Anything is game for this political season and corporate aircraft ownership finds itself squarely in the crosshairs of misleading remarks, surprisingly from Republicans.
Mitt Romney framed his comment by environmental considerations:
While suggesting the right course for the nation’s energy policy, Romney spoke of non-CO2 producing nuclear energy and more off-shore oil drilling, concluding with this: "And I have one more recommendation for energy conservation: Let’s keep Al Gore’s private jet on the ground."
This comment unfairly characterizes private aircraft use and its environmental impact. The fact is that general aviation contributes only two-tenths of one percent of worldwide carbon emissions, according to data published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Air transportation’s total share of greenhouse gases comes to less than three percent. The best thing politicians could do is to put aside the rhetoric and pass the FAA reauthorization bill that funds technology, reducing even further the industry’s environmental footprint.>
Sarah Palin framed her comment by ethical considerations.
Promising major ethics reform in her bid for the governorship, Palin said, "I got rid of a few things in the governor’s office that I didn’t believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over-the-top. I put it on eBay."
In a state where general aviation is the lifeblood of commerce and transportation, Palin’s remark is disingenuous, pitting aircraft ownership against some kind of ethical standard. According to Washington Post journalist Anne E. Kornblut, in her article "The Trail" on September 6, 2008, "About one-third of Alaskans live in towns and communities with no access to roads, making a plane for the governor’s use a key asset." Indeed, Alaska is home to more than 400 airports, six times as many pilots per capita and 16 times as many aircraft per capita as the rest of the United States, according to data published by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Contrary to Palin’s comment, taxpayers are well served when public officials have the resources they need to get the job done.
General aviation and corporate aircraft ownership are an integral part of a healthy U.S. economy. Romney’s and Palin’s comments for environmental and ethical sound bites are unfairly born on the back of legitimate business practices.
Questions or Comments? Feel free to contact Susan Sheets with your thoughts.
