Professional Pilot, October 2017

Rep Steve Russell invokes Capt Sully Sullenberger in opposition to ATC privatization during a speech against HR2997 The aviation safety expert says there are better ways to solve this political budget problem In late June HR2997 was introduced in the House of Representatives The bill introduced as part of the continuing congressional debate over reauthorization of funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration FAA removes oversight of the aviation system by the publics elected officials in Congress and gives sweeping governing authority to a small private airline centric group unaccountable to Congress The intended legislation raises a host of troubling questions for all concerned including the very real possibility that once the ATC system is governed by what will essentially be an airline cartel the private entity could assume authority for taxation investment and access to the nations airports and airspace In other words under the privatized system the airlines business interests would take priority over the interests of the public including the citizens and communities that rely on GA for business civil services humanitarian flights and countless other needs Indeed numerous examples exist from other countries that privatized ATC systems are a disaster For example privatization raises troubling questions from a financial standpoint Contrary to proponents claims that a privatized ATC will save costs and improve efficiency a recent study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that privatizing ATC in the US could increase the nations budget deficit by nearly 100 billion Weve seen real world examples in which privatized ATC systems have been beset by financial challenges several years ago the UKs privatized system required a bailout from taxpayers and was recently described in a British newspaper as being in meltdown short staffed and unable to cope Of course other respected sources have had additional reasons to question the need for ATC privatization For example the non partisan Government Accountability Office GAO recently released a report concluding that contrary to claims made by some ATC privatization supporters the FAAs efforts to continue modernizing the ATC system have been on budget and that privatizing ATC could interfere with the work well underway to complete development of a Next Generation aviation system A 3rd report issued earlier this summer by the also 22 PROFESSIONAL PILOT October 2017 non partisan Congressional Research Service found that the legislation raised questions about the constitutionality of privatizing ATC Most recently the American Conservative Union Foundation a leading conservative group issued an analysis stating that HR2997 fails to meet its privatization principles on several fronts and would not actually privatize a government entity Specifically the organization noted that private interests would not be allowed to compete for ownership of the newly created privatized system Even industry legends who have career spanning expertise about the nations aviation system have raised concerns In a recently produced TV ad Miracle on the Hudson pilot Capt Chesley Sully Sullenberger asks Why in the world would we give the keys to the kingdom to the largest airlines Because they definitely have their own agenda to lower their costs NASA Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell said ATC privatization would put the traveling public at unnecessary risk adding it could even endanger our national security and concluding that ATC privatization is a solution in search of a problem Despite these and a host of additional concerns raised over HR2997 proponents of the controversial bill who are led by the airlines are pulling out all the stops to rally support for their cause As part of their efforts they and their 3rd party surrogates are carrying a pro privatization message that vilifies business aviation in print broadcast and online placements Fortunately the airlines efforts have been met by a large diverse and growing coalition of more than 150 aviation organizations over 100 business leaders who are also pilots more than 100 US mayors consumer and agricultural groups congressional leaders from both political parties a majority of American citizens all with concerns or outright opposition to ATC privatization As of this writing it appears likely that the FAAs funding will be extended before lawmakers are asked to vote on the privatization issue But make no mistake the battle over ATC privatization is hardly over in fact it may just be getting started as those fighting to make their plan a reality look to other opportunities later this year to get the bill to the House floor for a vote Your voice will continue to be needed As I said we have a large diverse and growing chorus of opposition to ATC privatization Clearly NBAA is doing everything possible to ensure the voice of business aviation is being heard our members have stepped up and answered the call and that has had a significant impact on this issue But we will need to continue to make our voices heard and we have the tools to do so For example NBAAs Contact Congress resource provides a means for using email and social media to alert lawmakers to the industrys opposition to HR2997 In addition a toll free action line 1 833 GA VOICE 1 833 428 6423 connects constituents with elected representatives along with a brief list of suggested talking points The GA community is also supporting a dedicated website www ATCNotforSale com where citizens can learn more about the threat from ATC privatization and also contact their elected officials to oppose HR2997 The Facebook page Air Traffic Control ATC Not for Sale provides regular updates about the concerns over ATC privatization