To file or not to file? That is the question.

N941WR · #1 11-22-2005, 01:42 PM

IF the FAA imposes user fees for such things as weather briefings, filing VFR flight plans, and using flight following, would you

A) File flight plan after receiving the briefing

and/or

B) Ask for Flight Following during your flight

Knowing using either service is going to cost you?

Build9A · #2 11-22-2005, 02:01 PM

If there were user fees for filing a flight plan or flight following; I would pay "very reluctantly" for flight following, but probably would not file a flight plan. Both need to be kept free as well as weather briefings.

smithhb · #3 11-22-2005, 02:04 PM

Great question Bill,

I suppose it would depend on several factors:
1. How much are the fees?
2. What sanctions or penalties would be imposed for not filing?
3. How would they collect from users? Mail bills?
4. What sanctions or penalties would be imposed for not paying?

One has to wonder how much the bureocracy, that would have to be established, will cost to manage the charging and collections of these fees.

Bret

dlloyd3 · #4 11-22-2005, 02:08 PM

Every time I go to Canada a bill comes in the mail for that quarter usually about $14. The cheapskate I am, I would have a hard time filing an IFR flight plan on a nice day or talking to ATC when a bill would result. I suspect many others would stop asking for advisories also.

hevansrv7a · #5 11-22-2005, 02:30 PM

Just FYI - the Canadian system is a quarterly flat rate based on aircraft weight. You can fly your C-150 or RV-n for 3 months for the $14.00.

That said, I prefer the U.S. system. The equity of the situation is that if we have to pay, then the boaters should also have to pay for all their services.

The problem today is that we are REQUIRED to get all available information. If you don't (or in some situations cannot) get DUAT/DUATS then the only legal briefing is by telephoning FSS. I always prefer flight following, but the advantage of the VFR flight plan is obvious over long distances in remote areas.

n468ac · #6 11-22-2005, 02:36 PM

either option is bad ...

no brief ... how much will it cost if you bust a TFR?
no flight following ... how much is your life worth in a MVFR day?

I guess i would use flight following and ask them for a brief.

Captain_John · #7 11-22-2005, 03:18 PM

Lemme make my answer simple...

NO!

Let's face it, my name isn't Kennedy. They wouldn't come looking for me anyways!

In answer to the questions:

A) I don't usually file a flight plan

B) If I am equipped with ADS-B (or whatever the future brings in the way of fish finding equipment) I won't really need traffic avoidance courtesy of some ground controller.

We don't need no stinkin' FEES!

CJ

jimpleasants · #8 11-22-2005, 03:47 PM

NO! NO! NO! NO! (I had to get 10 characters in my response.)

osxuser · #9 11-23-2005, 12:19 AM

Fee-based ATC services as the FAA tries to cut controllers pay by 25%! The government is f***n stupid, it's nice how Marion is trying to play hardball with NATCA about A/B pay scales while she gives herself a nice raise! Screw the politicians!

rv8ch · #10 11-23-2005, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osxuser

Screw the politicians!

No, just replace them.