Better airline service to rural America is being promoted through a coalition of three new regional airline organizations representing both passenger and cargo service. The three advocacy groups include Regional Aviation Partners (RAP) formed in April 2000, and two new groups formed last year, the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) and the Regional Air Service Preservation (RASP) group.

While the three groups have formed a loose coalition in support of a common cause, there exists no formal agreement between them in terms of finances or merging of personal, according to Stan Bernstein, president of RACCA. "We have just joined ranks over common concerns about deteriorating air service to rural America, and that clearly covers both passengers and cargo," he said.

Bernstein told C/R News that there is a synergy between the three groups with respect to maintaining air service to rural America, thereby keeping rural communities in the mainstream of U.S. business. "As economic forces continue to be strained, the desire (of a company) is to cut back wherever you can. And the first place companies try to cut back is rural America. We are attempting to be the voice of the little guy in maintaining that level of service."

The rationale for RAP

RAP was formed in April 2001 to promote new legislation to revise outdated policies and remove statutory impediments that prohibit regional air carriers from providing economical and dependable air service to rural America, according to Maurice Parker, RAP executive director. It also serves as a grassroots advocacy organization to stop the erosion of rural and small community air service. "Our collaboration with these new organizations adds strength to our resolve to effect the extensive changes necessary to protect every aspect of rural aviation. Small communities depend heavily on air transportation for economic development, growth and stability," he said. "I welcome the support and participation of these new organizations."

RACCA was formed in August 2002 as a not-for-profit trade association focusing on serving as an advocate for an industry that is often the first or last link in the shipment of air cargo to rural America. Its members consist of airlines that deliver small packages, mail, critical pharmaceuticals and Federal Reserve funds in a time-sensitive manner across the United States.

Bernstein noted that some 800 regional cargo aircraft are in operation every day helping to keep rural America business and industry in the mainstream of activity. Membership at RACCA is currently at twenty-six airlines, with fifteen associate and one affiliate member. Most recent members include FedEx, Castle Aviation and Union Flights as full members plus Saab Aircraft, Embraer, Seattle Turbine Parts, Covington Aircraft Engines and Total Aviation Services as associate members.

The RASP response

RASP is a newly formed organization headquartered in Farmington, N.M., with the goal of restoring traditional 19-seat passenger operations to the Federal Aviation Administrations' Part 135 regulatory standard. Basically RASP wants to eliminate the more restrictive, and more expensive, FAA's Federal Aviation Rule (FAR) Part 121 requirements that many critics say are responsible for decimating 19-seat turboprop service to rural America. The organization intends to work primarily with rural communities in New Mexico, Colorado, the Inter-Mountain West, and the Plains. The 19-seat type aircraft used for cargo operations can still operate under FAR Part 135.

Nineteen seat aircraft fill an essential niche in providing safe, reliable and economic service to small communities, according to Gary Risley, a former airline executive, and now an attorney with Miller, Stratvert & Torgerson, P.A., in Farmington, N.M., the firm that is spearheading this effort.

"Nineteen seat aircraft have been an important asset in linking rural communities with the National Transportation system," said Risley. "The expense of Part 121 FAR requirements requires 19-seat operators to divide much higher costs over far fewer passengers than operators of much larger aircraft.

"The result is tremendously higher costs of operations, higher fares, and the threatened loss of service in many communities. Allowing 19-seat aircraft to operate under Part 135 of the FARs will reduce costs and reduce fares, while providing a high level of safety to the consumer."

>>RACCA, Stan Bernstein, telephone: 508-778-7788, e-mail: raccaemail@aol.com. RASP, Gary Risley, e-mail: risley@mstlaw.com. RAP, Maurice Parker, telephone: 602 685-4112, e-mail: rap.exdir@mindspring.com <<