Where to Enlist in the Fight Against User Fees

OK, aviators, the games have begun, the warm-up is over. Already Congress is hearing from the FAA and the airlines about the "need" for a radical new tax structure to fund the FAA; Congress is also hearing from the various alphabet-soup groups opposing this "toxic proposal," as NBAA's Ed Bolen called it.

This process will continue in stops and starts throughout the coming months until a final piece of law emerges, passes and goes to the White House for the president's signature -- all of which needs to be done by midnight of Sept. 30, 2007.

Now and maybe several other times throughout those months: Time for you to let your voice be heard. Here are some Web sites that can help you craft that calm, reasoned, logical letter expressing your view on paying higher fuel taxes and new user fees to fly as a general aviation pilot.

If you fly on business or for business, you can use the NBAA contact site: www.nbaa.org/userfee

If you are an AOPA member, you can get help here: http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2007/070222congress.html

If you are an EAA member, here's that site: http://www.eaa.org/govt/index.html

And for what it's worth, you don't have to be a member of any outfit to use information on contacting your member if Congress available from AOPA and EAA...but you might want to join as a way of saying, "Thanks for the help."

Now's the time, fellow flyers!