken a major step in shutting down the nation's general aviation system."

General aviation is the umbrella under which all nonscheduled and nonmilitary aircraft fall. It includes all charter aircraft and privately owned aircraft.

"No one will argue with security, but this is a nation in a lot of hurt. General aviation is a huge economic generator that polices itself very well," Heap said. "Why are we doing this?"

Just food for thought (and perhaps a look at the future)

BE

Impact of General Budget submitted by BO

Presently, I am without wings so I don't have any new log entries.  So instead I am posting some other Aviation related news items.

This is something I posted on a Yahoo! group I'm part of:

Guys,

Here is a link to the web version of an AOPA email, so you can read it for yourself:

General Aviation Serves America 

Here is the quote that caught me attention:

President Obama has submitted his first federal budget, and unfortunately it includes a well-hidden user fee provision that would be devastating for general aviation. At the bottom of page 131 of his budget, a small footnote reads… "Starting in 2011, the budget proposes to replace some aviation excise taxes with direct user charges."

Here is something about user fees in Europe

AOPA President's Position 

This is the part that got my attention, back in 2006:

Such cannot be the case, as a member from our AOPA affiliate in Austria demonstrates by citing user costs: a third class medical, $260; to fly an ILS, $31; the airport landing fee after the approach, $70; a mandatory shuttle ride to the FBO, $5; an arrival security screening, $12; and on and on. "In my situation, it's actually cheaper to fly with the whole family [four tickets] by airline to the States, rent an aircraft for about 30 hours...and have a nice two-week vacation (including costs for hotels and rental car) than flying the same amount of hours in Europe."

The cost estimate is $7,500 in Europe (plus fees) versus a vacation in the United States and 30 hours' rental for $7,200.

This is the reason why two-thirds of all GA activity in the world takes place here — it either has never been able to grow or has been killed in countries that implemented user fees as a means to finance air traffic control. Yet, a recent survey indicates GA contributes $150 billion to our nation's economy.

Just more food for thought.

BE