If someone really wanted to hit the issues on this, they would do a
detailed comparison among three similar countries with similar
challenges and traditions, i.e., the U.S., Canada and Australia.
Europe has multiple side issues, which make the comparison less
useful. On the main point, I don't have an ax to grind, except cheaper
is better, but I do know that Canada has a user fee system and I'm not
sure about Australia. I think you'll find that Canada has a robust GA
world, but like on other issues, they put up with higher taxes and
allow greater restrictions without much complaint. I think from a GA
standpoint, AOPA will turn out to be right. (As an aside, in fact, the
ability of a GA lobby group to affect the outcome, turn to its allies
in Congress, both the House and Senate, and otherwise attempt to set
aside, amend, adjust and redirect legislation and regulations of this
type is something that is consistent with a Republic and difficult to
achieve in a Parliamentary system, which is probably how the measure
got through largely unnoticed in Canada without the lobbying battle
which we expect to unfold here in the U.S.Of course, the irony is that
the democratically elected will take out the aviation infrastructure
by shoveling it sideways to the private sector just when the
cognoscenti are starting to look at GA as an alternative to gridlocked
airports and related problems partly caused by deregulating a
previously properly regulated industry).