In the minds of aviation businesses that have been all but left out of this Commission, this sounds all too familiar. The excise taxes should be extended for a minimum of five years to assure a consistent funding source for the FAA and its capital improvement programs. This is a commitment to funding that will prevent the artificial crisis that occurred when the taxes lapsed this year. America's Small Airports NATA strongly recommends that the Commission recognize the importance of continued Federal funding for airport development. The support of general aviation and smaller air carrier airports to meet the needs for safety and capacity improvements should be the backbone on which to develop our Nation's air transportation system.
Smaller airports provide the necessary transportation link for small communities to larger markets.
The Commission must keep in mind that access to the national system is the centerpiece for local economic development and a key factor in business location. For the sake of America's economic health and growth, these projects should not go unfunded. The members of this Commission must recognize that the Washington insider-type briefings and discussions are only part of the story, the aviation industry exists beyond the beltway. Their concerns must be heard, because they are directly affected by your actions. In their view, it is ridiculous that the Federal government is seeking additional money from the users of the aviation system based on some form of logic that is beyond the comprehension of managers from the private industry.