House Financial Services Committee Vice Chair Calls for Longer View on Aviation Training Legislation

Q: Now that the FAA is working to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system with technological upgrades to ensure the National Airspace System remains the safest in the world, what are your thoughts on a proposed appropriation for an additional $18.5 billion to fully fund the upgrades and accelerate the recruitment and training of air traffic controllers?

Momentum is already building in this respect. On January 22, the House passed a $22.209 billion FAA appropriations package with bipartisan support, a measure I strongly backed and which, as of this writing, is awaiting Senate action. If enacted, this funding would fully support air traffic control operations at a critical moment for the National Airspace System. Most notably, it would enable the hiring of approximately 2,500 new air traffic controllers – an essential investment in both safety and capacity – as well as provide the resources needed to advance long-overdue technological modernization.

With my friend [Transportation] Secretary [Sean] Duffy leading the department, I am confident this responsibly increased funding would be deployed effectively to modernize our aviation infrastructure and reinforce U.S. airspace safety as the global gold standard.

Q: With looming challenges to meet projected workforce shortfalls caused by retirements and increased demand in the business aviation industry, you voted in support of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which included provisions to expand the aviation workforce pipeline and improve training standards. What more can be done to ensure that enough pilots and technicians will be available to meet industry needs in the coming decades?

The question rightly points to a key part of the answer: the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 was a critical step, but aviation does not stand still – and neither can policymakers. In an industry defined by long training timelines and rapid technological change, legislation must be more forward-looking than it has been in the past, and efforts must be sustained well beyond a single authorization cycle or annual appropriation.

This starts with further emphasizing advancement of community college, technical school, military, and other new, diverse partnerships to keep not only the talent pipeline strong, but also access to cutting-edge training technology. On one end, the private sector, technology firms and training pipelines are stepping up, but on the other end, the federal government must be ready to meet them in turn by cutting red tape and bureaucracy to quickly move grants, rigorously and swiftly certifying professionals, and ensuring regulators have the flexibility to adapt.

Duncan Aviation is a powerful example of what this approach looks like in practice. As a global leader in business aviation maintenance – and a cornerstone employer in Battle Creek – Duncan has long invested in workforce development, apprenticeships and technical training, showing how industry leadership and local talent development can move forward together in partnership with the federal government.

Q: You also voted for passage of the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025, which was designed to help fight the stigma and misinformation that continues to surround mental health concerns among our nation’s pilot community. Can you share with our readers the key reasons you supported this bill and why you think the issue is important for the aviation industry?

As a frequent airline passenger, I have immense admiration for – and trust in – America’s pilots and flight crews. They operate at the highest professional standard in the world, often under intense pressure and demanding schedules, and they carry the responsibility for millions of lives every day. The flying public already places extraordinary trust in them, and I view the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 as a commonsense way for us to reciprocate that trust.

This bill provides the funding, infrastructure and “clear runway” needed to encourage individuals in the aviation workforce to access mental health care should they need it. This has long been identified as a critically unmet need for the safety of both pilots, their airline colleagues and passengers. With pressure and [high] stakes thrust on these workers each day, it is highly appropriate we overcome any stigma so that they have a place to address their mental health needs.

Q: With the emergence of entirely new types of aircraft – so called advanced air mobility, or AAM aircraft – what are your thoughts on the Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy to accelerate the development and deployment of AAM technologies and integrate the new aircraft into the nation’s airspace?

As the reality of advanced air mobility continues to solidify, its potential to reshape the economy at both the national and local levels becomes increasingly clear. I am encouraged that the Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy lays the groundwork for the United States to harness these developments through thoughtful infrastructure planning and safe airspace integration. Forward-thinking communities – including Battle Creek in my congressional district – are well positioned to serve as early hubs for testing, workforce development and deployment, helping ensure that innovation, economic growth and safety advance together as this new sector lifts off.

Q: As you know, a bill called the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act would require the FAA to issue regulations to legalize civil supersonic flight in the U.S., as long as the aircraft is operated to ensure that no sonic boom reaches the ground. Can you share your perspectives on this bill and the idea of enabling supersonic flight for civil aircraft over the U.S.?

I’m glad to see this legislation has passed the House Transportation Committee and could make its way to the floor for a vote. While I look forward to reviewing the bill further, I can say that from a good-governance perspective, it is virtually always appropriate to allow innovation to respond to market demand – provided it does so under clear, enforceable safety standards. I understand supersonic travel technology has significantly advanced, and I’m also confident that there are skilled manufacturers and suppliers in Southwest Michigan ready to contribute to the next generation of aviation technology and help ensure the United States remains at the forefront of aerospace innovation.