Straight Talk with Sam: The Importance of General Aviation

It was the Wright Brothers who first invented aviation. It was certainly a humble beginning. The best of the four flights that first day lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet. Ever since that first flight many boys and girls have been captivated by the thought of flying in the open blue sky.

I have always loved flying. With the size of the Sixth Congressional District I have flown my Piper Cub into many of the general aviation airports around the district. Whenever Washington starts to talk about how it can help general aviation airports I often think of those airports.

Funds for aviation come from the Airport and Airways Trust Fund. This fund is built up by taxes that are paid by aviation users. The trust fund is used for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), FAA facilities, equipment and operations.

Around twenty percent of the Airport Improvement Fund goes to general aviation airports. These are airports that are used by private planes or that have only limited commercial airline service. Almost all of the airports in the Sixth Congressional District qualify as general aviation.

Airports here have made great improvements thanks to these funds. Last year alone, 9 airports in our district received money to fund improvements to their airport. These airports are important to attracting businesses to our communities.
Even the Wright Brothers would be amazed at how much our communities depend on aviation. I know these airports are important and I will work for continued funding.

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