Feb. 29, 2024
In the time since the pre-COVID moment when Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) last addressed the Aero Club of Washington, the aviation industry has witnessed significant turbulence and important changes. But in returning to the Aero Club Feb. 29, the senator addressed an enduring priority: safety.
Speaking before an audience of aviation stakeholders at the monthly gathering, the Senator underscored that a continuing focus on safety is especially important as Congress continues to work on an FAA reauthorization bill. He noted the need for Congress to complete work on the multi-year bill under consideration, and specifically cited the need for the final legislation to provide the FAA with the necessary, long-term resources needed to ensure the U.S. remains the world’s leader in aviation safety.
“One of the things I said when I became ranking member of the subcommittee a year and a half ago is we are going to do everything we can to avoid what I’ve seen in the past, which is essentially extension after extension [of the reauthorization bill],” he said. “We need certainty. We need to know what the rules are, and we need an FAA that has the support to enforce them.”
NBAA President & CEO Ed Bolen speaks with Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) at the Aero Club of Washington on Feb. 29.
The senator, who is the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation, is a former member of the Kansas Civil Air Patrol whose home state is responsible for manufacturing 35% of all general aviation aircraft in the U.S
The FAA reauthorization bill includes several key provisions to strengthen industry safety standards and oversight from the agency. The legislation was passed by the House last year and by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Feb. 8. Moran hopes that Congress will complete the bill in the next few months.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.