New York Proposes Statewide Ban on ADS-B Landing Fees

Last Friday, New York joined the growing list of states proposing legislation to ban ADS-B derived landing fees. Introduced by State Senator John Liu (D-16), NY Senate Bill S10490 would prohibit the monetization of ADS-B information, including the billing of landing fees, for aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less and operating under 14 CFR Part 91 rules.  

If ultimately passed, New York would join Montana and Florida in successfully banning ADS-B derived landing fees statewide. Similar bills are being considered in several other states and at the federal level via the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA) and the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act. In recent weeks, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford have both voiced concern over the use of ADS-B, a safety-enhancing technology, in ways that discourage its use and frown on its use for revenue collection at airports.  

As we continue to build a strong safety culture in general aviation, EAA opposes any attempt to financially disincentivize proficiency and good decision-making. A fee that directly taxes the act of landing at a particular airport is flagrantly contrary to the best interests of aviation safety. Approaches, landings, and takeoffs are perishable skills, and pilots must practice them often to maintain proficiency — not only at their home airport, but at unfamiliar airports as well.