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Perspectives
Speak Up And Be Heard
One of the most disturbing articles we've seen in many years was a recent piece by the Associated Press that said airline passengers are paying fees to support "private pilots and globe-trotting corporate executives."
The premise of the article is that the cows who pay $39.95 to hop aboard an airliner for a weekend in Las Vegas are somehow footing the bill for services provided to us, hard-working folks who spent months learning how to fly so we could dodge bad weather and make it to business meetings or vacations in places the airlines refuse to service.
We all know that's not true, but the cows who pay $39.95 to hop aboard an airliner for a weekend in Las Vegas don't, and unfortunately, there are a heck of a lot of them who vote. Incendiary articles like this, or statements by New York's GA-hating Chuck Schumer, inflame anti-GA sentiment among people who don't understand general aviation. And the problem gets even worse when one of us is stupid enough to fly into an apartment building and hurt innocent bystanders.
So there are two things you can do this month to help preserve this lifestyle we know and love. Well, maybe three.
First, write your elected officials and tell them that you fly, and you vote, and you'll be watching how they treat general aviation. Second, join AOPA and support their efforts to fight user fees and defend against anti-GA policies.
And third ... don't hit any buildings!
And while you're speaking out, let us know how you feel about this magazine. Once again we're conducting our annual reader survey and we want to know what you think about Aviator's Guide and how we can make it better.
Visit us online to fill out the survey, and you could win a SkyOx portable oxygen system, an AirMap 600c from Lowrance, or the ultimate "Relax and Unwind" retreat, two nights at the Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island in Washington.
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