Old North News

Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has introduced S. 1847, the General Aviation Airport Access Act.

The bill requires federally funded airports to designate part of their parking area for transient general aviation aircraft, which would increase airport access for smaller planes.

Sen. Budd said in a statement:

“As a general aviation pilot, I’ve seen and heard from aviators who have experienced sky-high charges for airport services that they don’t need. Affordable services should be available to all pilots, including small planes. I’m proud to introduce a bill to increase access for more pilots to afford to utilize more airports.”

Mark Baker, President & CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said:

“AOPA thanks Senator Ted Budd for his leadership on this issue.  As a GA pilot himself, he knows and completely understands what thousands of pilots have been experiencing for years with egregious FBO prices and fees at many airports across the country.  These airports are public-use facilities, and access to them should not be limited by requiring a pilot to pay a business for services they never asked for, used, or wanted.  This legislation is long overdue, it’s more than fair, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Background:

• While some visiting pilots may need fuel, a rental car, passenger waiting area, or maintenance, many pilots just need a place to park.
• Too often, these pilots are forced to pay steep fees for services they do not use or need just to have a place to park. 
• This means that many airports—which are supported by aviation fuel taxes—are effectively closed to small planes.
• Over 400 aviation organizations have called on Congress to address the problems associated with transient ramps at public use airports.
• The General Aviation Airport Access Act addresses the problem by requiring federally funded airports to designate part of their parking area for transient general aviation aircraft. 
• Fees that airports impose for parking must be fair, reasonable, and publicly posted. 
• Airports that do not have a gate for transient pilots must provide a secure method for pilots to access the transient parking area. 
• This bill does not affect the charges for services outside of the airport’s designated transient parking area. Airport operators and FBOs who provide a broader range of services to pilots may continue to charge for those services.

Original source can be found here.