Proposal Represents Critical Investment In Tech, Infrastructure, Workforce

The Experimental Aircraft Association has accompanied more than fifty other aviation stakeholders in the Modern Skies Coalition voicing strong support for a bill under consideration in the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that would appropriate $15 billion to invest in crucial aviation infrastructure, air traffic control, and workforce development.

Jack Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the EAA released the following letter to Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), Committee Chair and Ranking Member, respectively.

“EAA, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, embodies “The Spirit of Aviation” through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. Our more than 300,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building, and restoring recreational aircraft. We strongly support the Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernization proposal from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to fund critical investments in the air traffic control system’s technology, infrastructure, and workforce.

“Our members, who are owners and pilots of general aviation aircraft, are daily users of the National Airspace System (NAS). They experience both the benefits and deficiencies of our current ATC system. We thank Chair Graves and Ranking Member Larsen for their leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in passing the 2024 FAA Reauthorization law and for developing this proposal to fund the modernization of the ATC system.

“These provide the foundation for the efforts needed to undertake this vital and necessary effort. Doing so will ensure that we preserve our best-in-class system, make certain we remain globally competitive, and guarantee that our NAS continues to support our country's economic engine by providing a safe, robust, and reliable means of moving people and goods.

“We urge the Committee to pass these provisions and look forward to working with Congress and the Administration on efforts that utilize these investments in modernizing ATC to support all users of the National Airspace System.”

FMI:  www.eaa.org/