Propose $100 Million In Financial Assistance

Members of the Senate this week are lobbying the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government to include general aviation relief in the FAA Reauthorization Bill.

Specifically, the letter encourages Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Patty Murray (D-WA), the Chairman and Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Transportation, Treasury and General Government respectively, to fully fund the provision within H.R. 2115, the "Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act," that would provide desperately needed financial assistance to those general aviation entities hit hardest by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Here's what the letter, addressed to Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Patty Murray (D-WA) had to say:
 
We once again thank our stalwart supporters for joining the cause to compensate rightfully and fairly those businesses that have suffered immeasurable losses because of airspace and security restrictions imposed upon them by the federal government," Coyne stated.  "We hope this letter will be an influential factor towards ensuring that these funds are appropriated."

While our nation's continues its recovery from the September 11th terrorist attacks, there is a vital sector that has been ignored. As you are well aware, immediately following the terrorist attacks, all civilian aircraft were grounded, including commercial and general aviation. While airlines were allowed to operate a few days after the 11th and received $5 billion in federal grants to keep them operating, general aviation's piecemeal release back into the nation's airspace took several months, with thousands of businesses of all shapes and sizes regularly confronting federally-mandated restrictions preventing them from conducting revenue-generating flights. Even today, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport remains closed to general aviation operations, and operational restrictions on general aviation businesses, such as aerial banner towers, still remain elsewhere. Most importantly, the general aviation industry has received no financial assistance to help those predominately small businesses recover from the enormous economic hardships incurred as a result of federally-mandated airspace restrictions.

While the Conference Report to H.R. 2115, the "Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act" has yet to be approved by Congress, within this legislation exists a critical provision that would provide desperately needed financial assistance to those general aviation entities hit hardest by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Specifically, the provision would authorize $100 million in financial assistance to general aviation entities hit hardest by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Specifically, the provision would authorize $100 million in financial assistance to general aviation entities including fixed-base operators, flight schools, manufacturers, persons in non-scheduled aviation enterprises and general aviation independent contractors. In addition, the bill outlines that the fixed-base operator and other general aviation businesses at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as well as three general aviation airports within the Washington, DC area that were closed after September 11th are also eligible to apply for a share of the $100 million.

While it remains unclear whether the FY 2003 Transportation, Treasury and General Government Appropriations Bill will be considered and approved as a stand-alone measure or within an omnibus package, we strongly encourage you both, as leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government, to appropriate the $100 million outlined within H.R. 2115. Doing so will provide the critical support needed for those general aviation businesses and airports that have suffered immeasurable hardships because of airspace and operational restrictions placed upon them by our federal government.

Thank you for your consideration on this pressing aviation issue. We hope that you will provide the support needed to revitalize this critical segment of the aviation industry.

Sincerely,

• John Warner (R-VA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services
• James Inhofe (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Richard Durbin (D-IL), member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government
• Conrad Burns (R-MT), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation as well as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
• Ben Nelson (D-NE), member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services
• George Allen (R-VA), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and
• Gordon Smith (R-OR), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

FMI: www.nata-aero.org