MPA LEGISLATION REPORT
June 2009

GREETINGS! First, Here is an update from Washington, D.C. As Aero-News put it, "Meet the New FAA Boss." On May 21st, the U.S. Senate confirmed J. Randolph "Randy" Babbitt as the new FAA Administrator. After swearing in, Babbitt will take up his position at 800 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. As a pilot who has been flying since he was 16 years old, former president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and member of the FAA Management Advisory Council, Babbitt brings a wealth of aviation experience as he takes the reins at this pivotal time.

During his Senate confirmation, hearing Babbitt said that he will seek input from all aviation stakeholders to address the issues facing the FAA. Among those issues are achieving an agreement with the controllers union and making clear progress on building the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen. At his confirmation hearing, Babbitt said NextGen will allow for approaches by general aviation pilots into many small airports throughout the country.

Secondly, The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issues an urgent safety recommendation to FAA in which it asks the agency to prohibit further flight of a type of small airplane that has been involved in six in-flight structural breakups since 2006.

The recommendations apply to the Zodiac CH-601XL, a low-wing, fixed-gear, single-engine, two-seat general aviation airplane designed by Zenair, Inc. The CH-601XL, was certified as a Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) by FAA in 2005.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session (2009)
Bills Indexed by Subject
AIRCRAFT AND AIRPORT

HB 737 --- Sponsor: Schaaf, Robert
Decreases the percentage of an aircraft's true value in money to 7% when assessing personal property tax on certain aircraft

HB 1018 --- Sponsor: Komo, Sam --- CoSponsor: Flook, Tim
Authorizes a state and local sales and use tax exemption for purchases of aviation jet fuel by air common carriers for immediate consumption or shipment on transoceanic flights

HB 1140 --- Sponsor: Schoeller, Shane
Allows airports to retain sales taxes collected on enplanements at the airport for marketing purposes

SB 535 --- Sponsor: Days, Rita D.
Creates the crime of breach airport security

---

Note: Here's your web site address for Texas Legislation: www.texas.gov.
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

Note: Here's your web site address for Illinois Legislation: www.illinois.gov.
Look for Transportation-Aviation, to search all Aviation Bills.

All other states should follow this same format, to search your specific state's aviation and airport bills.

Remember, that as members of USPA, MPA, TPA, TXAA, NMPA, NPA, IPA, EAA, AOPA, or other pilot associations of which you may be a member, we have a powerful voice, in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, or whatever state you may represent. Every group of taxpayers and pilots carries a strong voice to Washington, D.C., as well as at the state and local level.
We need to learn how to use our voices, and speak up for general aviation.

So Let's not forget to exercise our privileges, and continue to make a "Difference for General Aviation."

SAFE FLYING!