bobbysamd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
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Saw this article on my AOPA Newsletter:
==> GA NEWS <==
BUSH TAKES STEP TOWARD PRIVATIZING ATC
In a surprise move last week, President Bush took the first steps toward
privatizing air traffic control services. The president said ATC is not
"an inherently governmental function." He modified the executive order
creating an air traffic control "performance based organization," removing
the language that would have kept ATC within the government. A privatized
ATC would undoubtedly be financed by user fees. "We're absolutely flabbergasted
that the administration thinks that aviation security and safety aren't a
government function," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We must never forget
that the primary function of air traffic control is public safety. And ATC's
role in security was never more evident than on September 11." See
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2002/02-2-192x.html
Students of airline history will note that ATC began as an airline-run function back in the thirties before Uncle Sam took it over. Some people regard the system as antiquated because it uses 1960s technology. Controllers have been screaming for new technology for years.
Conservatives would feel that privatizing ATC is a good idea because only users of it would pay for it. But, think about that for a moment. I remember taking my Private and maybe one or two other writtens twenty years ago for free on Uncle Sam. Then, the Reagan administration put the FAA out of the written test-giving business and we had to start paying. So, if this proposal goes through, somehow, we, as pilots, would pay for ATC. Good idea? Bad idea? Would privatizing ATC improve its technology and/or, more importantly, safety and quality of service?
Thoughts, anyone?
==> GA NEWS <==
BUSH TAKES STEP TOWARD PRIVATIZING ATC
In a surprise move last week, President Bush took the first steps toward
privatizing air traffic control services. The president said ATC is not
"an inherently governmental function." He modified the executive order
creating an air traffic control "performance based organization," removing
the language that would have kept ATC within the government. A privatized
ATC would undoubtedly be financed by user fees. "We're absolutely flabbergasted
that the administration thinks that aviation security and safety aren't a
government function," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We must never forget
that the primary function of air traffic control is public safety. And ATC's
role in security was never more evident than on September 11." See
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2002/02-2-192x.html
Students of airline history will note that ATC began as an airline-run function back in the thirties before Uncle Sam took it over. Some people regard the system as antiquated because it uses 1960s technology. Controllers have been screaming for new technology for years.
Conservatives would feel that privatizing ATC is a good idea because only users of it would pay for it. But, think about that for a moment. I remember taking my Private and maybe one or two other writtens twenty years ago for free on Uncle Sam. Then, the Reagan administration put the FAA out of the written test-giving business and we had to start paying. So, if this proposal goes through, somehow, we, as pilots, would pay for ATC. Good idea? Bad idea? Would privatizing ATC improve its technology and/or, more importantly, safety and quality of service?
Thoughts, anyone?