Flight Service Sigmet

Time and time again we’ve mentioned that AOPA president Phil Boyer has been fighting a losing, contradictory battle by supporting Flight Service (FSS) outsourcing on the one hand and opposing further Air Traffic Control (ATC) privatization/contracting and user fees on the other.

The issue is up on his radar screen again, as witnessed by an AOPA on-line article here. As usual, it smacks of denial and illogic; the former because of his support of the Lockheed FSS contract undercuts his goals, the latter due to lack of supporting argument. For example:

“…user fees and privatization of air traffic control services could remove that
important oversight function from the hands of elected officials...”

Notice in the article that no reason is given as to why this would be so. Mr. Boyer further states the following:

“The FAA must be very careful not to advance funding policies that would
dismantle the air transportation network…”

Again, no support for this 'dismantling' conclusion.

Pilots may not know it yet, but Mr. Boyer has cost them dearly with the precedent he set in support of contract ATC functions. His inability to articulate a rationale for positions in support of pilots should have them doubly worried. AOPA members need to ask themselves if this lack of articulation and results is what they want on their president. And they should ask it quickly.