NBAA Lauds Senate Letter Calling For Immediate Action

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has sent a letter to FAA administrator Michael Huerta imploring him to review the agency's determination that the FAA Aircraft Registry office is “non-essential” under government-shutdown guidelines.

The letter has the strong support of the NBAA.

The recent partial shutdown of the federal government has led to the closure of the registry, all but halting the sale, purchase, export or import of aircraft in the U.S., profoundly and negatively affecting thousands of small and mid-size businesses across the country that are involved in aircraft transactions.

“The closure of the Aircraft Registry office has a serious impact on American aircraft manufacturers and related industries, because it prevents the delivery of newly manufactured aircraft,” reads the Oct. 9 letter. The letter goes on to note the Registry’s important role in providing "essential services" related to aviation safety, security and fulfillment of U.S. international obligations.

"The FAA appears to be handling the current shutdown in a  different manner from previous shutdowns, inflicting unnecessary hardship on aviation industries in the country. The closure of the Aircraft Registry office has a serious impact on American aircraft manufacturers and related industries, because it prevents the delivery of newly manufactured aircraft," the letter states.

As the shutdown has unfolded, and its effects on business aviation have become increasingly visible, NBAA has continually called on Washington policymakers to find a swift resolution to the funding crisis.

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) was joined in signing the letter by Sens. James Inhofe (R-OK), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Pat Roberts (R-KS).

FMI: www.nbaa.org