...Though We'll Bet She Wishes They Could Have Done This YEARS Ago...

Former FAA Administrator, Marion Blakey, who battled the Washington Puzzle Palaces for years in order to update the FAA and ATC has made some comments on the Senate's MUCH-delayed passage of the FAA's long-overdue Reauthorization.

"Passage yesterday of a long-awaited FAA reauthorization bill by the Senate is a good step forward to restoring program and budget stability to the nation's largest operational agency. The FAA is currently approaching its twelfth short-term extension since Vision 100 expired in September, 2007.

AIA is particularly pleased with the Senate's foreign repair station provision, which seeks to honor bilateral aviation safety agreements. AIA is also a strong supporter of the administration's goal to accelerate NextGen implementation. Language in the Senate bill moves up expected avionics equipage deadlines substantially. In this economy, we appreciate language in the bill that acknowledges the appropriateness of federal funding incentives for airborne air traffic management infrastructure.

The Senate and House-passed bills have significant differences. AIA looks forward to working with congressional conferees to ensure a final bill that continues to bring safe and efficient air travel to the general public."

Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org