The proposed $100 per flight aircraft user fee exempts piston powered aircraft, but fails to exempt other small recreational aircraft which are not piston powered. These aircraft may fly in some classes of controlled airspace (usually only class D and E), but rarely use Air Traffic Control services except in emergencies.
The proposal's exemption of only 'piston aircraft' would inadvertently include gliders, balloons, electric aircraft and unpowered ultralights (hang gliders) in the user fee system.
This would impose a substantial burden on owners of these recreational aircraft, with potentially disastrous consequences to the businesses which support them.
We petition the Administration to exempt all gliders, balloons, electric aircraft and ultralights from the proposed user's fee.