Basically, it is an issue of double taxation. I pay taxes, I pay fuel taxes. I should not have to pay an additional fee to land at a federally funded airport. A Private airport is a separate matter.
I avoid airports with user fees and have only paid one once in my life.... That was simply stupidity on my part since I didn't check the airport directory and flew in to ask the flight school on the airport about aerobatic instruction. When the FBO told me to either buy gas or pay the landing fee, I asked if they had any two stroke oil... They didn't, so I had to pay the landing fee since I could not buy gas.
They then tried to tell me about all the great things the airport had, hangar rents, MX facilities, etc, and that I should feel free to stop by again.... I simply stopped them and told them that the sales pitch was not welcome and that once I took off it would be the last they ever saw of me.
I further informed the flight school that I was interested in taking acro from them, but that the FBO had changed my mind for me. He tried to tell me that if I flew his plane that I didn't have to pay the landing fee... But I would have to pay it if I flew my plane in for the lessons.... Like I said, I took off and will never go back.
The FBO lost fuel sales from me, the flight school lost money on rentals and instruction.... All for 10 bucks the FBO said I had to pay since the FBO didn't have two stroke oil.
--- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Coates" <mcoates@...> wrote:
>
> Personally, I think you are being really shortsighted.
>
> In Australia we pay landing fees at every airport, it is a fact of life and it is something we cannot get around. If you boycott using the airport you are offering the owners a perfect opportunity to present a case for saying the airport is not viable, it brings in no income and they will probably get approval in a few years with reduced usage to shut it down and turn it into housing or commercial buildings, then you lose. It happens in Australia and it will also happen in the US.
>
> Just accept this increased cost of aviation and move on....
>
> "We all know how rich pilots are and they can afford anything"
>
>
>
> >
> > We regret to inform you that the North Bend Regional Airport (OTH) is now imposing landing/use fees to all GA aircraft that use the airport. As GA pilots and an FBO who care about the continuation and prosperity of general aviation, we support, encourage and urge you to join us in an ALL GA aircraft/pilot ban of the North Bend Regional Airport (OTH) due to their recent imposition of these new fees. These landing/use fees are NOT good for GA as an industry, nor for GA pilots and passengers.
> >
>
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