Well this is a sad state of affairs isn't it ! After all, if the duty paid on Avgas goes to fund LARS then guess what...Fuel prices go up. AVGAS should be tax free in my opinion.
ATC should be paid for by the Government out of tax payers money. It should not be a privilege to get ATC but a right of any pilot, just the same as the traffic lights on your high street. Ok, the tax payer might complain, so why not reclaim some of the money from the airline industry in the form of landing taxes / navigation taxes. Oh and don't worry about the poor airlines having to foot the bill, they'll simply impose a 'navigation surcharge' onto each ticket sold.
What will happen is that PPLs will eventually be priced out of getting ATC services, leading to reduced safety for ALL air transport. What will happen then? Controlled airspace will grow, and then GA pilots will be forced to either get and pay for an ATC service or be grounded.
Bournemouth tower G-XXXX request LARS
G-XXXX Bournemouth Tower, Pass your credit card details
EA
