House Bill 1847, which would impose an annual half-percent levy “for the privilege of using any aircraft in the state,” was introduced Feb. 4. It seeks to raise revenue from aircraft taxes “to provide funding to maintain enrollment in the basic state health care plan.”

http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2 ... _id=ebrief

It never never never stops. Year after year decade after decade the lawmakers just keep raping our wallets. Time again to call, write, and email.

Cheers

Where in the hell did this attitude come from that the government should pay for every damn thing you can think of. I'd sure like to see the concept of personal accountability make a comeback. I think it's too far out of balance now to ever recover. Eventually the parasites will kill the host.

Damn, didn't we just fight this same battle about eight months ago.

A few really prevalent things, people don't seem to notice or wish to speak about:

The current administration (local, state and national) has very little compassion for General & Business Aviation.
To them, both these sectors of aviation reflect near darn perfect unregulated terrain (in the eyes of policy & law makers, at least) and the current environment is moving quickly towards ANTI GA.

Why not call it what it is?

The airplane tax is nothing but another penalty. It's end based meaning/ purpose is not raising of money, it is to tax General Aviation out of the sky Why not tax RV Owners, or Jetski drivers? Why not raise the fuel tax on motorcycles? Why not tax vacation homes and luxury boats (we could set a value of 500 dollars to qualify, this way everything with a motor is a Luxury Yacht). Because it would cause outrage. Only small groups cannot defend themselves.
Every year, every decade, every week, something we have dealt with before is reintroduced. Not because it's better now, NO! It's reintroduced because there is a chance that it will sneak through this time. User Fees, 64% increase in fuel tax on aviation fuel, approach and landing fees, rubber mark removal fees, airport security fees, flight plan requirements and eventually a TFR that spans the U.S. of A. It comes back, every time, not because it's right. It comes back because constantly dripping water will put a hole in a stone.

• People who are perceived as rich and snobby do not get groped, like the rest of your citizenry. Instead, the press is emphasizing it's lack of security and danger. Press is short for political pressure and like it or not, it serves it's purpose when yellow paper journalism takes the wheel. This little mosquito has sucked on to Aviation Security and he's determined, more than many others. This stuff is read by incredibly flat minded people and remains largely unchallenged. Instead we argue within AOPA if the changing tone between pilots is bad or good for us. Ever been on a sinking ship?
• General Aviation Airports are not similar to the "high security tracts" which keep your average cattle moving. This is bound to change.
• Just because TSA is beaten over the head for it's unprofessional and short minded handling of our current airport security system, does not mean they will dissolve and go away. Instead you will see them turn increasingly on those who are undefended, asleep and unaware. Welcome to GA!
• The attitude that the Government should pay for everything comes (again) from our citizenry. From Cash for Clunkers to Free Health-care and First Lady prescribed diets, every time the Government hands something out for free, or promises such, the lines will span all the way to Cuba. Fact: We have become a bit fat and a bit lazy and we tend to be a bit uninvolved, even though our Chinese and Japanese Electronic Gadgets tend to keep us in the loop constantly.

Instead of treating it as what it is, a declaration of war on General & Business Aviation, we read and move on. If we defeat it today, it will be back tomorrow. Eventually it will slip through.

I just implemented a tax on capital letters.

Of course its easier for the camel to raise its head once its under the tent. ( As in easier to raise a tax once it is in place.) So the first line to draw is to stop this proposed tax regardless of the rate suggested. Secondly, Washington GA needs to get proactive by getting a list of those legislators in the state that not just own their own, but rely on the use of private aircraft. This includes corporate aircraft fleets. None of these people will want that tax tacked on to their bill and it will be less welcome than a TSA patdown on a mangy canadian wolf. Instead of playing defense each year, get your offense together. Nationally there is a GA caucus of representatives and senators that includes aviation minded legislators from both parties. Organize the same in the state capitol. They will be much more effective than paid lobbyists and what they do does not smack of special interest pandering in the eyes of the public. Get the state pilot association to buy them all breakfast and see who comes and start there. Go get em.

Ok, I went and read Part III of HB1847, which is the part regarding the Airplane Excise Tax.

Here's the first paragraph for your reading pleasure:

HB1847 wrote:(1) An annual excise tax is hereby imposed for the privilege of using any aircraft in the state. A current certificate of air worthiness with a current inspection date from the appropriate federal agency and/or the purchase of aviation fuel constitutes the necessary evidence of aircraft use or intended use. The amount of the tax is five-tenths of one percent of the taxable value of the aircraft, as determined under section 303 of this act.

