Blakey: "This Is A Good Bill"

AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey on Tuesday expressed support for the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 (H.R. 658) currently moving through the U.S. House of Representatives.

"We're very pleased with the Committee's decision to address environmental streamlining, third-party performance-based navigation procedure design and the establishment of NextGen performance metrics," said Blakey (pictured). "These policies will make our air transportation system more efficient and also protect the investment of the American taxpayer."

Blakey's testimony before the subcommittee Feb. 9, outlined a number of initiatives to improve FAA efficiency and capitalize on the experience of the private sector. "This is a good bill," said Blakey. "It's fiscally responsible to fully fund programs like NextGen, which have a strong economic and environmental return on investment and help the FAA carry out its fundamental safety mission."

AIA also commended the committee's acknowledgement of the benefits of bilateral aviation safety agreements and a risk-based inspection regime when applied to repair station oversight. These carefully negotiated agreements make FAA more efficient, enhance the agency's international safety oversight and help protect U.S. jobs.

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org