The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a resolution recognizing the value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips on America’s public lands.
Resolution 1473 acknowledges the many benefits that backcountry airstrips provide to the general public, including search and rescue, fire management, disaster relief and safe havens for pilots in emergency situations. Recreational airstrips also serve as access points for outdoor enthusiasts, leading to valuable economic activity in small communities.
“This resolution provides invaluable recognition to this vital part of America’s transportation system and will help protect these national treasures,” said John McKenna, president of the Recreational Aviation Foundation. “We express our deepest appreciation to Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT) for his leadership on this important resolution.”
Early supporters include Representatives Allen Boyd (D-Fla.), Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.), Walt Minnick (D-Idaho), and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho). Signing on before today’s conclusive vote were Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Pete Olson (R-Texas), Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), John Salazar (D-Colo.), Bobby Bright (D-Ala.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). McKenna said, “Their support has brought significant attention to this segment of general aviation and we look forward to continuing to work with them on issues facing our community.”
The Official Resolution concludes:
“Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips located on the nation’s public lands and commends aviators and the various private organizations that maintain these airstrips for public use.”
The Resolution originated with the Recreational Aviation Foundation Board of Directors after discussions with the Congressmen in Washington, DC.
The Recreational Aviation Foundation is headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., and has supporters in all contiguous states and Alaska. It is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is “Keeping the legacy of recreational aviation strong by preserving, maintaining and creating public use recreational and backcountry airstrips nationwide”
For more information: TheRAF.org
Each of the congressmen listed above that was in congress in 2007 voted for H.R. 6 (EISA 2007), including Mr. Rehberg (R-MT) although I doubt any of them understands the ramifications of the RFS portion of the act, or even read it (30 pages out of 310 pages of the act).
How many of these Representatives also voted in favor of ever increasing quantities of ethanol in the nations fuel supply via EISA 2007? I’d wager that it was most if not all of them. Typical government. They pat us on the back with one hand while taking away our gasoline with the other. Chances are that none of them realize that they have crippled backcountry aviation by supporting ethanol which makes automotive gasoline (FAA approved and in use for the past 25 years) unusable in the very airplanes most used by recreational and backcountry pilots. If they were sincere, they’d vote against ethanol instead of hopping on the ethanol band wagon.