Colorado Pilots Association Flight Lines, February 1988 focuses on two major aviation initiatives shaping Colorado's future. President Don Welsh emphasizes that aviation is gaining recognition as an economic growth driver in Colorado and that the CPA community will play a vital role in this development. The primary highlights include planning for a major Colorado Air Safety and Trade Show scheduled for May 12-14, 1988, and a detailed report on legislative efforts to establish a State Aeronautics Office.
After years of failed attempts, Representative Lewis Entz successfully convened a task group of aviation stakeholders to craft a compromise proposal for creating a Colorado Aeronautics Division. The newly designed structure places the aeronautics office as a Type I division under the Department of Highways (to become the Department of Transportation), overseen by a seven-member board representing geographic and industry segments. Notably, the proposal addresses previous concerns by eliminating aircraft registration and ownership taxes while funding the new office through a modest tax on aviation fuel (6 cents per gallon for avgas, 4 cents per gallon for jet fuel).
Key Topics
- Creation of a State Aeronautics Office as a division under Department of Highways
- Seven-member Aeronautics Board with balanced representation from East Slope, West Slope, airport managers, and pilots
- Proposed aviation fuel tax to fund operations while eliminating aircraft registration and ownership taxes
- Division functions: grant administration, aviation planning, data collection, safety and education
- Colorado Air Safety and Trade Show planning
- Recognition of aviation's role in Colorado economic growth
Events & Activities
- Colorado Air Safety and Trade Show: May 12-14, 1988 - promotes growth and safety of aviation
- Legislative proposal: State Aeronautics legislation expected in final draft third week of January 1988
Member News
- Featured Member: Larry Bartlett of Pagosa Springs photographed in his Cessna 195 near Pagosa Peak
- Legislative Leadership: CPA member Representative Lewis Entz (San Luis Valley) championing aeronautics legislation with co-sponsor Representative Norma Anderson
- Task Group Participants (CPA Members): Orve Gordon (Airport Manager, Jeffco), Fred Jeager (Airport Manager, Greeley), Neil Keddington (Airport Manager, Front Range), Dick Bucknell (U.S. West corporate aviation), Frank Gallo, and Walt Barbo
- Trade Show Committee: Bruce Hulley representing CPA on program committee for Air Safety and Trade Show
- Association Leadership: Don Welsh (President), Bill Greener (Vice President), Terry Barbo (Secretary), Don Vander Ploeg (Treasurer), John D. Warrender (Vice President at Large)
