July 18, 2017
NBAA will use its presence at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA’s) AirVenture, in Oshkosh, WI, from July 24-30, to continue mobilizing opposition to legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would privatize the ATC system.
NBAA is asking general aviation (GA) users to speak out against the proposal, H.R. 2997, by encouraging them to contact their elected federal officials using NBAA’s new toll-free phone number – 1-855-265-9002 – or via the association’s online Contact Congress online resource. Learn more about Contact Congress, and alert lawmakers to your opposition to H.R. 2997 today.
NBAA team members also will be handing out lapel stickers and pocket cards encouraging people to fight the proposal. Visitors to NBAA’s tent will be able to utilize any of five pre-programmed iPads to connect with Contact Congress on the issue.
Additionally, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen will be on hand for a town hall meeting with other GA leaders to talk about the importance of fighting ATC privatization. That event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Monday, July 24, in EAA’s Theater in the Woods.
Proposals for privatizing ATC have been pushed by the big airlines as part of a continuing debate over FAA reauthorization. Under such proposals, congressional oversight of the nation’s aviation system would be replaced by an entity governed by a private group unaccountable to Congress. On June 21, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-9-PA) introduced H.R. 2997, a bill containing provisions for privatizing ATC.
“I encourage Oshkosh attendees to come out to the town hall meeting, and stop by our tent and learn why it’s imperative for everyone to contact their representatives and ask them to oppose H.R. 2997,” Bolen said. “We know that the citizens, companies and communities relying on general aviation for connectivity, civil services and other needs will be the ones most at risk if America’s aviation system is turned over to a private board largely unaccountable to Congress.
“NBAA has long supported implementation of targeted solutions to identified problems to ensure America’s aviation system remains the world’s best in all aspects, for the next five years, 10 years, 25 years and beyond,” Bolen added. “What we don’t support is a plan to give away control over the nation’s aviation system.”
Patrick Haller, NBAA’s director of membership and member services, said that the AirVenture effort will help marshal grassroots opposition to the privatization legislation. “By tapping into general aviation advocates at the industry’s largest outdoor event, NBAA will rally opposition among people who have much at stake with this legislation,” he said.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.