During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding a proposed plan to implement landing fees at DeLand Municipal Airport. Stakeholders, including flight school representatives and local business owners, voiced their opposition, arguing that the fees would impose a financial burden on student pilots and deter aviation activity in the area.

One speaker highlighted that the fee structure could disproportionately affect flight schools, which rely on student pilots who need to complete numerous landings for their training. The speaker emphasized that the increased costs could discourage potential aviators at a time when the industry is already facing a pilot shortage. Another participant, Peter Marshall, vice president of MT Propeller USA, noted that the fees could lead to a 10% increase in the cost of obtaining a private pilot license, further complicating access to aviation training.

Concerns were also raised about the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Marshall expressed frustration that stakeholders were not consulted prior to the proposal's introduction, suggesting that the plan was driven by external vendors rather than the needs of the airport community. He questioned the legal implications of the fees and whether the city would bear the financial responsibility for any resulting lawsuits.

Ken Luckett, a designated pilot examiner, proposed that DeLand should consider establishing an air traffic control tower to manage increasing traffic more effectively, arguing that it would enhance safety and operational efficiency.

Robert Jekes echoed the sentiment that the landing fee proposal was ill-conceived, warning that it could lead to a decline in aviation training and divert traffic to other airports, ultimately undermining the airport's revenue potential. He called for a more constructive dialogue focused on promoting business at the airport rather than imposing punitive fees on users.

The meeting underscored a strong community sentiment against the proposed landing fees, with multiple speakers advocating for a reconsideration of the plan in favor of fostering a supportive environment for aviation training and business development at DeLand Municipal Airport.