House And Senate Appropriations Committees Move THUD, CJS Bills Forward

Appropriations committees in both the U.S. House and Senate passed legislation late last week that funds general aviation priorities in the Fiscal Year 2019. The bills included the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations.

The House and Senate Committees’ THUD bills include similar language supporting NextGen and the role of the NextGen Advisory Committee, report language focusing on improving the FAA Flight Standards office’s regulatory process, support for the completion of the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) program, and retention of FY2018 language requiring important certification reform efforts are preserved and enhanced.

“We thank the Committees for their work on the THUD bills, which provide direction to the FAA that will further improve aviation safety and help facilitate innovation and advances in general aviation,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce (pictured). “The language in these bills will foster improvement in the FAA’s regulatory and oversight actions, as well as coordination with the aviation industry. This will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the aircraft certification process and acceptance and validation of aviation products globally.”

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees CJS bills include an increase in funding for aeronautics at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and contain similar report language about initiatives related to emerging methods of propulsion, simplified vehicle operations, automation, and integration of these operations into the national airspace.

“We thank the Committees and their leadership for supporting these critical segments of the general aviation industry, which are transforming aviation and offer important safety, environmental and economic benefits,” said Bunce. “We hope Congressional leadership will push these important pieces of legislation to swift passage in their respective chambers.”

(Source: GAMA news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.gama.aero