Thu, Mar 19, 2009
Testifies Before House Aviation Subcommittee
Appearing Wednesday before the House Aviation Subcommittee,
Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association (GAMA), testified on the modernization of the NextGen
air traffic control system and near-term achievable goals
associated with its implementation.
In his opening remarks, Bunce emphasized the important role that
general aviation plays as a critical stimulus for the economy. "Our
industry contributes over $150 billion to the US economy each year
and supports more than 1.2 million high-paying, technical
jobs."
He stressed that the industry promotes the effective and
transparent use of business aircraft, but warned that when
politicians vilify their use with the intent to punish
irresponsible executives, the unintended consequences directly
jeopardize aircraft manufacturing jobs and lead to fewer aircraft
orders.
During his testimony on modernization, Bunce said despite the
weak economy, the next several years will offer an opportunity to
move NextGen forward.
"Accelerating and expanding Automatic Dependent Surveillance
– Broadcast (ADS-B) ground stations, adequately staffing the
Federal Aviation Administration’s offices of aircraft
certification and flight standards, and incentivizing operators to
equip with ADS-B technology are all important measures that would
allow us to reap benefits from NextGen in the near to mid-term," he
said.
Bunce (shown below) also encouraged Congress to move forward
with the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and ensure the agency is provided with the proper direction
and tools necessary to advance deployment of NextGen. He also asked
Congress to demand that the FAA provide more definition and clarity
on what the operating environment will look like in 2025 when
NextGen is projected to achieve full implementation.
Finally, Bunce implored the subcommittee to ensure that if any
climate change taxes or fees are collected through the aviation
sector, they are reinvested back into NextGen, which will allow the
industry to dramatically reduce emissions.
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