Budget cuts have hit the FAA hard again this year, with the agency continuing to charge hefty user fees for temporary air traffic control services at airshows. One of the first airshows of the year, the Cable Air Show at the Cable Airport near Upland, California, took place over the weekend. The owner of the airport, Bob Cable, paid $15,000 to continue to use the temporary control tower services that the local airshow has used free of charge for about the past 20 years.
With great weather bringing more than 10,000 people to the show, Cable said the event generated enough money to pay for the ATC services. However, the community will suffer the consequences of the user fee as the proceeds for the show go to non-profit organizations for aviation scholarships. “This is really hurting the small airports that want to do something for the community,” Cable said. “I really don’t want to do a huge event without some kind of tower. It gets a little hectic and a little crazy and I want trained individuals up there.” Cable had about 80 to 90 airplanes fly in for the show, which included aerobatic performances.
