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Show Aviation Activity Shows Decrease Throughout State Aviation activity (as measured by aircraft fuel tax collections) at municipal airports in Utah outside out-side of Salt Lake City has decreased decreas-ed by 62 per cent between 1947 and 1951 despite extensive development develop-ment programs carried out at these same municipal airports during dur-ing the past few years, it was reported this week by Utah Foundation, Foun-dation, the private non-profit tax research agency. Airport development projects completed in Utah between 1947 and 1951 under the National Airport Air-port program cost $2,045,181, the report reveals. Of this sum, 1,236,-589 1,236,-589 was contributed by the Federal Fed-eral Government, and $808,598 was contributed by the State and local governments. During World War II, Utah Foundation analysts observe, six municipal airports were constructed construct-ed or improved in Utah by the Fed. eral Government under the C. A. A national defense program at a total to-tal cost of approximately $3.3 million. mil-lion. The amount of activity at many of Utah's municipal airports is limited and, in some cases, the fields are virtually abandoned, the Foundation discloses. According to the report, only half of the municipal airports reported the sale of any aircraft fuel during fiscal fis-cal 1951, and less than half of the municipal airports are attended during the daylight hours. Foundation analysts point to a section of a recent Utah Aeronautics Aeron-autics report, which indicates that more properly located air strips of a less expensive construction with a subsequent lower maintenance mainten-ance cost should have been constructed con-structed in place of the recent extensive ex-tensive and expensive program of airport development. j Revenue for carrying out the functions of the State Aeronautics Commission and for disbursing state aid to airports is provided by a four-cent per gallon tax on aircraft fuel the report continues. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1951, aircraft fuel tax collections collec-tions totaled $140,889. Of this amount, $105,667, or 75 percent was credited to the accounts of the operating airports in propor tion to the amount of aviation fuel delivered to the airport, and $35,-222, $35,-222, or 25 percent was transferred transfer-red to the Aeronautics Commission Commis-sion Administration Fund. In addition to state aid for airports air-ports from the aircraft fuel tax the report notes, the 1947 Utah Legislature reappropriated $500,-000 $500,-000 for airport construction. |