Bill Contains First-Ever General Aviation Provisions

The EAA formally recognized U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington) for his bipartisan efforts working with House and Senate leaders to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The bill was signed into law in May by President Biden. The EAA recognition took place on September 25 in the Rayburn Room at the U.S. Capitol.

The Reauthorization Act includes the first-ever title regarding general aviation (GA), a section that encompasses provisions supported by EAA that promote GA growth. Notably, the bill mandates the expansion of BasicMed, increasing the size of covered aircraft to 12,500 pounds, the number of allowable passengers to six, and the number of seats to seven. In addition, the bill establishes a maximum deadline for completion of the MOSAIC final rule at 24 months.

Other sections provide for the continued availability of avgas, directs a review of the process for reserving aircraft registration numbers to reduce profiteering, and to push development of a suitable position reporting system for voluntary use in uncontrolled airspace. It also contains language prohibiting the use of ADS-B Out data to initiate investigations of pilots and to amend the Pilots Bill of Rights to ensure pilots have adequate time to respond to letters of investigation.

Rep. Larsen has been a longtime voice of support for aviation in Congress and has cited the importance of strong infrastructure in all areas including aviation, as essential elements of a strong national economy.

Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board said in his statement, “In his role as Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rick Larsen conveyed to Congress the necessity of a bipartisan approach to giving the FAA its roadmap for the next five years, so the agency can plan and execute its important mission of keeping the American aviation system the safest and most active in the world. It is especially gratifying to see general aviation represented as an essential, stand-alone title within FAA reauthorization, a provision that exists because of the direction and support of Ranking Member Larsen.”

FMI:  www.eaa.org/eaa