USA Today Continues Dishonest Airport Funding Coverage

barnstorm2

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http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/USA_today_ga_funding_airports_201783-1.html

Public-use, privately owned reliever airports have again won the negative attention of USA Today, this time with two articles -- one titled, "FAA and taxpayers prop up small, little-used airports." USA Today writer Thomas Frank's two articles appeared in USA Today on Dec. 31, stating among other things that some small airports are owned by "businesses," and that "raises questions about whether public funds should go toward assisting private enterprise." Like a similar article printed in USA Today back in September of 2009 these latest two have drawn reaction from AOPA. The pilot group wrote Friday that the latest articles cast reliever airports as "playgrounds for the rich," when they actually "support business aviation, medical services, and disaster relief." AOPA noted that it had provided a statement to the reporter prior to the story's inclusion in the paper, "but the newspaper chose not to include it."

AOPA's position is that reliever airports "comprise a valuable component of the national aviation system." The airports provide "access to small communities" and connect "all parts of the nation." According to AOPA, of 3,400 existing and proposed airports, 269 are considered relievers and of those 43 are privately owned. Those 43 are subject to the same grant obligations as any other airport that receives federal money.

Story:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-12-31-private-airports_N.htm


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Next time I'm at an aviation event, and find USA Today outside my hotel door in the morning, I'm going to thank the front desk for the free doormat.

I'm not surprised that a newspaper would adopt the agenda of a few big airline advertisers at the expense of the truth. I'm just amazed it's so brazen.
 
All the papers have a liberal agenda, and they sure don't let facts get in the way of a good story.
I have not bought a newspaper in years, even if I had a large bird to poop on it I still wouldn't buy it. :D
 
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