Resasi
Gold Supporter
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 9,088
- Location
- London/ Kilifi Kenya
- Aircraft
- Gyrs, RAF 2000/Mgni/Bnsn/Hrnet/Mrlin/Crckt/MT-03/Lyzlle AV18-A/Prdtor. GT-VX1&2, Pax ArrowCopter
- Total Flight Time
- 100+ gyro, 16,000+ other
Larry I would disagree and call it services for dues paid. The citizen pays taxes and the State, or Federal Government are supposed to decide and prioritize what services should be provided...including 'gummint cheese' in return.
The hope is that the government in it's wisdom is able to engage people who are experienced, capable and have the expertise to do this in an efficient manner. A hope sometimes dashed by some odd decisions made at the top. An example. For years Jet A1 even though it cost more than road diesel was taxed 2.5 cents gallon less. Congress feeling the Government needed protection from truck operators who might try and save the 2.5 cents a gallon, under a fuel fraud bill made FBO's pay highway diesel tax rates, while only charging jet fuel tax rates to their customers. This tax then deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. In order to reclaim that money FBO's must prove that the fuel sold was for aviation purposes. Once the refund is sought and repaid, the remaining tax money then moved to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
But the paperwork is such a hassle that many FBO's don't bother, and forfeit the money, sometimes passing the cost on to their customers in other ways. That however means that not only do they lose the refund, but the reminder, an estimated $50 million annually, then does not move to the Airport and Airway fund but remains in the Highway Fund.
Jet A1 with a lower octane rating and less lubricity is bad for truck engines. It gives a worse performance and higher wear, it's higher sulfur content can gum up particulate filter systems and cause shutdowns. It makes little sense to do it and there was no real evidence that this type of fraud was even occurring. Aviation groups have been long hoping that something would be done about changing it but Congress has been reluctant given growing shortages in the Highway Trust Fund. Aviation groups continue to be increasingly concerned about the potential loss of $500 million to the national airspace system over the next decade, if nothing is done about it. Perhaps our 'widows mite' is helping redress the situation by helping pay for the airspace services we are using.
People at the top in State and Government can and do make decisions for the citizens that don't always achieve what was intended, but that's how the system works...or, sometimes doesn't.
The hope is that the government in it's wisdom is able to engage people who are experienced, capable and have the expertise to do this in an efficient manner. A hope sometimes dashed by some odd decisions made at the top. An example. For years Jet A1 even though it cost more than road diesel was taxed 2.5 cents gallon less. Congress feeling the Government needed protection from truck operators who might try and save the 2.5 cents a gallon, under a fuel fraud bill made FBO's pay highway diesel tax rates, while only charging jet fuel tax rates to their customers. This tax then deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. In order to reclaim that money FBO's must prove that the fuel sold was for aviation purposes. Once the refund is sought and repaid, the remaining tax money then moved to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
But the paperwork is such a hassle that many FBO's don't bother, and forfeit the money, sometimes passing the cost on to their customers in other ways. That however means that not only do they lose the refund, but the reminder, an estimated $50 million annually, then does not move to the Airport and Airway fund but remains in the Highway Fund.
Jet A1 with a lower octane rating and less lubricity is bad for truck engines. It gives a worse performance and higher wear, it's higher sulfur content can gum up particulate filter systems and cause shutdowns. It makes little sense to do it and there was no real evidence that this type of fraud was even occurring. Aviation groups have been long hoping that something would be done about changing it but Congress has been reluctant given growing shortages in the Highway Trust Fund. Aviation groups continue to be increasingly concerned about the potential loss of $500 million to the national airspace system over the next decade, if nothing is done about it. Perhaps our 'widows mite' is helping redress the situation by helping pay for the airspace services we are using.
People at the top in State and Government can and do make decisions for the citizens that don't always achieve what was intended, but that's how the system works...or, sometimes doesn't.