CAA: GA News, "Bill to Aid Small Flight Businesses"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday, October 04, 2001

Bill to Aid Small Flight Businesses


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Small airports, flight schools and other aviation-related
small businesses say they've been hurt by the terrorist attacks but won't
get any help from the airline bailout package passed by Congress.

Stan Rodenhauser, who owns Freeway Airport in Mitchellville, Md., said he
has had to lay off 25 of his 31 employees since Sept. 11 and has lost about
$150,000 in earnings.

He came to Washington for a news conference Thursday by about 15 House
members pushing a bipartisan bill aimed at businesses like Rodenhauser's.

``I've lost the bulk of my business and this will help get me back on my
feet,'' Rodenhauser said.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., would make aviation-related
businesses eligible for $500 million in Small Business Administration grants
and loans to recover losses from the attacks. The measure also allows the
treasury secretary to extend tax deadlines for the businesses.

``This will help them make adjustments to get them through the near term so
they can survive in the long term,'' Shuster said.

Companies covered by Shuster's bill are not included in the $15 billion aid
package for airlines signed by President Bush on Sept. 22.

Shuster said he hopes to get the provisions incorporated into an economic
stimulus package that is working its way through Congress.

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, chairman of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, believes the bill has merit but he has not
endorsed it, spokesman Justin Harclerode said.

On the Net:

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association: http://www.aopa.org

Representative Bill Shuster: http://www.house.gov/shuster

   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID2

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