I used to think it was all so simple and I bet most of you all did as well. Back when we became part of the aviation scene years ago we did our jobs and happily went home. For me, I chose the path of an aviation mechanic when I was 16. Aviation was about getting that ship fixed and back to someone to get flying again. That was the extent of my vision then. The aviation community, specifically the Long Island community, we all did our individual part in keeping airplanes flying. We all may not be on the aircraft operations side but we all certainly gain economically from the operational end of this business. In short, when the planes keep flying, we all prosper. From manufacturing, component overhauls, part sales, paint shops, fuel providers (the list is endless) we all contribute to supporting and advancing aviation. We may…

The Long Island Business Aviation Association, the "voice of aviation" on Long Island joins with all our fellow aviation advocacy organizations to strongly oppose user fees for turbine aircraft as proposed by President Obama. LIBAA is deeply concerned that the new proposed $100.00 per flight tax would create a significant administrative burden on general aviation operators who presently pay for FAA services through an efficient per gallon fuel charge at the pump. Implementing this onerous tax would only necessitate the creation of a costly new federal revenue collection bureaucracy.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our board members, member organizations and fellow colleagues a very Happy New Year filled with much good health, happiness and continued success. As we begin our journey into 2011 it is that time were we look forward to the promises of a New Year and reflect on the year just past and the work we accomplished and that work left unresolved. As LIBAA began 2010 I am honored to have been appointed by the board to assume the position of President of this fine organization. I set out with the intention of truly serving in the most positive ways possible, with passion, commitment and dedication and working with my fellow board members to affect change where required to better our organization and our industry. In 2010 a major focus of ours was to recommit ourselves to some of the…

I would like to take this time to thank all of members for their continued support and commitment to our organization, which is even more appreciated during this unprecedented time in our industry. I would also like to thank our board members for their commitment, devotion and passion to our organization and all of their efforts to further the cause of general aviation here on Long Island. It can be a very thankless job but I certainly recognize your efforts and am grateful for your participation. As we distance ourselves from 2009, I cannot help but look back on what may have been the most trying year our industry has ever faced. First, we have all suffered the consequences of the most troubled economy both here and abroad since the Great Depression. It is an accomplishment that we have all hung in through that.There was also the continued fallout from…