NATA Pleased With New Aviation Legislation

National Air Transportation Association (NATA) president James K. Coyne praised the House of Representatives for approving historic legislation authorizing aviation programs. The legislation is the first Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation of the 21st century and includes a number of provisions that will support America's aviation businesses in the future. 

H.R. 2115 Approved, 418-8

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 2115, the "Flight 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act" (CARA), sponsored by U.S. Reps. Don Young (R-AK), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; James Oberstar (D-MN), Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure; John Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, and Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Minority Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation. The measure was approved by a vote of 418-8.

"While the previous legislation, AIR-21, was historic, this bill is just as significant in terms of its importance to the aviation community. This is especially true for those businesses that form the backbone of our industry," Coyne stated. "This bill can jumpstart our industry to more prosperous times and help ease the turbulent period this country has endured in recent months."

Happy there's mo' spending:

Overall funding levels for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) rise from $3.4 billion in FY 2004 to $4.0 billion in FY 2007. "While security issues have dominated policy makers for the last 20 months, we are quite pleased to see that FAA funding levels continue to increase to meet future demands on our national air transportation system."

Coyne also praised the House for including a provision designed to provide financial aid to America's general aviation businesses. Many businesses serving the general aviation industry continue to suffer economically because of federal mandates imposed on them since the September 11th terrorist attacks. "I profoundly commend the House aviation leadership for insisting upon fairness and responsibility by including a framework for general aviation businesses to obtain financial assistance.  This legislation will help these businesses by minimizing the impact of the continuing restrictions imposed on them by the federal government." Coyne stated.

Pearce Amendment Passed.

In addition to general aviation relief, the House bill includes a provision designed to enhance small-community access to the national air transportation system. Under the measure, locations that cannot support scheduled service would be served by smaller, non-scheduled commercial air carriers.  This provision, offered by Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM), allows non-scheduled commercial air carriers to negotiate with passengers the flight times and destinations desired on a per-seat basis rather than forcing them to "buy" the entire airplane. Additionally, the Pearce Amendment restricts such carriers to using only turbine-powered or multi-engine piston-powered aircraft with 10 passenger seats or fewer.

"We are quite pleased that this important provision is part of the bill," Coyne said.  "It is clear that the government's Essential Air Service (EAS) cannot subsidize the costs incurred by air carriers in providing scheduled service to all of these smaller communities.  These communities, by themselves, cannot generate the traffic necessary to justify the airlines' expense.  The Pearce Amendment eases the financial strain on both the scheduled carriers and the federal government while allowing much-needed flexibility."

The bill also includes a number of other NATA-sponsored or -endorsed initiatives, including:

• Encouraging the re-opening of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to general aviation operations;
• Requiring the FAA to report to Congress on why the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) exists within 30 days and every 60 days thereafter;
• Providing pilots the ability to appeal the revocation of their certificates for security concerns;
• Responding to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's unilateral closure of Meigs Field, the bill imposes a "civil penalty of $10,000 for each day that the airport remains closed without having given" the required notification;
• Creating a much-needed small business ombudsman within the FAA;
• Prohibiting air tour flights from evening to dawn over certain locations of the Grand Canyon;
• Improving regulations requiring aircraft manufacturers to make maintenance manuals available to repair stations;
• Streamlining airport projects;
• Updating of standards for aircraft maintenance technicians; and
• Expanding to 50 years the minimum term required for hangar leases.

"The association truly appreciates the dedication and hard work of the House aviation leadership and the key staff members who have made this landmark legislation a reality," Coyne concluded.  "We look forward to working with both the House and Senate as this bill continues through the legislative process."

FMI: www.nata-online.org