Letter to The New York Times in Response to “Gilded Paychecks”

Letters to the Editor
The New York Times
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036

May 17, 2006

To the Editor:

Re “Executives Take Company Planes as if Their Own” (“Gilded Paychecks” series, front page, May 10):

Tens of thousands of American companies use general aviation aircraft to strengthen their businesses. But your article focuses on the nonbusiness use of corporate aircraft, using anecdotes, without noting some key facts.

Federal law prohibits any employee reimbursement for the full cost of owning and operating the aircraft. In not paying for these flights, executives are complying with the law.

Companies and their boards of directors are acting in full compliance with the law and with what is best for their businesses.

The vast majority of the business aviation fleet is owned by small and midsize businesses, and flights are strictly for business purposes, with mostly midlevel employees on board.

Sincerely,
Ed Bolen
President and CEO
National Business Aviation Association