Six leading Arizona aviation groups recently joined with many others nationwide to oppose H.R. 2997, a Bill that would privatize our air traffic control system, putting it in the hands of a private board dominated by commercial airline and private interests.<\/p>\n
The Arizona Business Aviation Association, Arizona Flight Training Workgroup, Arizona Pilots Association, Aviation Safety Advisory Group of Arizona, Deer Valley Pilots Association, and The Malibu\/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association represent a majority of the Grand Canyon State\u2019s aviation community.<\/p>\n
The letter states as follows:<\/p>\n
\u201cRecently, the three entities specifically created to provide Congress with non-partisan research and analysis have reviewed the air traffic control (ATC) \u2018privatization\u2019 proposal being pushed by the big airlines. The Congressional Research Service said H.R. 2997 was \u2018likely unconstitutional.\u2019 The Congressional Budget Office said the bill would raise the deficit by $100 billion. Finally, the Government Accountability Office said privatization would interfere with ATC programs that have delivered $2.7 billion in benefits to all users of the system and are on budget.<\/p>\n
In addition, over 100 business leaders from 50 states, most of whom are pilots, have expressed their opposition to the ATC privatization proposal from the big airlines. These are successful business leaders who understand a profit and loss statement, as well as flight plans, and are responsible for a significant number of jobs and investment.\u201d<\/p>\n