Fri, May 20, 2005
The US House of Representatives passed two pieces of homeland
security legislation this week, each containing language mandating
the resumption of on-demand air charter and general aviation
operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
(DCA).
On Tuesday, the House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 2360, the
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which funds the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2006.
Included in the legislation is a provision requiring DHS to
implement a security plan that would reopen DCA to charter and
general aviation operations within 90 days of the bill’s
enactment.
On Wednesday, the House passed H.R.
1817, the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act, which
is the first ever authorization bill for the Department. The
bill contains a provision that directs DHS to develop and implement
a plan to allow charter and general aviation operations at DCA
within 60 days of the bill’s enactment.
“We are very pleased that Congress continues to apply the
pressure necessary to get the Department of Homeland Security
moving in reopening DCA to charter and general aviation
operations,” said NATA President James K. Coyne.
“For nearly four years, the message from Capitol Hill has
been consistent: reopening America’s capital airport to
charter and general aviation can be done in a manner that is both
safe and secure, and should be done as soon as possible.
“I would like to thank the leadership of the House
Committees on Appropriations and Homeland Security for their hard
work in shepherding these two important bills to passage.
Their ability to work in a bipartisan fashion ensured quick and
easy passage for both measures. I would also like to extend
my appreciation to House Appropriations Homeland Security
Subcommittee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) and Congressman Todd
Tiahrt (R-KS) who have been steadfast advocates for the return of
charter and general aviation operations to DCA.”
Both H.R. 2360 and H.R. 1817 will now move to the United States
Senate for consideration.
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]
Sierra Space Repositions Dream Chaser for First Mission
See All