Rep. Gabe Evans (R-8-CO) was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024, and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which often impacts the aviation industry.
Previously, Evans served as a Colorado state legislator, a soldier in the U.S. Army, a pilot and company commander in the Colorado Army National Guard and as a police officer.
During his 12 years in the Army, Evans completed a combat deployment to the Middle East, serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and reaching the rank of captain.
In the Guard, Evans was stationed at Buckley Air Force Base, where he flew UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, responding to wildfires and performing search and rescues throughout Colorado.
In 2011, he joined the Arvada, CO, Police Department, reaching the rank of lieutenant, before retiring to run for state office in 2022.
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Q: As you know, business aviation has always served as an incubator for aviation innovation, including the successful development of technologies such as winglets, GPS for aviation and lightweight, super-strong composite materials. What policies should be considered that would spur continued American innovation and future development of new aviation-related technologies?
Aviation is the ultimate merit-based industry. Physics wins every time. We must support dynamic and science-based research and development by attracting and retaining the highest-caliber people and providing the best possible regulatory, tax and business environment for those innovators to create and develop groundbreaking solutions. Among other things, we must extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to ensure America remains the global business aviation leader.
Q: What should be done to ensure America’s air traffic control system remains the safest and most efficient in the world?
Aviation was the original high-reliability organization as a result of pioneering the concept of crew resource management. The vast majority of accidents involve human error. Mitigating that potential for error through the robust application of crew resource management training, adequately resourcing high-quality personnel, and promoting a climate of prompt and ready assistance is the foundation upon which all other safety measures are built.
“Congress and the aviation industry should borrow lessons learned from peer support programs to bolster user level mental health for aviation industry personnel.”
Q: What more can Washington, DC, do to enhance policies that support the improved mental health of the nation’s aviation workforce, including pilots and air traffic controllers?
Having served as both a police supervisor and a National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk company commander and pilot in command, I’ve had the opportunity to compare and contrast two dynamic, high liability, rank structured careers. Law enforcement has pioneered the concept of peer support, in which police officers receive mental health training and work with first-responder psychologists to detect and support their peers during traumatic incidents or routine life and job stress, without any of the fabricated stigmas associated with “going to see the shrink.” Congress and the aviation industry should borrow lessons learned from peer support programs to bolster user level mental health for aviation industry personnel.
“Finding ways to ease the transition of veterans into commercial and business aviation jobs will benefit both veterans and the aviation community.”
Q: Business aviation is increasingly suffering from a shortfall of pilots and aircraft maintenance professionals. What can be done to ensure that America has the aviation workforce it needs to maintain the highest levels of safety and efficiency?
Developing programs that work with high schools, community colleges and universities to promote and create pipelines into aviation as a high paying, high quality career is essential. Streamlining the credentialing and outreach to separating military aviators, aircrew and supporting personnel is also critical. I earned my FAA commercial license by taking the military competency exam, but struggled to actually land a civilian job. I became a cop instead. Finding ways to ease the transition of veterans into commercial and business aviation jobs will benefit both veterans and the aviation community.
Q: The raw materials needed to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel can create new markets for American farmers, while cutting aircraft emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. What is Congress doing to support sustainable aviation fuel production as a strategy to leverage agriculture as a national economic driver?
Congress is working on a farm bill that would expand USDA bioenergy programs to support the research, development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel. The Denver area is home to companies leading in biofuels and new fuel technologies, and I’d love to see a farm bill that strengthens that kind of cooperation. It’s a smart way to grow our economy, support Colorado farmers, and advance American energy innovation. I fought for these policies as a Colorado state legislator and will continue to do so in Congress.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.