A "perfect storm" of challenges to business aircraft ownership - whether whole or fractional - is brewing in Washington, D.C., and beyond with potential far-reaching impact not only on aircraft ownership but the managed-aircraft charter business model.

Mechanisms that have traditionally served as incentives to business aircraft ownership could come under scrutiny as the Obama administration and Congress, strapped for cash after disbursing nearly a trillion dollars in stimulus and bailout payments to banks, industry and states, seek funds to service a growing deficit and underwrite ambitious health care and environmental programs plus an expanded war in Afghanistan.

And just when general aviation thought that the specter of user fees had been beaten down, it appears .........