NBAA President Shelley A. Longmuir (below, right) has joined the chorus hailing the enactment by Congress of legislation reauthorizing more than $60 billion in funding over four years for the FAA and related aviation programs.

"Relevant members of the U.S. Senate, as well as FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, are to be commended for applying great wisdom and leadership to resolving the dispute over contract towers and privatization that had delayed final consideration of this critically important measure," said Longmuir. NBAA also lauded House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Don Young (R-AK) for their tireless efforts in this regard.

Several of the Act's numerous provisions are of particular importance to the NBAA Membership and the broader business aviation community. These include the mandate that the Department of Homeland Security, in cooperation with the FAA Administrator, develop a program that may allow security-compliant general aviation operators access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA); increased funding for general aviation airports; and $100 million to compensate general aviation entities harmed by the events of 9/11.

Further, the authorization for the FAA relative to charging foreign carriers overflight fees (thereby avoiding huge reimbursements by the agency as a result of a recent Supreme Court case) sends an important message about the need for a level playing field in the international aviation arena.

FMI: http://web.nbaa.org/public/govt/108th/hr2115