End of an Era! Thin Edge of the Wedge?
End of an Era ! Thin Edge of the Wedge ?
This morning another Club member and myself sat in on the Council Meeting in the Town Hall, and heard the Councillors approve the introduction of Landing Charges for aircraft at the two local aerodromes. They become effective from next Monday.
Fee Structure for aircraft up to 2,000kg MTOW Fee (inc. GST)
Private/Recreational Users
All landings(including Touch & Go) where aircraft is used for strictly private/recreational purposes and non commercial purposes * Free
(* strictly private purposes is defined as where ownership is determined to vest in an individual and the aircraft is utilized for recreational and non-commercial purposes. Where ownership is identified as held by a corporate entity (company, superannuation fund, trust, etc) OR the aircraft is known to FCRC to be engaged in commercial activities, this exemption will not apply. Commercial activities include flight training schools including for training recreational pilots.)
Commercial Users
Casual landing per landing where private exemption is not applicable $9.50
Casual Touch & Go – per Touch & Go where private exemption is not applicable $4.75
Resident Commercial Aircraft Annual Landing Fee Concessions *
(* Resident Aircraft options available on request to lessees and sub-lessees only)
Annual landing fee – per 1,000kg or part thereof OR $280.00
A landing fee per landing (based on previous financial years total landings) $7.00
whichever is the greater
Touch & Go – per Touch & Go $3.50
Fee Structure for aircraft with 2,000kg or greater MTOW
Casual landing per 1,000kg or Part thereof – per landing $13.00
Touch & Go – per Touch & Go $6.50
Fee Structure – other Commercial Operations
All other commercial arrangements By Negotiation
All other Fees remain as per the adopted Schedule of Regulatory & Non-Regulatory Charges 2010/2011
Forty years before I became active at this aerodrome, - when it was mooted in 1927, and opened in 1930, visionary people foresaw a need and helped provided access here for aircraft at minimum cost to users. In ‘69/70, when learning as a Commercial and Instructor, then teaching part-time on weekends, we didn’t pay for access – but paid tribute to those same pioneers, legendary names now – Charles Kingsford-Smith, Tommy Pethybridge, Bert Hinkler, Jack Treacy, Ron Adair, along with locals Charlie Hillman, Stead Lowe, Sam Hecker, for their enthusiasm that got provision of the facilities we enjoyed.
Today is a watershed. From now on Council wants the money. In this new era of Fees and Taxes on everyone and everything that moves (and for services that aren’t provided) from all Governments, - the only small concession (to be reviewed in a year if the private/recreational users don’t work hard voluntarily to generate local awareness) is the only concession for the private/ recreational enthusiasts. But a small win is a win.
The flying schools and commercial users will just pass the increased cost of doing business here onto their students, and clients, - as they do with the GST – so it is the end-user who will have to pay. It’s a brainwashed, politically correct, generational thing – one more tax ? – who cares ! – pass it on. Can’t afford it ? Take out a loan.
Wonder what the generation in 40 years time will think. But the technology, pressures and rationale will be different again.
Am just glad I have had my 40 years.