Your Voice is Being Heard in ATC Debate

October 5, 2017 — EAA members and those from other general aviation groups continue to make their case in Washington, as a week of projected action on H.R. 2997 and its ATC privatization provisions has been delayed once again. That comes in spite of an effort by privatization supporters to portray GA users of average means as elite fat cats in their quest to gain votes.

EAA continues to urge people to use the contact information available at ATCNotForSale.com to directly call and/or e-mail their representatives to oppose HR 2997, even if you already have.

“We appreciate the marvelous efforts by EAA members and others to reach out to their local congressional representatives, because it’s making a difference,” said EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board Jack J. Pelton. “The airline-backed sponsors of the bill are putting tremendous pressure on House members, along with backroom deal making and sometimes plain inaccurate claims to make their case. We must respond with the voices of the citizen aviator to carry our message to Washington. This is a battle between the American public and Washington insider crony capitalism.”

Increasing nonpartisan research makes a strong case against ATC privatization, including:

• Privatization may be unconstitutional (Congressional Research Service)
• It could actually slow FAA modernization (Government Accountability Office)
• It would add $100 billion to the federal deficit over a 10-year period (Congressional Budget Office)

In addition, a wide spectrum of consumer, business, and industry groups have spoken against the measure. This week, the CEO and President of Garmin, Cliff Pemble, added his voice of opposition in an editorial posted to The Hill website that covers Congress and Washington.

“Regardless of your political affiliation, this fact should trouble you more than anything: This measure takes the public airspace resource and turns over control to a few airlines that have profit, not your interest as a American citizen and pilot, as a primary motivation,” Pelton said. “That’s why it is so important to repeatedly let your congressional representative know that you oppose the corporate takeover of our air traffic control system.”