NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen thanked members of New York’s Long Island business aviation community for their grassroots efforts to stop proposals in Washington, DC for creating a privatized ATC system funded by user fees, and told them their efforts would again be needed in the new year as the issue was sure to come up again in the next session of Congress.
Bolen was the featured speaker at the Long Island Business Aviation Association’s (LIBAA’s) annual holiday dinner and meeting on Dec. 7, which drew more than 100 attendees. Congress has been debating reauthorization of funding and programs for the FAA, and proposals to privatize ATC, and fund it with user fees, have been offered as part of that debate.
As part of the group’s efforts on NBAA’s work to turn back the ATC-privatization proposals, LIBAA members met several times with congressional representatives and other elected officials from the area to discuss the issue.
“The support of LIBAA members in voicing concern to your congressional representatives about ATC privatization and possible user fees has been tremendous,” Bolen said. “NBAA greatly appreciates your support on legislative issues, which will continue to be needed in the coming weeks and months.”
LIBAA members thanked Bolen for providing his Washington report, and added that they were optimistic about the state of business aviation in New York, where several new business aircraft have been purchased and based in the state – three of them on Long Island – since the Aviation Jobs Act was passed. The legislation is a common-sense measure for promoting the sale and use of business aircraft, similar to policies in place in neighboring states. Overall, the legislation – which had the support of NBAA and other local and regional groups – has been instrumental in spurring an uptick in aircraft sales activity in New York, according to LIBAA.
In addition to updating attendees about ATC privatization efforts, Bolen answered questions about the aircraft carbon-emissions framework introduced at the conclusion of the most recent triennial meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization. He also discussed the status of proposed aircraft depreciation schedule changes and President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Elaine Chao. Read Bolen’s statement on Chao’s nomination.
LIBAA was incorporated in 2001 to act as a collective voice for the business aviation community on Long Island and to assist its members in all aviation related matters.
