NATA: Thanks For Your Support. Please Pass Our Bill

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) president James K. Coyne last week thanked key Congressional aviation leaders for their continued support of financial assistance to general aviation businesses affected by the September 11th terrorist attacks. 

The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure on Wednesday approved H.R. 2115, the "Flight 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act" (CARA), sponsored by US Reps. Don Young (R-AK), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; James Oberstar (D-MN), Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure; John Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, and Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Minority Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation.

On To The Floor Of The House

"I once again commend the House aviation leadership for insisting upon fairness and responsibility by providing the framework for general aviation businesses to obtain financial assistance as a way of minimizing the impact of the continuing restrictions imposed on them by the federal government," Coyne stated.  "We will continue to strongly urge all Members of Congress to support this vital provision as the bill heads to the House floor for a vote."

In addition to general aviation relief, and because the House aviation security bill was pulled from consideration prior to yesterday's mark-up due to jurisdictional concerns with the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, a number of security provisions were included within H.R. 2115.  These provisions would:

• Encourage the re-opening of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to general aviation operations
• Require FAA to report back to Congress within 30 days as to why the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) exists and every 60 days thereafter should it be continued.

"We are pleased to see the continuing resistance from our friends in Congress against unnecessary and extraordinary security requirements imposed upon the general aviation community," Coyne commented.  "The Washington, D.C., area clearly has been experiencing what we feel are 'over-the-top' mandates from the federal government."

Other measures included within this legislation would:

• Provide pilots the ability to appeal the revocation of their pilot license for security matters
• In response to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's actions forcing the closure of Meigs Field, impose a "civil penalty of $10,000 for each day that the airport remains closed without having given" the required notification
• Create a much-needed small business ombudsman within the FAA.
• Respect The Rights Of Pilots And Owners

"It is important that our government not run roughshod over the rights of those who exist in the general aviation industry," Coyne said.  "Including the appeals process for pilots who have their license revoked and the new fine against closing airports without proper notification clearly demonstrates Congress' displeasure with actions of late taken against our segment of the aviation industry.

"We thank the aviation leadership and their staff for their tireless efforts on this important legislation and anxiously look forward to these provisions becoming law," Coyne concluded.

FMI: www.nata-online.org