Note that the law doesn't tax airplanes, it taxes the privilege of using the airplane. As written, this means that every renter must also pay. In a broad interpretation, don't passengers also use the plane?

As written, the law also applies to non-residents travelling through Washington.

I love legislators!

kevbert wrote:Ok, I went and read Part III of HB1847, which is the part regarding the Airplane Excise Tax.
As written, the law also applies to non-residents travelling through Washington.

I love legislators!

Or if you can't figure out any way to avoid visiting WA, tank up ahead of time and don't buy fuel there. (Bet this won't make the WA FBOs too happy.)

Zane wrote:I just implemented a tax on capital letters.

Zane, you like the government need to call it like it is... upper case not CAPS tax not FEE

Yeah, that first paragraph is an open ended, all inclusive bitch. However, later in the bill it does state that they are after aircraft registered here. I wouldn't put it past some tax collector to start tacking on the tax to every plane that fills it's tanks in WA. They get your N number from the key pad on the self serve fuel farms and just send you a bill. A few years back they did this in the NE. AOPA did an article on a guy that uses his plane to visit his cabin in that state. He lives in another state and keeps his plane where he lives. State #2 notes that he fills up in their state and counts the number of days he spends in their state. Sends him a bill for excise tax on his plane. I don't remember the amount but it was in the range of HUGE.

I wrote my 3 area reps this morning about this bill. All three responded by 1400. Two said that they opposed it last time and will do the same this time. One said that he is keeping his eye on it to see if it makes it to the point of public comment. Sounded as if he was opposed to it but didn't commit like the other two. Keep those cards and letters comming.

Shit, I'd kick in for the privilege of using any aircraft in the state of Washington. Reserve me a Caravan, a Husky, a Carbon Cub, a spray plane with something radial up front, maybe a Robinson R-22...

When I fill up I use the tail number off Rob Bursons pane. Who says you have to use your plane's number. I accually put in my old navy ID number. Kidding of course.

Tim

qmdv wrote:When I fill up I use the tail number off Rob Bursons pane. Who says you have to use your plane's number. I accually put in my old navy ID number. Kidding of course.

Tim

I just punch some random keys.

I never enter my tail number. Leave it blank and just hit enter. Besides, it's faster.

Alex wrote:I never enter my tail number. Leave it blank and just hit enter. Besides, it's faster.

BR-549

qmdv wrote:When I fill up I use the tail number off Rob Bursons pane. Who says you have to use your plane's number. I accually put in my old navy ID number. Kidding of course.

Tim

What is the purpose of entering your tail number on those card lock machines?

58Skylane wrote:

qmdv wrote:When I fill up I use the tail number off Rob Bursons pane. Who says you have to use your plane's number. I accually put in my old navy ID number. Kidding of course.

Tim

What is the purpose of entering your tail number on those card lock machines?

Business write off.

Cheers

that is a bunch of...... (use your preferred word here)........

As for entering our tail numbers at self-serve fuel stations: I was told of an occurrence at Watsonville, CA (WVI) where contaminated fuel ruined several engines... those who had their receipts with appropriate dates and tail nos. had their engines overhauled. Just a story I heard....

Rhymes wrote:As for entering our tail numbers at self-serve fuel stations: I was told of an occurrence at Watsonville, CA (WVI) where contaminated fuel ruined several engines... those who had their receipts with appropriate dates and tail nos. had their engines overhauled. Just a story I heard....

I got caught up in that. Chevron ended up replacing a 200 hour engine in my Starduster that was probably just fine. If I were dishonest, I'd have had them replace the engine in my Mooney, which at the time needed it. The inspector I was dealing with told me that there was a fair amount of fraud going on, people selling their fuel reciept for $5000 etc. Pretty unbelievable. That's when they started recoring N numbers at SS fuel facilities - - at least in NorCal.

Overall, I thought Chevron handled the whole episode in an up front manner - - must have cost them a small fortune. BTW, the contaminated fuel was also sold at several other airports in the area - - though I bought mine at Watsonville, then flew over the ocean on my way back to Napa, Ca. Only thing I noticed in the open cockpit biplane was a slight odor of burning paint! Guess there were some high temperatures going on somewhere in Mr. Motor. I filled the tank a couple of times, and all seemed fine, before all the red flags went up.