"Pilot group lobbying Missouri airports regarding economic issues"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Monday, April 9, 2007

Pilot group lobbying airports regarding economic issues
By Todd G. Higdon
The Neosho (MO) Daily News
 
 
Lynn C. Rodgers, with the Missouri Pilots Association, flew into the Neosho
Hugh Robinson Airport to present Billy Sallee, airport manager, with an
economic benefits study packet commissioned by Missouri Department of
Transportation.

According to the packet, "increasing the fuel tax cap could increase funds
for airport improvement projects. Mandatory ethanol in all fuels raises
concerns for aviation. Airport maintenance, especially for those in rural
areas with low activity is a concern."

"We (the Missouri Pilots Association) are hosting the first State Aviation
Day," Rodgers said.
 
The event will take place starting at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 25, at the
Capitol Building in Jefferson City.

"We are inviting the pilots to show support for aviation and to provide an
opportunity to express to legislators your thoughts on current issues that
have implications on aviation in Missouri," said Rodgers.

According to Rodgers, there are three bills - Senate Bill 120, House Bill
529 and House Bill 571, which the pilots are supporting.
 
According to Senate Bill 120 and House Bill 529, "propose to increase the
cap on the revenue generated by the jet fuel sales tax for the State
Aviation Trust Fund from $6 million to $8.5 million annually. The
legislation also provides up to $500,000 per year to be used on a 50-50
state-local match basis."

According to the packet, "these monies would be used through a cost-share
program to fulfill the non-federal match requirement on air traffic control
towers that are partially funded by the federal government."

Background 
 
The State Aviation Trust Fund generates funding for development, expansion
and maintenance at more than 100 of Missouri's public-use airports. Revenue
for the trust fund is generated from a sales tax on jet fuel sold in
Missouri. Since the passage of the bill in 1998, more than 100 projects have
been completed using money generated from the fund. The representative
projects include runway extensions, parallel taxiways, runway safety area
improvements, pavement maintenance, lighting system improvements and land
acquisition.

"Weather permitting, I am planning to go and support the bill for the
Missouri Pilots Association," Neosho Hugh Robinson Airport Manager and the
president of the Southwest Chapter of the Missouri Pilots Association Billy
Sallee said.

The fund is the only dedicated funding source for aviation in the state.
 
The other bill proposed is HB571, which has the potential to reduce the
personal property tax on aircraft between 1,000 and 7,000 pounds.

Currently, the Neosho airport has a runway of 5,001 feet by 100 feet. At
current prices, fuel is at $3.50 a gallon for jet fuel.

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