Highlights from House Testimony by NBAA’s Ed Bolen

In testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee, NBAA detailed for Congress a policy roadmap for strengthening the general aviation sector in the U.S. and around the world, today and in the years to come.

Building the Next-Generation ATC system

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen urged Congress to build on the successful implementation of the next-generation air traffic control (ATC) system and maintain congressional oversight, along with the current tax structure to support the Aviation Funding Stability Act and Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF).

Protecting Business Aviation from 5G Interference

Bolen urged Congress to ensure that the FAA protects business aviation from 5G telecommunications interference.

Securing the Privacy of General Aviation Travelers

Bolen urged Congress to protect the right of privacy of general aviation travelers, who are easily tracked by “cyber-stalkers.”

Supporting the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act

Bolen called for Congress to support technologies like electric, hybrid and hydrogen propulsion, with the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R. 6270), which would expand advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure, and by clarifying tax rules to allow electric aircraft charging stations to qualify for the same tax credit applicable to ground vehicles.

Building Aviation’s Workforce

Bolen urged Congress to enact policy changes and recruitment efforts to help the industry meet its need for 600,000 new pilots, technicians, and other professionals in the next 20 years.

The Importance of General Aviation

Bolen acknowledged that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed several laws that enabled business aviation to continue to support 5,000 communities across the U.S. with 1.2 million jobs and $247 billion in annual economic output.