This heavy jet is about to touch down on KSA's runway 34, a near four-kilometre length of concrete and hot mix that was essentially paid for long before the FAG even became a glint in a politician's eye. Similarly, most other FAG inherited facilities have long been amortised and thus are considered to present an unfair fiscal burden upon the industry which is now asked to refinance them. For instance, in 1987188 the FAG had to remit $21.9m to the Government as interest charges on the debt it was given by the Government on its ownership of airport facilities. That represents a burden of $2,861 on every single aircraft on the Austra/Jan register. (Jim Thorn)

Mutiny of the Bountiful

Once upon a time aviation in Australia was so important that the Government fostered its development. Aircraft opened up this continent and the infrastructure catered for commerce and defence alike.

The government was grateful and publicly supported the industry. When the new Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) charges were introduced on April Fools Day this year, the relationship finally went sour. The industry at Bankstown and Archerfield united to defy the imposition.

The President of the influential Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association (AOPA), Peter Patroni, observed that general aviation “simply cannot afford the ever increasing costs”. He believes that such drastic action has come out of the frustration of dealing with the authorities and this is now “the only language the government understands”.

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