Betting Big

On 09 June 2023, the NBAA welcomed the introduction of a bipartisan measure to reauthorize—which is to say refund and re-task—the Federal Aviation Administration through 2028. Slated to be brought before the U.S. House of Representatives, the bill includes provisions supported by the NBAA and the broader general aviation community.

Cumbersomely dubbed The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, the legislation was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chair Sam Graves (Republican, Missouri), along with full Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (Democrat, Washington State), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (Republican, Louisiana), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Cohen (Democrat, Tennessee).

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen remarked: “We thank Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen for their tireless work on this landmark bipartisan reauthorization bill and applaud the timely introduction of this vital legislation.”

Mr. Bolen added: “This five-year FAA reauthorization package will strengthen America’s global leadership as the gold standard in aviation. It addresses critical areas across our industry, from growing and diversifying the workforce to modernizing FAA processes and improving critical infrastructure for airports of all sizes, while also recognizing and prioritizing the GA community.”

The bill includes provisions to:

• Address industry workforce challenges through the removal of barriers to pursuing aviation careers, expanding the aviation workforce pipeline, and improving training standards.
• Recognizing the important role of general aviation and prioritizing the segment’s role in attracting new talent to aviation with a first-ever general aviation title.
• Establishing enhancements by which to ensure the safety and security of everyone who flies.
• Maintaining the nation’s leading global role in aviation through support for the safe and efficient integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) technology and infrastructure.
• Modernizing and digitizing FAA forms and processes, and establishing deadlines conducive to the elimination of backlogs in the FAA’s aircraft registry and Part 135 certifications.
• Improving the processes and protocols of the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine, to include pilot mental health.
• Eliminating tail-end ferry flights and enhancing recordkeeping requirements to minimize the risk of fatigue-related hazards in aviation.
• Renewing funding for airport infrastructure with a focus on investment in small and GA airports.

The legislation further proposes the appointment of a second deputy FAA administrator tasked with operational safety, and the establishment of a new FAA ombudsman role charged with advocating specifically on behalf of industry inquiries and requests to the agency.

Mr. Bolen concluded: “The House reauthorization measure offers a clear roadmap toward a more focused, more responsive, and more innovative FAA for all stakeholders. We look forward to working with the House and Senate to ensure a strong bill that reflects these key priorities is signed into law before the current authorization expires on 30 September.”

Representing upwards of ten-thousand company and individual members, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization founded in 1947 for purpose of fostering an environment conducive to business aviation’s success both in the United States and around the world.

FMI: www.nbaa.org, The Reauthorization Bill